He knows His own. [John 10 v 1- 18]

In one of James Herriots books, he tells of attending to a shepherds sheep [He was a vet],and speaking to the shepherd he says ,as he looked for one particular sheep ,how they all looked the same to him.Well it was no problem to the shepherd,who knew all his sheep, he immediately points out the sheep to James.In John chapter 10, Jesus declares v14,/ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine/.As I look at people and speak to them I am not always sure if they know the Lord,they attend church ,sing the hymns,but I am still not sure, but Jesus knows. He knows who is His, He knows who trully has trusted Him to be their Saviour,He knows whom He died for,He knows His own.There is coming a day in which we will know ,who belongs to our Saviour, [Matthew 25v31 ff] let us ask ourselves the very important question,not in relation to others,but in relation to ourselves, am I trully one of Jesus sheep?. [ Dear Lord I thank You that You know Your own, help me to be absolutley clear that I am one of Your own Amen ]

Feeling overwhelmed. [ Psalm 91]

Sometimes life overwhelmes one, you feel the burden of life greatly, for those who are in pain, and indeed the pain we may carry within our own hearts. I get annoyed at those who preach a prosperity gospel, they intice you into the kingdom with a promise of wealth and health, a teaching that is so far removed from reality, did Jesus ever say if we follow Him ,we would have perfect health, and abundant wealth ?,no, His very act of coming into this world was one of great sacrifice, He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor, He had no where to lay His head. The very nature of Christianty is one that will bring you persecution, and many are experenceing this now. Jesus told us to lay up treasures in heaven, He tells us to deney ourselves and to take up our cross, and to follow Him, and for this challenge He promises that He will be with us, He promises to meet our needs, He will pour into our lives His love , and grace,and continually show us mercy, yes life can be overwhelming, but Jesus will uphold us, and bring us through. [ Dear God help me in the ongoing battle of life, to not give up, grant me the grace I need, fill my heart with Your peace, and a sense of Your presence , in Jesus name Amen ]

Our part.[ Acts 1v 8 ]

In Ephesians 1 v7 we read that God chose us before the foundation of the world, this is a great mystery ,but that is what God did, we were not an after thought, God planned it this way.God does not work haphazardly, He is never caught out ,He has a plan, and He will fulfill that plan ,nothing can stop it, and the core of His plan is redemptive, the salvation of people. Not only were we part of His plan, He will even use us in working out that plan, how?, by telling others about Jesus,in bringing others into His kingdom [Matthew 28 v19-20].He expects us to play our part in telling others about Jesus ,to be soul winners, the results of our witnessing , are in His hands, ours is not to reason why,ours is to simply obey. [ Dear God help me to tell others about Jesus, to not be disobedient to this heavenly calling, in Jesus name we ask this , Amen ]

My friend . [ 1 Peter 1 v 8-9 ]

I just heard yesterday that a friend has died suddenly,I have known this friend for a number of years ,I sometimes spoke to her on the phone, but mainly I wrote to her, and she would send me a postcard when she was on holiday. The thing is I have never seen her, I dont know what she looked like, but she was my friend, and I am sad at her death.This reminds me of my relationship with my Saviour, I have not seen Him,yet He is my closest friend, I speak to Him every day ,and He speaks to me continually,in so many ways,He is that friend that sticks closer than a brother, He comforts me , guides me,protects me, shapes me. This is a relationship of faith, it is real and deeply meaningful, a relationship that will never end, I know Him and I love Him ,and He loves me. He wanted to be my friend so much He was prepared to die for me on a cross,when I realized how much He loved I fell in love with Him, Iasked Him to be my Saviour, and I committed my life to Him.[ Dear Lord Jesus thank You for being my friend, Amen ]

Disruptions. [ Daniel 4 ]

I am sure none of us like disruptions,when our well ordered lives,are suddenly become not so ordered, by an accident, a sickness,a toothache,, some of these things are serious some things are not so. A friend calls in when we are in the midst of watching our team playing,or we are just about to go out,or we arrive at the airport,going on that holiday we have saved for, and looked forward to, only to discover that we have left our passport at home, or the flight has been cancelled.I could go on, you get the picture, but the point is this,why the disruption?could it be that we are being reminded that we are not in control, God is, and just mybe ,we have forgotten that very important truth. There is a number of ways we can react to disruptions, we can rant and rave,we can huff and puff, or we can simply turn afresh to God,and acknowledge our dependance on Him, and ask Him to overrule in all things.[ Dear God forgive me, for leaving You out of my life,forgive me for forgetting who is in control, thank You for reminding me of this truth, in Jesus name Amen ]

Dont give up.[ John 19 v30 ]

This is the third time I have attempted to publish my blog, Im not sure why it never saved it, mybe it is because I am tired, or mybe, just mybe, God wants me to change it. Mybe He is saying I need to persevere, and get the right message, perseverance is very important in life, in relationships,like marriage, or friendships.It may seem sometimes that things are to difficult in certain situations,to go on,so we give up, mybe God is saying dont give up ,persevere. We may ask why,we should not give up?,because our Saviour did not give up,on the cross He cried ,it is finished,the work of salvation was finished. Also let us remember when we are about to give up on someone , that Jesus never give up on us, He persevered with us, and continues to persevere, in spite of all our faults, I love those words in John 13v1 which reads ,/ having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end./[Dear Saviour thank You for finishing the work of salvation, and thank You for not giving up on me Amen ][ I will be doing my blog in evening until Monday]

Human reasoning. [Proverbs 3v5 ]

Yesterday we mentioned about the importance of the scripture , let me say we are not to worship the scriptures,we are to honour them as Gods word. The scriptures reveal all we need to know as regards salvation, we must accept what the scriptures say by faith,the problem with mankind is they lean upon their own understanding. When we do this we can get ourselves into so much trouble, the Roman Catholic Church is not the only ones who do this, the cults do,and the vast marjoity of people in this world do. More and more ,do I take to heart the words of Proverbs 3 v5 /Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding/, if we do this we will not fall into error or be led astray. So let us all hold fast to the truth of Gods word,to read it,believe it,to be guided by it, and to practice it. [ Dear God help me to not lean upon my own understanding, but to trust in You, with all my heart, in Jesus name I ask this Amen ] [ I will be on holiday for a week ,I will return to my blog on the 25th]

The popes visit. [ 2 Timothy 3v15- 16 ]

I was informed by a friend who was a Roman Catholic, that the priest never preaches from the word of God, it appears that the R C faithful completly trust their church,without question.This is wrong, our Saviour told us to search the scriptures, to find Him,[ John 5 v39]it is only Gods word that is infallible, and it is the scriptures that make us wise unto salvation, not a church, especially not the R C church, a church that for most of its history has denied the scriptures to its followers. A church that believes so many things contrary to scriptures, the position of Mary,the priesthood, and their perverted ideas as regards so many things.At this time when there is much hipe as regards the popes visit, let us not be carried away by this event, for as we consider his position,and his so called churches teaching, in the light of scripture, let us see it all for what it is, a church that is in deep error. [Father in heaven help me to hold fast to Your word, to see that ,it is only in Your word is there truth, in Jesus name Amen.]

Hold on. [ Psalm 30 v 5 ]

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,so reads the old gospel hymn, and its true,I recieve literature informing me of Christians who are suffering, of Christians who live in intolerant societies, some have died, been murdered,some are in prison, for some deliverance comes,for others the suffering goes on. For us who do not suffer for our faith ,life can also have its trials it is the nature of life, a dear brother I know has cancer,his wife and family,who watch him suffering feel the pain . So today whatever you may be suffering ,hold on ,do not despair, do not give up, remember it will be worth it all when we see Jesus, hear the words of Jesus, hold on my child joy comes in the morning.[ Father help me me ,to hold on, in the midst of lifes trials , knowing that joy will come in the morning, in Jesus name I ask this Amen ]

How great Thou art.[ Psalm 8/ Romans 1 v20]

I was preaching the weekend in Linconshire, one of the things I liked, I saw the stars, I have mentioned before how , I cant see many stars here,because of the natural light. The Bible tells us that there are two types of people in this world,the natural man and the spiritual man, the natural man does not see spiritual truths, he will look up into the sky with all the wonderful galaxy of stars, and he will say no God,instead of seeing the wonders of creation, he see,s no meaning, to it. The Spiritual man looks up, and declares , in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and that the Heavens declare the Glory of God.[ O Lord my God ,when I in awesome wonder consider all the works Thy hands hath made,I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,Thy power throughout the the universe displayed ,Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee,how great Thou art, how great Thou art. Amen ]

Gods ways. [ Isaiah 55v 8-13 ]

God moves in mysterious ways, so wrote the hymn writer,in Isaiah 40v13 we read,/ Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His counsellor hath taught Him/.There is indeed a mystery about God and His ways which we need to appreciate, consider what God can do, He is all powerful, and then what He does,He could one would think do so much ,like stopping all the evil in the world, but He does,nt,He could stop earthquakes but He does,nt, the list is endless. So why does He not stop earthquakes, etc? I do not know,it is in Isaiah 55v8-9, we read,/ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts/. These words must be accepted by faith,they are spoken by the God of love, who is just, a God who in His way is seeking to redeem a fallen world. [Dear God help me to trust You, even when I do not understand Your ways ,in Jesus name Amen] [I will be away for two days so no blog ]

I am growing old.[ Isaiah 46 v 4 ]

When you get to my age you wonder is the Lord finished with me, is my ministry finished, is that it?, after all I am not young anymore, my energy level is not what it used to be. Mybe I should just face the facts, that it is time to retire,so why is it ,I still have the desire to preach ,to serve my Lord?. Such are the thoughts that cross my mind, and yet the Bible tells us of different people God used in old age, Moses, Abraham,Caleb, and not forgetting Paul the aged. So is God finished with us because we are old ?no,what we need to do, is to continue to be open in our minds, willing in in our hearts, to accept Gods plan for us,whatever it may be, for that plan will be perfect.I read this recently in a daily reading,/There is no retirement in the service of the King of Kings, He has the right to ask us for anything, and send us anywhere at any season of life/.[ Dear God old though I be, I ask, that You would continue to help me serve You in Jesus name Amen.]

Oppression. [ John 8 v1-11]

The Koran is going to be burnt by a pastor in USA, the world of Islam will be up in arms,they feel their god is being insulted. It appears that anyone who differs with them is worthy of death,it does see to me that Islam is a very violent religion, they are good at reminding the world of the wrongs of the crusades, but they did there fair share of conquering. Time after time we here of poor women,[it never seems to be the men]being flogged or stoned to death. I remember speaking to a young soldier, who had served in Afghanistan,I asked him what he remembered about his time there?,he replied, people with no limbs,this was there punishment for stealing. Imagine what it must be like living under such a system, no thank you,today let us pray for Muslins,that God would move,and save,also let us remember our fellow Christians,who live in the lands of Islam and suffer many injustices.[ Dear God have mercy on those who are living under the oppression of Islam, bring them to faith in Thy son Jesus,also help Your people who live within the lands of Islam, Amen ]

Everyone. [Romans 3 v23 ]

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, recently a visitor to our church told us of four people who trusted Christ as their Saviour and one was a protitute. This dear lady had suffered tremendous abuse and is dying of cancer,now she is saved,safe and going to heaven. But I mentioned four people, I dont know much about the others, but whatever their profession, they had the same need of salvation as the prostitute, why?, because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Because everyone is a sinner everyone without exception needs Jesus as their Saviour, that means prostitutes,pilots, footballers,old people ,young people, all people, that means you and me.[ Dear God forgive me my sins in Jesus name Amen.]

Emotions. [ John 11v35 ]

Often as I preach these days I become very emotional, I read something this morning and tears came to my eyes. People become embarrassed when they show emotion, and yet God has emotions,Jesus wept openly[ John 11v35 ], He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities, [Hebrews 4v15],in all this Jesus who is trully God and trully man, shows us a God who has emotions, of love,and compassion, for His creation.When we show the right kind of emotions,we are, I believe being like Jesus,so let us weep ,as Gods word touches our hearts, as His spirits moves upon us,and we see things through His eyes, yes let us weep, for this sinful hurting world, and let us pray, and let us do, what we can , to be Gods instuments of healing.[ Dear Lord Jesus as I go through this day, help me to feel for those who are hurting and wounded, Amen ]

Preach the gospel. [ 1 Corinthians 9 v16 ]

I was busy yesterday, spoke three times, and even sang once at a hospice,although my singing ministry I feel is coming to a close.When I was booked to speak at the evening meeting ,I was asked to preach the gospel, which I attempted to do. It is the apostle Paul who declared , woe is unto me ,if I preach not the gospel [1 Corinthians 9 v16],these words are a challenge to me, and I hope to you, to tell others about the Saviour. It should be one of the most important things in our lives, we should all be like Paul, let us ask God to help us to tell others about Jesus,let us rise above our reserve,our feelings of rejection when people, dont want to listen to us. Jesus is saying to all of us , I want you to preach the gospel, I will help you,, I will give you the words to say, be faithful in this task, for My sake. [ Father, help me to tell others about Jesus, grant me boldness ,and the power of the Holy Spirit Amen]

Be on your guard.[ 2 Timothy 4 v1-5]

Yesterday I attended our local agricultural show,I enjoyed seeing the animals especially the horses,especially the Shires, magnificant creatures,also the cattle, the hairy highland breed.There where many stalls with different produce,and as I came to a particular stall, at first glance it appeared to be some Christians witnessing for their Lord, but as I spoke to one particular person, it soon became clear that they were not Christians, but a group of people who were in error.I sought to talk to that person but it was obvious that he was not listening, like so many ,he was a rationalist, he is among the many who seek to lean upon their own understanding, instead of the way of faith as revealed in Gods word. We do need to be on our guard against such groups,as a bank teller will reject counterfiet money ,so we must reject counterfiet religion.[ Dear God help me to reject error and to hold fast to to Your truth as is revealed in Your word in Jesus name Amen]

Flashbacks. [ Philippians 3 v 13-14 ]

Sometimes I have flash backs to situations,situations that have caused me pain, and I find myself getting angry. I start relieving it again, I lash out with my tounge, I retaliate ,I, then I stop, whats the point,I think, what purpose is it serving?, and of course none. I cannot change the past, but the past painful experiences can change me, in a destructive way if I dwell on then,and nurse them,they will affect me, not for the better. Lets not dwell on the past hurts and injustices,let us lay hold afresh, on the truth that God meant it for good, your good, my good, and move out of yesterdays painful experiences, let us ask God to fill us with His love, and peace, and lets us fix our eyes on our Saviour, and march bravely towards our ultimate goal, Heaven, and home. [ Father help me to leave behind my past failures, hurts,those things that have caused me pain,fill me with Your love and peace, in Jesus name Amen ]

The need of the hour. [1 Corinthians 9 v 16-27 ]

As I listened to the radio report my heart went up in thanksgiving, it was telling how the church is growing in China, one person interviewed spoke how the goverment cannot control peoples spiritual needs. As I listened to that report my heart also give out a cry for this country England, that people would begin to embrace Christ. I know God is working ,people still are being saved , but the vast majority of people are dead spiritually,and appear to to have no spiritual desires. The hour and the need is so great, all we who are Christians, need to awake to the hour ,and pray for our neighbours ,and the many people we have contact with, and we also need to tell them about Christ. What I am saying may sound a bit desperate, well I must confess it is, for mans need is desperate, am I prepared to be used by God , to meet the need of the hour?let us all ask ourselves that question.[ Dear Lord Jesus use me , use even me, to tell and to win others for You Amen ]

Just ask [Galations 5 v25]

Another sermon to prepare, another word to give,it is a challenge,but it is a challenge that we will be helped in, for the Holy Spirit is with me ,to give me the help I need. Usually I just pray, not knowing what to write,or what I am going to share with others, and it works, He the Spirit undertakes.Now lets broaden it out to life in general, you have many things to do, decisions to make,and you are worried as to how you are going to manage, dont be overwhelmed, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you,to help you, He will .We dont need to ask the Holy Spirit to come, He already dwells within every believer,just ask Him to help and guide in everything.[Dear God help us, guide us by Your Spirit, in everything, in Jesus name Amen ]

My way. [John 14 v6 ]

One of the songs that was very popular years ago ,was, My way, it reminds me that many , yes the vast majority of people ,choose to do it their way. The Bible declares that there is a way that seemeth right unto a man,but the end thereof are the ways of death. [Proverbs 14v12/16v25]. Mans way apart from God leads to a lost eternity, to a seperation from God, in a place the Bible calls Hell. Our Saviour spoke of two ways ,a broad way , and a narrow way, one leads to destruction, the other to life. The question is which road are you on?,you may consider that you are fine, you may be successful, your way may seem right , but the all important question is , where is it leading you?, to heaven or to hell?. Jesus said I am the way the truth and the Life, to accept Him is to accept Gods way, is to be saved, is to be safe. [ Dear God right now I forsake my way, and accept Jesus as my Saviour Amen ]