The Humble Boldness of Saint Patrick
March 10, 2015 by Leave a Comment
In the year 432, Patrick returned to Ireland again, as a result of his obedience to the voice of God. On his arrival Patrick humbly and courageously presents himself and the gospel to the heathen Druid chieftain, whom he had escaped from years before.
This chieftain named Dichu became his first convert and he offered Patrick, the pick of any of his land for the site of Patrick’s first church. Patrick chose a situation high on the mountains of County Down, from where Patrick could see much of Ireland spread out before him. It was from here that Patrick carried out the great commission for the next thirty years of his life, where the influence of his ministry expanded to the mainland of Scotland, England and Wales and even much of Europe.
The Providence of God
March 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment
After six years of captivity as a slave in Ireland Patrick escapes and returns to his family in Scotland. But something wonderful had happened to Patrick because of his conversion to Christ – he did not hate the Irish, but instead he had a love for them.
He had seen the Druids in Ireland controlling the people, encouraging them to worship sacred trees, stones and even the sun itself. The Lord spoke to Patrick in a dream in which he heard, “ The voice of the Irish…We beg you, Holy boy, come and walk among us again.” He began to prepare for ministry to return to Ireland even though his family tried to persuade him not to.
In His providence God provided a way of escape for Patrick. He is also faithful to provide a way for you.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
A Shepherd Boy named Patrick
March 7, 2015 by 1 Comment
Did you know how Saint Patrick came to be in Ireland far from his home town of Dumbarton on the river Clyde in Scotland?
From his early confession we learn that, at the age of sixteen, he was captured by a band of Irish pirates, who sold him as a slave to a Druid chieftain in Northern Ireland. Until his captivity Patrick had no real experience of God or salvation even though he had been raised in a Christian home, where his grandfather was a minister of the gospel. Here are his own words, “I was sixteen and knew not the true God, but in a strange land the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes and I was converted.” He realized that God in His mercy had allowed his captivity to take place so as to lead him to a new and better life. With the sufferings of exile had come the understanding of salvation.
How Rich Are You?
March 5, 2015 by Leave a Comment
It has often been said “Money might make you wealthy, but friends make you rich.”
Genesis 2:18 It is not good that man should be alone.
We were created to be social beings needing the company of each other.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Friends are God’s way of taking care of you.
Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly.
In turn you can be God’s Hand extended to others.
C.S. Lewis defined it so well “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value;
but rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”