The storm of the Lord
I believe the storm of the Lord has gone forth, as prophesied by Jeremiah: “See, the storm of the Lord will burst out in wrath, a whirlwind swirling down on the heads of the wicked. The anger of the Lord will not turn back until he fully accomplishes the purposes of his heart” (Jeremiah 23:19-20).
The Almighty God does not think as we think (Isaiah 55:8-9). He says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). May he not stop doing whatever he has to do until we think as he does. Judgement
begins “at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17).
But we can still pray, “In wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2).
Mary Cole
Chippenham, Wiltshire
Bringing out the best
During this epidemic, our Lord and Good Shepherd is bringing out our best qualities.
Those of us fortunate to have stayed well have started helping others – which we hadn’t done previously.
In addition to the 750,000 volunteers for the NHS, we are helping the homeless, the elderly, the disabled and young children. Doctors, nurses and other public servants – many of whom risk catching the virus on a daily basis – are all in our thoughts more.
We can all be optimistic about the future because something worthwhile always comes out of disasters. When this current situation is over, I hope we will continue being helpful to each other, and not rush around thinking about ourselves so much.
This is my prayer: “Dear Lord, please be a guide for us and help bring out the very best qualities in us.”
John Houghton
Worthing, West Sussex
Blood of Jesus banned
Recently I wrote to the Queen about the words, ‘The Blood of Jesus Christ’ being declared a criminal offence on Remembrance Sunday when I displayed them at Speakers’ Corner.
The shed blood of Jesus Christ is the key belief of Christians in Britain, the basis of Western civilisation and what I rely on to enter Heaven.
I had displayed these words for over 30 years, but the police insisted that they were against statute law.
Since Hyde Park is a royal park, the Queen’s personal ownership of the park was supposedly the reason why the words were banned – yet she is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England! I was upset to receive a reply from a courtier stating that this matter was “not one in which Her Majesty would become involved”.
Could this condemnation of God’s Word in the Queen’s name have something to do with the fact that three top royals – Prince Andrew and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex – stepped down from royal duties within two months of each other?
Roland Parsons
Gloucestershire
Let the land rest
No wonder the climate is changing – we have not allowed the land, air or sea to rest as God instructs.
Few allow themselves a sabbath, either. Factories and stores remain open on Sundays, while cars, planes and ships continue regardless. Even little children are using smartphones.
As well as commanding Israel’s inhabitants to have a weekly sabbath, God also required the land of Israel to observe a sabbath to the Lord (Leviticus 25:1-7). During the Babylonian captivity, the land “enjoyed its sabbath rests” for 70 years (2 Chronicles 36:21).
We might think we know better, but we have foregone God’s wonderful promises to those who obeyed his commands: “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit… I will look on you with favour and make you fruitful and increase your numbers… I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” (Leviticus 26:3-4,9,20)
Pearl Rumsey
Rainham, Kent
David Pawson revolutionised my thinking
Thank you so much for the article commemorating the late David Pawson’s 90th birthday (April/May).
He truly was a remarkable elder statesman of the British evangelical church. David was instrumental in forming my understanding of God’s purposes for Israel when he spoke on the subject, “It is time for the Church to repay its debt to the Jewish people” back in the early 1980s. My wife and I had visited Israel in 1976 and I knew I had missed something very significant about the land and the people.
David’s sermon opened my eyes and revolutionised my thinking. I’m sure there are many others who can testify to similar experiences. I have since had the pleasure of speaking alongside him on a number of occasions and always found him to be a great source of wisdom, understanding and humour.
Roy Thurley
Llandudno, Conwy County
David Pawson gave a lot of his books to Sovereign World Trust in Tonbridge, Kent, which has been donating to pastors worldwide for over 30 years. His book, ‘Unlocking the Bible’, has been given free of charge to many pastors across Uganda.
Pastor Godfrey Muwanga of Life Ministries Christian Centre, Kampala, told me recently, “The first time I came across David’s teaching was 23 years ago. Since then I have read many more of his books and the resources have enriched me and the ministry I lead.”
Richard Smart
East Sussex
A unifying voice
I am writing to thank you for your informative and challenging publication.
In these days of great uncertainty, you are bringing a unifying and prophetic voice to believers across our nation, as well as the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ to anyone who may pick up your paper. Well done to everyone involved! Keep up the good work.
Glynis Parker
Exeter, Devon