Pray . ( Luke 18 v 1 )

                             In East Africa many are suffering,this is caused by a lack of rain
                             do pray.
                             In Yemen thousands of people are suffering from the worst cholera
                             outbreak in history.
                            Spain is experiencing political turmoil, which could easily break out
                            serious violence.
                            I could go on, this world is full of so much pain, many millions of people
                            have been affected by violence,
                           Millions of people have become refugees,living in camps, that are poorly
                           equipped.
                             
                                                   PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.

The story is not over. ( John 3 v 16 )

                    One of the most godly kings of Israel was  Josiah ( 2 Kings 22- 23 ), he sought
                    to turn the people back to God, but it was all in vain ,for after his death, the nation
                    went back to their old ways. Israel the nation had its times of  spiritual life,but so
                    often they kept running away from God.. God loved them, but oh so often they
                   rejected His love,in spite of all He had done for them. Even when they became very
                   religious in our Lords time, their religion was hard and unloving. They had the plain
                   teaching of scripture,but failed to understand, the true character and purpose of the
                   promised Messiah.Instead of seeing the importance of a spiritual rebirth, they leaned
                   heavenly on their privileged  position of being children of Abraham. To them the
                   physical  ,the outward religious acts,overshadowed everything, Instead of welcoming
                   their Messiah with open arms,and embracing Him as their saviour, they saw Him as
                   a threat to their position. In the end they came to the conclusion he would have to die.
                   and so they schemed and planned to destroy him.  It is a very dark and tragic picture
                   I paint ,but it is a true picture,but of course the story is not over,in time God will bring
                   into His kingdom,a people from Israel ,which will be made up of all mankind,of Jews
                   and non-Jews, for Gods purposes are greater than a nation state. One day all those
                  who have come to know Christ, a people from every tribe and language ,,and
                  nation will gathered unto God and will sing the praises of  Him who loved them,
                  Jesus the Lamb of God who took  away their sins

                                                      'For the earth will be full
                                                      of the knowledge of the
                                                      Lord, as the waters cover
                                                      the sea.'
                                                               ( Isaiah 11 v 9 )

God is not a Tyrant ( Jonah 4 ]

                         The story of Jonah is interesting and instructive , a prophet running away
                         when told  by God to proclaim  Gods word to Nineveh capital of Assyria..
                         a major world power, who conquered nearly all before them.,they were religious
                        believing in many gods. When they conquered a nation they believed  they were
                        defeating that nations god., They were noted for their cruelty, when they defeated a
                        nation they would humiliate  that nations ruler,by pulling them with ropes attached
                        by lips and the jaw. They were wicked,cruel, and idolaters, So when Jonah was told
                        to proclaim Gods judgement, instead of being obedient, he was disobedient, why?
                        The answer may surprise many people who see God in the OT as a tyrant, In chap 4
                        we see a man who knew his God ,' He prayed to the Lord,''O Lord, is this not what I
                        said when I was still at home? That is why I was quick to flee  to Tarshish . I knew
                        that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love
                        a God who relents from sending calamity''. Is  he describing a tyrant ?.

                                                           There's a wideness in God's mercy
                                                            Like the wideness of the sea; 
                                                           There's a kindness in his justice
                                                            Which is more than liberty
                                                                (Words...F.W.Faber)
                                                         

                                                                                   



                                                   
                                                      .
                       
                       

Gods timetable ( Acts 1 v 7 - 8 )

                       Did you know that God has a timetable?,we need to be reminded of this,unlike
                       trains and planes ,He is never late ,nor ever early,no ,whatever God has planned
                       will happen when He says it will happen. In Galatians 4 v 4 ,the writer ,writing
                       of the coming of Christ, tells us,''But when the time arrived that was set by God
                       the Father, God sent his Son,born  among us of a woman ''. It is something we
                       need to be reminded of ,especially in relation to prayer. lets be honest we all
                       want answers to our prayers immediately, and while God does answer a degree
                       quickly,other times he does not, we have to wait,for God to answer according to
                       His timetable. Now one of  the major things that some Christians struggle with is
                       the Lords coming again,it is the apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3 v ,who  reminds his
                       readers and us, that God is outside of time, and that there is a reason why he has
                       not come. The disciples were wondering when the fullness of Gods kingdom would
                       come into being ,so they asked Jesus,and this is what He told them,'' It is not for
                       you to know times or seasons ,that the Father has fixed by  His own authority''.
                       He followed up this statement by telling them that their task was to go into all the
                       world and be a witness for Him.

                                           Stop wondering and worrying as to Gods timetable
                                         

Have Thine own way Lord. ( Isaiah 64 v 8 )

                      I did not choose the body I have , God did, (  Isaiah 44 v 2 ),I did not choose the
                      parents ,I had ,God  did, I did not choose the land I was born in, God did.You  may
                      look at what I am declaring,and  find it hard to accept. I do not have all the answers
                      as to Gods ways,I cannot answer all the whys in your life and mine. But what I am
                      called to do is to understand ,that we are not Gods plaything , He knows what
                      He is doing , I am 73 and as I look back  I know God  is silent about many things,
                      yet I can see by faith Gods providence. And the safest attitude is that of trust and
                      confidence , people are challenged  to believe in God ,what does that mean to you.
                      It is more than words or intellectual ascent. It implies wholehearted trust ,that steps
                      into the unknown , and follows Him who said follow Me. We used to play a little
                      game called follow the leader , our leader is Jesus that is whom I am following .He
                      brought into being with my own peculiar  personality ,  to fulfil His will through
                      me. we  may think that we are of no  consequence, but we are to Him, and that is
                      what counts.Whatever God has placed in your heart ,seek to fulfil it ,and do it.
                      Adelade  Pollard an American lady was feeling  very discouraged,and she attended
                      a prayer meeting,and heard a lady pray,''Lord , it really does not matter what you do
                      with us,just have your own way''.She went on to write the following.

                                                  Have Thine own way Lord,have Thine
                                                  Thou art the potter, I am the clay;
                                                   Thou art the potter, I am the clay;
                                                   mould me and make me after Thine will
                                                   while I am waiting yielded and still.
                                                 
                   

                                               

Reincarnation ( John 3 v16 ]

                             There are millions of people who  believe in reincarnation, in the west
                              it is not taken to serious, but as I said millions do,one of the bases of
                              Hinduism .Let us consider it, I heard someone say it trivialises   death,
                              in one sense death is not real ,an allusion. Why because it just simply
                              means one is just changing bodies ,like the fictitious Dr Who. Well as I
                              said millions believe it , but it is not true ,the word of God clearly teaches
                              that it is appointed unto men once to die. That each individual when born
                              is someone who never existed ,they are a brand new individuals,with no
                              past history.They do not come back into an earthly existence as another
                               human being or animal. Hinduism proclaims not only do you come back
                              as you once where ,but depending how you live, you will exist as in inferior
                              human, or a superior human being. Many millions are treated like dirt
                              because they are considered inferior, no kindness should be  shown them.
                              I once went for an interview for a job ,and was asked what would be important
                              to me in the service I would offer others the old, poor, mentally ill. My reply
                              was, I considered every human being was created in the image of God,and
                              so I would treat them as equally important .

                                                            God loves everyone
                                                                 John 3 v16


















                           
         

Idols ( Exodus 20 v 3 ]

                 T.Keller in his book ,'How to find your rival gods',,writes the following.
                 ''Many a person thinks he has God and everything he needs when he has
                 money  and property , in them he trusts and of them he boasts so stubbornly
                 and securely that he cares for no one. Surely such a man also has a god -
                 mammon by name, that is , money and possessions - on which he fixes his
                 hole heart. It  is the most common idol on earth. He who has money and
                 property feels secure , happy , fearless , as if were sitting in the midst of
                 paradise. On  the other hand,  he who has nothing doubts and despairs as if
                 had never heard of God. Very few there are who are cheerful , who do not
                fret and complain ,if they do not have mammon. This desire for wealth clings
                and cleaves to our nature all the way to the grave.''

                                       But God said to him, 'You fool, you will die
                                       this night. Then who will get everything
                                      you worked for?. Yes a person is a fool to
                                      store up earthly wealth, but not have a rich
                                      relationship with God.
                                               ( Luke 12 v 20 - 21 )

24/7 ( Genesis 5 v 24 )

                    John W. Olley  writes..''Faith cannot be separated from public life and decision
                    making''. Some people think you have to go church to pray ,some peoples
                   religion is only on a Sunday,some people think that because they were baptised as
                   a child, that's enough. There are others who only attend a church service at Christmas
                   or for wedding's,or for the funeral of a relative or a friend.Others who see religion
                   only for old people. There is an old gospel hymn which reads,

                                                   I go to church on Sunday,
                                                   The vows that I make I break
                                                   them on Monday
                                                   But come Sunday morning i'm
                                                   down on my knee's.

                                                 Enoch walked with God, 24/7
                 

                                                 
                                             
                                                 
                                                         
 

Fear affects....... ( Numbers 13 v 30 )

                          J.H.Olley writes , ''Fear affects what we see''.There comes to mind a
                          little child's chorus, about the 12 spies,who were sent to spy out  the land of
                         Canaan ,
                                                Twelve spies went to spy
                                                Ten were bad ,two were good.
                                                Some saw the giants tough and tall
                                                Some saw that God was in it all.
                         We can read about this in Numbers 13-14 .it was crucial point in the nations
                         history. God  was with them ,they had witnessed His power in Egypt, and when
                         they left  Egypt ,so what had they to fear ?. Yet in spite of what they witnessed
                         and experienced ,fear affected  them,the ten only saw the giants ,how strong and
                         powerful they were.Fear took over and faith was non existent. The result was that
                         generation did not enter  the promise land with the exception of the two who
                        who brought back a good report, there names were Caleb and Joshua..The ten
                        heard God 's   word but refused to believe ,so the forfeited a great blessing. Fear
                        affected what the ten spies saw, and fear  likewise affected the nation by what
                        they heard ,fear give way to unbelief.
                            Many missionaries were  in danger during the Boxer rebellion in China ,
                            Hudson Taylor  the head of the 'China inland mission', was receiving
                            reports about the dangerous situation, was heard to sing.

                                                    Jesus , I am resting, resting,
                                                    In the joy of what Thou art;
                                                    I am finding out the greatness,
                                                    Of  Thy loving heart.

                                                      ( Words by J.S.Piggit  )

                                             

Providence ( Revelation 1 v 18 )

                                  A man who survived an ordeal in the Amazon  rainforest  said ,''Every
                                  day I could have died; That I lived wasn't prowess, it was simply
                                  Providence''. Now I am not sure what he meant by this, Hitler used
                                  term Providence,but again what did he mean by that?. When I think of
                                  Providence I am speaking about Gods ruling over all the affairs of life..
                                  Louis Berkhof wrote, ''This may be defined as that work of God in which
                                  He preserves all His creatures, is active in  all that happens in the world
                                  and directs all things to their appointed end ''. Psalm 36 v6b , reads
                                   ''O Jehovah , thou preservest man and be . Someone I know who is  sixty
                                 said she did not think she would live until she was 20th, but she did ,by
                                 Gods Providence,not by her prowess,meaning not by her courage, guts ,
                                 ability,etc .
                                                                    A Prayer
                                          Dear God we rejoice that in your providence
                                          you have preserved us,and will continue to
                                          watch over us ,until that moment comes for us
                                         your children ,to be called home in Jesus name
                                         we thank you and praise you .
                                                                    Amen.






                           

My holiday ( 1 Timothy 3 v 16 )

                              We where visiting the capitol of Malta, Valletta,and I spied
                              four people standing at a little stand ,with letters JW's on it. So I
                              decided to go and speak to them ,I am not good at conversing
                              with them.But  I have been thinking about them ,and how I can
                              speak more effectively to them. So I approached them ,and asked them
                              what did they think of the scripture ,''Great is the mystery of
                              godliness?''.They did not answer, and then I spoke another scripture
                              from Proverbs 3 v 5 ,''Trust in the Lord and lean not upon your
                              understanding''. Then I followed it up with a question,as to the meaning
                              of  John 1 v 1  ,''The Word was God'',What I was seeking to do was to
                              challenge them, to see when we come to God it is by faith, without faith we
                              can never know Him.To know Him, we start at the cross ,and put our faith
                              in the Christ of the Bible,the one who is God and man. And when we
                              follow Him, it is by faith ,remembering that He moves in mysterious
                              ways.

                                                              Abraham believed God.
                                                                   ( Romans 4 v 3 )




                           

My holiday. ( Matthew 7 v 16 )

                    One of the things that pleased me on holiday, I had
                    opportunity to speak to people about Christ . First there was
                    the man who picked us up from the airport ,he really was
                    not interested. Next was a lady in a shop that was a mission
                    full of Roman Catholic  religious items .I heard Christian
                    songs being sung, one of my favourite was being played,
                    called, 'I can only imagine ', it is about heaven ,and arriving
                     there. It gave me an opportunity to talk about going to heaven
                    I asked was she going ?,which led on ,to making it clear that
                    it is the work of Christ that saves, and that alone. I explained
                    that works are a very important evidence that we are saved.
                    It is only Christ and His sacrificial death, that ,and that alone
                    that saves .

                                      Not the labours of my hands
                                      Can fulfil Thy laws demands;
                                      Could my zeal no respite know
                                      Could  my tears for ever flow,
                                      All for sin could not atone;
                                      Thou must save , and Thou alone.
                                           ( Words.. A. M. Toplady )

                                
    
            

My holiday.. ( John 10 v 28 )

                         During my holiday in Malta ,I witnessed to a number
                         of people ,a man who said he had religion stuffed down
                         his throat, and so rejected it, he was willing to converse
                         with me, but it  appeared obvious that he did not want to
                         hear . One of the things I said to him was,'' If you reject
                         life , you choose death''. He also said how he wanted to
                         go his own way, and  I reminded him what the word of
                         God says, ''There is a way that seems right unto a man,
                         but in the end it leads to death .'' ( Proverbs 14 v 12 )

                                           There is always an alternative,
                                            which one will you choose?

My holiday [ Nehemiah 5 v 14 - 19 )

                  Continuing events on my holiday in Malta , we were in
                  the capital, Valletta, I noticed a plaque on a wall with the
                  following words on it, 'Integrity  generates confidence, '
                  This is the motto of  Malta's stock exchange, if only that
                  was true in many countries of their stock exchanges and
                  banks, if only. But alas it is not so ,evidenced by the last
                  recession, we have passed through. If only it was the motto
                  of all of us, what does integrity mean ?. Here are some
                  definitions, 'honesty, on holiday I bought something, and
                  gave the assistant what I thought was 10 euros,  he pointed
                  out that I had given him 50,he was being honest. Another
                  meaning for integrity is, 'good character', am I known as
                  person of good character ?.Here are a list of other meanings
                  'Moral , virtuous , decent , fair, sincere, truthful, trust-
                  worthy'. May that motto of Malta's stock exchange, be our
                  motto.

                                  Jesus said without me you can
                                  do nothing.
                                          ( John 15 v 5 )

My holiday. ( John 13 v1 - 17 )

                One of the things that impressed me as to our holiday was,
                the service one received. The care and courtesy  was  very
                nice, ten out of ten ,it really did enrich our holiday. Of course
                one the very important things as to being a Christian , is to be
                 a servant. Jesus declared , ''The  greatest among you will be your
                servant '' (  Matthew  23 v  11), He who spoke these words,was
                a servant , and He says to all who follow Him ,serve.

                                   ''Your attitude should be the same
                                    as that of  Christ Jesus.
                                    Who being in the very nature God,
                                    did not consider equality with God
                                    something to be grasped,
                                    but made Himself  nothing, taking
                                    the very nature of  a servant''.
                                       (  Philippians 2 v 5- 7 )

My holiday. ( Romans 8 v28 )

                        I want to share with you my recent holiday in the
                        lovely Island of  Malta. Last  year while visiting Malta
                        my wife and I where offered a holiday in a five star
                        holiday, at a reduced rate, which we accepted, so we
                        paid our money, and signed, on the dotted line, this
                        holiday coincided with my wife's 60th birthday. Later,
                        that day I had misgivings, but we had signed on the dotted
                        line, my misgivings continued ,but in the end we went, my
                        worries and misgivings ,give way to peace as we enjoyed
                        the weather, the hotel ,and Malta, and in looking back I
                        can trace the goodness of God, in all that took place.

                                        Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
                                         The clouds ye so much dread,
                                        Are big with mercy, and shall break
                                         In blessings on your head.
                                           (Words by William Cowper )
                    

The mystery of Godliness. ( 1 Timothy 3 v 16 )

             A.W.Tozer, wrote a wonderful little book called,' The knowledge
             of the Holy,.In   it he wrote , ''What is God like?', if by that
             question ,''What is God like Himself''  ? there is no answer.  If
             we mean'' What has God disclosed about Himself ?'', there is an
              answer  both full and satisfying, For while   the name of God is
              secret and  His  essential nature incomprehensible, He in .....
              condescending  love has  by revelation declared certain  things
              to be true of  Himself. These we call attributes.''
              Yes there is and always will be a mystery about God ,as to His
               essential nature, and also as to His ways ,our relationship with
               God is brought about by faith ,a faith in a God who is .............
                incomprehensible , in His fullness, whose ways are past finding
               out. It was Job that wonderful man of God, who suffered so
               much , declared ,'' Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him''
               That is a man of faith talking.

                                    Jesus these eyes have never seen
                                    That radiant form of Thine;
                                    The veil of sense hangs between   
                                     Thy blessed face and mine.

                                     I  see Thee not, I hear Thee not,
                                     Yet art Thou oft with me;
                                     And earth hath ne'er so dear a spot
                                     As where I meet with Thee.

                                     Yet though  I have not seen and still
                                      Must rest in faith alone,
                                      I love Thee, dearest Lord and will,
                                      Unseen , but not unknown.

                                      When death  these mortal eyes shall  seal
                                      And still this throbbing heart,
                                      The rending veil shall Thee reveal,
                                      All glorious as Thou art.

                                               ( Words Ray Palmer )

Get understanding. ( Luke 24 v13- 27 )

                   John W. Olley writing about  Satan's  use of scripture 
                   when tempting Jesus,  writes,  ''The mere  quoting of
                   Scripture  does not guarantee correct application, ''I was
                   talking to a friend ,who said he found it hard to retain
                   scripture ,even though he had memorized it. memorizing s
                   scripture is beneficial, the Bible tells about hiding Gods
                   word in our heart  ,that we may not sin against  Him. ( Psalm-
                   119 v 11) It is like buried treasure that will enrich our lives,
                   and when shared can enrich other peoples lives. It may be
                   hidden in our hearts that does not mean that we should hoard
                   it, we are meant to share the word of God. But it is important
                   that we grow in our understanding of Gods word. The
                   Psalmist prays ,''give me discernment that I may understand
                   your statutes''( Psalm 119 v 125)

                                                    A prayer

                        Dear God help us treat your word as the most precious
                        thing we have, to not neglect it, but to treasure it, that we
                        may be blessed, and we may bless others.in Jesus name
                        Amen.









                   .

William Carey. ( John 3 v 27 - 30 )

           It is many years since I read the life of William Carey, so I
           looked briefly at his life on Internet. I would encourage you
           to read his life, his achievements were extraordinary,
                        
                          Translated the Bible into 34 Asian language
                           Started a College,
                           Compiled dictionaries in different  languages.
                           Started first  Indian newspaper.                           
                           Started 100 rural schools. 
                           Encouraged the education of girls.
            He established many Christian churches ,and mission stations.
            During his final illness, he had a visit from a young Scottish
            missionary. He said this to him, Mr. Duff, you have been
            speaking about Dr . Carey. When I am gone, say nothing about
            Dr. Carey- speak about Dr. Carey's  Saviour.
          
                      
                         
                          
                               

Perseverance ( 2 Corinthians 4 v 7 - 18 )

                     William Carey  served God in India ( 1793 - 1834 ) ,his
                      wonderful challenging motto which reads, ''Expect great
                      things from God, attempt great things for God''. He was a
                      godly man, during his time in India he translated the
                      scriptures ,he had just about finished a translation when a
                      fire destroyed it, this was a great disappointment, but he
                      did not give up .In spite of difficulties he persevered, this
                      must be characteristic of every child of God .

                                        O for a faith that will not shrink,    
                                        Though pressed by many a foe;
                                        That will not tremble on the brink,
                                        Of poverty and woe.

                                        That will not murmur or complain
                                        Beneath the chastening rod;
                                        But in the hour of  grief or pain
                                        Can  lean upon its God.

                                        A faith that shines more bright
                                        and clear
                                        When tempests rage without 
                                        That when in danger knows no fear,
                                        in darkness feels no doubt;

                                        A faith that keeps the narrow way
                                        Till life's  last spark is fled
                                        And with a  pure and heavenly ray
                                        lights up the dying bed.

                                        Lord give me such a faith as this
                                        And  then, whate'er may come,
                                        I taste even now the hallowed  bliss
                                        Of an eternal home.
                                          
                                               (  Words by W H. Bathurst )

                                        
                                     

                                       
                                       

                                    
                                        
              

Choose . ( John 14 v6 )

               It was Elijah the prophet, who challenged the backsliding
               nation of Israel with the following words, ''How long will you
               waver between two opinions? If  the Lord is God follow Him,
               but if Baal is God, follow him''. God demands an exclusive
               relationship,  Jesus stressed that He was only way
               to God (John 14v 6]. We cannot serve to masters, the people
               of Israel where trying to give their allegiance to a Canaanite
               god called Baal and the Lord, so they were challenged to make
               a choice. A lady said to me recently that no one would convert
               her, she had made a choice, unfortunately the wrong choice ,
               There is a verse in Revelation 3 v20 which reads .

                        Here I am , I stand at the door and knock
                        if anyone hears my voice and opens the
                        door, I will come in.


                      

Remorse is not enough. ( Luke 15 v 7 )

                     A friend of mine  who used to be a justice of the peace was
                     sitting on the bench, before a young man, who had broke
                     the law. The solicitor representing the young man was asked
                     by my friend as to the young man's attitude ,the solicitor
                     said that he was filled with remorse.  My friend said this,     
                     '' but is he repentant,? '' the solicitor  was not sure what he
                     meant. My friend explained to him that repentance means
                     a change in his behaviour. Now there is much to be said
                     about repentance, John  Colquhoun's book on repentance
                     covers it  well, the drunken wife beater may  be filled with
                     remorse promising that he will not do it again, but unless  
                    there is repentance there will be no change. Repentance unto
                     salvation involves sorrow for sin, and a firm resolution
                     to hate and forsake  it.When we trust Jesus as our Saviour
                     the evidence that it is genuine is a changed life.

                   
       
                   

Sovereign but Kind. ( 1 John 4 v 16 )

                         John W. Olley in his book , 'The message of Kings '
                         writes ,''History is not just a mishmash of human actions''.
                         That applies to history  , but also to  our own personal
                         history. The fact is our God reigns in all the affairs of
                         nations, no matter how hidden that appears to be. To
                         the natural eye all may appear confusion and uncertain,
                         but to the person of faith, their eye is on the one who is
                         in control , a Sovereign God. For those who follow Him.
                         they have His presence with them ,and that's enough.

                                           God shall alone the refuge be
                                           And comfort of my mind
                                           Too wise to be mistaken, He
                                           Too good to be unkind

                                           In all His holy, sovereign ,will
                                           He is , I daily find.
                                           Too wise to be  mistaken, still,
                                            Too good to be unkind .

                                           When I the tempter's rage endure,
                                            tis God supports my mind
                                            Too wise to be mistaken , sure,
                                            Too  good to be unkind.

                                             Though I  cannot His goings see,
                                             Nor all His footsteps find ;
                                              Too wise to be mistaken, He,
                                              Too good to be unkind.

                                              Hereafter He will make me know
                                              And I will surely find,
                                              He was too wise to err, and O
                                              Too good to be unkind.

                                                   ( Words  S. Medley )