Favourite Hymns. ( Romans 11 v 33) 2

 Last time we considered one of my favourite hymns,'Amazing Grace',the next hymn  I would like us to . consider is my next favourite,'God moves in mysterious ways. 'It was written by William Cowper, a poet  highly esteemed in his life time,a man who suffered from severe mental illness,and yet in this hymn we have so much spiritual insight.The opening line declares a very wonderful truth,that God moves in a mysterious way'. In Romans  8 v 33,we read  'How unsearchable are His judgements,and His ways past finding out'.We could link this verse up to  Isaiah 55 v 8-9,which reads .'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts'.One writer comments,God's thoughts and actions are incomprehensible and beyond are human understanding'.The fact is we cannot nor should we try to bring God down to our level,He is the God who created the universe,we finite creatures will never understand Him who is infinite.When it comes to God it is a matter of faith  even when we do not understand His ways.The closing verse sums it up .

                                                          'Blind unbelief is sure to err,

                                                           And scan His works in vain;

                                                           God is His own  interpreter,

                                                           And He will make it plain'.

Favourite hymns. ( Revelation 5 v 11-14) 1

 As a follower of my Lord Jesus for 61yrs,one the blessings I thank God for is the many hymns and gospel songs that I have song with my spiritual family,and the songs that I my song in as part of my ministry. Have I any favourites? of course,here are two,'Amazing Grace',and 'God moves in mysterious ways',Although I have heard Amazing Grace sung many times it still blesses me everytime I hear it.it reminds me as a sinner of God's grace in salvation , and if His grace had not moved in my heart,I would never had turned to God.Of course it doesn't stop there,it is the beginning of a journey,a journey,with dangers, struggles,and challenges,and I acknowledge that apart from the grace of God ,I could not have succeeded on this journey.And it reminds me that this mortal life shall cease,but that is not end for me,I will enter the eternal realms,of heaven ,where I will sing the praises of Him who loved me and died for me, for all eternity

                                                           'Amazing Grace'

That's the truth. ( Matthew 11 v 28-30)

It was Pilate who asked Jesus,'What is truth?' (John 18 v 38),but he didn't wait for an answer,many people like Pilate would say they want to know the truth,but they don't wait to hear the answer,instead they believe a lie rather than the truth of the gospel.The truth of the gospel is the only way one can be saved there are no other options opened to you,no matter how sincere you may be.Jesus spoke the following words,'I am the way and the truth and the life.No one comes to the Father except through me',(John 14v6) He does not just show the way,but He declares He is the way,likewise He does not just speak about truth ,He declares that He is the truth,likewise he does not speak about a way of life,but that He is life.Thomas a' Kempis wrote the following,'Without the way there is no going; without the truth there is no knowing; without the life there is no living'.This is the truth of the scriptures to deney this is to pass a death sentence on yourself. All religions is based on what you do,and if you fail to keep their rules and regulations,you have no hope,break one and you break them all.Religions there are in plenty,but you don't need a religion you need a Saviour,and their is only one Saviour Jesus who died for us sinners, on a cross ,that our sins can be forgiven,that's the truth.

Obey God (Mark 12 v17)

 In Acts 5 v12-16 we read how the apostles performed many  signs  and wonders among the people,the result was  many healings took place,the people laid the sick out on the ground hoping that Peter's shadow might fall upon them ,that they might be healed. In verse 16 we read,' all of them were healed'What a wonderful thing was happening,the people must have been utterly happy to see their loved ones healed, but there was those who were not happy.Things hadn't changed for we read that the religious hierarchy were not pleased in fact they were filled with jealousy of the success the apostles  were having,some  translation  have indignation,because the apostles had not obeyed them (Acts 4 v18).Next they had them thrown in Jail,but then another miracle happened,the Lord sent an angel and set them free.They were told to go the temple and tell the people about  this new life..But again they were arrested and brought before their accusers.who reminded them that they were not to teach in Christ name,Peter and the other apostles replied:We must obey God rather than human beings'.(v29)Let me just stop there,and let us take those words in, and let us apply it to all our lives,yes we are to be good citizens,obey the laws of our country,but when laws are brought in challenging our obedience to God,then we must obey God,many people are doing that ,and they are paying a heavy price.

Then shall we know ( Deuteronomy 29 v 29)

 1 Corinthians 13 v12,reads 'Now I know in part; then shall I know fully'. There is so much we know but there is so much we don't know ,and  we will never know till we get to glory. Many cannot understand why a loved one has been taken or why things ended badly in certain situations. There are many why's in life,it doesn't have to be some major thing,I have bought cars and  and some turned out really bad, I can assure you I always prayed  before I bought them , a few of them were pretty bad,I ask why?,I don't know.When I was young  I loved going to the pictures, for us it was another word for the cinema .I used to enjoy the cartoons ,but the main  thing we wanted was the big picture. So it is with life we want to see the big picture,the answer to all our whys,why did such a thing happen,?why did God not intervene in certain situations.The scripture tells us as regards life here on planet earth,there is much we do not understand and that's the way it will always be,but it appears that one day we shall know fully.So what is required of  us?,the answer is ,'Trust in the Lord with all your hearts, and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3 v 5)

The day of trouble .( Psalm 34 v15 -19)

 Words  from Psalm 50 v 14-15 a psalm by Asaph, reads,' Sacrifice thank offerings to God,fulfil your vows to the most high,and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you,and you will honour me'. Consider the opening words,'Sacrifice thank offerings to God',now we don't sacrifice animals',but let us take the  meaning,so what thank offering can we offer to God?. Romans 12 v 1 reads,'in view of God's mercy,offer your bodies as living sacrifice ,holy and  pleasing to God'. In light of what we owe God it is the least we should  give,as Isaac Watts wrote,'Love so amazing so divine ,demands my soul,my life ,my all. Next let us consider the following ,'Call upon Me in the day of trouble,I  will deliver you,' what a clear emphatic promise from God,there are no ifs ,or buts about it,it is declaring a certainity,it will not fail to happen,He will not go back on His word,what He says he will do,we can count on it. Standing outside the burial place of a friend called Lazarus,He told his sister Martha ,'Your brother will rise again',she thought He was speaking of the general resurrection.,So there came a point when He told them to take  away the stone that covered the entrance were His friend was.All Martha could think of was the decomposing body of her brother,but Jesus said to her,'Did I not tell you that if you would believe,you will see the glory of God',and they did. 

                                                    The same Jesus is saying to you ,

                                                     call upon me,I will deliver you'.

                                                     

Witnessing (1 Corinthians 9 v 19 -23)

 I attended a breakfast gathering in the fellowship I attend, the guest speaker was the chaplain from a local hospital.One of the things he said was that when  he commenced his position he needed to unlearn many things, I listened intently as to what he had to say, Much of what he had to say was interesting and provocative,but it seemed that it lacked something.But it had many things that were good,like when we witness we are part of a chain, in other words,one sows another reaps.also a simple prayer can touch peoples lives,and the importance of listening.also not to be judgemental.He spoke about becoming  all things to all men and encouraged us to look at 1 Corinthians 9 v 19-23, where Paul stressed  the lengths he would go to,in order for people to be saved.In other words it would give him the opportunity,to tell them about Christ.I have witnessed to many people,and in witnessing to them I have tried to be wise ,and always sought to make clear of their need of forgiveness and the importance of trusting in Jesus, Let me say this no matter how nice we are in presenting Christ ,people can take offence,but at least they have heard the gospel, and that's the important thing.Of course our lives must speak,the good works we do ,will speak ,and  we must at all times witness from a heart of love. Our dear Saviour said the folllowing as regards dealing  with people that we were to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10 v16).I am sure that those words should apply as to how we witness to people,

The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31 v31-34)

 Our  Bible is made up of two parts,which we call the Old Testament and the New Testament,there is nothing wrong with that,and yet  I believe that instead of the word ,'Testament', being used the word  covenant  would be more appropriate. The word testament is an old English word meaning covenant,it is in the book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31 v 31)we have God declaring  ,'The days are coming,'declares the Lord,when I make a new covenant with Israel'. A covenant is an agreement between two people ,in this case it is God making a new covenant between  Israel and Himself,the superior to the lesser.Our Saviour spoke of the New Covenant in Luke 22 at the passover meal ,we read,'In the same way ,after the supper He took the cup,saying,'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you'.v20.so it was that the New Covenant was instituted by His death on the cross.The book of Hebrews declares clearly that the old covenant was obsolete and outdated (  Hebews 8 v13) The old covenant was inaffective,it is now about the person of Christ who is greater than angels,Moses,the Sabbath is fulfilled in Christ who is now our Sabbath (Matthew 11 v28-30). The old priesthood is gone,a new priesthood has come into being ,a priesthood after the order of Melchizedek ( Psalm 110 v4 ).The sacrifical system was finished it was ineffective (Hebrews 10),the death of Christ on the cross effectively dealt with sin,once and for all.(Hrbrews 9 v28/ 10 v 14).There is no longer a need of a temple,for every Christian is a temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells. (1 Corinthians6 v19).The old covenant is gone the new covenant has come in,likewise the old covenant  Israel is finished ,the New covenant  Israel has come into being,where Jew and Gentile are one,when by faith in Christ we all become children of Abraham. ( Galatians 3 v29),and we all become children of God.(Gal 4 v 4 -6)

It is not optional.(Luke 23 v 34)

 In Matthew 5 v 43-48 our Saviour spells out what should be our attitude to those who are, our enemies,it is very challenging.He starts by telling us what some people were saying,'Love your neighbours and hate your enemies.In Lev 19 v18  we read ,'Love  your neighbour as yourself; I am the Lord '. but differnt groups did not appreciate that, they limited the use of  neighbours to those of their own kind.But our Saviour in telling the story of the good Samaritan gives a fuller and wider meaning, of who is ones neighbour  it could include ones enemy.That's a challenge which many found hard to do accept,but Jesus points us to the greatest example of what our loving heavenly Father does. 'He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good,and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous'He stresses how its easy to love those who love you,and says 'What good will that get you?. Before one becomes a Christian ,we are God's enemy ( Romans 5 v10),and what did God do? He loved us and forgave us our sins. So it is ,that we are to follow our heavenly Fathers example,and love our enemies.

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Don't worry (Matthew 6 v34)

 'Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own'.(Matthew 6 v34) These are the words spoken  by our Saviour,He has been instructing his disciples and the crowds that gathered,He challenges them to not lay treasures on earth,and to worry what they  will eat or drink,and to focus on how God  feeds the birds of the air,He uses the term your heavenly Father,and reminds them that they are more important than the birds of the air.He speaks about the futility of worry,it doesn't accomplished anything.He tells then not to be like the pagans who are engrossed in seeking what they should eat and what they should wear,and reminds them that their loving heavenly Father knows what they need.Then He challenges them to seek God's kingdom and His righteousness and He will look after them. ( Matthew 6 v25 -34).

                                                    'Lord, for tommow and its needs

                                                     I do not pray;

                                                     Keep me,my God,from sin of stain,

                                                     Just for today'

                                                        Words Charles W.Everest.

Never mentioned. (John 3 v 16)

J.I.Packer wrote,'Life should be viewed and lived in terms of two worlds,and two destinies,'heaven and hell'.Sad to say it's a long time since I've heard  hell mentioned. Where I come from ,the North of Ireland,it was clearly taught,but my last minister and my present minister has not mentioned it even once.I wonder why that is?,I'm sure there are a number of reasons,but none of them are valid,yes hell is a fearful doctrine, it is not a nice thing to preach on,no one should take any pleasure in preaching it,we should avoid any crudeness,but we should preach it out of a heart of love,I don't want anyone to go to hell.Our dear Saviour preached about hell,not all the time,but He did preach it. and He made very clear what it meant.I read these words in a modern song,'You make your own heaven and hell right here on earth',it's not true,in fact it does not come near to what heaven means or hell means.Lets mention heaven,we cannot make a heaven right here on earth,why? because we live in a fallen world, there are no earthly paradises,for the effects of sin even on this planet earth will soon manifest itself,in various ways.There is no country that has escaped  the ravages of humanities sinful nature,and there is no one who will escape death,the wages of sin.Yes there are two worlds,'heaven and hell'.So the question must be asked ,'where will you spend eternity'?

Nobody can merit God's favour.( Luke 18 v 10-14)

Saving grace is not heredity,some of the most Godly people have had very bad sons',king David had a son who raped his half sister (2 Samuel 13),and Absalom sought to assassinate his  father David (2 Samuel 17 v2-4).Some very  bad parents have had some very good godly children (2 Kings 21 v23-24),but there are no guarantees that they will have. Neither fame or fortune can have any influence on one becoming a child of God, God is not influenced by human standards. Reception into the family of God is based upon mercy,not merit, for the fact is, we have no merit before a holy God.The Bible makes it clear that we are all sinners (Romans 3 v23) .It  is said as regards the Mafia that outwardly many of them  appear very amiable, but behind that facade, they are very evil.likewise many ordinary people are amiable, likeable people,but they still are sinners, who live apart from God,and die in that condition and go to a lost eternity.The Bible tells us'That the world did not recognise Jesus,and that even His own people rejected Him',but it goes on to say,'To all who believed Him and accept Him ,he gave the right to become Children of God.They are reborn - not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God'.

                                                 '

                                                     

Whose fault is it? ( Romans 3 v 12- 18)

 The downfall of  Israel began when Solomon forsook God (1 Kings 11),God spoke to him but he would not listen,so God proclaimed that judgement would fall,not during his lifetime,but during his son's reign.So it came to pass,the one became two,ten tribes were given to a man called Jeroboam,and Rehoboam was left with Judah and Benjamin.It  wasn't long before the rot set in during Jeroboams reign the 10 tribes would survive for about 160yrs,when the Assyrian armies  invaded the land defeating Israel and taking the surviviors back to Assyria.Judah lasted longer but gradually they deteriorated spiritually until God had enough,and raised up the Babylonians who conqured them, killing most of the inhabitants, and taken a remnant into exile. It was Jeremiah the prophet speaking to Judah who said,'Have you not brought  this on yourselves by forsaking the Lord your God'(Jeremiah 2 v17)These words would apply to all of Israel,but they also apply to all humanity,look at all the suffering in this world,so painful,so awful, what's the reason? sin,we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God(Romans 3 v23), it was not the way it was meant to be.but we humanity  chose  to forsake God and His ways,we have brought it all  on ourselves.The only hope for all mankind  is Christ,the world needs a Saviour,and that Saviour is Jesus

                                                   'There is a way to God from the dark 

                                                     paths of sin,thedoor is open and all 

                                                     may go in,it is Calvary's cross is  

                                                     were we begin,when we come as a 

                                                     sinner to Jesus'

I have so little to give.( Proverbs 11 v 24-26 )

 We live in a world were many countries don't get much rain,I remember reading about a time of drought in South Africa,the Christians met and prayed for rain,then they sang a hymn,and as they did the heavens opened up,and the minister said ,'we should stop now and give thanks'.I wonder how often we forget  to give thanks to God for his blessings upon us.I live in a lovely country,it goes without saying that it's not a perfect country. There are countries that get very little rain,and that causes a lot of hardship,they can't grow their crops,and so they go without food.Many countries have very litte to offer their  people as regards health well being, or even education.Im sure you get the picture,I am reminded of that time when our Saviour was faced with thousands of hungry people (Matthew 14 v 13-21),,and He said to the disciples,''You give them something to eat' '. They replied ,'We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish',So Jesus took the fish and the loaves,and looking up into heaven, He give thanks to God,the result was 5,000 plus people were fed,don't let the littleness you have stop you from giving ,surrender it into His hands,and who knows, miracles can happen.

Fear . ( Psalm 23 v 4 )

 A lady I know used to live in a particular country in Africa, she now lives in England,she said that she didn't realize how much she lived in fear in for most of her life,were houses had bars on their windows,and had an atmosphere of danger.She said she dosen't have that fear now where she lives.There are many countries in the world where people live in constant fear,where goverments rule, by religious or political oppression. So often they fake it pretending to be what they are not,the brave ones who dare to stand for what they believe pay a terrible cost.I visit a dear lady on a regular bases ,she has just lost her husband of many years,now she is on her own,she does have good support,but at night she feels afraid, she is a Christian and she feels guilty also. I am sure we all have times when we feel afraid and struggle to cope,mybe for some the answer is to move from their threatenting situations,as far away as possible,that takes courage .The most godly of people experience fear,the greatet example of that is King  David, in Psalm 56 v 3 -4 we read,''When I am afraid, I put my trust in you,in God ,whose word I praise -in God  I trust  and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'.He is speaking to himself and to us ,note what he said,'Whose word I praise',yes the word of God is a great help in helping us in our times of fear.David in verse 13 declares,'For  you have delivered me from death,and my feet from stumbling' ,he thinks of past mercies,how God delivered him in the past,so what He has done in the past,he can do it the present.

                                             'So do not fear,for am with you;

                                              do not be dismayed,for I am

                                              your God. I will strengthen you       ( Isaiah 41 v10)

                                              and help you; I will uphold you

                                              with my righteous right hand'.

                                             

                                               

God spoke to me. ( Philippians 4 v 6-7)

Let me share something with you,about 8wks ago I had an operation as regards a enlarged prostate,since then its being very challenging,I have had to wear pads,and I had to go to the toliet continually.I felt very restricted as to wear I could go,this coincided with being given tickets to go to see the ,'Trooping of the colour',in London,my grandson who is in the household calvary,and would be taking part in it.So I really wanted to go,I asked people to pray,but I was not sure,if I could go,which leads me as to what I said yestrday,as regards trusting the Lord with all ones heart,and not leanng on ones own understanding.(Proverbs 3 v 5 )I had prayed that God would speask to me,and as I did the message, God was speaking to me so I decided I would go to the event,and to trust in the Lord.So I set of yesterday,with my dear wife,and my son and his wife to attend the event.I brought extra pads with me, but the good news is I didn't need them. Yesterday turned out to be best day I have since my op,I sensed the Lord reassuring me throughout the day,and so all went well,all I can say is thank you Lord , for your goodness to me.

                                          'Don't worry  about anything; instead

                                          pray about everything.Tell God what you

                                          need,and thank Him for all He has done.'

                                                          Philippians 4 v 6.

                                          

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Don't be half hearted ( Psalm 112 v 6- 8 )

There are so many things we cannot change ,the list is endless,so what can we do?,the word of God tells us, to,' Trust in the Lord with all our heart,and lean not on your own understanding.' (Proverbs 3 v5) These words highlight two things,first we are told to ,'Trust in the Lord',Think of it like this,God is actually speaking  to us,you may say I never hear God speaking to me,that's only for those very spiritual people,not so ,the words in this verse ,is God speaking ,to everyone who reads it.There are people who may come to us and say,' I have a word from God to you', be careful of such people,it may not be so. But it is God speaking to us when we read this verse,make no mistake about it.So what is God saying to us,in our situation?it may be difficult for you to accept what He is saying,'Trust in the Lord,but not just trust in Him,but with all of our heart,unwavering,fully,not holding anything back. Bridges  says,'it must be entire,and it must be exclusive' .That's the big challenge we must take it serious, many don't ,the result is they loose out, It is the sort of trust that honours God above all others,it is the sort of trust that we read of in Psalm 46 v 1- 3,' God is our refuge and strength, an every present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear,though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,though its waters roar and foam and the mountains  quake with their singing'. It is when we don't know were to turn  and we hear God saying,'Be still and know that I am God' v10.

                                  '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'

                                                               Words W H Bathurst

                         

What are you building on? (Matthew 7 v 24-27)

 I have been to Venice, and travelled on a gondola,we were only there for the day,Venice is a very old city,it came into being on March 25 ,421 AD.It  was built on marsh lands.How were they able to do that?,a good question,well they discovered a place where there was clay,so that enabled them to build the city of Venice if they had not discovered the clay Venice could not have been  built. You must have a good foundation, you cannot or should not build on sand.In Matthew 7 v 24-27 our dear Saviour told the story of  two builders  ,one was foolish,the other wise,one built his house on sand,the other built his house on rock.this is what followed,a severe storm came,rain and strong winds,the result was the house built on sand collapsed,but the other stood firm ,because it was built upon rock.So what is Jesus  seeking to teach us? He is teaching us the importance of not just hearing what He taught,but to obey it.Those who don't are classed as being foolish,the house they built, fell with a great crash,emphasising  the severe consequences  of disobedience.One writer said,'It is Jesus claim that obedience to Him is the only sure foundation  for life;and that it is His promise that the life which is founded on obedience to Him is safe,no matter what storms may come'.

Two ways ( 2 Timothy 4 v 10)

In Matthew 7 v13 -14 our Saviour spoke of two gates one was narrow and the other wide they lead unto two roads one narrow the other broad.They are not roads to nowhere they have a destination,ask yourself  where is your destination  going to be?.Jesus spells it out,the broad one leads to destruction and the narrow leads to life. One writer says,'Consider the difference between the two roads,one is hard the other is esay,William Barclay writes,The easy way may look very inviting at the moment,and the hard way may look very  daunting.The only way is to get our values right is to see not the beginning but the end of the way ,to see things not in the light of time but in the light of eternity'.The narrow way may look uninviting ,two many restrictions,the vast majority don't want that,so most people  choose the broad road,for they want to do it their way,as opposed to God's way.Look out in the world  ,it is a very broken world,full of very broken people,not knowing why they are here,or were they are going.The narrow way,is not easy, yes it is challenging,but it will be worth it all when we see Jesus,who forgive us all our sins, saving  us from its consequences,and also enableing us to overcome sin. John  Oxenham wrote the following.

                                 'To every man there openeth  a way,and ways and a way; 

                                              And the high soul climbs the high way,

                                              And the low soul  gropes the low;

                                              And in between on the misty flats

                                              The rest drift to and fro;

                                 But to every man there openeth,a high way and a low way,

                                    And every man decideth the way his soul will go'

There is a cost.( Hebrews 11 v 36-38)

I asked a lady was she a Christian  she said,yes but a little Christian,I sensed that she chose what made her a Christian, to be honest I'm not sure what she meant.But  it was opportunity to say a brief word of witness, and the importance of knowing Christ as one's Saviour. It sounds like a very  easy way to become a Christian,just believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.Yet it is not an easy believism,for it means that we follow Jesus come what may, many people are paying a great price,as they suffer for knowing Him and following Him,let me give you some examples.Three Iranian Christians were arrested and received prison sentences.They were charged with 'propaganda activities'Thirty -seven -year old Narges Nasri, was sentenced to 16 yrs., even though she was 4mths pregnant.Abbas Soori aged 48,received a sentence of 15yrs .Mehran Saloumi aged 37,  recieved a sentence of 11yrs. No its not easy believism ,for those dear girls are paying a severe price,as followers of Christ,Do pray for them and their families, Hebrews 13 v 3 reads,'Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them'.

                                          'Jesus said,'Take up your cross and follow Me'

Don't give up (Luke 18 v1- 8)

 Our Saviour said,'That we should always pray and not give up'. (Luke 18 v1)Just today I was talking to my neighbour Sandra,I have known her a long time,we are in very good terms. When her mother died  she asked me to take her funeral,which I did,every day I have prayed for her,that she may know Jesus as her Saviour,I have never really spoke to her about that,but recently I have prayed that He would give me an opportuniy to witness to her,and He did,I asked her did she know Jesus as her Saviour,she didn't,I said to her I want to see you in heaven,and she replied she wanted to see me in heaven..Well I said why don't you pray a little prayer and ask Jesus to be your Saviour,she said she would,then I said promise me you will do that,she replied ,'I will'.I am glad I didn't give up praying for her,so often we have to persevere in prayer .

                                                                     'Keep praying'

Be ready .(2 Peter 3)

 Just recently bones of 10.000 Dinosaurs were found,speaking of what might have happened archaeologist said some catastrophic of some sort must have caused that.The Bible has the answer we read of it in Genesis 6-8 ,the world was very wicked to such a point that God  would send a world wide flood,and this He did.The Story is not a myth or some fictitious made up story,no it really happened,it is a point in history that really happened. Likewise Noah and the ark,it really happened and we should take it very serious,because the end of the world is coming, why ? the same reason God judged the world for their sinfulness by sending a flood.It is Peter who writes about the day of the Lord when God will judge sinful humanity.It will not be by water Peter tells us the following,

                                              'But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.

                                               The heravens will disappear with a roar; the

                                               elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth 

                                               and everything done  in it will be laid bear.' 2 Peter 3 v 10'

                                               That day will bring about the destruction of the

                                                heavens by fire,and the elements will melt in the

                                                 heat'.  2 Peter 3v 12.

At this moment God is holding back this Judgement,allowing for people to get saved not wanting anyone to perish,are you ready?.

                                                  

A dedication service( Matthew 10 v13-16)

 We have recently attended a dedication service were three young children were dedicated by their parents,who dedicated them to the Lord.The children did not have to do anything, the doing will be done by the parents,the public dedication is a statement by them that they bring their children up in the ways of the Lord,it will be hard, but under God they can do it. If you are a parent you know how demanding bringing up children is ,very challenging,but this goes further than that ,because it has a spiritual aspect to it,for the desire and hope of every godly parent is that their children  will come to  know Christ as their Saviour.John and Charles Wesley had very godly parents,their father was a minister,but it is reckoned that Susanna their mother had the greatest influence on them.Likewise Timothy had a godly mother and grandmother who greatly influenced Him,Paul writing to him declared,'How from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures,which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus' (2 Timothy 3 v 15) His mother and grandmother are mentioned in 1Timothy 1 v 5,Paul writes ,'I am reminded of your sincere faith, which lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice. One thing saddens me greatly is that the young people in are country know nothing of a godly influence in their lives, there are many things that influence them ,not for the better. Don't be overawed in bringing your children up in the knowledge and fear of the Lord,Proverbs 22 v6  we reads, 'Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old,he will not depart from it'. 

                                                 'Do your best and leave God to the rest'

All your cares,All your anxiety (Hebrews 4 v 15-16)

 Here are two verses,'Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken' (Psalm 55 v22) 'Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you'.( 1 Peter  5 v7)Both these verses tell us to cast our cares/anxieties upon the Lord.The first verse tell us the result of doing that,the Lord will sustain us.I was speaking to a lady who has been through so much,her husband of many years got dementia, during that time he became very agressive towards her,and their was a point when he tried to strangle her, the police had to come and take him away,his dementia lasted about 5 yrs. The whole experience was terrible  and I said  to her ,it was only the Lord that sustained her,and she agreed.We wonder how we are going to get through certain situations,the Lord's  sustaining grace will bring us through.The next verse tells us,'Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you'.yes He cares for you,no one cares for us more,you may be doubting that,the devil may be whispering ,'how can he care for you, look at all that you are going through, don't believe that liar. I will leave some lovely words from an old song.

                                               Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

                                               To  deeply for mirth or song?

                                                When the burdens press,

                                                 And the cares distress

                                                 And the way grows weary and long.

                                                 Oh yes He cares,I know He cares

                                                 His heart is touched with my grief.

                                                  When the days are  weary,

                                                   The long nights dreary

                                                    I KNOW MY SAVIOUR 

                                                              CARES'

                                                    

              

Lets make a difference ( Philemon v 8- 11)

 I support a  mission  called ,'Stand by Me',and I have a magazine telling a little of the history of that work,it is challenging and inspiring.And it all started because one man answered the call of God.It commenced in a garden shed ,small beginnings but it has grown wonderfully,they now work in eight countries,caring for dear children and young people,many thousands are being helped,and many of the young people have come to know Christ as their Saviour.The point is that mans response  made a differnce, and thats the challenge I bring to you, and to myself, We may not be able  to do what the founder of that mission did,but that does not mean we can't make a difference, we can,by witnessing by our giving not just by our money,but also by our time,and our actions,and our love .A friend of mine in Northern Ireland is in the last stages of Parkinson,61 yrs ago he befriended me,when I came back  to the Lord. I thank God for him and will be eternally grateful for what he did for me,he made a difference.

                                                         'Go on, make a difference

                                                          with God's help you can'

Why He came. ( Matthew 9 v 9 -13)

 In Matthew 9 v9-13,our Saviour called Matthew the tax collector to follow Him ,that must have got up the noses of the Pharisees ,you can imagine what they were thinkng,'imagine He called a tax collector'.If was not bad enough He went back to Matthews home for a meal,along with many tax collectors and sinners.So these so called religious people asked the disciples,'Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?',Jesus heard what they said ,and He said this,'It is not the healthy who need a doctor,but those who are ill'.this is true in a natural sense,if we are sick we do need a doctor.But Our Saviour wants them to  learn a spiritual lesson which I believe we all need to learn.let me put it this way we are all sin sick souls. and that is why He came,and we who are his followers, must never forget that.It wasn't that the Pharisees didn't need Him,they thought they didn't need Him,everybody needs Him,but like the Pharisees they think they don't need Him. There was a Pharisees and He wrote the following,'Here was a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance; Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,of who I am the worst',(1 Timothy 1 v 15)

                                                           'Are you a Pharisees?'

He keeps His word ( Romans 4 18- 22)

 I am sure that we all would agree, how important it is to keep ones word,just recently  I had a stressful experience when a professional medical person did not keep their word,they were going to phone me and tell me about a reply from a hospital, and they didn't do it.Even though when I phoned up and asked if I was going to receive the phone call that was promised? they said I would,but alas they didn't.I know that none of us our perfect but if possible we should always try to keep our word.Here is the good news God always keeps His word,When we are told that if we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved,He keeps His word and  saves  us,When He promises to provide for us He does just that, I have as many have,proved the reality of that, that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil4 v19)Those exceeding and great promises God gaves us ,He will keep,we can rest our all on them. I leave you to look up the following scriptures ....'Joshua 23 v14/ Titus 1 v2'.

                                              ' Standing on the Promises that cannot fail,

                                                When the howling storms of doubt and fear assil

                                                 By the living word of God I shall prevail,

                                                Standing on the promises of God'

                                                          'Words 'R.Kelso Carter'

Victory (Romans 8 v 37 - 39 )

 John the apostle wrote the following,'This is the victory that has overcome the world,even our faith' (1 John 5 v 4) David Jackson  writes the following,'And this faith is not escapism; on the contrary ,it is the only ultimate realism. For, as Howard Marshall reminds us,'It  rests four square on the fact that Jesus Christ has defeated death,and anybody  who can defeat death can defeat anything'.Yes and we who are His followers,can be more that conquerors through faith,yes the odds are against the church ,thousands are being slaughtered every year,but still the church marches on ,the church cannot be destroyed,as the one who  died  Jesus, could not be destroyed,yes He died ,but that was not the end ,for on the third day He rose from the  dead,and got the victory over sin,death,and Satan.outside of Christ there is no victory over sin.the reason Jesus came was to deal with sin,when we trust Him our sins are forgiven,and the power of sin is broken in our lives.The drunkard is no longer a drunkard ,he has been set free from that bondage,for whom Christ sets free is free indeed. (John 8 v 36) When we trust Jesus we get the victory over death, because He lives we will live,and will live eternally (John 11v 25)Last but not least He got the victory over Satan,yes there is a devil contrary to what people  think, he is the enemy of  God's creation,and especially His new creation. That means every Christian,he wants to destroy them,he wants them to give up, he wants to lure them away from Christ,but through Christ we can know the victory. Someone wrote the following,'The work of Christ is a work of power,because it put life into dead men; it is a work of grace, because it reached out to those who had no reason to expect the benefits of God'.

Why? ( Revelation 2 v 5)

There are denoinations that are slowly dying a death,it dosen't give me any joy to say that,I know were some ministers are looking after 3 or 4 churches, and each have few people attending .One has to ask the question why?,there must be a reason,is it the times we live in ?,yes it could be,for people are not connected to the church as were former generations.We  live in a secular society,religion is not in vogue,materialism is rampant, many people are just concerned about the here and now.The spread of evolution is accepted on questionable,sad to say,those who believe in creation are not given a voice.So coming back to the question as to why some denominations are dying a slow death. ? I think of a particular denomination and many of their  ministers and congregations have a pick and choose attitude to the Bible,as to the truths there in,and as to God's moral values.Often we here people say,oh that's what Paul says,the question is why highlight Paul?.Sin is never mentioned and so we could go on. So all this is leading to the demise and the end of these denoinations they are not only out of step with  God,they are opposing Him. There was a lady in 1 Samuel 4 v22 who lived at a time of spiritual decline in Israel she had a baby and she called him Ichabod, which means 'The glory of the Lord has departed from Isreal',

                                                             'When we depart from God

                                                              He will  depart from us'