Change for the better. [ 1Corinthians 13 ]

I was reading how we can be evaluated, one persons took a test, and the result was they are among the limited number who are champions. I am not sure I want to do the test ,I may be told that I am a chump[ not a chimp, you cant make a monkey out of me]. I think we are all different,we may be champions, or chumps, but here is the important thing, God loves us. We may fail or succeed,be dull or bright, literate or illiterate, tall or small, tidy or untidy, but God still loves us. It is true,that we are all different, we are not clones, nor are me meant to be, but having said that, we all need to change, no matter who we are,and it should be a change for the better.If you want to know what that involves read 1 Corinthians 13, if we change in that way then it trully will be a change, for the better.[ Dear God I praise You ,that You me love as I am, but I also realize that Your aim is for me to change,this day help me by Your Spirit to change ,in Jesus name. Amen ]

My Shepherd . [John 10]

The 23Psalm is a wonderful Psalm, often my thoughts turn to it for reassurance, and comfort,and thats exactly what we need so often. It speaks of a personal relationship with God, a God who made Himself known to us as a man, Jesus, who was God manifest in the flesh.Relationships take on different levels, there are people we know ,and we dont know their names,people we do know their names, people we live with ,people we work with, but there is no relationship so personal as that of knowing Jesus .When we know Jesus ,the outcome should be,that we become more like Him, this also means getting to know Him in every aspect of life, of relying on Him, of following Him. It is a relationship ,that is not just onesided ,a relationship in which He reveals Himself to us,it trully is a very personal relationship, as the words of Psalm 23 declares the Lord is my Shepherd, is he yours? [ Dear Lord thank You for being my Shepherd . Amen ]

A vital discipline. [Psalm 119 v10 ]

One of the very important disciplines in our Christian life ,is to hold fast to what Gods word says, this is ongoing, I read these words in Jeremiah17v9,/ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked/. I wrote in response to these words,/ believe it/. We may not believe it ,it goes against our human reasoning,we think it is to extreme, after all there are people who do a lot of good. Again in the book of Jeremiah we read these words about the people of his day,God declares ,/ Ye walk everyone after the imagination of his evil hearts. [16v12]. Recently I was talking to someone who was advocating praying to Mary, he told me why it was appropriate, yet it was all based on his human reasoning,and not the word of God, which clearly teaches us that there is only one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus. [1 Timothy 2v5]Today let us hold fast to Gods truth,to not let our human reasoning or imagination take over. [ Dear God help me to hold fast to your word in Jesus name . Amen ]

We can be strong. [ Philippians 4 v13 ]

We are weak but we can be strong,so often we are reminded that we are weak,when faced with temptation, when we fail, and fall flat on our faces. Yes we are weak but we can be strong, God says ,I will strengthen you, [Isaiah 41 v10 ] .Life in itself , is a daily challenge, to get on with people, to cope with shopping,bills, organising different things, looking after children, just the everyday things, the list goes on. We may cope with all these things very well, but there is always something that we struggle with, temptations, holiness, having a quite time, the challenge of life is ongoing, and so often we feel our weakness. Here is the good news , we can be strong, not in ourselves, but in the Lord, [Ephesians 6v10 ]the one who wrote this was the great apostle Paul,think of all he accomplished, how did he do it? ,what was his secret, the answer is found in Philippians 4v13,/ I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me/. [ Dear Lord help us in our weakness to be strong in You. Amen ]

Lonely people. [ 1 Corinthians 13 ]

We have had some visitors for a few days, my son /wife and 3 children,it is lovely to have them stay, and to spoil our grandchildren, family is so important. We went out to a number of places and had family meals together, so many dont have this blessing, I am fortunate that I have. Today let us consider those people who have no friends ,and no family,the lonely ones, I think lonliness is one of the most difficult things to cope with. How can we help?well we can pray for them, and befriend them , my daughter -in-law has just recently, started to minister to the elderly, and she commented how lovely they are, but lonely. A person I know said I was the only person she had to talk to,imagine the only person to talk to, I usually just listen. It was the Beatles who sang of all the lonely people, where do they all come from? well I want to tell where they are, in your street, and in your church, and mybe in your family.[ Dear God in a world driven by materialisim, help us to see beyond this , and see that people need friendship, need a chat, need love,use me to befriend and love someone this day in Jesus name Amen ]

Riches. [1 Timothy 6 ]

I have just read 1Timothy 6 and thought that I would love to preach on this chapter, it appears to deal with a wrong attitude in relation to money.There were those who thought that godliness was a way into riches,[ v5] I wonder how this ties up with the so called prosperity gospel.The fact is that many NT Christians were poor, and in their poverty they would become disheartened and discontent,so Paul emphasizes certain things,[1] that true godliness with contentment is itself great gain [6 ]. [2] The dangers of wealth v9. [3] That the love of money is an evil that can cause all sorts of problems. [4] the uncertainty of riches, here today gone tomorrow [v17]. There is nothing wrong with being rich ,many of the OT saints had great riches, but their riches did not have a hold on them.[ Dear God help me to see things from a spiritual point of veiw, especially in relation to money, in Jesus name Amen ]

24/7. [ Galations 3v3 ]

Yesterday I mentioned needs, well I dont need any more clothes I have enough to do me if I should live to 100, I dont need any food ,our cupboards ,fridge,freezers, are full. I have enough money to live on, in other words the Lord has blessed me, so what do I need? I need the Lord. Oh yes ,He is my Saviour, I am conscious of His presence everyday. But it is so easy to become complacent, to be waylaid, to start to neglect prayer, to be busy, busy , busy, to begin to live independantly from the Lord, like those we read about in the epistle of Galations. The apostle declares,/ Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit,are you now being perfected by the flesh?[Galations 3v3].There is an old hymn ,which reads ,/I need Thee every hour/,thats what we need more than anything else, the Lord, a reliance on Him 24/7. [ Dear Lord Jesus forgive me for taking my eyes of You, of forgetting that it is You ,I need every hour of everyday. Amen ]

Needy world.[ Matthew 6 v19-21]

Needs and need, consider what that means, the world is full of people who have needs, we recieve literature from different organisations ,expressing their needs,we watch the news and we hear of disasters,and the cry is they need help. There is resentment at this time with all the cut backs ,that we are giving over 10 billion pounds, is a step to far.But is it? I dont think so, for all our cut backs we still are a wealthy country,it is Bill Gates one of the worlds wealthiest people, who has set up a foundation to combat global health, who declares,/ The UK,s spending on development for the worlds poorest people is the best investment that you can make for improving lives. Bar none./God wants us to look out beyond ourselves, to others in need,and to respond, as a nation and as individuals.[ Dear God help me to help people in need, to give, of my time ,talents, finance, and love, in Jesus name Amen ]

We shall not want. [ Psalm 23 ]

At this time across the land ,many are worrying, the budget announced is going to bring changes, the times they are changing, are the good times past?.As a Christian of many years I have experienced being unemployed,of living on benifites, and when I did work , my wages were small, in fact, I remember during my times in Bible college I lived by faith,and often we had no money, and no food in the house. What did we have in all those times? we had the Lord, the Lord who loves His children, who does not forsake his children when things get tough. I have never had a rich benefactor , but I have a loving heavenly Father , who ownes the cattle on a thousand hills, who has promised to supply all His chidrens needs. If fear is creeping into your heart today,repeat these words to yourself ,/The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want /[Psalm 23 v1] [ Dear God so many things we hear can cause us to worry,and we find fear taking over,Lord in all the uncertainties of life, we look to You, our Rock, in Jesus name. Amen ]

How to cope. [ Psalm 27 ]

I love the Psalms ,I love reading them ,studying them ,preaching them, I was looking at Psalm 27 this morning, and it fitted my mood, it is a Psalm by David the man after Gods own heart. David it appears had to face difficulties all his life, as a shepherd boy he faced wild beasts, he then had to face a giant, then he had to fight against the Philistines. Next he had to face the murderous intent of king Saul, then later on he had to contend with his own son who wanted to kill him. If we are a Christian, we will have to face the world the flesh and the devil, this is ongoing, the Christian life is a battle, and a challenge, none of us are going to be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease.So how are we going to make it, how are we going to cope? well how did David cope? here is the answer,/ The Lord is my light, and my salvation, whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid. [Psalm 27v1] How did he cope? the answer was the Lord ,how are we going to cope? the answer is the Lord. [ Dear Lord Jesus help me to cope with the ongoing problems of life, help me to see that no matter how big the problems are, they are not bigger than You. Amen ]

Honest to God.[Psalm 142 ]

It is one of those mornings when some things are getting me down, I feel a degree of frustration, feel like tearing up a tissue, what does one do? well I suppose we could pray nice platitudes, pretend that everything is wonderful, or I could just tell God the way I really feel. People often use the term ,honest to God, affirming their truthfulness, lets take those words into our relationship with God, lets tell Him how we really feel, let us be trully honest to God. Let us not hide just how we feel,lets us tell Him that certain things are getting us down,let us pour out our hearts to Him, He can take it, in fact He wants to take it, He wants us to stop pretending. God already knows how we feel, He knows everything, but He wants us to be open with Him, and in that open heartedness He will speak and responed, I am not talking about rebellious complaining, but about honesty in our relationship with Him. [ Dear God help me to be honest with You at all times,help me to tell You whats on my heart, the pain caused by frustrating circumstances, things that never appear to improve,in Jesus name Amen ]

Dwelling. [ Psalm 91]

In Psalm 91v1 we read,/ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty/. In these words we see that there is a place of safety, and security for all who make God their refuge, all who put their trust in Him. I must confess it does not take much to make me feel insecure, to worry and fret, when we let those feelings take over and run with them ,we loose our peace. He that dwelleth, we have a choice to make , am I going to rest in the Lord?, am I going snuggle up to Him,and let Him be my protector, my provider, my peace, the choice is ours.Let us remember in the words of Joseph Parker, that God holds the key of all unknown, and if other hands should hold the key ,of if He trusted it to me, I might be sad.[ Father in heaven, help me to never forget that You are my security,help me to live in Your presence today and always, in Jesus name. Amen ]

Four things we must do. [ Psalm 37 ]

In Psalm 37 v 3-7 ,we are told 4 things that we should do[i] Trust in the Lord and do good, and if we do, we will be secure and supplied. [ 2] Delight thyself also in the Lord, is He your delight?, is He mine?if He is He will give us the desires of our heart. [3] Commit thy way unto the Lord,trust also in Him, run not before Him ,commit all to Him,and trust Him to undertake, He will. [4] Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently,dont panic, dont fret, rest,wait,He will come to your aid His timing is perfect. [ Dear God help me to hear what You are saying, and help me to obey , in Jesus name. Amen ]

Willing to change. [ Philippians 3 v13 ]

There is change happening in the church I attend ,I believe it is for the best, the church is not growing, and will eventually die of, and just be a memory.I remember visiting Turkey years ago, and going to the site of the ancient city of Ephesus, all there is there, is ruins, no people no church. Turkey is in fact a Muslin country, what went wrong? I dont know, could it happen here?, yes it could, whats the answer?to be willing to be led and guided by God. This applies to us as a church, and to us as individuals, the purpose of Christ coming into the world was to bring change,for sinners ,to become saints,and for those saints to be Gods instruments to bring change where He has placed them. As I said it is all about change, for us not to be yesterdays people, to not live in the past, the past is history, reminding us of what God did do,let us put away our history books, and let us move forward into what God will do now.[ Dear God help us to be willing to change ,to accept change, and to be your instruments ,that will bring change in Jesus name. Amen ]

The whys and hows. [Romans 8v28]

I wonder why, about many things,or even how, how does a magnet word ?or how does electricity work?, or how did Noah and family cope with living in the ark, it must have been a very smelly place with all those animals.[ As I clean birds mess of my car , I often thing ,thank goodness that elephants cannot fly]The whys and hows of life are unending ,and often we may never know the answers,but some cause us pain, particular the whys in life. As I write, some whys come to mind, why was I not allowed to be the missionary, I wanted to be, I did all the right things,went to Bible college.Why? ,yes there are the whys , but what about the hows?,so we could go on, but in the end we must simply leave all these things with God. Whatever the whys or hows, let us remember our loving heavenly Father is in control ,and that all things are working together for our good[ Romans 8v28 ], we may ask how?but the fact is He does and will. [ Dear God in faith we look up to You, we believe that You are in control of our lives, and so we let drop at Your feet our whys and hows ,in Jesus name. Amen ]

The wind of change. [ Acts 2 v 1- 4 ]

It was Harold Macmillon who spoke of the wind of change blowing over Africa,many in that continent resisted that wind of change, but to no avail, it happened. As I look at the church in England ,see it diminishing more and more, it is as if a wind of change is blowing over this country. The forces of secularism ,materialism,atheism and many other isims are in the ascendancy, people are being swept along in a blind mad rush ,oblivious to their to real need, and oblivious to their fate. What is the answer for us who are part of another kingdom?,well we need to be concerned, but more than that ,we need to seek God , and be guided ,by the Spirit of God. We need to pray that the Spirit of God may be out poured upon us,and begin to weep for ourselves, and for the lost. [ Dear God we feel so weak ,and yet we realize, that the need of the hour is great, millions upon millions of souls are lost,in Thy mercy send forth the wind of Thy Spirit to bring change, in Jesus name and for His sake we ask this. Amen ]

Thieves and robbers. [ Luke 23v 39-43 ]

A person shared with me how he was robbed of 400 pounds, a person he did not know offered him a computor,he handed over the money,and recieved what he thought was a computor, the person then drove off, when he looked inside the computor case ,all he found was magazines .It is so easy to be cheated and decieved,it is happening everyday to people,intelligent people,the person who was robbed said to me how the person who robbed him would have to give an account to God for their actions.This brings to mind a story I read of Charles Wesly who was held up and robbed, Charles spoke a verse of scripture to the thief, / The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1v7/. He later met that person ,and he had become a Christian, through the words that had been spoken, let us pray for thieves and robbers, that they may seek forgivness and trust Christ as their Saviour. [ Dear God we pray for the many thieves and robbers there are in in our neighourhood ,family,town,that You would convict them and save them through Your dear son Jesus .Amen ]

The influence of a steady ,quiet faith .[ 1 Peter 2 v12 ]

It is A W Tozer who writes of ,/the influence of a steady ,quite faith/, today let us take up the challenge of those words, to live a consistent life, in our homes ,in our streets, in our schools, in our jobs. That means living a life of holiness, faithfulness,and kindness, in 1 Peter 2 v12 we read,/ Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they,ll be won over to Gods side and be there to join in the celebrations when He arrives. [T.M]/ Again quoting Tozer,/ If I live right and walk before them as I should, I am putting up an argument they cannot successfully dispute/.We may not think we are accomplishing much, but the influence of a steady ,quite faith ,will have an effect, while we live, and even after we are gone.[ Dear God help me to live in a way ,that will bring Glory to You, and a blessing on others in Jesus Amen ]

We can survive. [Romans 8 v37 ]

A friend of mine has a daughter who wanted to insure her car, the highest quote was 7.000 pounds , and the lowest was 2.400 pound, the car only cost 500 pound,granted the girl has had a couple of claims, but the quotes seem a bit over the top.I suppose everything can be insured at a price, it is not wrong to insure things, to take precutions against the unexpectant . Yes life can throw up the unexpectent, the Bible tells us ,boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth [Proverbs 27v1 ]. Life is uncertain , I met a friend who told me how she had lost everything,business ,home , yes life is uncertain, but she mention that she and her husband had both jobs, where attending a local church,she had started a Sunday school, and her husband was on the oversight of the church,her faith shone through. Yes life is uncertain but we can come through, how?well just like those people in the Bible who experienced trials and difficulties, by faith in Our God and Saviour, the One who said He will never leave us, nor forsake us. [Hebrews 13v5][Dear God in the uncertain world, help us to trust in You, help us to be more than a conqueror through Jesus Your son. Amen ]

Lose not heart. [ Psalm 27 ]

There is a hymn by Frederick W Faber that is very meaningful,it is written to those who may be struggling in Christian service.Although we are all called to serve, so mybe it is for us all,it reads,/Workman of God,O lose not heart,But learn what God is like, And in the darkest -field, thou shalt know where to strike. Ah, God is other than we think, His ways are far above. Far beyond reason,s height, and reached only by childlike love. He hides Himself so wondrously, As though there were no God. He is least seen when all the powers of ill are most abroad. Thrice blest is he to whom is given the instinct that can tell . That God is on the field, when He is most invisible. For right is right, since God is God,and right the day must win. To doubt would be disloyalty, to falter would be sin./ [ Dear God help me to look beyond my natural sight, to pierce through the darkness ,to see You, and to trust in You, in Jesus name. Amen ]

Marriage. [ Colossians 3 v18 - 19 ]

And so they lived happily ever after, so ends the words of the fairy tale, is that possible?,I remember working with a man ,who said he and his wife never ,had fall outs.To me that seems impossible ,for some it may be,but for the majority of people it is not,I wonder how many people really think about the vows they make,/Forsaking all others,For better for worse,for richer for poorer,in sickness and in health/. They are very challenging words, not light words, not trivial words , they bring a life long challenge,when you make those vows you have to realize that there is no get out clause. Many people are breaking these vows, I am not judging them, but I would say, if you are thinking of entering marriage,consider carefully what you are going to do,and if you are married and struggling, remember what you vowed before God. [Father help those who are about to enter into marriage , and help those who are already married,in Jesus name .Amen ]

The accusing finger [Job 1]

We visited one our sons and his wife yesterday, it was not just a social visit, I had been asked by my boy to wallpaper, just two walls. Now wallpapering is not one of my favourite activities, for one thing I dont feel very confident in doing it, I am never sure how it will turn out. So I started the wallpapering praying asking God to help,at one time I found myself saying to God,how it was Him and I ,doing this,and then jokingly, I added if I get it wrong I will blame You Lord.This made me laugh and I hope it made the Lord smile,but there is a more serious aspect to my joke, people do blame God, the world is full of people pointing their accusing finger at Him.The reasons for this are many, but in the end misjudged, and wrong, simply because it a is a cry of unbelief,better to be silent and to trust,let us never forget whatever wrong there is in this world ,God is not at fault, in time He will put everything right,in time He will sort out this mess, in time we will understand. [Dear God help me to trust You, help me to refrain from pointing an accusing finger at You,in Jesus name Amen ]

How can I cope? [ 2 Corinthians 12 v 7ff]

It is funny the things one still remembers like a question asked in a quiz many ,many years ago,my team got it wrong,the question was,what are the last words in the book of Revelation?. the answer is ,/The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen./ Paul ends his epistle to the Philippians with the same words. It is significant that both John and Paul were experiencing trials at that time, Paul was a prisoner, John an exile,and in their difficult situations, they emphasize the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.Mybe the people they were writing to had problems,difficulties,how could they face them?, how could they come through them?. Before I answer let me share something I have read about the suffering of some Christians in North Korea at this time,I recieved this information from Christian Solidarity Worldwide. /Stories are coming out of N/ Korea of Christians being crushed under steamrollers, herded of bridges, and in prison camps being publicly trampled underfoot by guards and then by coerced prisoners until they die/.Now let me answer the question as to how the Christians in NT times coped with their difficulties, and the Christians in N/Korea cope, the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The answer for all of us ,as we are faced with difficulties, is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.[ Dear Lord Jesus we ask for an abundant portion of Your all sufficent Grace, so that we may glorify You in all our trials .Amen ]

Waiting and walking.[Hebrews 11v5 ]

I was thinking of the words ,/pray without ceasing/ [1 Thessalonians 5v17], I wonder what you think of those words,is it possible to pray without ceasing?. I see it as an exhortation, something we are to aim at,we may not achieve what it says,but we can try. There are many exhortations in the Bible which we may find hard to fulfill but we are to try,and in our trying we will be blest. We must be careful not to let our walk with God become to ridged, a quite time is important,a time when we pray and read the word of God, yes let us wait upon God, but let us also walk with Him, throughout our day. The old testament saint Enoch did this [Genesis 5v22/ Hebrews 11v5 ] he walked with God ,let us follow his example, let us walk today with God,and if we do, who knows what we may experience, we will be blessed and we will be a blessing to others,of that I am sure.[ Dear God help me to wait upon You, but also help me to walk with You throughout this day in Jesus name Amen ]

Little things mean a lot.[ 1 Corinthians 5 v 6-7 ]

The words of an old song comes to mind, little things mean a lot, and this is very true, in Cliff Richards account of his life, he mentions how is father lived with the old truth, look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves. It is a good practice, there are other things that stress the importance of little things, like a stitch in time saves nine. In 1 Corinthians 5v6 we read ,know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?, we may not be aware of the process of leaven,but we may be aware of what tiny sweetener tablets do. They are ever so small yet they will sweeten a bowl of porridge, or a mug of tea,what we are been taught, is that even a so called little sin can have devastating effects on us, on churches, on families. Let none of us underestimate the affect of sin in any shape or size, let us forsake all sin, no matter what the cost, for the cost of not dealing with it can destroy us and others.[ Dear God grant me the grace to forsake anything thats tainted or evil, in Jesus name Amen ]

Faithful to the end.[ 2 Timothy 4 v7-8 ]

The seasons are changing, I noticed that the leaves on the trees are changing colour,autumn has arrived, the days are shorter, we do have occasional sunny days. I often think that our lives are like the seasons,I suppose I am in that season called old age,I am reminded of this by the different ailments I have, I wont bore you with them,but they are increasing. I am not too concerned about the season I am in, it is a time when one reflects on life, and remembers, and yes I still want to serve God, I want to end my life in His service. I want to say with the apostle, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. [2 Timothy 4 v7 ] J E Bode wrote, O Jesus I have promised to serve Thee to the end, that is my desire, I hope and pray that it is yours .[ Dear God help me to be a faithful servant of Yours, all the days of my life ,in Jesus name Amen ]

A person in the making.[ 1 Corinthians 1 v 25ff ]

This thought has come to me as I start to write,/ A person in the making/, what it reminds me of is that we all are in a process of change, the apostle Paul writes of the believers being changed by the Spirit of God [2 Corinthians 3v18 ]. It is very important to remember that God is changing us , that I am not the person I once was,I know there is is still much that needs changed, but I am confident that God will perfect that which concerneth me [Philippians 1v7/ Psalm 138v8]. We speak of people in a dismissive manner as if we are perfect,and say they cant be used of God, or serve God,we say this, because they appear to have certain inperfections.Let me say this, all of the greatest servants of God had their imperfections, Moses had his temper[Numbers 20v 7-11], Peter his inconsistences ,[Galations 2 ] and so one could go on. Make no mistake about it ,we are all people in the making, but here is the important thing, God will still use us in our imperfectness, if I did not believe that ,I would never preach another sermon. [Dear God, perfect that which concerneth me, and help me to see that inspite of my failings You are still willing to use even me ,in Jesus name Amen ]

The messenger of death.[ Acts 16 v31 ]

I have just been informed of the death of a dear aunt, I did phone her occassionally, she was a good mother, and a kind person, memories come back, of spending a holiday at her home, but now she is gone ,but not forgotten. In Ecclesiastes 7v2 we read,/ It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to his heart/. In these days of forgetfulness of our mortality, a death of a loved one or a friend is a reminder to us all, that we should consider our latter end, for after death the judgement. The death of someone should not just cause us to remember, but cause us to consider,our condition spiritually, and ask serious questions, like where will we spend eternity?, and are we saved?.In these days when Christianity is being marginalised, the death of a loved one or whoever,is meant to draw us back from the margins to consider our need of Jesus as our Saviour.[ Dear God I acknowledge that I am a sinner and I accept Jesus as my Saviour Amen ]