Forbidden ( Deuteronomy 18 v 8 - 14 )

As Israel was about to enter the promise land they were warned not to engage in the religious practise's of the people who lived there ( Deuteronomy 18 v 8 - 14 )these practise were,'divination,sorcery, omens, witchcraft, casting of spells,spirit' ism,consulting the dead. These things were wrong then, and they are wrong now,they are not of  God,they are of the kingdom of darkness,and can only lead us more and more into darkness.They must be seen for what they are ,evil,opposed to God and His kingdom,a Christian should never be involved in these practise's.But unfortunately ,as Raymond Brown says writing of Israel,'One of the most dangerous  expressions of the people's waywardness and ignorance was to seek God's help by the wrong means' CP 2 Kings 17 v 16 - 17.There is only way to God, for the sinner it is through Christ as a Saviour,( John 14 v 6 ) and for the Christian ,Christ as their mediator.( 1 Timothy 2 v 5 )                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Stop looking at the stars,look to                                                                                                                  the Saviour,stop trying to                                                                                                                          contact the dead,and look to Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Just one sin ( Romans 3 v 23 )

In a local newspaper there is a list of people who were fined for breaking the speed limit,I do try not to break the speed limit, but there are times I fail. Even though I don't want to break the speed limit I do, would I be right in thinking  that all drivers have broken the speed limit?.When people get caught  speeding ,some will feel hard done by,because they where only driving one mile over the limit,the fact is, they  have broken the law,and the must suffer the consequences. The word of God tells us in James 2 v 10 ,'For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point   is guilty of breaking all of it'.Yes the breaking of Gods law in just one commandment, is a  sin and  has dire consequences for us.all, protesting your innocence does not change the fact that  in Gods eye you are a sinner,.and what does sinners need ? they need a Saviour,and Jesus is the only Saviour

Anger ( James 1 v 19 - 20 )

When I arrived home I was very angry,I was so upset,at the way someone spoke to me  publicly,I thought of the things I would say to that person.We are told in Ephesians 4 v 26 - 27.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      In your anger do not sin; Do not let                                                                                                          the sun go down while you are still                                                                                                            angry,and do not give the devil a                                                                                                              foothold.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   I believe that these words are telling us to not harbour anger ,like Cain did ( Genesis 4 ) with disastrous effect  . We should deal with it as soon as possible,because if we don't  our enemy will take advantage.I prayed about it committed to God and went to bed, the next morning my anger had subsided ,it goes without saying I am glad I did not act in a wrong way.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Compromise ( John 8 v 31 - 36/ 14 v 6 )

Viewing our country's political situation at this time, can cause one to be concerned,many voices are to be heard ,each zealously proclaiming their point of view.They have the answer,they know what to do, it reminds me of my history,in the land of my birth., a general strike brought down the government.The bombing and killing went on,until the one who appeared the most extreme person,compromised,the result, the violence stopped.Someone once said ,'the art of politics is compromise'.generally speaking that's true. Many conflicts in the world would cease,if people were willing to compromise,but unfortunately they wont,the result the suffering continues.As a Christian I know I cannot compromise in relation to vital truth,for truth is the most important thing in the world.I must hold fast not just for my own sake,but for others sake,and most of all for my Gods sake.There are many Christians who are paying the price  for not compromising ,they have lost everything,but they are still standing for the truth. It is my dear Saviour who said  the truth sets us free .C P.  John 8 v 32.true freedom is a very precious thing,many are enslaved in by false religion,by falsehood clothed in politics,materialism, science,race,but truth will not be silenced.

Its impossible ( Genesis 1 v 1 )

A friend of mine years ago was speaking at a school assemble ,in his message he spoke on creation, afterwards the person in charge challenged him,as the school taught evolution. As the conversation progressed, my friend said, 'that his wife  put his working shirt into the washing machine,he forgot to tell his wife that there was metal in the pocket.Well when the wash was finished they  discovered there wash a watch in the pocket,a perfect watch in every way,and his wife exclaimed,how could that have happened, there was no explanation, other than it just happened. That's impossible,yes it is,its like a hurricane blowing through a scrap yard,when it had finished the result a perfect aeroplane. Or like eating a beautiful meal and saying there was no cook,these are simple illustration, but they make one solitary point, this world with all its diversity of life, did not, could  not, have  just happened, its impossible.

God is not wasteful. ( Romans 8 v 28 )

I had received an order from Amazon ,but I had to return it,which I had never done before,I must confess I got a bit stressed out over it,but eventually it worked out,and I was able to return it. On reflection there are two things that stand out in all this, one ,stress,yes I got stressed out,sometimes it does not take much to stress me out.It reminds me how fragile I am,how easily it is to loose that all important peace ,even with small things.The second thing is, stress can drive us to God,yes it reminds me ,how weak I am,yes I do feel at time in the words of a song,'I'm the weakest of your children,how I need Thee'. The second thing is now I know how to to return things to Amazon,and possible be able to help someone with the same problem.God is not wasteful,he lets  us go through difficulties ,and in them He helps us ,and teaches us lessons,the result is we can help others,out of our experience .                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ' Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord                                                                                             Jesus Christ,,the Father of compassion and                                                                                               the God of all comfort, who comforts us in                                                                                               all our troubles ,so that we can comfort those                                                                                           in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves                                                                                           have received from God.'                                                                                                                                        ( 1 Corinthians 1 v 3 - 4 )                                                                                                                                                                                     

Sin ( Psalm 51 )

Psalm 51 was written after King Davids sin of adultery and murder, when the prophet Nathan spoke those faithful words,'you are the man' to which David responded, 'I have sinned against the Lord', (2 Samuel 12 ).It is in verse four of Psalm 51  , we read David praying to God,'Against you, you only,have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight'.This is telling us a very important truth,that the evil we do to others,goes beyond that person,they may forgive us, but that evil ascends to a greater level,to a holy God.We look at the evil we do at one level,as only important to our fellow man, the criminal is punished by society,sent to prison,they serve time,and come out feeling they have paid the debt  in full..We have not a thought for God, it is finished with, no its not,our sin remains,and will always remain until like David , we acknowledge that what we have committed was a sin against God.All sin is ultimately against God, it is an act of  defiance ,unforgiven we will be judged for our sins in a coming day.David realised this, I hope you do,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The good thing is, David was forgiven,                                                                                                    we also can be forgiven, by trusting in                                                                                                      Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                   

Conscience ( Hebrews 13 v 18 )

It was dear William S who wrote,'conscience does make cowards of us all', he further writes,'a man cannot steal but it accuseth him'.All men are born with a conscience,was a person like Hitler ,and the like,yes.The most evil of men are born with a conscience,yet it does not appear that they had,why?,we have a clue in 1 Timothy 4 v 2,where we read of those' whose conscience have been seared as with a hot iron'.Another translation puts it like this ,'whose conscience has been branded with the mark of Satan.W Hendriksen writes,'By constantly arguing with conscience,stifling its warnings,and mulling its bell, they have reached the point where conscience no longer bothers them'.This can be very serious and can have awful consequences,for when the brakes of conscience is removed, then anything goes.Now of course conscience is not perfected, but it does remind us that there are things we should not do,places we should not go. Conscience doth make cowards of us all,because of the consequences of our actions,if you considering doing something that you know you shouldn't  do,obey your conscience,if you don't you will end up with a conscience ,that will plague you for the rest of your life.

Its for your own good. ( Proverbs 14 v 12 )

Growing up is hard, as a child becomes a teenager,and they start asserting themselves, and it becomes more challenging for parents. Often the teenager does not like being told,its for their own good,as the parent curtails certain activities .The child thinks  they know best and resents being told by the parent that they know best ,they do not appreciate that their parent has walked the same path that they are on,and know the pitfalls of life,and the fact is ,they actually do know whats best. In Deuteronomy 10 v 13,the children of Israel are told that the commandments that God commands them  to obey,are for their own good .There is a lady I know who left the church she attended because she said,' what right has the preacher to tell her what to do', of course the preacher was only preaching  Gods word.When God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of  the knowledge of good and evil,it was for their own good,remember if anyone knows whats good for us it is God.

Pruning time ( Psalm 138 v 8 )

Its that time of year again when I prune my rose  bushes, , cut away any dead wood,it does not kill the rose bush,in fact in should give me a nice lot of roses next year.It reminds me as it may remind you, of what Jesus said in John 15 v 1 - 2,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I am the true vine, and my Father is the                                                                                                    gardener. He cuts off every branch in me                                                                                                  that bears no fruit,while every branch that                                                                                                does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be                                                                                                even more fruitful.                                                                                         These are very meaningful and yet very challenging  words,they cut across the so called prosperity  gospel,of wealth health. If you are a child of God do not be surprised if you are going through a trial,it is not that you are not loved. In fact is an evidence that you are loved ,and that you are His child,because we read the Lord disciplines those He loves ( Hebrews 12 v 6 ).He is in fact  pruning you,cutting away the dead wood, removing the old and bringing  in the new.Those things that He brings into our lives are to make us better than what we are,dear child of God It is in Galatians 5 v 22 - 23 ,we read of the fruit of the Spirit, love,joy,peace,patience, kindness,goodness, and self  control.Let  us be honest,how many of these are missing in our lives ?speaking for myself  too many.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A  prayer                                                                                                                          Dear Father in heaven perfect that which concerneth                                                                               us in Jesus name Amen.                                                                                                                                                                 

Gods. ( Exodus 20 v 1 - 6 )

Raymond Brown writes in his study guide book,'The Bible speaks today', which I would commend to you,'Late twentieth - century has been subtly infiltrated by worthless idolatry- materialism ( the god of ' what I can get' ),hedonism (the god of ' what I enjoy ), social approval ( the god of 'how I  am regarded'), vaulting ambition ( the god of ' what I  must achieve ' ) ,and there are many more'.It is sad that those who were regarded as Gods children, Israel,so often became involved in idolatry, and the wisest of Kings Solomon,acted so unwisely and influenced by his foreign wives,turned to worship other gods. Now as R B wrote gods are not always made of stone or wood,they  take many forms or no form, but make no mistake we worship  them, by our devotion to them.We may have made them gods,but the true God, made us and all things,the world is awash with so called gods,but there is only one God,  From early on Israel were taught to pray,'Hear O Israel; The Lord our God is one.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        God commands                                                                                                                       You shall have no other gods before Me.                                                                                                                  (  Exodus 20 v 3   )

The law. ( Galatians 3 v 10 - 14 )

It was Andrew Jukes who said.'Satan would have us to prove ourselves holy by the law,which God gave to prove we are sinners''John Stott writing on Romans 7 v 7,'if it had not been for the law,I should not have known sin.'States the fact is the law of God condemns us', Dietrich Bonhoeffer  wrote ,'we want to get to the New Testament too soon,we must never bypass the law' The task of the law is to humble us , it is then the gospel is shown to be the answer ,it is there ,through repentance and faith in Christ, we can be forgiven, from being condemned to being accepted by God.Romans 5 v 1 ,tells  us,'since we have been justified through faith,we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ'.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Not the labour of my hands                                                                                                                        Can fulfil Thy law's 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.                                                                                                                  (Augustus M. Toplady )

No brownie points. ( Romans 7 v 18 - 25 )

The law or commandments were not given by God, in order to make us acceptable to God, simple because as we have pointed out, no one is able to keep the law perfectly,no one.The apostle James points out if at anytime in our life's history we break the law in one point we have broke it all ( James 2 v 10 ). So why the law?, one, we need to realise that there are absolutes, things that are wrong in Gods eyes,if we go down the ten commandments, we are seeing ,that when we transgress the law of God, we are sinning. The word of God tells us in our unsaved state we are under the curse of the law,for we read,'cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in Gods Book of the law.  ( Galatians 3 v 10).We are cursed, and in that state there is no hope for us, the wrath of God will continue to rest upon us,in time and in eternity.We will continue this next time,don't despair,wait and see.

The law. ( Romans 1 v 18 - 20 )

Continuing from yesterday as regards breaking Gods law, both outwardly or inwardly,as regards inwardly  our dear Saviour,made it clear that inward sins are equally as wrong in Gods eyes, as committing the offence.Matthew 15 v 18/ 5 v 27.The fact is, it is impossible for anyone not to break Gods law,that is why we are told we are all sinners,Romans 3 v 23.Let us take this further, the spirit of the law, is love,that is to love God with all our hearts, and with all our souls, and with all our minds,and to love others as ourselves ( Matthew 22 v 37 - 40 ) As regards the law we have all broke it,we stand in dock,and the law says we are guilty,and as in society if you break the law,you are punished,so it is when you break Gods law, one is punished,there will be no plea bargaining,  you have broken it ,God is offended, His justice compels Him to punish you,you will be sent to Hell eternally.No heaven awaits you when you die, you will hear from God only words of condemnation,words of no hope,words that will leave you stunned,words that tell you there will be no end to your sentence,no parole, no escape from your fate as a sinner.. We will consider this further next time.

Jay walking. ( Exodus 20 v 1 - 17 )

In our local paper there is a list of people who were fined because of motoring offences,but what many people don't realise that pedestrians can be fined also ,if they cross or walk in the street or road unlawfully without regard for approaching traffic.Many years ago my dear mother got fined for such an offence,its official term is jaywalking.Many people these days ,especially children ride their cycles on the pavement or sidewalk are also committing an offence in law.We may if we are brought to court for either of these offences claim ignorance,and we will be told ignorance is no defence in law. Many people are aware that it is wrong to steal,to kill,to lie,to commit adultery. ,but commit many offences in their hearts,hate,unforgiveness, covetousnes, and many with their lips blaspheme God. Ignorance is no defence before God all who break Gods law will be judged,whither it it is outwardly or inwardly.We will consider this further next time.

Remember ( Luke 22 v 19 - 20 )

Raymond Brown points out that one of  Deuteronomy's key-words is, remember, Israel were about to enter the promise land ,God would give them land houses filled with goods, hewn cisterns they did not hew out,vineyards they did not plant etc.So they are warned not to forget God. ( 6 v 11 - 12 ) R B, states 'that throughout history, affluence has often led to spiritual  indifference ,and moral carelessness.'It is said by one historian ,that the German people did not challenge what Hitler was doing, because they had jobs,and money to spend.My country and indeed most of Europe have forgotten God,because of affluence. One of the basic reasons for the Lord's table is to remember,what is vital to our spiritual well being,or should we say,who is vital to our spiritual well being,Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Lest I forget Gethsemane,                                                                                                                          Lest I forget Thine agony,                                                                                                                          Lest I forget Thy love for me,                                                                                                                    Lead me to Calvary.                                                                                                                                         ( Jenny E. Mussey)

Something beyond ( 1 Thessalonians 4 v 13 - 18 )

I read recently that in Myanmar ( Burma ) that the authorities have closed 52 churches, arrested 92 pastors,arrested 41 Bible students,sending them to work as military porters, who are sometimes worked literally to death because of heavy loads they are forced to carry.The world, for many more than we appreciate, can be very dark place on one level a place of no hope.But in the darkest of places,be it persecution illness,poverty, loss,the Christian has hope for God is with them,as He was with Joseph. ( Genesis 39 v 2 ).And of course they have a hope burning within them ,it is called a blessed hope( Titus 2 v 13 ) the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour , Jesus Christ. R.L.Stevenson tells  of a byreman ,who said 'that he never wearied of his unattractive work, because he had something beyond, he need never grow weary'  W Barclay wrote,''He who awaits Christ has something beyond''

Ugly. ( Romans 3 v 10 - 18// 23/ 6 v 23 )

Malcolm Muggeridge told of an experience in his life, he was in India ,and one morning he went out for a swim in a local river. When he was swimming, he noticed a woman in the distance bathing,,his lustful thoughts took over,so he decided that he would swim over to her,hoping to take advantage of her. So he swam towards her,when he got near to her she was startled,and covered herself up herself  with her arms. He then realized that she was a leper,the disease had taken its toil on her, no fingers ,no nose, as he looked at her he thought what an ugly woman,but he stopped,and he thought about himself, and he said , ''no what an ugly man I am.''. There is a greater ugliness than our physical being,it is our sinful wicked hearts,the word of God says our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.     ( Jeremiah 17 v 9 ) The only hope  for any of us, is Jesus ,who alone can save us,from our ugliness,and gave us a new heart.

There is only one way. ( John 14 v 6 )

We live in a time were people don't believe in absolutes,all religions are valid, morals values,well anything goes , abortion , sex marriage,premarital sex,and many other things, cry out,there are no absolutes. We are going further ,and further away from the belief that there are absolutes, alas were will it lead us?.In the 20th century Germany that civilised nation ,left the absolutes and we see were it led them.Russia was ruled by Stalin and his cronies, and absolutes went out ,and countless millions paid the price. Now here is a absolute truth that many reject and even hate, Jesus,He declared that He was the way the truth and the life, that no one can come unto the Father but by Him.( John 14 v 6 )Jesus is not only the way, He is the only way,mankind is seen as lost sheep,do you feel lost?,look to Jesus. The truth,someone one has said ,'truth is the most valuable thing in all the world,we hear the words of Pilate who judged Jesus,asking the question ,''what is truth?'',and yet he was standing before Him who is the truth..Jesus is the life who gives to all who trust Him, life and life eternal,and He is the only one that can lead us to God.

Everyone is welcome. ( 3 v 16 )

                                                                                                                                                                                                            Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners                                                                                                       ( 1 Timothy 1 v 15 )                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     There's  a  way back to God                                                                                                                        From the dark paths of sin,                                                                                                                        There's a door that is open ,                                                                                                                        And all may go in,                                                                                                                                      Its at Calvary's cross ,                                                                                                                                Is where you begin ,                                                                                                                                  When you come as a sinner                                                                                                                        To Jesus.                                                                                                                                                               (E.H.Swinstead )                                                                                                                   

His eye is upon you. ( Matthew 6 v 25 - 34 )

Many years ago a lady used to visit parents  home, she liked to drink,her name was Porter, and eventually she would sing a song,she would not have won the X factor ,but I do remember some words from that song,they went,'Why worry,why worry,worry gets you nowhere at all'. So true our Saviour said as much in Matthew 6 v 34, 'Therefore do not worry about tomorrow ,for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.Today's trouble is enough for today'.Is it possible? well it is, if we keep our eyes on our loving heavenly Father.We are told that He cares for the birds of the air, and  to Him we are more valuable than them.Charles .H.Gabriel wrote a lovely song about Gods care for His children.                Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come,                                                               Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heaven and home,                                                             When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He;                                                                               His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Let not your heart be troubled, His tender words I hear,                                                                           And resting on His goodness ,I lose my doubts and fears;                                                                         Tho' by the path He leadeth, But one step I may see;                                                                               His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Whenever I am tempted, When ever clouds arise,                                                                                     When songs give way to sighing, When hope within me dies,                                                                 I draw the closer to Him, From care He sets me free;                                                                               His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He cares for me.                                                                             

Prayers are deathless. ( Luke 18 v 1 )

The thought has crossed my mind as regards my family, when I die who will pray for them ?, it  may seem a morbid question, but I love my family,and each day I pray for them. George Muller was a man of prayer and faith, I once read that he prayed for certain  people to be saved, most of them did get saved before he died,but not all, but after his death they did.   E M Bounds wrote the following,         ''Prayer is deathless,the lips that uttered them may be closed in death,the heart that felt them may have ceased to beat, but the prayers live before God, and God's heart is set on them and they outlive the lives of those who uttered them,they outlive a generation,outlive an age, outlive a world.''So let us all keep praying on in faith that God will answer our prayers after we have gone to heaven,for as the writer said ,'prayers are deathless.'


































I pray for many people everyday,among them are my grandchildren, and my children,I pray for there spiritual well being, and for many things concerning them,but what about when I go to home to heaven,who will pray for them then?.So I was encourage to read the following,by EM. Bounds,  ''Prayers are deathless.The lips that uttered them may be closed in death, the heart that felt them may have ceased to beat, but the prayers live before God, and God's heart is set on them , and they outlive a generation, outlive an age,outlive a world''.The other day I thought on my dear first  wife,she was a godly lady and knew the importance of prayer, she is now in glory.Recently as I prayed for one of my sons , I said to God that He may honour the prayers offered to Him for our son when she prayed when she lived .lived, for as the writer said ,''Prayers are deathless.''






















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What kind of love is this. ( Isaiah 53 )

A preacher was visiting a church to preach, and he noticed a picture on the wall, of a little girl sitting on  Jesus lap, the words beneath the picture, spoken by the little girl ,read,''What are those marks in your hand''?.I know ,indeed every Christian knows,for by faith they have been to the cross,and whats  important they know why , the words of a hymn by  Bryn and Sally Haworth give us the answer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              What kind of love is this,                                                                                                                           that gave itself for me?                                                                                                                               I am the guilty one,                                                                                                                                     yet I go free.                                                                                                                                               What kind of love is this?                                                                                                                           A love I've never known,                                                                                                                           I didn't even know His name,                                                                                                                     what kind of love is this.?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             What kind of love is this                                                                                                                           that died in agony?                                                                                                                                     He who had done no wrong                                                                                                                       was crucified for me.                                                                                                                                 What kind of man was this                                                                                                                          who laid aside His throne.                                                                                                                          that I may know the love of God?                                                                                                              What kind of man is this.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              By grace I have been saved,                                                                                                                      it is the gift of God.                                                                                                                                    He destined me to be His son,                                                                                                                    such is His love.                                                                                                                                        No eye has ever seen,                                                                                                                                no ear has ever heard,                                                                                                                                nor has the heart of man conceived,                                                                                                          what kind of love is this?                                                                             

About prayer. ( Romans 8 v 26 )

Raymond Brown writes the following on prayer,'' It is better to seek for qualities  rather than things. We long for material things but God has gifts money cannot buy. We yearn for improved health but, though God can heal, greater reliance on Him would be better for us by far. Without our weakness,how could we be sure of our strength? We wish for a different job but in our present work there may be people alongside us only we can reach. We desire repeated success but occasional failure might prove a better teacher. Most ambitions need the refining fire. The ecclesiastical authorities in eighteenth - century England were bewildered when the  saintly  John Fletcher of Madeley, Wesley's successor, refused the bishopric of Rochester. Thinking he had sets his sights on even greater preferment , they asked him whether there was anything more he wanted. Within  seconds his priorities clear; ' I want more grace', he said '.

He hates us. ( 1 John 3 v 1 )

In Hosea 14 v 9,we read,' The ways of the Lord are right', but Israel failed to appreciate the way He was leading them.Again considering Deuteronomy 1 ,when they were about to enter the promise land,they had heard the report by 10 of the spies who went to view the land ,while agreeing it was a good land,they said,''We are not able to go up against this people, for they are stronger than we are''( Numbers 13 v 33)The people said Gods intention was to destroy them, and that He hated them ,( Deut 1 v 27 - 28) Fear had taken over ,they appeared  to have forgotten all Gods mighty works, that they had witnessed.They did not listen to the words of Moses, ''Have no fear of them. The Lord your God, who goes before you,is the one who will fight for you, just as He did for you in Egypt before your very eyes''. ( Deut 1 v  29 - 30 ).But  they did fear, they did drawback, contrary to what they felt, God did not hate them ,they were His children,His plan was not to destroy them, He loved them.As Raymond Brown points out, ''The Lord had chosen them not on the bases of their superior numbers,( 7 v 7 ),power ( 8 v 17), or morality ( 9 v 4 ), but simply  because He loved them  and wanted to use them''. Let us all remember this truth that God loves us .,He does not want to destroy us ,He does not Hate us.                                                                                                                                                                                                             I am thine ,O Lord,I have heard Thy voice,                                                                                               And it told Thy love to me;                                                                                                                       But I long to rise in the arms of faith                                                                                                         And be closer drawn to Thee.                                                                                                                           (Fanny J Crosby )                                                         

But. ( Matthew 10 v 22 - 25 )

The moment had come, the promise land lay before them, Moses speaks, reminding them of what God had given them, it was now time to enter and take possession of the land ,this is what God had  promised,they were not to be afraid or dismayed. (Deuteronomy 1 v 21).Instead of going ahead the people asked that they send spies into the land,and report back their findings.It appeared a good idea at the time,so 12 men were chosen,and when they came back,they said ,'It is a good land that the Lord our God is giving us,'' so far so good,then there is that ,but..There are always reason not to obey God,if you are a Muslin in a Muslin land,there would be a but,if I trust Jesus my family will hate me, and even want to kill me, my friends will forsake me,society will reject me.This is what our Saviour said will happen '( Matthew 10 v 22 - 25 ).                                                                                                                                                    I have decided to follow Jesus                                                                                                                  No turning back, no turning back                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The world behind me, the cross before me,                                                                                               No turning back, no turning back.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Though none go with me, I still will follow,                                                                                              No turning back, no turning back.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Will you decide now to follow Jesus,?                                                                                                       No turning back, no turning back.

All things new. ( Revelation 21 v 1 - 4 )

King Canute  king of England was famous for a legend, about his failure to stop the waves coming to the beach.The fact is some things you just cannot stop.That lovely old hymn by Isaac Watts, has a verse in it  which reads,                                                                                                                                                                                 Time like an everlasting stream,                                                                                                                  Bears all its sons away;                                                                                                                              They fly forgotten, as a dream                                                                                                                  Dies at the opening day.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Again this verse reminds us that there are things like old age and death we cannot do anything about,but of course many do try.The plastic surgeon is a very busy person as people try to stop the inevitable,but in the end  it all ends in dust and ashes.The word of God reminds us that we are dust,God made us from the dust, (  Genesis 1 v 27 ), no matter how much we try, we cannot change this fact. Yes we are all being borne along like an everlasting stream. No matter what we do, we cannot  change anything,we will never be able to hold back the corrupt bodies deterioration.While that is true  there is a greater truth,a truth that brings hope beyond time.,read about it in 1 Corinthians 15 v 35 ff  ,the heading reads ,'A new heavenly body'.writing to all who have trusted in Jesus,it describes,that time when we will all have a new wonderful body,when death will be banished, and we will enter into a wonderful newness ,for Jesus said He will make all things new.( Revelation 21 v 5)

Keep right on to the end. ( 2 Timothy 4 v 6 - 8 )

Sir Harry Lauder was a  super star of his day, not just in his native Scotland,but in USA, Australia,and other lands.He wrote many songs which were very popular,one of his recordings sold  over two million copies. Here is the chorus of one of them.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Keep right on to the end of the road,                                                                                                          Keep right on to the end.                                                                                                                            If the way be long,let your heart be strong,                                                                                                Keep right on round the bend,                                                                                                                    If you're tired and weary, still journey on,                                                                                                Till you come to your happy abode,                                                                                                          Where all you love,that you're dreaming of,                                                                                              Will be there at the end of the road.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The question is how are we going manage  to keep right on to the end of the road? the answer for the Christian is very simple ,by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus ( Hebrews 12 v 2 ) .who will grant us the strength  to press on ( Philippians 4 v 13 ) and to keep the eye of faith on our glorious future with Jesus ( 1 Thessalonians 4 v 17 )                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Are you sleeping?. ( Judges 16 v 19 )

C.H.Spurgeon wrote the following, ''When is the Christian most liable to sleep? Is it not when his temporal circumstances are prosperous?. Have you found it so? When you  had daily troubles to take to the throne of grace, were you not more wakeful than you are now?. Easy roads make sleepy travellers.Another dangerous time is when all goes pleasantly in spiritual matters.Christian went not asleep when lions were in the way,or when he was wading through the river, or when fighting with Apollyon , but when he had climbed half way up the Hill Difficulty, and came to a delightful arbour he sat down,and forthwith fell asleep, to his great sorrow and loss.''                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Be alert at all times,be on your guard                                                                                                        when the sun is shining,be on your                                                                                                            in days of  prosperity.Be on your                                                                                                              guard.

Adding on. ( Psalm 119 v 105 )

One of the things our Saviour had to cope with was the traditions of the elders, often in relationship to the sabbath,in Matthew 15 v 6, we read Jesus accusing the Jewish leaders,that for the sake of  their traditions they made void the word of God. Many Christians have traditions , that have no bearing on Gods word .When the Law was being given to Israel,they were instructed, that they must not add anything to what God had told them, nor take anything  away from it ( Deuteronomy 4 v 2 ),we have a similar statement in Revelation 22 v 18 - 19.Beware of those who add on to the Bible ,the Mormons , accept the King James version of the Bible,but they base their beliefs on the book of Mormon. The Roman Catholic church,believe the Bible is the word of God,but they add on tradition, and church teaching.The result is many erroneous beliefs are accepted as the truth .There are so called Christians who would remove from the Bible , creation, miracles,hell,some would love to remove the Old Testament. Beware of those who add unto the scriptures,or take away from the scriptures.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           All scripture is inspired by God                                                                                                                 and is useful for teaching,for                                                                                                                     reproof , for correction, and for                                                                                                                 training in righteousness,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      (  2 Timothy 3 v 16 )