False security. [ Luke 12 v13-22 ]

Why do we have problems? job problems, family problems ,etc, well could it be we need problems,well you may disagree with that answer,and yet it is I believe true. I know someone who many years ago trusted Christ, but went away from the Lord,but recently he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which has ,we hope, been successfully treated. In a conversation with him it appears he has returned to his Lord, he acknowledged the goodness of God to him. The fact of the matter is when people are prospering, they often dont really see any need of the Lord. Many seek security in prosperity CP, Luke 12 v13-22, that is why millions of people do the lottery. We can do a number of things when we have problems, we can curse our bad luck,we can go into a depression or we can look to the the Lord. I would rather face my problems with the Lord ,than without Him, I would rather face life with Him, than without Him, and I most definitely want to face eternity with Him, than without Him. [ Dear God help us not to be blinded by false securities, help us to see it is in You, and you alone,is our true security,in Jesus name we ask this. Amen.]

Different . [ John 1 v48 ]

Sorry no blog yesterday and this morning I have changed to another provider, so I have been trying to set the new system up. There was a help line which I used, and yes you guessed, I was in contact with someone in India,and he was ever so helpful, and he was able to tell me what I needed for my system to work, I followed his advice and my system is working. I hear so often complaints about talking to someone in India, how they cannot understand them, I must confess I am on the side of the Indian, for you see I talk with a funny accent, and I know how it feels like to be not understood. Mybe we need to ask God for the gift of interpretation, or just more understanding and patience, to those in India who are just trying to earn a living like you and I. [ Dear God grant me the grace to be patient with others who are different , who speak with a different accent, or come from another country in Jesus name Amen ] .........../ I will be on holiday for a week , I will D V return to my blog on Sunday31st, every blessing]

The Murdoch empire. [ Daniel 4 ]

One wonders what will be the effect on the so called Rupert Murdoch empire , will it survive?, will we all have to get rid of our Sky TV systems. Mr Murdoch was befriended bythe high and mighty, because of his power to influence the voters, mybe he could be seen as a king maker, but all has changed ,people in power are distancing themselves from him. God does grant power to people yes even to Rupert Murdoch, but He can very quickly remove that power, one way or the other. Today let us not forget that power belongs to God,[ Psalm 62 v11], He raises up, He puts down,rulers come ,rulers go,but God remaineth in control, working all things after the counsel of His will [Ephesians 1 v11]. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, but our sovereign God rules over all the affairs of mankind.[ Dear God help us not to loose sight of this most glorious truth, that You reign and rule over all the affairs of this world, in Jesus name Amen ]

The Lord preserves. [ Psalm 121]

Yesterday something unexpected happened,I was collecting two people in my car,the person in the back seat ,an elderly person was having trouble with her seat belt, I went to help her,but I had not put my hand brake on. As I leaned over to help the lady , my car started to roll forward,begining to trap my foot under the back wheel. Now my front seat passenger is a very unwell person mentally, and yet he had the sense to put the handbrake on, so saving my foot from being crushed. This event could have turned out so differently, but God was gracious and preserved me from any harm, we can take all the precutions we can, in driving,and in so many areas of life, and we should, but it is God who preserves us . I have not driven thousands of miles and escaped injury by my skill as a driver [my wife would agree with that] , no,God has preserved me. John Ryland wrote, / Plagues and deaths around me fly. Till He bids, I cannot die, Not a single shaft can hit. Till the God of love sees fit./[ Dear God help us always to act in a responsible way,but help us, always to bear in mind, that You and You alone preserve and keep us safe, in Jesus name . Amen ]

Stiff-necked. [ Revelation 3 v14-22 ]

Yesterday I woke with a stiff neck, it is a bit easier today, but it reminds me of what God said to His people ,that they where stiff-necked . [ Jeremiah 17 v23/ Deuteronomy 31 v27 ]. In calling them stiff-necked, God was saying that they were obstinate,haughty, and stubborn, not very complementary, but true. They manifested these traits continully,and no more so, as when our Saviour lived among them[ John 5v40 ]. It appears that during the whole of Israels history ,God was continually pleading with them , and all He recieved was a stubborn refusal to come to Him [Matthew 23 v37 ]. This does not just apply to Israel, but to all mankind , cp Romans 3 v 9-10, many sit under the gospel, and are not saved. Sad to say , we Christians also can be stiff-necked, displaying lack of love and forgiveness,and doing things we shouldnt, and not doing things we should, inspite of the fact that we have the Holy Spirit, and Gods word. We listen but we do not hear, why?, because we are stiff -necked, it is to a church that Christs says,/Beold I stand at the door and knock,if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.[Revelation 3 v20 ] as Christians we are often not very Christian to our Lord. [ Dear Lord help us to really listen to what You say ,help us not to be stiff-necked in our relationship with You, Amen ]

Jesus came to save sinners.[ Luke 15 ]

It is the prophet Jonah who prayed,/ For I know that Thou art a gracious God,and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest Thee of the evil/. Now He really believed this, and this why he ran away from Gods charge to go and preach at Nineveh, for he knew his God,and knew if the people of Nineveh repented of their evil ways, [ which they did], God would forgive them and spare them. Now stange though it be ,Jonah did not want Nineveh to be spared, even after he did go and preach his message ,he still hoped that God would destroy them [4 v5]. You see they where a very wicked people, humanally speaking they deserved Gods Judgement,deserved to go to hell, deserved the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. And yet God spared them when they repented, I am sure one of the reasons we have the book of Jonah is to let us see that, the worst of people can experience the salvation of God,irrespective of what Jonah or you ,and I think, I know, for He saved me.[ Dear God let us never forget that Your son came to save sinners, even the worst of sinners. Amen ]

No concessions. [ 2 Timothy 4 v 7- 8 ]

George Muller died in his eighties, and died quietly in his sleep, he left a wonderful testimony, to the glory of God, near the end of his life, he said on a number of occasions, that he might not disgrace the Lord in his old age, and become a wicked old man. I can identify with those remarks ,for I know that although I have a good relationship with my Lord, and have proved Him time and time again. He has blessed me in so many ways, and continues to do so, but I still experience temptations,and it would be so easy to yield to those temptations. Like George Muller I pray I might not disgrace my Lord in my old age, and become a wicked old man. The Bible reminds us that while we are citizens of planet earth,we must be on our guard, and to continually ,rely on our Lord for grace to overcome temptations, and all the difficulties we meet. The devil has no pity for the old, and will ever be looking for ways to trip us up, he gives no concessions for senior citizens. No matter how old we are, we may be as old as Methuselah, but we still need to press on to our heavenly goal.[ Dear God grant us grace in our old age ,to not digrace You, and commit some wicked thing, in Jesus name Amen ]

A Challenge. [Hebrews 11 ]

George Muller was a wonderful man of God, a man of faith and integrity ,he saw God answer prayer ,time after time in relation to the work ,God called him to.He was led to start a work among children ,so the Ashley Down orphanage came into being, and during his lifetime George prayed and God answered. He, unlike many TV evangelist ,did not make the needs of his work known,he sought to live by faith,so he prayed and God provided. It was his example that so impressed me, that many years ago, when I was married ,and had three children, to step out in faith, and go to Bible college. I found God faithful, and hath found Him so continually, there are two aspect of faith, that have lived with me, faith to recieve, and faith to give. These two aspects of faith bring with then a deep challenge, a challenge we can shy away from, they appear risky, faith will always challenges us to leave our comfort zone, may God give us grace,to embrace this challenge. [ Dear God grant us the grace to live by faith, to be prepared to take risks, and we know as we do this ,we will begin to grow like our saviour.Amen ]

Beauty . [1 Peter 3 v 3-4 ]

You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God, so writes Peter in his letter[1 Peter 3v4 ]. Although it was aimed at women it can be applied to us all, and is a timely reminder to have the right emphasis in our lives.For the vast majority of people the outward is the thing, lovely home,car,children,physical beauty, page 3 of the sun newspaper is an example, likewise the glossy magazines. Vast amount of time and effort,and finance is spent on beauty products, and plastic surgery, now let me say this, I am not saying it is wrong, to look our best, in fact I would encourage us all to make an effort in our appearance. What is vital and of more importance is that development of Christian character,a manifesting of Christian graces , has a beauty that outshines Max Factor, or a designer label. A Christlike life, is like a tree planted by the rivers of water [ Psalm 1 v 3 ], trully a thing of beauty. [ Dear God help us to manifest the lovliness of Christ in our lives. Amen ]

Run not before Him. [Proverbs 3 v5-6 ]

One of the tensions in the Christian life for me, and indeed I am sure for many Christians is to know Gods will, mybe its the important detail that throws us. For most of my Christian life , I believe God has called me to preach, the words of Jeremiah come to mind, when he declared ,His word burns in my heart like a fire. Its like a fire in my bones, I am worn out trying to hold it in, I cant do it [20 v9 ], or like Paul who declared, woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel [1 Corinthians 9 v16]. The question is how and where does one fulfill this call upon ones life?there are denominational barriers, theological barriers, mybe even personal barriers,and practical barriers. It is so easy to become frustrated, and act out of those frustrations, a verse of a hymn comes to mind ,run not before Him , let Him be your guide. As I look back I can clearly see Gods leading , and thats the important thing to remember, He is leading ,and has promised to lead us[Psalm 23 v2 ] Today let us not fret or worry, our lives are in His safe hands,he will make a way, yes even where there appears to be no way, so trust Him. [Dear Lord help us to trust You to lead and guide us, as You have promised. Amen ]

Just a supporting role. [ Philippians 2 v 5-11 ]

Paul the apostle had a companion called Silas , he accompanied him on his missionary journeys ,experienced the same hardships as Paul,yet it is Paul we remember. Silas we are told was one of the chief men among the brethern [ Acts 15v22 ], we also read that he was a prophet [ v32 ], yes he was person of note, yet it appears that he played a supporting role. We will always remember with thanks the great people in the Christian church like Paul, Billy Graham, and many others, but let us remember,they had those who played vital supporting roles.Billy Graham did not do everything himself, he had a large supporting team. Being a member of a team , may not appear important but it is,no church functions on its own, Moses had his Aaron and Miriam, Elijah had his Elisha, Jeremiah had his Baruch, and our Lord had 12 apostles. All of these played supporting roles, and the part they played was vital. If we are called to be a leader, we will need those who will support us, if we are called to support let us remember that our role is vital , and that God will honour us one day, for all we have done. [ Dear God help us to carry out faithfully, whatever role You have placed us in , be it in leadership, or in a position of support, in Jesus mane . Amen .]

Pain. [ Hebrews 4 v 15-16 ]

While visiting my son and his wife I was stung by a wasp, this is the second time in my life I have experienced being stung, and let me tell you ,it was not a nice experience. When I hear of someone being stung, I will appreciate what it means, that little creature can trully inflict a lot of pain. Now we all try to avoid pain we take precutions, who likes going to the dentist? I go regularly, but I dont enjoy it, but I know that it is neccessary. Is pain neccessary? did I have to be stung by a wasp,is it necessary for our loved ones to suffer pain?,lets face it, it is painful to watch those we love suffer pain, our chidren, our aged parents. Their are many lessons we can learn from pain, and one of them is, we suddenly understand, how others feel, and our hearts go out to them in a more understanding manner. Not only do we understand ,we are more willing to help them ,to pray at a deeper level for them, to weep with them . You see that is what makes Jesus the perfect high priest, we read in Hebrews 4 v15,/ This high priest of our understands our weaknesses,for He faced all the same testings we do , yet He did not sin./ So today go to Jesus in your pain to the one who trully and fully understands, and recieve mercy and grace to help . [Dear Lord Jesus help us in our pain, we thank you for totally understanding how we feel, grant us the necessary grace we need. Amen ]

I am away this weekend, I will return Monday. every blessing

The freedom of the press. [ Romans 14 v 7 ]

The News of the World newspaper is closing, one of the most popular newspapers in the country, why has this all come about?. In answering this we need to think about something that we as country believe is important,the freedom of the press, newspapers we believe should be allowed to report freely. Yet this raises a problem how can a free press be regulated?,in such a way as to not inhibit their freedom to report freely. What newspapers ,politicians,and indeed everyone of us need to remember is, that freedom brings responsibility . The News of the Word and those in the phone hacking affair, forgot this, and it has caught up with them. As a Christian I have been set free by Christ, and yet it is a freedom of responsibility,we read these words in Galations 5 v13, /It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you dont use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom/ [Message]. [ Dear God thank You for Jesus who died to set us free, help us, to not abuse that freedom, help us not to be ensnared by anything that would destroy our freedom,help us to see that the freedom You have brought us into ,carries with it great responsibility, and accountability, in Jesus name we ask this . Amen ]

Self blindness. [ Matthew 23 v37 ]

I was reminded of an old saying which goes,/ convince a man against his will, and he remaineth of that opinion still, when I saw the following , a group of motor cyclist where protesting in New york,about a law that was being passed, to enforce the wearing of crash helmets. During the protests one of the protesters, had an accident on his bike,and was killed, the authorities said ,if he had been wearing a helmet ,it would have saved his life. This did not deter the other protesters ,from continuing their protests,what happened to their fellow protestor did not change their minds. As I read the gospels, I am amazed that inspite of the Jews ,having the revealed word of God, inspite of the fact that they believed in a coming Messiah,inspite of the fact that He came, showed by many infallible proffs that he was the long awaited Messiah, they rejected Him. It appears no matter what, people will refuse to change,especcially in relation to accepting Jesus as their saviour, for the Jews it meant cutting themselves off, from God, and condemning themselves to eternal damnation,this applies to all who refuse to believe the truth ,and accept Jesus as saviour. [ Dear God have mercy on the Jewish people , and all people ,open their hearts, that they will accept Your son as saviour. Amen ]

Be discerning [ Matthew 22 v 23-33 ]

In 1Corinthians 10v15 we read, / I appeal to your reason and your discernment in these things [Amp. Version ]/these are important words and principles. We must have discernment, some things are black and white, but other things are not, a JW ,or a Mormon, comes to your door, and it appears what they represent, and present are Christian, but it is not so, they use religious language, but when we examine it ,we find that what they mean is not what the word of God teaches. I have two favourite authors,[Christian] but I do not accept willy nilly what they say, there are things which they say I disagree with. When it comes to preachers we must also be discerning, we often can get carried away by their personalities,so we must be careful. Judge everything by Gods word, even yourself, your actions, motives, your beliefs,we are not speaking of being cynical, but discerning. [ Dear God help me to be discerning, in all things, help me not to be fooled,or taken in by others and especially by myself, in Jesus name .Amen]

The cross today, the crown of life tomorrow. [Job 19 v25-26 ]

Thomas Lye an old Puritan wrote, / Dont doubt Gods love under suffering. Gods heart cannot be understood infallibly from His action/.This is very important for us to grasp this, the words by William Cowper come to mind, when he wrote ,/ behind a frowning providence ,He hides a smiling face/. In other words God is always working for our good ,even when bad things are happening to us, God loved Job,even though Job lost his children,possessions, and health. In our difficulties the enemy of our souls comes and whispers in our ear, curse God and die.It was Job who said, / Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him[ 13v15 ]/, yes at time He felt confused[10v 15],he felt forsaken , but in the end, he declared by faith,/ But He knoweth the way I take, when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. [23 v10 ]/.Let us finish with words by Thomas Lye/Faith looks for the hand of heaven in the events of life. It looks beyond ,to the heart of God..... Faith,s heart is upon future glory, Christ went from a cross to paradise, so do Christians. The cross today, the crown of life tomorrow [James 1v12]/. [Dear God and Father, help us to trust You in all of lifes difficulties,when doubt and despair would threaten us, grant us the gift of faith, in Jesus name we ask this . Amen ]

The gospel. [ Romans 1 v 16 ]

I go to speak occasionally at a fellowship run by two dear elderly ladies ,they still use old hymn books, and old chorus books, in some ways it is like being back in the past. This is not a criticism, I really enjoy going there although the music is played at to high a key and I find it hard to sing. When they invite me to speak they say,we want you to preach the gospel,which I gladly do.It was a tradition in Ulster that every Sunday evening, the gospel would be preached, as a backslider 47yrs ago I heard that old ,old story, and was restored to my Saviour . Many things are preached in the church these days, but we really do need to preach the gospel, when we neglect to do this, we are failing to be faithful to our calling. We live in a world of change, but mankinds need have not changed, sin is still sin ,Hell is still Hell, Heaven is still Heaven, and if people are going to be saved from Hell , and go to Heaven, they need to hear that old, old gospel, of a Saviour called Jesus, who alone can forgive their sins.[ Dear God help us to be faithful to Your Gospel, in our churches,or wherever we may be, in Jesus name Amen ]

Knowing the right way. [John 14 v 6 ]

While on holiday we used our sat-nav ,to bring us back to the place we were staying, but it kept taking us back to the supermarket, we had shopped at earlier in the week. Now dont get me wrong the sat-nav is a brilliant invention,and I would not be with out it, in the end we asked someone the way and he showed us the right way. This leads me unto the thought of knowing the right way in life, which is very imporant, if you are not saved ,then very simple the message for you is Jesus, who is the way ,the truth, and the life [John 14 v6 ]. Without Him who is way you are lost and always will be,without Him you will be ensnared in in that which is not the truth, and without Him you will remain dead in trespasses and sins. So why not this day, ask Jesus to become your Saviour, if you do, you will be able say ,I once was lost but now am found. Here is a prayer you could pray. [ Dear Lord Jesus ,I am lost, please save me, please become for me ,the way ,the truth, and the life. Amen ]

A relationship with God. [ 1 John 3 v 1-2 ]

I was asked by a friend, would I would pray for her, of course I said I would, then I said to her,you can pray, this appeared to make her think, about doing something that she appears to shy away from, I wonder why?. Could it be that she realizes that prayer is based on a relationship, she has not trusted the Saviour ,yet, I am praying that she will. The whole point of Christ coming and dying on the cross is to bring people into a relationship, a right relationship, in life many are in wrong relationship,many feel that they are in right relationship with God, and they are not. Many who once had a relationship with God have left it , for a lesser relationship, they have left their first love, and are only go through the motions. Others have never experienced that first love, and to them praying is a strange ,unwelcoming experience, which they dont understand. I was thinking of the vastness of the universe, and God who made it ,upholds it,and sustains it, and how minute this planet earth is, and how minute we are. But here is the wonder of it all, this little planet ,and its inhabitants are the the continual focus of that great God,not only does He focus on it and us ,but we are told that, He so loved this world[you and I] that He gave Jesus to die for us, and if we but trust Him ,we will become His children, which is a wonderful relationship to come into. [ Dear God we thank You ,that desire us all to know you, and to experience a wonderful relationship through Jesus your son Amen.]

Perseverance . [2 Timothy 4 v 6-8 ]

This will be the third time I have tried to publish my thought for the day, hopefully this time I will succeed, which leads me unto one of the most important aspects of the Christian life, the perseverance of the saints. This is an old Calvinistic saying, but most important it is a Biblical truth, it has that meaning of not giving up. Now for many dear people humanally speaking it would appear an option, to give up, I read of many Christians who would have an easier life, if they only give up. There is so often reasons for giving up, life throws at us so many things, unfair things, unexplainable things, frustrating things, hurtful things, harmful things. All these things and more can discourage us,and we are tempted to give up, the enemy of our soul whispers in our ear,give up ,no one appreciates you, its not worth it. Ah ,but he is so very wrong, it will be worth it all when we see Christ. Ira f Stanphill wrote a hymn, which I used to sing, its called ,Follow Me, the first verse goes like this,/ I traveled down a lonely road, and no one seemed to care. The burden on my weary back,had bowed me to despair. I oft complained to Jesus how folk were treating me. And then I heard him say so tenderly. My feet were also weary upon the Calvary road, the cross became so heavy , I fell beneath the load. Be faithful, weary pilgrim,the morning I can see. Just lift your cross, and follow close to Me./ [ Dear God help us not to give up, help us to press on ,grant us grace to persevere, in Jesus name .Amen ]