We dare not ignor it [ Hebrews 9 v 27-28 ]

I've decided to die just after Christmas,so read the words in the news paper,the person who said this has cancer,for which she is being treated for. She has decided that she does not want any more chemo,and so she is letting the natural way do its bit. This dear lady has cancer she wants to call it a day I would not criticize her,it is her decision.Death is the great unmentionable in our society,and yet I heard of a lady who spoke on the phone about her dying,she was very positive about it.She was a Christian,and she felt ready to face death,as a Christian, how positive would I be as regards my own death?..There are those who don't want hear if they have cancer,and are going to die,which is understandable,I am not going to judge them,but to be forewarned is to be forearmed.In other words we have an opportunity maybe for the first time in ones life to prepare for death, and that cannot be a bad thing.Yet as A.Motyer writes ,/life has its own peculiar preciousness which not even the illumination of immortality[2 Timothy1 v10] takes away/.Now that's very true for many reasons,but the fact still remains that we need with an urgency to prepare for death,the question is why and how?.Well the why,the Bible tells us that there is an after death existence,when we will all appear before a holy God who will judge us,we are sinners that leaves us to face His judgement.So that is the why,now the how,that is very simple,by trusting in Jesus all our sins can all be forgiven.
A prayer....../Dear God help us to not bury our head in the sand as regards death,help us to see the need to be prepared when death calls,by trusting Jesus as our Saviour,in His name we ask this. Amen/

He knows us through and through.[ Psalm 139 ]

A.Motyer writes the following in his commentary on Isaiah ,/God the Creator who in the Old Testament originates all,maintains all,controls all  and directs all to the appointed goal.Therefore,to believe in Him is to be assured of safety within this world,to know that present and future are secure in his hands./ We are so fragile,it does not take much to unsettle us,we can so easily find ourselves under the juniper tree like Elijah,filled with fear and despair,feeling sorry for ourselves
I suppose that is what one the things I love about the Bible it tells it how it is,the greatest of the prophets were but men,likewise the greatest of every child of God,this is recorded for our benefit ,recorded for our encouragement. James writing in his epistle informs us about Elijahs weakness,that in spite of this ,he prayed,and God still heard[ cpJames 5 v17-18] Let us learn from this are security and safety and acceptance are in the hands of the God of grace.
A prayer....../Dear God,we thank you that you know us through and through,You know how fragile we are,how inconsistent we are,how fearful we can be,and yet You love us and care for us,we praise and thank You in the name of Jesus name Amen /
,

The best is yet to be.[ 1 Corinthians 15 v51-58]

As I grow older I am beginning to loose my teeth,at this moment in time I have an infection in one of my teeth,and of course my hair is white and thinning,I suffer from back ache,it is all downhill from now on.Not really the future is bright, it is the apostle Paul writing about the things he and others were suffering for Christ ,/though our outward man perish,yet the inward man is renewed every day.[2 Corinthians 4v16].The hymn write ,wrote,change and decay in all around I see,yes that is so,but my inward man will not ,decay,in fact says Paul,there is something wonderful happening,I like what my study Bible says,/our very weakness allows the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen us moment by moment/.This happens in our daily communion with our risen Lord[Isaiah 40v29-31],that's why it is vital we do not neglect that communion,and we keep our eyes fixed on future glory,when all things will be made new,that includes a new and incorruptible body.
A  prayer....../Dear God we thank You that the best is yet to be,we have a glorious future ,help us to keep our eyes fixed firmly on Jesus. Amen /

The unchanging nature of God. [ Malachi 3 v6 ]

Isaiah 40 is one of the most wonderful chapters in the Bible,it starts with words of comfort to Gods children,they have been forgiven,but as A. Motyer points out,/it was not just a word expressing comfort and kindliness ,but it is seeking to persuade,inviting them to respond to love/.His people had sinned,God had dealt with them,now he desires to comfort them and restore them,the question is would they respond?.In this chapter we are told of a loving tender God CP,/He shall feed His flock like a shepherd,He shall gather the lambs with His arm,and carry them in His bosom, and shall gentle
lead those who are with young/, contrary to what some people think,God in the OT,is the God of the NT,He is the God of love,whose heart goes out to his creation in love.Those who choose to live outside His love are still invited to embrace His forgiveness in His Son Jesus,and those who have,to rest in His love.A.Motyer writes,/This love is part of the unchanging nature of God,and thus guarantees a continuing relationship come what may/.
A prayer.,,,,,/Dear God of Love we worship You,and praise You,and rest in Your love in Jesus name
Amen./

Misconceptions.[ Romans 8 v26 ]

]In Isaiah  38 we have recorded Hezekiah's sickness,he is told by the prophet Isaiah to put his affairs in order for he was going to die.Consider, we are all going to die,have we put our affairs in order?,are we ready to die?do we know Jesus as Saviour?.Now when Hezekiah hears these words,he is overwhelmed with grief,and so he prays.We read how he reminded God of how he had walked before Him in truth,with a perfect heart,and had did that which was good in His sight.Now God tells Isaiah that he had heard his prayer,and saw is tears[v5]. A.Motyer points out,God alludes only to his tears,
 Hezekiah resorts to a bargaining with God,and fails to see, that the ground on which prayer is answered is not human faithfulness,but the faithfulness of God.His prayer was far from perfect,but as A.Motyer points out,/The Lord in mercy hears our prayers,even when they are based on a false assumption/. So let us learn from this that our relationship with God is based on Grace, not on merit,and that is why in spite of our misconceptions God will be merciful.
A  prayer......../Dear God have mercy upon our foolish misconceptions,and overrule in all things,grant us a clearer understanding of Your perfect will in Jesus name. Amen /

Christ in you the hope of glory. [Colossians 1v 27 ]

Continuing on from yesterday,as regards ,believing determination,and along with that A.Motyer writes,/Hope is the cordial the people of God need to keep them going/.What is that hope firstly,/God,they are told that He will come and save them,on writing about the unsaved, the apostle Paul points out three tragic things in Ephesians 2 v12,that they were without Christ....having no hope,and without God in the world.What a hopeless state  they were in, the scripture tells us,/if in this life only we have hope,we are of all men most miserable/[1 Corinthians 15v19].One commentator points out,that in the Roman catacombs[were many Christians were buried,or in tombed] hope the commonest inscription.There is no such word on the tombs of the heathen dead/Only  through knowing Christ as ones Saviour is there hope,apart from Him there is only loss,and despair.With  Him the future is bright,as we march on into eternal Glory,one has said it is glory here and glory there.
A prayer....../Dear God the God of all hope we worship You and praise You for Jesus,our hope Amen/

Believing determination. [ Romans 4 v 18-22]

I may just borrow a number of phrases from A.Motyer commentary of Isaiah,writing in chapter 35 v 3-4,the prophet declares,/Strengthen ye the weak hands,and confirm the feeble knees.Say to them that are of a fearful heart,Be strong,fear not,behold,your God will come with vengeance,even with a recompense,he will come and save you./ A.M.writes this,/It is a call to the fortitude [ the word fortitude has a number of meanings, courage, backbone] of faith,not grim determination,but believing determination/ The Bible tells us the the just shall live by faith [Galations 3v11],and so as we move on,towards our goal and home,it must be, by faith and faith alone.We are saved by grace through faith,now there is a life of holiness,a life of taking up our cross day by day,and following Jesus. An non Christian said a Christian who was experiencing difficulties,I do not know how you cope and go on, the Christian with a twinkle in his eye,replied, but I do.
A prayer....../Dear God grant us that believing determination,to go on until we see our great king in His beauty,in His name we ask this. Amen/

Read your Bible. [2 Timothy 3 v15ff]

I read recently how the great George Whitefield,when reading the Bible would use a commentary in his devotional times,and so following his example I have been using A. Motyer's commentary on Isaiah.It is academic but also has a devotional quality to it,which makes it enjoyable to read,I am half way through the book of Isaiah,I am taking a more leisurely approach to my Bible reading,I have read the bible through many times,so I have decided to take my time,and use whatever means,to help me understand more of what I am reading. A little chorus comes to mind,which goes,/Read your Bible pray every day if you want to grow,/if we neglect this advice it will effect us,and not for the better.So read the Bible,study the Bible,pray over the Bible,asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth,and that in His light[ the Word of God] you will see light,especially Him who is the light of the world Jesus.
A  prayer....../Dear God thank You for Your infallible word,help us not to neglect it,help us not to leave it, to the so called professionals to feed us, help us to begin to feed ourselves,so that we may grow spiritually,in Jesus name, Amen /

Have I got it wrong ? [ Romans 1 v16 ]

Sometimes I wonder  am I the only one who believes that people are not saved and that they  are sinners?,I listen to ministers who are not clear in their ministry as to peoples spiritual condition,why is it I feel like a voice crying in the wilderness?.Have I have got it wrong, am I the one who is out of step,am I crank?,all these things go through my mind.Well having said that,I know from Gods word,that all humanity are lost because of sin,and that unless they trust Jesus they will be lost,and I know that I have a deep responsibility to tell all ,about Jesus,the only one who can save.A. Motyer wrote, /Outside trust in the Lord and His promises,there is only death,there is no alternative salvation/May God deliver us from compromise,recently my fellow country man Ian Paisley died,he was a controversial person,and to many peoples surprise he went the road of compromise in his political stance,in order that a degree of peace would come to my beloved Ulster. Yet one thing he never compromised on ,was the gospel,of telling men and women of their need of Christ.May we follow big Ian's example, to remain faithful ,to Christ,it was the great apostle who said woe is me if I preach not the gospel.
A  prayer....../Dear God help us to be uncompromising in our stand for the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen /

Do it. [ Psalm 133]

I was Mr Grumpy last night,like a bear with a sore head,I am glad that I did not have a cat,as I might have kicked it.The reason being I was tired,this morning I said sorry to my dear wife,which she accepted. Many years ago when I attended Bible college I felt I had offended one of the lecturers,the Holy Spirit spoke to me,and so I got on my bike and rode over to where he lived and said I was sorry.Not so long ago I felt I had offended a brother and his wife,so I called at their home and said I was sorry. Whither those dear people understood what I did,I understood,the Holy Spirit knew and I knew I had to say sorry,the result, the bond of unity was not broken.Unity in Gods church is very important , and we must do all we can to maintain it,and if we do God will be pleased,and God will bless. So if it means saying sorry to your wife,to your children,to other Christians,do it.
A   prayer...../Dear  God forgive us for not saying we are sorry,and help us to realise the importance of unity in Jesus name Amen /

Let go .[ Psalm 47v4 ]

I am still working although I am seventy,but recently I reduced my hours to four days,my manager agreed with this,I felt having Friday off would be best, but I ended up with the Monday off. I was a little bit disappointed,but as time went on I sensed God had as usual  made the right choice for me.I had prayed about it as I pray about everything,I am so glad God chooses my way,for to long in my life, I did it my way,but one thing I have learn' ed and am learning,to let God choose,yes let God choose.The hymn writer wrote,/I was not ever thus,nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on
                                         I loved to choose and see my path,but now lead Thou me on.
                                          I loved the garish day,and,spite of fears
                                          Pride ruled my will,remember not past years/[J.H. Newman].
A prayer...../Dear  God forgive our foolish proud hearts,and grant us the humility,to lean not upon our own understanding,to trust You totally,in all our choices and decisions,in Jesus name Amen /
                                        

His way is perfect. [Genesis 50 v20]

Do you ever ask the question what if?,what if the thing we fear most,would happen to us?,now the thing is, it may.I do not want to instill fear into your life ,God will save us from much,but He may also cause us to experience many things,that in themselves are painful.That is the reality,we must not have a one sided faith,an imbalanced faith,but a faith that will deal with all eventualities.
Joseph had a dream ,and its meaning was that he would rule over his family [Genesis 37v5ff],but before that happened ,he would suffer much.Likewise David was anointed to be king ,[1 Samuel 16]but he also had to endure much pain before that would happen.Job declared,/for the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me/[3v25],terrible things happened to that dear man,but in those terrible things God was refining him[23 v10].As a child of God we can rest in the fact that nothing can come into  our lives,that will be outside of Gods will,and will not be for our good and His glory.With that in mind,rest in the Lord,and one day we will look back and we will say, as for God his way was perfect.
A prayer...../Dear God help me look with the eye of faith at all my life's circumstances,that I may trust You,in Jesus name Amen /

He is in control. [ Matthew 28 v18]

As one reads the OT prophets who primary spoke to Israel,but they also spoke to the nations of the world,Jonah was sent to minister to Nineveh capital of Assyria.Daniel spoke as regards the nations of this world both future and in his time, CPchapters four and eight.The point that I am making while God primarary interest is in relation to His church,He is working out his purpose in all this world.No nation is excluded from His sovereign purposes,at this time in the United Kingdom Scotland is voting as regards independence. For many this is an unsettleing time,will they or wont they,break away from the Union,people are voting,so that's it we are at the mercy of the ballet box,no as a child of God I believe the result is in Gods hands,in Proverbs 8 v16,we read /By Me kings reign/,we read in Daniel 5v21,/God ruled in the kingdom of men,and that He appointed over it whomsoever He will/. The vote may not go as we like it,but it is in Gods hands,He who is working all things according to His will [Ephesians 1 v 11], He is in control.
A  prayer....../ Almighty God we bow to Your sovereign purposes,in our own lives and in the events of this world, in Jesus name Amen /

Communicating with the dead.[ John 14 v6 ]

I see in a local pub,that they are putting on psychic evenings,this activity is becoming more and more popular,and the thought came to me,that people are more interested in hearing what the dead say,than to hear what the living God has to say.When Israel where about to go into the promised land,they were warned not to copy the sinful practises of those in that land,and one of the practises was consulting with the dead[Leviticus 19v31].If one points this out to modern day psychics they will point out that King Saul went to a medium,consider, that he had banned that practice[1 Samuel 28v3].
Saul paid a price for that,he did something he knew was wrong,and God judged him.Consulting the dead is wrong,Charles Houdini showed it up as a fraudulent action,but most of all Gods word forbids such a practice,the dead as to this world know nothing.Such practises only serve to distance a person from the truth,that our greatest need is to seek the Lord while He can be found,to seek the living God not the dead.As we seek Him He will speak to us,he will reveal Himself to us,in His word by His Spirit the most important thing He will reveal to us is Jesus,the one who came to save us.
A  prayer......./Dear God deliver those who are involved in trying to communicate with the death,and bring them to Jesus Amen/

Until then [ John 14 v1-6]

I have thought often about heaven,what it will be like? we  know,no sin ,no sickness,no separation,will be there ,in other words no discord,complete unity. It will mean being in the very presence of almighty God,He who is holy ,the vail of time will be removed,and for the very first time
we will stand in His awesome presence,it is a breath taking thought.There we will enter the realm of eternity,time will have ceased,we sing ,when we've been there ten thousand years,yea ten billion years,we will have entered that place and that relationship,that will have no ending.There will be rewards what those rewards will be I do not know,and in a sense there is so much that I do not know. Rick Warren writes,/What is it going to be like in eternity with God? Frankly , the capacity of our brains cannot handle the wonder and greatness of heaven,and then he quotes 1 Corinthians 2v9[LB] /No mere man has ever seen,heard or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord/. This is so true ,at this stage in our lives,in the words in a modern song,I can only imagine,what heaven will be like,so until then I walk by faith,until faith will give way to sight,what a day that will be.Child of God rejoice that you are going to heaven,and be grateful and thankful to Him who made it all possible, even Jesus.
A prayer...../ Our Father who art in heaven,we praise You,for saving us,and granting unto us an eternal inheritance, with You in that land that is fairer  than day,
in Jesus name Amen /

The word of God [ Psalm 119 v 97-104]

How do you view Gods word?, the book of Isaiah is a wonderful book,there are those who believe it was written by a number of writers,because they cannot accept that what is called  predictive prophecy .Many of the things Isaiah wrote,had not taken place, the captivity,he writes about Cyrus[45 v1] the king of the Medes and the Persians,who allowed the Jews to return from captivity,these where all future events,that would take place long after Isaiah had died. Of course Isaiah prophesied about the suffering servant,not Israel,but a person who would deal with sin,God granted him a wonderful revelation as to His birth,His divinity  ,and His eternal kingdom,[ 9v 6-7 ].It is in Isaiah we read more than anywhere else of the suffering servant, and His redemptive work on Calvary,in chapter 53, we have a graphic description of His redemptive suffering.This is all predictive prophecy, we must surrender our rational thinking,and humble accept Gods divine revelation.I heard a chap on the radio say how he rejected the Bible for the writings of a particular authors writings,when we do this we are shutting ourselves of from Gods revelation,and the consequences of that. We are asked as Christians to embrace Gods word,predictive prophecy,miracles,Christ the God man,His death and resurrection,
A  prayer...../Dear God we thank You for Your infallible word, in all its fullness,we embrace it wholly by faith,in Jesus name Amen /

Are you scared? [Psalm46 ]

The world can be a very scary place,life is uncertain,the only thing certain we are told is death and taxes,but not so for the child of God. We are in a win,win situation,simply because God is with us,now that does not mean we wont experience difficulties,dangers ,or whatever,but it does mean that God will be with us to work it for our good[Romans8v28] Read Psalm 46 and meditate upon it,David commences,/God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear though the earth be removed,consider those words,the earth being removed,and then he says,though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.Though the waters thereof and be troubled,though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.Then in my version it has the word Selah, which means pause and consider,stop and consider what you are reading,moving on v7 reads,/The Lord of hosts is with us,the God of Jacob is our refuge,then again that word Selah pops up,pause and consider those words.We move down to v10. Be still and know that I am God,are you frightened today,be still God is with you,are you lonely today,be still God is with you,are you in danger today ,be still God is with you,the Lord of hosts is with you,the God of Jacob is your refuge.
A  prayer....../Dear God fill our hearts with your peace,help us frail children that we are,to be still and know that Thou art God,and that You will undertake for us no matter how scary things are,we ask this in Jesus name Amen/

God personal or inpersonal ? [ Romans 8 v 15]

I was listening to a discussion on the radio about the Islamic State movement, as to what they believed,and it sounded as if the god they worship is unknowable.It means they believe in a god,who is really distant,seemingly the gods of Greece,where thought of, in a similar manner.The Christian faith is one of knowing God,but not only knowing about Him,but of knowing Him in the most intimate way.It is R.C. . Sproul  who points out that Jesus gave us the incomparable privilege of calling God Father, when He taught his disciples to pray, He used the term our Father [ Matthew6 v9],the word he used was the Aramaic word Abba,best translated Dad,or Papa.Now again as R.C. Sproul points out,/the cry of alarm from the disciples would have been one of astonishment.You don't mean it Jesus,You can't be serious. We are not allowed to speak the name of God aloud.We don't even call Him Father,much less Dad/God is mighty,majestic, and all powerful,and yet as W.Barclay wrote/He is the one whom Jesus taught us to call Our Father/Not only did Jesus teach us that God is our Father,He through His death made it possible,for us to come into a very personal relationship with almighty God,who is our loving heavenly Father.
A  prayer...../ Dear God  and Father,we worship you with a holy reverence,and also with a holy Joy,
for our very personal relationship with You,in Jesus name Amen/

The Kingdom of God. [ Matthew 6 v10]

As one looks back on history we see mighty kingdoms that are no longer,empires that have ceased to be,there is no longer a Roman empire,the third Reich, thankfully is gone,there is no longer a British empire.Even our beloved united kingdom is under threat,as Scotland vote on independence.None of this should surprise us,kingdoms will not only wax and wane,but will cease to be,but there is one kingdom that shall not cease to be,will not be relegated to dusty history books.The kingdom I speak of is the kingdom of God,it is an everlasting kingdom,it shall not pass away,cannot be destroyed.[Daniel7 v14] As we survey the kingdoms of this world,with their massive arsenals of destructive weapons,of their mighty armies,of their financial clout,there is no guarantee that they will last.They are all without exception temporary kingdoms,and it can be said of them here today gone tomorrow.Dear child of God let not your heart be troubled as to the ranting and raving,and pride of earthly rulers,and their supposed invincibility. They remind me of what our Lord taught as to the foolish man who built upon the sand,the building collapsed,their kingdoms are built upon sand,.Consider what Jesus said,My Kingdom is not of this world,[ John 18 v36],but His kingdom will come,He is king of kings and Lord of Lords,and one day maybe soon ,every knee shall bow to Him and every tongue confess that He is Lord.
A  prayer...../ Dear God we worship You,and pray that Your Kingdom may come,in all its fullness,in peoples lives,in Jesus name Amen./

Father forgive. [ 2 Chronicles 7 v14 ]

I want to share this prayer which I read at the foot of that wooden cross in Coventry.
 The hatred which divides nation from nation,race from race,class from class.
                                    Father forgive.
 The covetous desires of people and nations,to possess what is not their own.
                                      Father forgive.
The greed that exploits the work of human hands,and lays waste the earth.
                                    Father forgive.
 Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others.
                                     Father Forgive.
Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee.
                                      Father forgive.
 The lust  which dishonours the bodies of men,women,and children.
                                      Father, forgive.
The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God.
                                    Father forgive.
                           ........................................... 


    

Disappointed with self. [ Romans 8 v1]

So often there is a distance between what I think and what I believe,especially when it comes to my belief as regards the sovereignty of God. I feel at times a sense of frustration when things appear to be against me,my desire to preach is limited,doors are not opening.I hear that faint voice reminding me that God is sovereign,that should quieten my spirit but, it doesn't,one still frets and feels frustration.Also the distance between ones beliefs and ones life involves other things,holiness,love,one knows about these things,but so often what one is , and what one should be ,does not line up.It is not that one neglects prayer or Gods word,or attending a local fellowship, oh yes I do that,but there is still that distance between ,what I am and what I should be.So what can one do?well the fact of the matter is,we all have our inconsistencies,I don't say that lightly,they grieve me,I am never disappointed with God but I am disappointed with myself.So what can I learn from this?,well I am saved by grace,not just in the past but in the here and now,that God still loves this naughty child,and by His grace He will perfect that which concerns me.
A  prayer....../Dear God, we thank you that You love us naughty children,grant us grace to stop being naughty,in Jesus name Amen /

A jouney of faith. [Hebrews 12 v2 ]

On a visit to a cathedral I spoke to a young man,I asked him, when did he come to know Christ?,he replied,/I am still on that journey/.I thought that was an interesting answer, I am still on that journey,
in other words he was seeking, he did say the minister was helping him.This man was making a conscious effort on his journey to faith,he is full of doubts,uncertainties,questions,the journey will not end when all these are answered,it will end when he simple exercises faith.You see there will always be the unanswerable,be it about creation ,suffering,and so on,I have been following Lord for 50years I still have questions,that are still unanswered,this will never change.The people in the Bible were the same as you and I Iikewise many great Christians,when Bishop Ambrose ,mentor of Augustine,lay dying ,was asked whither he feared facing God at judgement,/We have a good master,he relied with a smile.I learn to trust God with my doubts and struggles by getting to know Jesus/.
A  prayer...../Dear heavenly Father we come to You in simple faith in Your son Jesus,help us as we journey to heaven,to focus on Him ,in whose name we ask this Amen/

Father forgive. [ Luke 23 v 34 ]

Recently while on holiday I visited the city of Coventry and its cathedral,it is really two cathedrals,
the old and the new.The old is but ruins,a result of being bombed in the second world war,by . Most of the industry of Coventry was in the centre of the city,so the cathedral
was not spared. They recovered from the ruins,two pieces of charred wood,nailed them together so making a cross,they placed it in the ruins,and on the wall behind this cross ,they put the words ,/Father Forgive/.This reminded me, that at the centre of the Christian faith,there is a message of forgiveness,for all,God is the forgiving God,he desires to show mercy,in fact He delights in it.The gospel is a message of forgiveness.The words Father forgive,come from the words spoken by Jesus,from a cross,on which He was being nailed to,by wicked men. Let us never loose sight of the truth,that we who have been forgiven,need to forgive,and desire forgiveness for all.
A  prayer...../Dear God we worship You with thanks given for the fact that You are the forgiving God,help us who are Your children,to always desire the forgiveness of all mankind,in Jesus name.Amen/

The price of change.[Isaiah 6 ]

One of my favourite movies is Gladiator,and yet the gladiatorial games where ghastly,men fighting to the death,in the name of entertainment. One day a man felt God telling him to go to Rome,he was a  Christian hermit,called Telemachus,he found himself at the games,and was horrified to witness the slaughter that went on,horrified he rose from his seat,and tried to stop two men killing each other.They tossed him aside,but he kept coming back,the 80.000 crowd became angry,throwing stones at him,but he kept coming back,to stop the killing.Then the command rang out,for him to be put to death,a sword flashed in the sunlight,and Telemachus was dead. Suddenly a hush fell over the stadium, Rome at that time was nominally Christian,and they realised a holy man lay dead.From that day on there were never anymore gladiatorial games.A godly man had to pay the price for this to happen,so it is ,if this world is going to change,if wrong is to challenged,if people are going to be saved,there is a price that has to be paid,are we willing to pay that price?
A  prayer...../ Dear God help us to be willing,to pray the price,for things to change,in this sinful world,in Jesus name Amen /

Mine twice. [1 Peter 1 v18-19]

In Isaiah 44v22,we read/ I have blotted out,as a thick cloud,thy transgressions,and as a cloud, thy sins,return unto Me,for I have redeemed thee/. The story is told of a young lad who made himself a little boat,he was delighted with it,so he took it do a local river to sail it,he had it on a piece of string.Well he accidentally let go of it,and he lost it, as it sailed out of sight.He really loved that little boat,and so one he saw his boat for sale,in a second hand shop,so he went in and bought it.As he was leaving the shop in delight he said to the little boat,you are mine twice,I made you,and I bought you.Like that little boat ,God made us,but we sinned,and God lost us, we where truly lost,yet all the time God loved us,and so He did a wonderful thing,he paid a price to buy us back,that is what redemption is about paying a price.Now all the gold and silver of a thousand worlds could not buy us back to God,no,the price that He paid,was the precious blood of Christ,which he shed on the cross.One day every dear child of God will stand before Him,and He may say ,you are mine twice,I made you and I bought you.
A prayer..../ Dear God  we bow humble before You,and give unto You thanks for redeeming us,through Jesus precious shed blood, Amen /

Maintaining a fresh touch. [ 1 Corinthians 15 v 31]

I have just started reading that wonderful book written by Solomon,Proverbs,here we have book of profound wisdom,Solomon was a man of God,son of Israels greatest king David.Yet even in his great reign ,he acted as a law unto himself at times,accumulating foreign wives, horses silver and gold[Deuteronomy 17 v16-17],this action would come back to bite him.In spite of this God blessed him,in so many ways.In many ways his was a glorious reign,but then we read in 1 Kings 11v 4,/ For it came to pass,when Solomon was old,that his wives turned away his heart after other gods,and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God,as was the heart of David his father/ From a glorious reign to inglorious reign,he became a shadow of what he once was.Many of the kings were like Solomon they sought God and then they departed from Him.which spelt disaster for the nation.// It is possible for the best year of our life,the best experiences we have enjoyed,the best victories,we have won,and the best service we have rendered,to be swallowed up by times of failure,defeat,dishonour,and uselessness in Gods Kingdom.//[Streams in the desert] We must not live with yesterdays blessing,but we must maintain a daily walk with God,as one writer puts it,to maintain a fresh touch from God.
A  prayer..../Dear God help us to see the importance of not living on past blessings,help us to maintain that daily fellowship with You,in Jesus name Amen /
    [ I will return to my blog on Sunday the 7th, every blessing]