They need more than ice cream.[Mark 10 v 14]

While on holiday we went into an ice cream parlour,it is a great place most people love ice cream,and as I sat there, the thoughts turned to the many children,in this world who have never tasted an ice cream many children go without the bare necessities of life,no  breakfast,no dinner,no shoes,I support a childrens mission ,the mission send me photographs of the children they work with,children who have been rescued from poverty and abuse.Under this mission they are educated,fed,clothed,and given a loving home,and sometimes enjoy ice cream. It is  wonderful what this mission is doing,but it does not stop there,these children are told about Jesus. As a Christian I realise that children and adults have a greater need than ice cream,they need Jesus,they can be clothed,housed,educated,and fed,but they have a soul,that needs saved,they have a life that needs changed.I believe in child evangelism,that children need to hear about the one who said,/Let the children come unto me,don't stop them,for the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children./[Mark 10 v 14]
A  prayer....../ Dear God have mercy upon the children,in this world who are suffering, help government's to care for the children of their nations,but also save the children,we ask this in Jesus name Amen /

I am glad.[Psalm 47 v4 ]

As I look back in my life,most of it has been taken up with me seeking Gods will,early on in my Cheistian life my wife and I ,felt the call of God on our lives.To prepare ourselves we went to Bible college.At college a visiting speaker said,to the student body,that inevitable God would reveal his will before we all left college. This did not happen for me and my wife,even though we prayed,and prayed,and prayed,different places where led on our hearts,and so we prayerfully tried each door,yet none of these doors opened to us,but the call of God remained.In a very real sense like Abraham although we felt the call of God on our lives,but we did not know where we where going,but we continued to obey the call.When doors shut we were disappointed,but we bowed to Gods will,and kept seeking a way forward, by faith.God did open two doors ,but these did not last long,but all the time we kept moving, a verse of a hymn has been going through my head recently it goes,/ God holds the key to all unknown,and I am glad. If other hands should hold the key or if He trusted it to me me,I might be sad/.I am glad I choose to follow Gods call,and I am glad that He choose  what was best for me.
A prayer...../ O use me Lord,use even me,just as Thou wilt and when and where. Until Thy blessed face I see,Thy rest,Thy joy, Thy glory share. Amen/  [Words by F.R.Havergal]

Foxes [Matthew 8 v 18-22 ]

Behind our home we noticed from our bedroom window 3 fox cubs,playing,last year there were two,these former dwellers of the countryside have now become town dwellers.My mind turned to a moment in our Lords ministry,when a person said to Jesus,/Master I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest[Matthew8v19]/.Jesus replied,/The foxes have holes,and the birds of the air have nests,but the son of man hath not where to lay His head[v20]/There appears to be a romance attached to sacrifice,to be a missionary,or whatever,people can be caught up in emotions that causes then not to take in the cost of following Jesus.My first wife and I went to Bible college for 4 years,we trusted God to meet our needs,but our faith was tried continually,I wore a lot of clothes that where given to me,food often was scarce,God supplied our needs,I stress needs.W. Barclay wrote,/Jesus was not seeking to discourage enthusiasm/,but seeking to make it clear that there is a cost in following him.
Again let me quote W, Barclay,/There is no thrill like the way of Christ, and there is no glory like
the end of that way,but Jesus Christ never said it was an easy way.The way to glory always involves a cross/
A  prayer......./ Dear Lord Jesus we thank You for Your honesty in what it means to follow You,we ask for grace to obey Your call ,no matter what the cost. Amen /
/ I will return to my blog when I return from my break away,  every blessing/

Vigilant. [ 1 Peter 5 v 8]

As one reads the Bibles account of the rule of kings,say Jehoshaphat ,we see a man who appeared to have the victory,then he goes and does something stupid,like making an alliance with wicked king Ahab. Like the history of the nation of Israel,they appear to be going on so well spiritually,then it all goes pear shaped,and they are up to their necks in idolatry. Are we any different?,many of us are not,we appear to be victorious,then we fall into old habits and practises.Temptation will always be something we will have to face,none us can afford to let down our guard,we must be vigilant everyday,and every hour of every day.John Bunyan wrote about the trials we meet,that they come,and come,and come again afresh/,and then he writes,/O let the pilgrims,let the pilgrims,then. Be vigilant and quit themselves like men/.
A prayer...../Dear God, help us to be vigilant in our walk with You, to pray continually,and to trust in You alone, knowing that the arm of flesh will fail us,in Jesus name we ask this Amen /

Damaged beyond human repair.[ Luke 4 v18]

isAs I was praying,and thought of many of the people I know and pray for,the words ,damaged beyond human repair, came to mind. I do not just mean the mentally ill,there are so many damaged people in this world,and no one can help them.It was the prophet Ezekiel who  found himself in the midst of a valley full of bones,human bones,and he is asked a question by God, /can these bones live?/[Ezekiel 37v 3].Ezekiel did not know the answer,let us confess our ignorance, as I look at the damaged people,I have to confess like Ezekiel ,that only God knows the answer.Those bones would live,would take on flesh,would stand up on their own two feet. The question is how? God, He did it,Ezekiel's part in it was to speak Gods word to them, God continually reassures us of His healing power,Jesus healed multitudes.If ever the world needed the healing touch of Jesus it is now,in so many places in this world , we have damaged people beyond human repair. People damaged by abuse and violence,lives damaged by this sinful world,broken hearts ,broken lives,broken minds. I truly believe that the answer is Jesus,the one who said,/Come unto Me all ye that labour,and are heavy laden,and I will give you rest  [Matthew 11v28]
A  prayer.....[ Dear God  if we are honest ,we are all damaged,some of us more than others,so we ask that in mercy through Your dear Son Jesus,save,and heal us Amen /

The God of love. [1 John 4 v 8-10]

One wonders why Islam is such a violent religion, why are they so intent to destroy those who are not Muslin's?.They pray to a god who they would claim is merciful and yet they show very little mercy,to those who differ from them.Why is it,when we hear of those who have committed adultery,it is the woman that bears their wrath?.Why are they so  intent to kill other Muslims,who differ with them?. I write as Christian,I know that the history of Christendom manifested a lot of Characteristics of Islam,but that does not make it right,I know the importance of truth,and I know that many who have professed to be Christians,have denied it with their actions. I worship a God that is holy,and that all our sinners,be it Abraham,or the apostle Paul,or even Mohamed,and that all need mercy. That must mean that no one is perfect,no matter how much they try,sin dogs all our steps,and like the great apostle Paul we cry out, O wretched man that I am[Romans7v24].Likewise the great prophet Isaiah who had a vision of a holy God, cries out,woe is me,I am undone,because I am a man of unclean lips.[Isaiah 6 v5] .The Christian message is very simple yet very profound,God who is merciful,provides a means whereby we sinners can be accepted, Jesus who is not just a prophet but a Saviour,on the cross He bore the wrath of God,that we may not bear it.Through His death on the cross we can be forgiven,and set free from oppressive religion,with oppressive demands,set free to love,and to be loved.
A  prayer......./Dear God we bring to You a world that is oppressed by religion and pray that in your mercy they may come to know You,the God of love, through Jesus Your Son. Amen/

There is no place like home. [John 14 v 1-6 ]

Someone bought me a garden gnome ,a little ornamental figure,and it reminded me of a little story I made up,about a gnome. One day a lady noticed that her little gnome was missing,someone had stolen it,she was heartbroken and so was the gnome,to him the garden was his home.Well so started an adventure for that little gnome,he was sold at a boot sale,the person who bought him,was a travelling person,who travelled near and far.Well after travelling near and far he returned to where he had bought the gnome,and he gave the gnome to a charity shop,and it so happened the person whose gnome had been stolen,called in that shop,and spied her little gnome which she bought,and she brought it home,and she place in her garden,she thought she heard the gnome say,ah,there is no place like home.There is an old gospel song which goes,This world is not my home,dear Christian,let us remember we are only temporary residents on this planet earth,let us not become to attached to this world.We are strangers and pilgrims, going to a better country,a heavenly,to a city which hath foundations,whose builder and maker is God.In that heavenly home the roses never die,in fact death will be at last banished,the glories of that land are beyond description,the loved ones who have gone before will be there,and most wonderful of all Jesus will be there,yes truly there is no place like home.
A  prayer.../ We praise You Lord for a heavenly home,which You are preparing for all Your children, Amen/

Providence [ Esther 5 v1ff ]

]I visited a Christian couple today,the husband has cancer and is very ill,they are both elderly,they have no  children, the couple many years ago ,befriended a couple,and when that family was young.I suppose the lady became like a second aunt,to that couple, and their children.The couple also took in many years ago a lodger,he was then 21yrs of age,it was unexpected the way it happened,the lodger is now 68 yrs of age. Now in this time of trouble for that dear couple,these people are now rallying round and being a big help. As I considered these things I can see quite clearly Gods providence,who is working all things after the counsel of His will,causing all things to work together for good[Romans 8 v28].We need to bear in mind that God is on the throne of the universe,ruling and overruling,using ,in all His children's lives.  Who knows ,what means, God will use , to help you in the coming days,the point is, He will, and we like Abraham's servant will stand back in amazement,and declare,I being in the way , the Lord  led me  Genesis 24 v27] .
A  prayer......./Dear God ,we acknowledge that  You are sovereign,and are working out everything for Your children's good. Amen/

A quick fix. [ Psalm 40 v1]

I am sure you have heard the term, a quick fix ,it is something we all want,but when it comes to Gods
kingdom,it is not necessary so.What is the bases of Gods ways? I do not see His ways as a quick fix,it appears to imply something hurried ,and  not very permanent.When it comes to the building of a soul it is a lifetime work,in which God uses many circumstances,and means to make the child of God into the likeness of Christ. When we pray we often want God, to as it were wave a magic wand and change everything,well the fact is God does not have or use a magic wand.I cry hurry ,God replies wait,I cry I want it now,God replies no,it will not be good for you now,He replies remember the words I spoke unto My servant Peter,/ What I do thou knowest not now,but thou shalt know hereafter/God says to us quick fixers,/For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways, My ways.For as the heavens are higher than than the earth,so are My ways higher than Your ways,and my thoughts than your thoughts/.[Isaiah 55 v8-9 ]
A  prayer..../Dear God we confess that often we are taken up with the here and now,we want it now,is our cry, gives us grace to wait Your time,and to trust in Your ways,in Jesus name Amen/

Twinkle, twinkle, little star.[Colossians 1 v15ff ]

I often go out to my garden at night and look up into the sky in the hope of seeing the stars,but because I live in a town,only a few stars are visible.The other evening I looked up and could only see one star,yes one,the little poem come to mind,/Twinkle ,twinkle little star,how I wonder what you are,up above the earth so bright,like a candle in the night,Twinkle, twinkle little star,how I wonder what you are/.I hope I have remembered the  right words,but  as I looked at that solitary star ,hanging there in space,my mind turned to our little planted earth,hanging also in space,the question is how?.How do we hang here,what is causing us to exist as a planet?, what is stopping us from being destroyed?, after all we are such a pin prick in size.The Bible tells us there is a reason, there is a Creator,who brought all things into being.[Genesis 1]and that Creator has placed us where we are.Christ who is the image of the invisible God,by whom all things where created by Him and for Him,  holds all things together[Colossians 1 v 15ff]Yes God in Christ  is holding all things together,if He didn't, all things would disintegrate into chaos
A  prayer..../ Dear God by whom all things where made, and all things sustained,and held together,we worship and praise through Jesus Thy Son . Amen /

Suppose. [ Psalm 23 ]

There was lady called Mary who worked hard, her life was difficult,but she was full of the joy of the Lord. One day a friend spoke to her and said,Mary I appreciate your joyful attitude,but suppose,Mary you lost your job,suppose you became ill,suppose,before she could finish, Mary interrupted her, stop your supposing,the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.Because life can be very uncertain ,things change,sickness,and so many other things,we can be like that lady who raised the issue of supposing,the what ifs in life. The question is who is our security?the answer is very simple,the Lord,whatever we are facing,He will not leave us stranded,He will not fail His children,be it famine or whatever. So let us stop our supposing,and let us rest on His unchangeable love,for all His children
a love that loved us to the uttermost,and will continue for ever and ever and ever.
A prayer.....Dear Lord help us to strong in faith,to not dwell on supposing,this or supposing that,in Jesus name Amen./

Pride or humility,whats it to be? [1 Peter 5 v 5-6]

In  1 Chronicles21,we read how Satan tempted David into taking a census which God forbid,and David went for a hundred percent.He would not listen to Joab's wise advice.How did Satan get a foothold?it is thought that it was pride. Even the greatest of men can fall,when they are lifted up with pride. Now in 2 Samuel 24 we read that God would use this event to deal with Israel, my study Bible
says,/Hebrew writers do not always distinguish between and secondary causes. So if God allowed Satan to tempt David,to them it is as if God did it/,remember God is Sovereign ,so tread carefully in your conclusions,remember God does not tempt anyone to sin[ James 1 v13],in verse 14,we read/But  every man is tempted , when he is drawn away with his own lust, and enticed./ Many years ago I heard a business man say something to someone,I cant remember what he said,but the spirit of it was that of pride,his business appeared to be flourishing.Not long after that his business went bust,pride we are told comes before a fall,as was the case of the great king Nebuchadnezzar[cp Daniel 4].The scriptures continually warn us about pride,and the importance of humility,and the dangers and consequences of pride.
A  prayer..../Dear God help us to follow in the footsteps of our dear Saviour,as one who humbled Himself,in His life and in His death,and is now exalted in Heaven. Amen/

Darkness. [ 1 John 1 v 5-7]

/That's something that the darkness cannot take from you/,words spoken on TV,they appeared to have a message,it it appears to me that there is a lot of darkness in this world. In Luke 23 v44 we read,/ and there was darkness over all the earth,seems a fair descripsion of this worlds condition,The darkness of godless religion,of unbelief,of evil political systems,as I think of the world the flesh and the devil,all types of evil.In Gods word we read of godly people overcome by the darkness,we look at Calvary,
and so few who respond to the light of the gospel,that gospel that can set them free.It appears sometimes that the darkness is as it were is winning.Let us not despair if God be for us,then who can be against us?,God is sovereign,we are on the victory side.The darkness cannot take from us our salvation,our Saviour, He is with us,today let us declare to the darkness,/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]
A prayer..../Dear Lord You declared that You were the light of this world,grant us grace to walk with You today,for we know if we do the darkness cannot overcome us,Amen

Gratitude. [ 1 John 3 v 1]

Let us consider gratitude,there is a incident in the Gospels when our Lord healed 10 lepers  [ Luke 17 v11ff] . In Leviticus13v45-46 ,we read of the law for the leper,he had to rend his clothes,put a covering over his upper lips,and cry out continually,unclean,unclean,they where to be isolated from common society,and to dwell alone.Even today in some countries lepers are shunned and driven from there homes and made to stay alone. So it was pretty awful for these ten men,depending on scraps of food,no welcome anywhere, if they broke the rules they would most certainly have paid a severe price.Now if you were among these ten men who were healed,how would you feel?,well it appears that 9 of these men got what they wanted and never came back.Now often leprosy is seen as a type of man kinds sinful condition,we are unclean,we are separated from a Holy God,yet the same Jesus who healed the leper,has in His love and mercy forgiven us all our sins,the consequences of sin is eternal separation from a holy God,but with the forgiveness come the free gift of eternal life,now let me as the question,how grateful are you?, how grateful am I?.
        Joshua Marshman wrote the following.../O thou my soul,forget no more,the friend who all thy
        misery bore. Let every idol be forgot,but O my soul forget Him not. Jesus, for thee, a body takes,thy guilt assumes,thy fetters breaks,discharging all thy dreadful debt,and canst thou e'er such love forget ?./ surely not..
A prayer..../Dear God lest I forget Your great love to me, lead me to Calvary,for Jesus sake Amen/

Forgetfulness[ Deuteronomy 6 v10-12]

R.C.Sproul's  professor said ,/The essence of Christian theology is grace,and the essence  of  Christian ethics is gratitude/.and Sproul goes on to say that in the Old Testament the root concept of apostasy was the idea of forgetfulness. Gratitude ,forgetfulness,the history of the Israel was so often,one of forgetfulness.In Deuteronomy 4v9,they are instructed by Moses,/But watch out, Be careful never to forget what you have seen.Do not let  these memories escape from your mind as long as you live. And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren/. As I grow older I do find that I am becoming a bit forgetful,and of course at times this can have consequences,recently while shopping I heard my car registration announced over the speaker,I went back to my car,and discovered I had left my car window down.When it comes to our Christian walk we have to by Gods grace,be careful that we don't become forgetful,of all that God has blessed us with.Our Saviour before He left for Heaven, took bread,and wine,and gave them to His disciple, and said this do in remembrance of me [Luke 22 v19],why? because we can be so forgetful.
A prayer....../ Dear God in our carelessness caused often by business,prosperity we begin to forget
You,there was a time when we would never have thought it possible,forgive us in Jesus name Amen /

That most wonderful blessing [ Psalm 32v 1-2 ]

The prayer of Jabez is a wonderful prayer,[1 Chronicles 4 v10],/And Jabez called on the God of Israel
now consider to whom he prayed,the God of Israel,millions are praying,to one they don't know, blind ignorant prayers.But Jabez did not pray to just any god he prayed to the God of Israel,now of course the God of Israel, is the not related to a physical nation but to a spiritual community,from every nation,tribe and people[Revelation 5 v9].Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to God[John14 v6],so if we pray we must go through Him. Next Jabez request,/Oh that Thou wouldest bless me,indeed /,in Proverbs 10 v22,we read,/The blessing of the Lord,it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it/,Jacob desired the blessing of God with all his heart,we all remember those words uttered by him,as he wrestled with that heavenly being,/I will not let Thee go,except Thou bless me[Genesis 32 v26].The greatest blessing for mankind to receive is the forgiveness of sins through Jesus,that brings them into a life that is transformed,a life that has purpose,and a wonderful destiny,heaven.
A  prayer.....Dear God we praise You that You have prepared the most wonderful blessing,for all who trust Jesus the Messiah, Amen/

Jesus loves the little children.[ Mark 10v 13-16]

There is a particular mission I pray for and support,they work among children,I received a photo showing 11 young children,who live in Nepal.They attend a school in a a remote valley,and the words on the back of that photo,read,/In danger of being trafficked/ Such is the depravity of man that these little children ,that these little children would be used in the sex trade,used ,yes used. I really thank God for such missions as the one I support,who rescue children from abuse,poverty,and even death.If that was all they did,we would applaud them,but they do more than that,they tell them about Jesus,for although they have been rescued from so much,these children need to know Jesus as their Saviour.I praise God that as a child I trusted Jesus,and inspite of backsliding,I came back to the Lord,I praise God for his faithfulness.Every child needs Jesus,consider, if Stalin,and Hitler,had trusted Jesus as children,millions and millions of lives would have been saved.They would have been so different,they would have grown up and lived lives that would have been  a blessing,instead they became a curse to humanity.Our Saviour is still saying today,let the little children come unto Me and forbid them not,tell the children about Jesus.
A  prayer...../Dear God we thank You that You  love children,we ask for your blessing upon the work among children in Nepal,that they, and children everywhere will come to Jesus. Amen /

Who is the true Jew?. [Galations 6 v14-15]

When Hezekiah died his son Manasseh reigned in his stead[ 2 kings 21],now there had been very many bad kings especially in Israel,but Manasseh was one of the worse .He had a godly father,godly people do not necessary have godly children,Manasseh bears this out,one asks the question why did he behave like he did?, I do not know,David had Solomon initially a wonderful king, but his end was awful [l Kings 11],Samuel had two sons who were far from being godly[1 Samuel 8v3]. Yet Manasseh had a godly grandson  Josiah [ 2 Kings 22v2],spirituality is not something that is transferable,our Saviour taught that we must all of us without exception have a new birth[John3].In the Jewish daily prayer book we read,/all Israel have a portion in the world to come,as it is said,Your people are all righteous/.Even Daniel did not believe that [12 v2],no,. being born a Jew according to the flesh,gives no one a free entry to heaven.. Abraham who rejoiced to see Jesus the Messiah,in the promise seed[Genesis 17v17/John 8v56] believed God, and was counted righteous [Genesis 15v6], so all who believe on the Messiah Jesus are counted righteous,accepted by God.
A  prayer...../ Dear God we thank You that acceptance is not exclusive to any race,or family,You so loved the world that You gave Your only begotten Son, that all who believe in Him would received  freely, eternal life,in Jesus Name we thank You Amen/

Do not believe the enemy of your soul.[ Psalm 121]

Let us consider a good but imperfect king,Hezekiah,who lived at a time of momentous change, Assyria had become a world power,their armies had devastated Israel,the ten tribes,and removed them from the their land.Then they turned on Judah ruled by Hezekiah, nothing stood in their way,city after city fell,until only Jerusalem was left.They besieged Jerusalem,where Hezekiah was,He tried to buy them off, but it did not work,it looked like they would suffer the same fate as Israel. The Assyrians stood outside the walls of Jerusalem,and they challenged those within .The enemy taunted them ,they ask a number of questions,as to whom where they putting their confidence in,and in whom  where trusting in?[ 2 Kings 18v19-20] Let us apply this to our lives,our situations,is the enemy pressing in upon you?is he at the gate?, is he mocking you?.is he reminding you of your situation?,which may be dire,and even desperate.What are you going to do ?well  what are you going to do?,first of all the enemy of your soul is a liar,you can believe his lies,or you can put your confidence in God,and declare that your help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
Call upon Him in .your time of trouble He will not fail you,He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think[Ephesians 3 v20]
A  prayer....../Dear God ,grant us deliverance, from the enemy of our souls,in Jesus Name, Amen/

Such love [ Ephesians 2 v 1-10]

As I looked out on the day it was raining,and I thought maybe the birds need a drink of water,after all did not Jesus tell us God the Father is providing for the birds [Matthew 6 v26]. Yes God provides for all His creation , but Jesus went on to say in Gods eyes we are of more worth than birds, we are different,God made us different,His image is upon us [Genesis 1v27],my study Bible says,/Human worth is not based on possessions,achievements,physical attractions,or public proclaim.Instead it is based on being made in Gods image./This is true even though at times mankind acts like  demons,but Christ did not die for demons,He died for mankind.That means you, and that means me,we are of worth to God.In ourselves we are unworthy,that original creation was perfect,but not now.This old creation has been ruined by sin,sin that alienates us from God,causes us to be an enemy of God,and excludes us from ,fellowship with God,excludes us from Heaven,and condemns us to Hell. But God loves us in spite of this, yes so loved us that He gave his only begotten Son,Jesus, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have  ever lasting life[John3v16]
A  prayer..../Dear God although we are of worth to You,we act in such unworthy ways,we thank You that Christ died for the ungodly,and that through faith in Him we can be saved. Amen/

Who wants suffering?.[Romans 8 v28 /AV]

I have recently bought a daily devotional called ,/Streams in the desert, by L.B.Cowman/,and would commend it to you,I purchased it on Amazon.I have a number of daily readings that I find helpful,of course I do read my Bible everyday.I read this recently in Streams in the desert,it was quotation by George Mueller,/The only way to know strong faith is to endure great trials,I have learned my faith through severe testings/ Trials are not sent to us by God for our destruction,but for our development,
the apostle wrote to a people who were suffering,/That the trial of your faith,being much more precious than gold that perisheth,  though it be tried with fire,might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. [ 1 Peter 1v7 ]/My experience in life teaches that we will have trials,in fact Peter wrote,/Beloved , think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,as though some strange thing happened unto you[1 Peter 4 v12].He further writes that we are following in the footsteps of Christ when we suffer[2v21],and as God is sovereign, he writes as about suffering according to the will of God[4v19]. There are many things we could write about suffering,
God is refining us[Job 23 v10],and as Mueller said it is also for our development.Remember as Paul told Paul,Gods Grace is sufficient ,to help us bear with suffering[ 2 Corinthians12v9]. So today if we are suffering let us take the advice of Peter who wrote,casting all our care upon Him, for He careth for us.
A  prayer...../Dear God we have to confess we do not want to suffer,in anyway,but we bow to Your will for our lives,knowing that always Your will is best,in Jesus name Amen/

Life so short eternity so long. [Psalm 90 ]

And frankly,it made me confront my mortality,so wrote a lady,aged 56,she had just discussed with her elderly parents their wishes for after their deaths.Yes her mortality,the fact is we are all mortal,and one day we will die,we should face this fact,even though it may be a fearful subject.The lady did  go on to mention that she would want ,Amazing grace ,to be sung at her funeral,fair enough.People in this country are living longer,many are living to a 100 plus.In this country when you reach 100,you receive a card from our queen ,if you don't reach a 100,tough,no card. Her parents she said where committed Christians, if that is so,then the most important part has been dwelt with. It was Moses the man of God who reminds us of the brevity of life,/  The days of our years are three score years and ten,and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years,yet is their strength labour and sorrow,for it is soon cut off,and we fly away/.Scroggie wrote this title over this ,/God's eternity and man's transitoriness/.The Psalm mentions,God's wrath and man's sin,and it is in the light of the brevity of life,our sinfulness,and God's wrath,we need to be wise unto salvation,as is to be found in Jesus,and in Him alone.
A  prayer...../Eternal and Holy God,help us to see that now is the day of salvation,and help us to trust Jesus as our Saviour,Amen/

Ask God to give you purpose to live. [ Philippians 1 v 20-26]

In Philippians 1 v 20ff ,the apostle writes about living and dying, he see's the glories of heaven and
the challenge of living for Christ.The Message puts it like this / I hardly know which I'd choose.Hard choice.The desire to break camp here,and be with Christ is powerful.Some days I can think of  nothing better/I know a person and he is afraid and disturbed every time he see's a funeral,death for many is a fearful thing,it is the great unknown,not so for Paul or any child of God,because of Christ,we need fear no evil,even the valley of the shadow of death,because Christ is with us.Paul values, where eternal values,my study Bible writes,/To those who don't believe in Christ,life on earth is all there is,and so it is natural for them to strive for this worlds values, money,popularity,power,
pleasure, and prestige./ Paul,s desire for glory did not blind him to have a death wish,yes heaven,is wonderful,even though Paul was suffering,he was in jail at this time,he realised to live for Christ was important,and that his life would bring honour to Christ.He also considered others ,and how he could help them,to grow and experience the joy of their faith. Ask God to give you a purpose to live,even though you may be suffering,a life that shines in suffering,can be such a blessing,in bringing others to Christ,and encouraging others who know Christ.
A  prayer...../ Dear God,we rejoice that we are going to heaven,when we will get there we don't know,we ask that while we remain here ,we may be used to serve and glorify You,in Jesus name we ask this Amen./

No more. [ Revelation 21 ]

I've got a home in glory that outshines the sun,I've got a home in glory land that outshines the sun . I've got a home that outshines the sun,way beyond the blue. So this little song goes,and it reminded that this world is not my home I just passing through,our lives,our thoughts,are taken up with the here and now,and we rarely  think of the glories that shine afar.As I sat in my living room this morning,I thought that someday this lovely little home will be occupied by new owners,for me it is only a temporary dwelling.Our Saviour told us he has gone to prepare a place for us,that will be no temporary residence,it will be eternal,I cannot begin to imagine, what it be like,but I know it will be glorious. There will be the absence of all that is evil,absence of pride,hypocrisy,lust,covertness,no more filthy language,filthy thoughts,no more racism,no more abuse,no more injustice,no more sickness,no more loneliness,no more tiredness,no more tears, no more death.Yes there there will be the absence of all that is wrong,and it will be filled with all that is right, loving,and kind,where everyone will be a good neighbour,and perfect harmony will reign, perfect contentment,and perfect fulfilment,for we will be perfect,and all that this means.The most wonderful thing of all it will not just be a self indulgent place,no for hearts,and lives will never loose focus on our Saviour,for he will be the glory of Emmanuel's land.
A  prayer...../ Dear God help us to see beyond  the here and now ,to that place that our Saviour has gone to prepare for us,in His name we ask this. Amen /