© 17-23 Colin Melbourne

Open your heart to God’s Spirit as you read, Mk. 10:13-16 KJV;

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Halleluia for the tenderness of Christ!

We too would have exasperated Him by pushing the kiddies to the sidelines. The disciples learned from this rebuke, and the Holy Ghost has recorded the incident in three Gospels so we also take it to heart.

The point the LORD makes is that; of such is the kingdom of God, (Matthew puts it; of such is the kingdom of heaven).

Note, not; for such…, not, in such…, not, such is of… but; for of such is the kingdom of God.

If you limit yourself to a modern-mangled ‘Bible’ version you’ll miss this.

© 17-23 Colin Melbourne

Self-Control or Self-Idolatry?

Q: Is it regarded as idolatry for a Christian to diet?

A: Very pertinent question, with obesity, vanity, self-idolisation, over indulgence, and eating disorders, rampant in the world.

The answer is straight-forward for a believer in Christ; where motivation to diet arises from a godly desire to keep fleshly lusts under the control of your spirit, it is; noble, proper, and biblically acceptable in principle, 1 Co. 9:27 KJV;

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Who Controls Self?

The “I” is the Apostle Paul’s spirit, writing by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost in him.

Your spirit is the real (though invisible) you, the hidden man of the heart, of which the Holy Ghost also writes through the Apostle Peter (1 Pe. 3:4).

© 11-23 Colin Melbourne

The Kingdom of God Revealed

Christ’s disciples asked why He taught in parables. Jesus said it was because believers have received a very special gift, one denied to unbelievers; Mtt. 13:11 KJV,

…it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven…

The 1984 NIV translates it as;

The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you…

This avoids the ambiguities of “mysteries”, a term cults now use as an excuse to teach occult mysticism.

© 12-23 Colin Melbourne

What about the ones who are not healed?

Q: Is it my fault if I’m not healed? I feel as though you are blaming me for being sick. Surely it’s up to God to heal me, and give me faith to believe in my healing isn’t it?

A: You sometimes get this response to the healing part of the Gospel. Usually from dear sick ones frustrated by what they term “trying to believe”, and yet failing to receive their healing.

They have often been prayed for, anointed with oil by elders, and had hands laid on them by every healing evangelists who passes through: All without apparent benefit. So they become bitter in heart. They have a tendency to incriminate God, and the messenger of His Word.

We need compassion, wisdom, and sensitivity in dealing with them.

Normally they are genuine Christians who have been religiously indoctrinated, so the full Gospel of Christ comes as a new thing to them.

It takes a long time to renew their minds in accordance with God’s Word, and some neglect to do so.

It’s a Faith Walk: Not a Sight Walk

© 12-23 Colin Melbourne

What is the Christian view of Gambling?

Q: Can I buy a lottery ticket? Where does it say in the Bible that gambling is wrong?

A: No Bible verse overtly states gambling is sin, but you find lots of scripture teaching us by implication that gambling is most definitely sinful.

Even the unsaved have the common-sense to see that gambling is dangerous. That is why most countries have strict laws regulating gambling.

© 19-23 Colin Melbourne

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 Co. 5:17-21 KJV

Sinners Have Been Reconciled

The heart of the Gospel is that God has come to Earth, in Christ, paid the whole world out of debt to Himself, and holds nothing against any sinner.

© 15-23 Colin Melbourne

Why Suicide is a short-cut to Hell

Q: Why do you say that those who commit suicide are self-murderers? Neil

A: Because that is the truth about suicide.

Intentionally killing yourself has always been termed self-murder, the word “suicide” only became fashionable since the 18th. century.

The phrase self-murder is a long-established term for suicide: You will find it listed, with that sole meaning, in all good English dictionaries. Even the current American Webster’s dictionary defines it unequivocally;

self-murder: Another term for suicide.

© 19-23 Colin Melbourne

That No Flesh Should Glory

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

1 Cor. 1:26-29 KJV

Labourers Wanted

What a word for the weak, foolish, and powerless!

We are the perfect material the LORD is looking for.

What can He do with us?

Anointed for Victory