Wintry Days both inside and outside

     Many overseas folk only think of Australia as the "hot, brown land". And yes, large parts are just that but many folk overseas do not know we also have snow fields and plenty of snow in some parts, including here in the island state of Tasmania.
     While my friends in the Northern Hemisphere are experiencing the dreadful tornados, floods and fires of summer it is winter here in Australia. Okay, so I've shared with you that summer tree, that autumn tree, but now its bare branches just look too sad. Instead, here is part of our own front yard and part of my poor flower garden. No, we don't get snow here where we live in northern Tasmania - for which I personally am very thankful because I am not at all fond of cold days. A few days ago we had our first heavy frosts here and naturally Mary moaned.
     As fast as I could before they froze, I poked my nose and fingers outside to take this photo. If I had thought fast enough - and got out of my warm bed sooner! - I'd have stayed in bed longer and asked my husband before he drove off to take this photo and also one of the thick ice on our car that was left out overnight. The house wasn't as warm as later in the morning but I was still so glad we have heating inside no matter how freezing it is outside.
     Made me think about those inner parts of my body and spirit when the cold winters of life try to cool my fire and faith in my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
     Sure, I felt the effects of that icy air when I stepped outside right into it but once back inside with the warmth I did soon recover. How quickly do I recover inwardly when lashed by those storms of life which bring cold, cold blasts that would seek to harm, even destroy my faith in the Lord I handed control of my life to so many years ago? Where do I find the constant heating that warms and protects my faith during those "dark nights of the soul"?
     If we had decided to wait and purchase heating appliances only after freezing times arrived, how much longer I would have suffered from the cold. I know only too well that it is far wiser during the calm and pleasant days to make sure to nurture my faith. Sure, it may be through those very dark days when all we can do is cling to Christ that faith is proven to be true. Then that faith grow more and more as He gives comfort, strength for the days. But for that to happen, faith certainly needs to have a level of maturity to start with, a certainty that He is there, in control.

     How do we start with that kind of faith? The Bible is our guide, our recipe for life. It tells us "...how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?... (Romans 10:14) and "...faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)." I must read, hear, know what God says as recorded in the Bible about Himself and how HE wants me to live. The "hearing" can only come as I make myself available to Him. I must never to neglect my own private times of reading, study of and meditating on the scriptures. It’s also no good “hearing” if not obeying.
     It is also foolish to neglect sharing that “hearing” with other believers whenever and wherever possible. Together we grow stronger in faith as we share and prove God's word is true and real. Then will we be ready for those faith-testing days that would try to keep our inward being cold, even frozen. If we neglect getting to know our God and HIS ways as revealed in His Word, we make it harder for God to give the warmth of His love, strength and comfort.

     Over the years I have proved His faithfulness in the cold of winter and also the trials of summer. I hope you have and will continue to do so too..

Ray on Monday -Our Debt to Israel

Boycott Israel is a strange and twisted attempt by some to isolate Israel and cripple its economy. Such a view isn’t short-sighted, it is spitefulness mixed with ignorance and prejudice.

We will not agree with all Israel’s policies but we, especially if we are Christians, should be conscious of the debt we owe that nation. This is becoming more and more apparent as our society jets away from the moral and spiritual foundations of the Judeo-Christian faith.

Without Israel we would have no Bible. That in turn would mean we have no understanding of God or any concept of grace, hope and salvation. Why? Because we wouldn’t know of the Messiah who overcame sin, death and judgement on our behalf!

 Without the Lord God choosing the nation of Israel to be guardians of revelations, promises and prophesies, we would have no foundation for:
Understanding the purpose and spiritual significance of marriage.
How the world was created.
The beginning of the nations.
A framework for animal dignity.
Children’s welfare.
The source and curse of the occult.
Personal accountability and the climax to history.

These are but a small portion of the wealth contained in the Bible for our information and benefit.

Any intelligent assessment of our communities at this moment would admit we are in a moral and spiritual quagmire. We have no sense of absolutes, no foundation for marriage, a loss of reverence for God and a preoccupation with self indulgence regardless of how it destroys health and relationships. How has this come about? By a constant, deliberate and rejection of Christ with the undermining and rejection of the plain teaching of the Bible!

This isn’t new. How is it reversed? Not by force of arms but by force of a better lifestyle and faith based upon the Scriptures. When people in the moral and spiritual darkness long for something better, God offers His Word as their light out of darkness. How is that light to shine? When those who have trusted His Scriptures live them out and become Christ’s reflective lights in a dark world.

When we recognise our debt to Israel and accept God’s Word through them and the Church, we will no longer be in the dark about life and living.

Ray (in the Light) Hawkins.

Don't miss out on reading Ray's latest 31 Day Devotional book available from all good Christian Bookshops. Please email Ray on ray.haw3819@bigpond.com if you would like to buy a signed copy from him - via Mary's website and using PayPal. 

This is also available as an E-Book from Koorong and Word Australia as well as other international shops like Barnes and Noble.

Where is God in a Writer's Day?

I’ve been preparing a Bible study on “Where is God in your Day.” As all speakers will know, it is the speaker who seems to be challenged and blessed during the preparation of a talk even more than she would hope the participants and listeners will be!

Confession time:

As much as I try to be disciplined in spending special time in the scriptures and prayer by myself every morning, there are too many days when the “Tyranny of the Urgent” takes over and those precious moments are either skipped completely or rushed through in a few moments.

So, that is my early morning season with God. What about when pressures of trying to cope with all the demands of that day keep pounding away at me. Where is God in it all?

There are many times when I cannot help comparing my love relationship with God like the one I have with my husband. There are busy days when we are not able to spend much time together. There are hectic days when one of us is away from home altogether, perhaps even away for several nights too. (I have always been so very thankful God has not required that very often of us!) Then there are days when we can enjoy spending all the time together. No matter what kind of “Day” Ray and I share, whether away or together, our love and concern for each other’s welfare is always there in our hearts – even if not always at the forefront of our minds.

Although it is pretty impossible comparing a mere man to Almighty God, in so many ways my relationship with them both has similarities. Okay, so Ray is not God and like me makes mistakes, but I have to confess not always wanting to listen to Ray’s words, wanting to do what he suggests I should do even when I know deep down he is right! There are too many times I behave like that with God. “Trust Me,” God says. Especially during those days in dark valleys of doubt, pain, grief that is often hard to do.

When Ray and I were first getting to know each other forty-nine years ago, there was no way I knew his heart and mind as I do now. Since a child I have been so fortunate getting to know the God who never changes. Now I have experienced His care and love so many innumerable times and in so many varied and wonderful ways, I find trusting Him much, much easier. But still He needs to remind this frail, so often faithless woman, that her faithful God IS in control, that He DOES know what is best for her.

There are hours, perhaps even days, when I have not deliberately gone to spend time talking to Him and listening to what He has to say from the Bible to my curcumstances. How stupid I have been! How many mistakes I have made! But our Faithful God, through His Holy Spirit, tries to bring thoughts to my mind, remind me of God’s words, His ways, and prompts me to do things I would not otherwise do. But how much easier it is to hear and obey when I do spend those quality times alone with Him.

As I look back over my “days” – and there have been a huge number of them now – God has always been there in them in ways no one on this earth ever can be and this does include that wonderful husband of mine God has given me!

And no, afraid I did not spend more than a few moments this morning talking to God, just asked Him to control and direct my day.

Now back to spending more time with the great Lover of my soul before I do more writing – and more preparation on that Bible Study. Sigh! Guess I know I’m going to be challenged and convicted myself first by the Holy Spirit through the Word.

So, where is God in YOUR day?

ENCHANTED

What’s so special about the Bible?
Ray would say many things, but in the following poem he has expressed some from his personal experience.








       ENCHANTED

I was told, when I was young
Christ Jesus would spoil my fun.
Now older, I’ve been told
God is indifferent, cold.
Sitting on His heavenly throne
Indifferent to my groans!
Simply put, I must stand alone.

One day a book I discovered
Written all about a lover
Who from heaven came
The lost, unloved, to claim!
By its sincerity captured
With its clarity enthralled
Simply put, I was enchanted.

Enchanted,
   Delighted,
      Enthralled,
          I sit amazed
            As I ponder
               At the wonder
                  Of the news
                      God loves me!

He sought me,
   Through His Son,
      The only One,
         With love sincere
            Who could rescue
                This prodigal
                    From sin’s horrible
                       Wasteland
                            To holy ground!

Enchanted,
   Enraptured,
      And captured
          By such love
             Shown to all
                 In Jesus Christ
                     At Calvary!
Love supreme,
   There redeemed,
      Made precious
          The unloved,
              The unholy,
                  The unwanted
                      Ready for God
                          In time
                             And eternity.
I’m enchanted!

©Raymond N. Hawkins 2011.

Ray on Monday - Little Words – Big Implications

‘Little things mean a lot!’ was recorded over the years by many singers, So true. From a doctrinal viewpoint however I would re-phrase it to say, ’Little words have mighty implications.’

Consider the following:-

If! This could imply doubt with the motivation to make sure of the issue it confronts. The one which comes immediately to my mind is from 2 Corinthians 5:17: ‘If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone. The new is here!’ As you can see the little word is talking about location, location, location!

Do! Now this is an action word. It appeals to the ego, especially that of a man. We like to get stuck into things for out of them comes a sense of achievement and satisfaction. The Lord invites us all, and especially men, to a ‘do it’ doctrinal boot camp. Jesus throws down a challenge which is more than a test of muscle. It becomes a test of a person’s quest for truth, and especially the truth about who Jesus is. ‘Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own’ (John 7:17).

Where do we go to know the will of God? The Scriptures! The pages of the Old Testament are full of God’s will concerning the promised one. Check it out, especially Isaiah chapters 9, 11, 53, 61. The invitation of the Lord is to check him out (John 5:39)

Ask! Now this little word becomes a test of character. In Matthew 7:7-12 is the statement of Jesus inviting his hearers to ask and they will receive. This is in the collection of sayings called the Beatitudes, a beautiful collection of important and seemingly stand alone teachings. So when we take at face value the word ‘Ask’ unfortunately our baser nature takes over and we want, want, want without considering the consequences on our spiritual and moral life or the nature of our Sovereign Lord.

In fact I think the Beatitudes should be read from the parable of the wise and foolish builders. Both built fine houses. Both suffered the same climatic conditions. The only one standing at the end was the one built on the rock. The ‘rock’ is the words of Jesus on which a person erects his or her life and destiny.

In relation then to ‘Ask’ it means what you are asking for is compatible with His nature, His word, His purpose in your life. It also means depending upon Him to work things out in His time and for your benefit and testimony.

There are others little words you might like to ponder upon such as go, with, in, by and come out.

We are told not to despise the day of little things. Neither should we dismiss as unimportant the serious implications of God’s little words which have a huge impact upon our spiritual life and destiny.

Ray (captured by the little words) Hawkins

Ray on Monday - Christmas Secret



Haylee's first Christmas



And so, for those of us in this part of our world, we are now trying to recover from our Christmas Day. For those of you here as well as in the far reaches of our planet, Ray and I wish you every blessing you allow God to pour out on you at this special time of the year.

And Ray again shares with us some special thoughts to meditate about during this Season.

A Secret No Longer

We have turned the awesomeness of Heaven’s invasion of Earth by the Christ Child into a childish fun parlour for adults. In the child’s Christmas there’s a sense of mystical, magical mythology which evaporates as a mist through maturity.

On the surface, Christmas is so simple. It’s about a promised baby who has arrived and survived the almost endless complications of birth in ancient times. He grew into manhood, did wonderful things, was hated and loved - and was crucified. Simple!

Trouble is it is not simple. Wrapped up in the Bethlehem baby who became the Nazarene is a mystery. This in Biblical talk doesn’t refer to something hidden which must be searched for. The word “mystery” which means what was unknown, hidden and incomprehensible has actually been revealed, clarified and defined.

Writing to the folk at Colossae, the gospel dynamo, Paul, explained some of the motivation which made him a great missionary, pastor and teacher. “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col 2:2,3.)

Do you want to know what Christmas is about? Does your heart long for more than the froth and bubble of life? Is there a hunger for a new and deeper dimension for faith, hope and service? Look no further than the person and work of Jesus the Christ. The more you get to know Him through reading His Word, obeying that which He requires and expressing your faith through worship, the more you discover treasure for the mind, spirit and relationships.

Christmas comes and goes yet life goes on. The Christ celebrated on that occasion wants to go with you into the highs, lows and the mundaneness of your life. He wants to share with you the riches of his grace, the treasures of His heart and the wisdom of His word. Jesus has made no secret of His willingness to do that for you and me.

Ray (a treasure hunter) Hawkins.

And a VERY happy Christmas to each and every one of you!

Ray on Monday Book Giveaway - Now for the Milk!

Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation… 1 Peter 2:2.


Naturally if you read our blog you are aware of Haylee Mae’s arrival on Sat. 15th. Also you will realise the birth is a great opportunity for a preacher to make a devotional comment or two. So then I’ll not disappoint you – then again I might!

The opening text speaks of the need of the newborn babe. I’m fascinated by the way a baby knows it must suck the breast or the bottle to survive. Our Creator has linked the wonder of the baby’s need to the mother’s miracle of milk production. We understand it is so the baby can live, be healthy and grow.

One of the Bible’s features to me is how it uses such analogies to make us aware of the spiritual. When we put our trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour we are spiritual babies. Outwardly we may be very wrinkly but inwardly we are newborn. Therefore we need spiritual milk so as to live, survive and grow in our Christian life. What has the Lord supplied? The pure milk of His Word. There is a craving within our spirit only God’s Scripture can satisfy. To neglect it is fatal. Contaminate it with unbiblical notions is to cause spiritual malnutrition. The regular drinking from the Bible will cause growth, health and faith.

Watching children grow is to see them being weaned from milk and onto baby food then more substantial meals. Failure to make such a transition is detrimental to every aspect of a person’s being. The same is said about the spiritual requirements.

Parents and others have an important role in the feeding habits they pass onto their children. What applies in the human relationship applies in the spiritual. God has supplied the necessary ingredients and entrusted us with the responsibility of providing the proper spiritual diet for the appropriate stages of growth. That is one reason why we are told ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ And I can assure you after over 50 years on it, Heaven’s diet is delicious, nutritious and scrumptious.

Ray (the ever hungry but well fed) Hawkins.
 My dear husband doesn't know about this yet - he has taken two of our grandchildren to their gym this evening! To help celebrate the arrival of Haylee Mae I'd love to give away his thought and heart provoking devotional book to add to "The Spiritual Menu" of every grandparent, parent and anyone involved with children. We will have a draw of every one who leaves a comment here for a copy of Children:God's Special Interest. And please don't forget to include your email address!

Ray on Monday: Do we need a Truth Detector?

In a recent survey in the US it was stated that 91% of so-called Christians rejected the notion of Absolute Truth. I wonder how many non-Christians reject Truth as an absolute. What do you think about it?

If there isn’t an absolute truth then there are no absolute lies. Immediately you accept such a thesis you shatter meaningful relationships and business ethics. Why? Because why would I accept what you are saying! Do you mean what you say, possibly you mean it at that moment but the reality of the meaning may change because of passion, pride or perverseness.

Our society is whinging about various breakdowns in business, family, Church and marriage but why should it be surprised. No positive or negative absolutes mean I’m god of my scene and I make the rules of meaning. Trouble is we become like the mythical gods of Mt. Olympus and not the God of the Bible.

As disciples of Christ how should we live? Under the conviction that the Bible declares Absolute Truth which is designed to bless, guard and keep us!

I’m sad for those who reject the Absolutes of Scripture for they are like tumbleweed being blown through life, restless and hopeless. The Bible calls men and women of Faith to live in the Absolutes of God.
It is time for us to be Daniel in a pagan society. It is said he ‘resolved…not to defile himself…’ Daniel 1:8. So must we. Joshua also challenges us in an outward religious society without a heart for God. His conviction stemmed from a belief in the God of Absolutes. “…as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Let us be people confident in the absolute integrity of God and His word.

This is Ray Hawkins - you can be absolutely sure of that!