Pray,pray,pray.(Hebrew 4 v16)

 Some people find it hard to pray,even though they are Christians,but we must not judge them,God knows why.Others find praying hard not knowing  what to pray about,they may pray the Lords prayer everyday,and that's it or they pray some other set prayer. Prayer is a very intimate thing,and if they  have been abused then intimacy is very hard,even with God. That may seem strange to most people,but as I said don't judge them,you have not walked in their shoes. Some people stop praying because it seems to them God did not answer their prayers,and they think what's the point of praying?is that valid reason to stop praying? No it's not, I know a man who prayed for a door to open into Christian ministry as a missionary,and it didn't  happen,it was a very great disappointment.But many years later  that person's son travels  all over the world as international directer of 24/7.And as for that man ,God opened a door through a ministry on the internet that goes all over the world.Often as regards God answering our prayers we have to take the long view. One writer mentions of those infected by the modern passion for quick results,God said  to Habakkuk as regards what was going to happen to Israel,'Though it tarry wait for it' (2 v3)

                                                    'What various hindrances we meet!  

                                                     In coming to the mercy seat!

                                                    Yet who,that knows the worth of prayer 

                                                    But wishes to be often there'    

                                                             William Cowper                                                                                                            

                                                    

He knew (John 12 v 27)

 Our Saviour must have had a sense of humour,we do not read this in scriptures,but we do read ,'That He was a man of sorrows,and acquainted with grief (Isa 53 v3),the question is why?well He knew the human situation ,and fallen human nature( Jer 17 v 9),  He could see it all ,and He could see the effects of that fallen human nature,and the eternal consequences.He knew all this before He came to earth,so nothing was a surprise to Him.And He knew what humanity needed,they needed a Saviour and He was that Saviour.And He knew the only way to save them,would be to offer His life as a sacrifice .The cross would be that altar ,hanging there nailed to that cross,'His appearance would be so disfigured beyond that of any human being and His form marred beyond human likeness'.( Isa 52 v4) But that is not all ,for the fiery wrath of God would be poured out on Him,for our sins. Jesus knew what was coming to Him ,He knew,yet He set His face as flint,a steely determination,nothing and no one would stop Him from going to die on the cross for our salvation.

                                                           'Give me a sight,O Saviour

                                                            Of Thy wondrous love to me,

                                                            Of the love that brought Thee  

                                                             To earth,To die on Calvary.

                                                             O,make me understand it,

                                                             Help me to take it in,

                                                             What it meant to Thee,the Holy one,

                                                             To bear away my sin.'       ( Words Katherine  Kelly)

                                                              

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Precious promises ( Luke 1 v 37)

 I was feeling anxious and troubled about a number of things,and then I read the following scriptures,'You will keep him in perfect peace,whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in you .( Isa26 v3) Cast your burden on the Lord,and He will sustain you;He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.(Ps 55 v22) Be anxious for nothing,but in everything by prayer and supplication,with thanksgiving,let your requests be known unto God;and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard  your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus'( Philippians 4 v6-7) There were other scriptures the result was my heart was quietened,and  I felt a peace,These are not just nice words ,or men's promises,no, these are promises from God ,given to us to look beyond frail men,look beyound our fears,knowing that He will be faithful, and for us not to be unbelieving,but to simply trust Him to fulfil His word,to you His child.

Nobodies. ( 1 John 3 v1)

 Abraham  Lincoln said,' God must have loved ordinary  people because there's a whole lot of  them'. Yes there are many ordinary people,of course God loves everyone. When the New Testament was written there was a very sharp divide between the rich and the poor,between those who were free and those who were slaves.They were seen as property with no rights,they could be treated very badly,suffered torture  or being worked to death,or even being put to death.Moving into Victorian times the ordinary people had a very hard time,it was Charles Dickens who highlighted the plight of the poor,the underclass were the ordinary people. But the good news is this God chooses ordinary people .In 1 Corinthians i v 26ff  we read the following,'Brothers and sisters,think of what you were when you were called.Not  many of you were wise by human standards;not many were influential ;not many were of noble birth,but God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things  and the despised things'. He chose the nobodies and made them somebodies, children of God.

                                                          

O God our help, ( Psalm 121v 1-2)

 Isaiah 36 records a pivotal point in Israels history,as they are threatened by a super power Assyria,they had conquered all before them.If they succeeded,in conquering Israel it may have been the end of Israel.(v10) Assyria was notorious for their cruelty,Hezekiah had tried to buy them off ,but that didn't work,so the game was up. Sennacherib the king sent his commander to spell out what would happen if they resisted.He starts by saying 'on whom are you basing your confidence'.followed by,'On whom are you depending',he asks is it Egypt?they will not be able to help you.He throws scorn on Hezekiah for telling his people that God will deliver them,after all none of the other nations god's had delivered them. Barry White writes the following,'On whom are you depending?  It is a question which the book of Isaiah forces us to ponder again and again,and with good reason,for our response to it will determine the whole shape of our lives' (Bible Speaks Today p 147)

                                                    ' On whom are you depending on?'

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A promise from God ( Ephesians 3 v20)

 I wonder if you have ever been to the 'Giants Causeway',it is in Northern Ireland,and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Well I have ,there is a formation in the rocks it is called a wishing seat,yes I did sit down and made a wish,did I get my wish? no ,nobody has died and left me money. It was the apostle Paul writing to Timothy who said ,'Think over what I say,for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything'(2 Tim 2v7).It is John Stott who states,'What Paul here expresses is a promise,it is  not merely a wish'.A promise is something that we should take serious,on our currency there is a promise given to the bearer the sum of whatever, we take that very serious. Of course people cannot always keep their promises for one reason or the other.But when God makes a promise He will always keep it,He will never break His word,if a promise is truly of God then we must exercise faith.The great example of that is when God promised Abraham that he would have a vast number  of descendants, we read,'Abram believed the Lord,and He credited it to him as righteousness' (Genesis 15 v2 ff.) Although his faith was tried ,we read ,'Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations,just as it had been said to him'.

                                                           'If God gives you promise

                                                           hold unto it like grim death'

Don't be shut out ( Matthew 25 v 1-13)

In the church that I am part of  were meeting for prayer,we split up into groups,the group that I was in had three children,and each member of the group prayed including the children.One little boy prayed for the old people in the church,he prayed about then going to heaven and having a good time,it made me smile,but of course everyone who has trusted Jesus as their Saviour, will have a good time. Let me ask a question,will you be there?,You can be, if,yes ,if, you trust Jesus to be your Saviour. It's as simple as that.but here is what you have to consider,what will eternity be like for those who are without Christ. Here is what the prophet had to say in Isaiah 8 v 22,'they will be thrust out into utter darkness.' There will be no welcome sign for them, that well known singer Bob Dylon wrote a song with these words in it,'Knock, Knock,knocking' on Heavens door',if you have not trusted Jesus as your Saviour,no amount of knocking, will do any good, if you die without Him you will be shut out.

Neutral you cannot be. ( Luke 18 v 18ff)

 On my car I have a neutral bottom on my gear stick,so when I put it in neutral it is not going forward nor reversing.  Switzerland was neutral during the 2nd world war, in others words, it didn't take sides.There was a moment in Israels history ,which we read about in 1 Kings 18 v21 when they were faced with a choice. Elijah was the prophet,and he had brought the people together,there were also 850 false prophets present. Israel were worshipping the God's of the false prophets,but they would also be worshipping Jehovah. So Elijah ushered a challenge to Israel, here is what He said,'How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him'.He was telling them ,'that they  cannot have  their feet in two opposing camps',and that is what they were doing,Elijah told. them they had to make a choice.Let us move on to Marks account of Jesus before Pilate ,he saw that Jesus  was not guilty of any offence ,and it came to a point when the people had a choice,between  a murderer and Jesus ,the crowd wanted the murderer set  free.Then Pilate asked them,'What shall I do,then ,with the one you call the king of the Jews?' their reply was 'Crucify Him'. (15 v12)When confronted with Jesus there can be no neutrality we must make a choice.The words of a hymn by A B.Simpson reads,

                                                         'What will you do with Jesus?

                                                          Neutral you cannot be,

                                                          Someday your heart will be asking,

                                                          What will He do with me?'

A man on a mission ( Isaiah 6 v8)

 It  was said that by the end of Paul's life,it is estimated,he had travelled some ten thousand miles,this may not seem much when you compare to the 250,000 miles that John Wesley covered.But they are significant for travel was more arduous , and he faced so many dangers in his travels,in 2 Corithians 6 v3ff he leaves a record of the hardships he faced,here is a list of those things he suffered,'Troubles, hardships and distresses,beatings,imprisonments,riots,hard work,sleepless nights and hunger, Read also 2 Cor 1 v 8-9,  he also had to cope with a severe ailment, 2 Cor12 v 7ff.What drove him?well he had an unique encounter with the risen Christ,we read about it in Acts 9 . He was on a journey to Damascus on a mission to persecute Christians, when a light flashed around him ,and he fell to the ground,and he heard a voice saying,'Saul.Saul, why do you persecute me?,he asked ,'Who are you Lord?,the reply was,'I am Jesus', whom you are persecuting'.from that moment on he was a man on a mission to the then world .He no longer saw Jesus as a false Messiah, but the real Messiah,a Messiah that had not come with an army to defeat Israels enemies,and to reign over them, but a Messiah not just for Jews ,but as a Saviour  for this world.The flood gates were wide open, and so Paul went forth to bring the message of Salvation .There are very few Paul's about,but we all have our part to play in spreading the gospel. 

                                                       ' Here I am,Lord,Is it I Lord?   

                                                        I hear you calling in the night,

                                                       I will go Lord,if you lead me,

                                                      I will hold your people in my heart.'

                                                                  Words  Dan Schutte.                                              

Abide with me (Luke 24 v 28-29)

 During the Second World War,an army sergeant  called Pat Mc Guinness who fought in North Africa  ,used to get his men to sing,to soften the hatred caused by war.He would finish his sing-song with the hymn.''Abide With Me''.written Rev Francis  Lytie'',sad to say he was killed by a young sniper. The hymn is still sung every year at a major sporting event. I remember reading it ,at a funeral I once took ,it is so meaningful, The first verse stresses ,'That when other helpers fail and comforts flee,Help of the helpless,O abide with me. The next verse highlights the transience of life.Verse three emphasizes how much we need God's presence every passing hour in the light of all we as Christians have to face.Verse four declares that with God's presence,we can face whatever comes, in fact we can triumph over,our last great enemy even death. I will leave the last verse with you.

                                                 Hold Thou thy cross before my closing eyes,

                                                Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;

                                                 Heaven's morning breaks and earth vain shadows flee;

                                                 In life,in death,O Lord,abide with me'

Be an encourager ( Isaiah 41 v10)

The Duke of Wellington's cook gave notice and left him. He was asked why he had left so honourable and well paid position. His answer was,''When the dinner is good the Duke never praises me,and when it is bad he never blames me;it was just not worth while''.Looking back at my school days,I can't say any any teacher actually give me any encouragement.In fact I was told later when a friend told the principal that I had become a minister,he replied that he never thought I would amount to anything. Many a life has been changed by a word of encouragement, we need to encourage others,early in my Christian life I had a dear friend called Pat Kitchen,he was a lovely Christian man he encouraged me so much. While my wife and I were at Bible college, there were people who helped us financially,one lady let us use her caravan ,for a holiday.But most of all I was encouraged by God's promises, and for most of my Christian life ,I had a devotional called 'Daily light,'it is just full of scripture .When we as a family set off  from Northern Ireland to come to  England,I read these words,'Behold ,I send an angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared' ( Exodus 23 v20)those words encouraged me so much.

                                                                 'Lets be encouragers'

Hallelujah ( Jonah 2)

Leonard Cohen wrote a song that has become very popular ,it's call Hallelujah which means 'Praise the Lord',it's about love,loss,faith and the human struggle.and the last line reads'It' a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah'.I can't identify with the words of an old song which reads,'Now I'm happy all the day',because I'm not happy all the day.I think we need to be very honest  to ourselves and to God.I visit people ,an old lady a lovely Christian who was married for a long time,and then her husband died.She has good support, but when evening comes,she is on her own. Another man I visit suffers from mental illness,he is a lovely Christian,but he struggles, We all struggle at times,we wish we didn't but we do,so what can we do?, we can offer up the sacrifice of ' a broken Hallelujah', for we are told,'The sacrifices of God  are a broken and contrite heart,these O God, you will not despise'  (Psalm 51 v17)

This troubled world ( Psalm 42 v 5)

 In John 14 v1,we read ''Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me''. A dear friend of mine,speaking about the trinity said,'when we speak one we speak to all' So it is when we are in difficulties and we call on Jesus,the triune God becomes involved. Jesus was going to leave them ,so He speaks these wonderful words ''Let not your heart be troubled;you believe in God, believe also in me''.They would see their Saviour crucified,but as God lives,so He would live,and all that would mean. Matthew  Henry had this say as regards the words Jesus uttered.'They could not follow  were Jesus was going deep sorrow would fill their hearts.He commands down those boisterous winds and waves, saying.''Peace be still. Let not your heart be troubled.  Though trouble surrounds you on every side,yet be wise,be watchful, and keep trouble from your hearts, And that you may do so, believe in God, and in His providence; believe also in Me,and in my grace . And you will be kept from fainting by believing'', ...And those who believe in God need not be cast down and disquieted , as those have reason , be who are strangers to Him, who have no dependence on Him or communion with Him'.The unbeliever who is without God has no hope,the believer has a sure and certain hope,so let not your heart be troubled in this troubled world.

Two momentous events.( 2 Thessalonians 1 v 5- 10)

 Christs coming was momentous.but there is another momentous event that is coming,in Revelation 22 v12-13 reads .' Look ,I am coming soon! My reward is with me,and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega,the first and the last,the beginning and the end'. These words are  spoken by Jesus as regards Himself,that He is the Alpha and the Omega these word are to be found in Revelation 1 v8 and 21 v6,, there it is God applying that to Himself, the other reference is Jesus speaking, claiming unmistakingly that He is God'. The JWs claim that William Barclay says that we are not sure who is speaking,it is clear that they have not  read what William says ,for in his Daily Study knows notes he says,that Jesus makes two great claims that He was coming soon with His reward, then he says ,'I am Alpha and Omega.the beginning and the end They don't only distort what the word of God says,they  distort what William Barclay says.The next  momentous event is the coming of Jesus,for the Christian it is a blessed hope(Titus 2v 13)when we will go to be with Him, in the 'new heaven and a new earth' (Rev 21 v 1) ,much is hidden from us CP 1 Cor 2 v9. /2 Cor 12 v 4,but it will be totally wonderful.But alas for the unbeliever it will be gastly,awful beyond words,eternal doom, eternal anguish,eternal sorrow,all those who enter eternal hell will  have to pay the price for their sin.I urge you if you are not a Christian flee from the wrath to come,believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved .(John 3 v16 /Acts 16 v31)

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Be careful ( Romans 8 v 26 -27)

 The story is told of King Midas a wealthy but greedy King,who was granted a wish by Dionysus and foolishly asked for everything he touched to turn to gold. While initially thrilled,he soon faced starvation when his food turned to gold,and heartbreak when his daughter turned into a statue,forcing him to beg to reverse the curse'There are a number of things you can say about this ,(1) Be careful what you wish for,you may get it and regret it for the rest of your life. ( 2)Don't make an idol of anything , be it gold,sport or whatever for you will end up worshipping it,and that's very serious,only God must have our worship. (3 ) Be careful what you pray for, that it is in keeping with God's will. 'James 4 v3'.  Psalm 106 v15 reads 'And He gave them their request,But sent leanness into their souls' One commentator writes the following,'He  gave them exactly what they asked for but along with it they got an empty heart'.

                                                                 

                                       

Not a myth. ( 2 Peter 1 v 16 - 18)

There was a custom that two coins were placed  over the eyes of a dead person,there were various reasons,the weight of coins kept the eyelids closed which would be less disturbing to the mourners. Another custom put the two in the mouth or over the eyes ,as payment to the Kharony(Charon) a spirit of the underworld,he would transport them to Hades the Greek god of the underworld.The latter comes from Greek mythology,that's were the word myth came from,it is something that is made up.The fact is that all religions are but myth's except one.I do not apologise for saying this,the Bible is the word of God and is full of real people and real historical events,Christ was a real person,an unique person,for he was truly human,yet sinless, and truly God,The miracles He performed really  happened,His dying really happened,likewise His rising from the dead really happened.He is now in heaven,and He will becoming back again when all of God's children will be gathered to Him,and those who are not His ,will experience being cast into eternal darkness.

Why me ( Romans 11 v 33-36)

Many Christian hymns are written out of that persons experience,John Newton wrote Amazing Grace out of his experience,you just have to read his background to realise that. George Matheson the blind preacher wrote the words of,'O Love that wilt will not let me go', after being rejected by the one he loved.Most of the Psalms were written by David out of his experience ,we all have sung the 23rd Psalm. Kris Kristofferson tells of his experience in becoming a Christian,and out that experience he wrote a song called,''Why Me'' here are the words of that song.

                                 'What have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I've known ;

                                  Tell me Lord what did I ever do that was worth loving you?or the kindness 

                                  You've shown.

                                  If you think there's a way I can try to repay all I've taken from You; May be,

                                  Lord, I can show someone else what I've been through myself on my way back

                                  To You.

                                  Lord help me Jesus,I've wasted it so, Help me,Jesus, I know what I am;

                                  But now that I know that I've needed You so,help me,

                                  Jesus,my soul's in your hands'

                                   

Debt ( Psalm 51 v 3-5 )

Sin is seen as debt CP Matthew 6 v 12, where we read,'And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors',Luke 11v 4 reads,'Forgive us our sins,for we also forgive everyone who sins against us'.Charles Dickens father served time in the debtor's prison,one did not get out of the debtor's prison until the debt was paid,someone did pay his fathers debt ,and so he was released In our unsaved state we were in the debtor's prison,in other words we were all jail birds,Thomas Watson wrote,'A debt arises upon non-payment of money.....We owe to God exact obedience,'The Bible says all have sinned,and everytime we sin our debt to God increases ,if we remain in that condition and our debt remains unpaid,(TW) 'we are bound to eternal death'. No human agency can pay the debt for us,and we have no means of paying this debt. .Sin by far is the worst kind of debt because every sin grieves a Holy God,again as TW writes 'Every known sin strikes at the Godhead.the sinner would not only unthrone God,but ungod him,which makes debt infinite'.Every time we sin the debt keeps mounting,no one knows how many sins they have committed,but God does ,all will be revealed when judgement day comes.The good news is when we trust Jesus as our Saviour the debt is wiped out,all our sins are forgiven

Troubles ( Psalm 91)

When I lived at home in Belfast we had a period of conflict,it became known as the troubles,things have settled down,the bombing and shooting are finished, Yet people will still have troubles ,it is part of lifes experience,for the Christian and the non-Christian.   It is important that we remember that being a Christian does not mean we won't have troubles,we will have ,Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled,so what should we do in our troubles? Let us consider Psalm 91 v15 where the Lord says,'When they call on me ,I will answer; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue and honour them'.He tells us when troubles come, why do they come ?  in Deut 8 v11 we read,'Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God',I recently said to a man,who is a Christian,who is neglecting to meet with God's people,'Don't slacken the reins'. Troubles often drive us to our knees .Next He tells us,'When we call on Him,He will answer', James 4 v2 reads ,'You do not have because you do not ask God',so ask Him.And then we  read', 'I will be with him in trouble',in all our troubles He will be with us,we are not on our own in our troubles,and He is not passive,for we are told ,I will deliver him,and then he adds,'and honour him'.Read the Psalm and you will see the honours He will shower on His children .

Ask Him (Acts 16 v31)

 I was talking to the Lord and I mentioned to Him that I had not witnessed to anybody recently,and asked Him to lead me to someone ,I forgot about it,but later on in the day I was in a shop,I paid for the items I was buying. I then made my way out of the shop.But I turned back and spoke to the lady,and asked her if she was Christian?. well it turned out that she wasn't,and so started a conversation .Her two sons  she said they were Christians ,and added that they met on Saturday instead of Sunday. I mentioned  that they may have been Seventh-Day Adventist.And I know that their are aspects of their beliefs that are contrary to the Bible.Hoekema published a book called ,' The four major cults' and one of them was,'The Seventh-Day  Adventist ,I did advise caution .I went on to ask her what Christianity meant,and she answered in a very educated way.I shared with her that what I had said to my neighbour, when you go home tonight  ask Jesus to be your Saviour,a simple prayer.,and I left it at that. God had answered my prayer and with tears I thanked Him. If you are a Christian ,pray for that lady, and if you are not a Christian,why don't you just bow your head and ask Jesus to be your Saviour.

Rescue the perishing ( Luke 15 v7 )

Recently I visited a dear friend I have known for many years,he comes from Dublin,I come from Belfast, now he is housebound , can't walk very much .On my visit he shared  his experience as a  hospice chaplain ,he told of two people  he had led to the Lord .One was a Jewish lady who came to know her Messiah, the next was an old man who was very afraid of dying, my friend spoke to him about Jesus,his son was present and  became annoyed with my friend told him not to talk to his father about Jesus,but his father told him to keep be quiet and let his pastor speak.He said to my friend that he didn't know how to pray, my friend said he would tell him what to pray,and so he trusted the Saviour.My friend spoke to his son saying that his father would soon close his eyes in death, and then he would open his eyes in heaven and he would see Jesus.I was really blest listening to what my friend said,he told me when he had finished,he went back to his office ,knelt down and wept tears of joy.

                                                                

                                                            'He that winneth souls is wise

                                                            In the home beyond the skies,

                                                                   

Nothing is to hard,( Luke 15 v 11ff)

Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah;  I am the Lord,the God of all mankind.is anything to hard for Me' ( Jeremiah 32 v27).I'm sure when you read those words you think  of  so many things,that God would perform a miracle in your life ,or in someone you know, or of some situation,yes there is nothing to hard for the Lord to do.It is always important to see the context to what is said,to see the context of  this scripture we need look at the whole chapter.The Babylonian army was besieging Jerusalem,and the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, telling him that Jerusalem would be given into the hands of the invading army.Yet the Lord tells Jeremiah to buy a portion of Land,this he did and it was puzzling what was the purpose of it? In Jeremiah 25v11-12 ,God told  Jeremiah that Israel would go into captivity for seventy years .The buying the piece of land was a  covenant sign that Israel would return them to there land.The nation had forsaken God and went after other gods  (2 v11-13),they had done nothing but evil in God's sight (32 v30)God suffered long with them (35 v15) but all to no avail,so now they must be punished. Like Israel of old if we persist in sin then we will be judged, but there is always a way back to God if we repent,He can restore to us the years that the locust have eaten (Joel 2 v 25)

                                               '  I've wandered  far away from God;

                                                 Now I'm coming home;

                                                 The paths of sin too long I've trod:

                                                 Lord ,I'm coming home'.

0

25)

Soul thirst ( 2 Timothy 4 v2 )

 While visiting my youngest son and family,we went to see our grandchild performing with other children it all very well.But during it my mind wondered to a dear friend of mine who is very ill,so I started to pray for him, my prayers were mingled with my tears,As we walked  into the auditorian I looked at the people, gathered,and thought if only I could preach to them and tell them about Jesus.Now coming back to me praying for my friend I also started praying that God would use me to be a winner of souls. I remember reading of a preacher known as ,''Praying Hyde'', who was remembered for his famous cry,''Give me souls,O God, or I die',and I prayed that in my prayers.Psalm 126 v 6 reads ,'He that goeth forth and weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,bringing  his sheaves with him'.

                                                        'Dear Lord give us a hunger and

                                                         a thirst for the souls of men and 

                                                         women,who are perishing.

  

Make the right choice ( Luke 14 v 15ff)

 Can you remember when you first prayed to God? I remember one of my earliest prayers ,I was very young  and I was in bed. My mother and Father had separated, so this was the background to my prayer.I spoke to God about not having  father but I had Him as my Father.It has always been so precious to me ,it was not that I followed Him all my life at times I did not,but God did not give up on me ,and wonder of wonders He brought me back to Himself 61 yrs ago. I suppose there is to a degree the essence of the story that our Saviour told in the parable of the lost son in my experience.God has given us the ability to make a choice.I  remember so clearly a moment when I turned away from my loving Heavenly Father,I regret that but I'm so grateful that He drew me back to Himself . Everyday we make choices,that may appear obvious,but some choices are more important than others . If you are not saved,you need to make the most important choice in all your life.You may be a good living person but you are still a sinner and you are on the broad road that leads to destruction your destination is Hell,accept Christ as your Saviour.Then like me you may have wandered away from your loving Heavenly Father,for whatever reason,He has not given up on you, He still loves you,make the right choice now.

Love (1 John 4 v 8)

The Beatles sang a song with the words ,'All you need is love', it was a world wide hit with six hundred million records sold . But love without truth ,or love without morality ,or love where God is excluded?  The  world loves many things,gods who are not god's,  People love their country, their pets,their cars, their families ,and so we could go telling what people love, and yet do not love God.One has not to be carried away by a wave of sentimentality,God loved the world by giving His Son,their response was they nailed Him to a cross.Of course many non Christians do loving things,and we applaud them for that,but they do not love the Son of God. We cannot cut God out of the picture, multitudes, do,as if to say He doesn't matter, He should take first but He is left out in the cold.Ask them this question would they be prepared to die for God,  The apostle of of love John wrote the following,'This  is love; not that we loved God,but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our Sins.

                           'Such love!Such grace!Makes the pieces  come falling into place,

                           Breaks through the darkness, turns on the light,

                           Making blindness give way to sight, your love has conquered,

                            Has set us free to become all You've called us to be,

                            Healing the wounded,making us stand,bringing  peace and a sword in your hand.

                            And no power in the universe can separate us from the love of God.

                            We're Yours forever with nothing to fear,

                             Willing slaves to the love that brought us here.'  ( Words Dave Bryant)

Be discerning ( 1 Corinthians 16 v 13)

 I have just read an article in a news paper on a man called Bear Grylls's he has written a book that has become very popular.Im interested in a number of things he said.As a Christian we must be discerning,and judge all things which by God's word.This unchanging revelation must be our guide,take one of this mans statement about Jesus  he speaks about Jesus being on the wild side and being a 'savage warrior' .That is not what He was,he never was out of control and as for being a savage warrior,nothing could be further  from the truth,He was meek and lowly of heart  Matthew 11 v29,As regards politics He never involved Himself once in politics, He said his kingdom was not of this world, John 18 v36. Then this man said something which I have heard people say to me many times,'you don't need to go to church.'he appears very ignorant as to what the church is ,it is,not a building,the church is the people of God,In Ephesians 5 v25 we read,'Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for it'.The church is all Christians, they are our family, he writes that he doesn't go very much to church saying that God is not found there.Here again he is equating the church with a building, instead of God's  people,and has not read what Jesus said, in Matthew 18 v20,'For where two or three gather in my name,there I am with them'.As regards sexuality,he clearly thinks that Jesus had no problems with peoples sexuality, but he did for he told the women caught in  adultery,'go and leave your life of sin' John 8 53ff. Because Jesus didn't mention many different sins it is clear  that there are moral boundaries that God has set up ,and if we Igor them ,we are sinning,

No boasting ( James 4 v 13 -16)

 Proverbs 27 v 1 reads,'Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring',so wrote Solomon. Who are the boasters?,they include everyone.Unfortunately, even Christians do it,yes we do. we all seem to ignore the obvious,the uncertainty of life,yet we rush on in our blindness, confident that we do not need to acknowledge God in all our ways to direct our paths Proverbs 3 v6.The poet Robbie Burns wrote,'' The best plans of mice and men go awry'' (amiss)As the Titanic was sailing on its maiden voyage, someone said that it was ''Practically unsinkable''.The fact is life holds no certainties,ignoring that  brings dire consequence, Charles Bridges wrote as regards our eternal destiny,and our neglect of our souls, ,'Heaven and  Hell are no trifles.Tomorrow   presumed upon today neglected,ruins all. Standing on the brink of a precipice,how precious the moment  for prayer,ere the door of mercy is closed for ever!  We can make our plans ,but make them prayerfully, acknowledging our dependence on our God and so glorify Him.

                                                              'Run not before Him'

There is a cost' ( Matthew 16 v24- 25)

 There are many examples of what it cost to follow Jesus,I mention a married couple who were members of the church that I attended in Belfast,their names were Fred and Ina Orr,he was known as Freddy. They were very gifted people,I was not at the church when they attended,later on I did meet Freddy,and was blessed through his ministry.They both felt the call of God on their lives,and ended up being accepted by the 'Acre Gospel Mission',to go to Brazil. When travelling to their destination in Brazil, Ina became unwell and died, Fred became unwell also but survived,He was advised by a doctor to go home,but he stayed,and for the rest of his life he served God there.Yes there is a cost in following Jesus,everyday I pray for many people,who are suffering greatly  because they are followers of our dear Saviour.

                                              'Remember it is the way of the cross

                                                               that leads home'

Remember ( Psalm 119 v11) Dec 28th

                                        I want to highlight three things we should remember

                                                                               1

 Remember what Paul said in Philippians 3 v13 ,'But one thing I do :Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead.And Paul lived that out in his life,and so should we.We cannot change our  failures,our past hurts, and disappointments, we have all have them,let us not become a slave to them,I believe the essence of what Paul is saying is don't dwell on them,put them  behind you, if we don't it will hinder our present efforts,and our future progress.

                                                                              2

Remember what David said,' I was young and now I am old,Yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread'.I remember saying to a person,'The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want'(Ps 23v1),he laughed at me,but it is true.The God of David ,is my God,and he is your God, 'our Saviour said 'do not worry 'Mt 6 v25,and then He repeats it again ,'v31 'So do not worry', He is telling us that our heavenly Father will care for us.

                                                                              3

Remember what our Saviour said,' I am the light of the world.Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,but will have the light of life.'This is a dark world and there is much darkness all around us,remember Jesus will be with us ,He will be the light in our  darkness,his presence will be with us,and His word shall also be with us,let that word be a lamp for our feet,and a light on our path.(Psalm 119v105)

                                                                              

You are not listening ( Matthew 7 v 24-29)2

 Why did Israel  get into so much trouble? what does God say was the problem? 'But you have not listened to me',(  Judges 6 v6)yes God did speak to them,but they did not listen.It's like what a wife say's to her husband',you don't listen to me.' We may laugh at that,and identify with it ,likewise when a parent speaks to their children,we can identify with that if you are parenting,and they do not take it seriously , they don't listen. How much more should we listen to God when we read His word,or hear his word ,if we did, them we would avoid so many things that would harm us. Let us ask us ourselves the question, am I listening to God ? am I obeying what He says?,Are you in trouble,could it be that God is saying,the reason you are in trouble is because you did not listen to me.Be humble enough and ask forgiveness,put it right with God, now.

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Offending God's holiness ( 1 Peter 1 v 14-16)

 In Leviticus 10 v 10 Aaron is instructed that he and his sons must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean'. These words were spoken after Aaron's sons had disobeyed God 10 v 1-2 ', fire came from the presence of the Lord and consumed them\, and they died before the Lord'You can imagine that many liberals will cry out against what God did ,and they will say that's the  God of the OT,they appear to forget that Christians believe in  only one God, Malachi 3 v 6  tells us 'For I am the Lord I change not'. James 1 v 17  speaks of the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows' And in Hebrews 13 v 8 we read,'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,today,and forever'.these words affirms His diety.The verses in Lev 10 v10 tells us that  God is not neutral as  regards sin,and there are many passages in the NT  show this.The sons of Aaron  disobeyed God (Exodus 30 v 9 )When anyone disobeys God they are sinning,even if you are a Child of God. Aaron's sons offended God's holiness,the reason why they were possible drunk (cp Lev 10 v9) Drunkenness has caused a lot of misery,drinking alcohol is not a sin (1 Timothy 5 v23) but being a slave to it is  ( 1Corinthians 6 v 9 -10)

The wrath of God ( Isaiah 53)

 Let us consider the wrath of God we apply it mainly to humanity ,but lets consider it in relationship to Jesus.All humanity is under the wrath of a holy God ,there is nothing we can do to change that , so where does Jesus fit in this?,let us consider Him,first He was truly human but was also God manifest in the flesh. in Matthew 1 v22 we read,'They will call him Immanuel which means God with us,He is the one  Isaiah wrote about in 9v6 as being the Mighty God,everlasting Father', there are other OT references to Christs diety ,Psalm 110 v 1/ Psalm 45 v7/ Isaiah 7 v1. There are many other scriptures that declare Jesus to be God in the NT,so why did He come and as Charles Wesley wrote ,'How the incarnate Deity; Our God contracted to a span'?because He loved this world (John 3 v16) a world where every human being is lost, judgement awaits.The good news is this 'He will save his people from their sins',the next question we need to ask is how was He going to do that?It is in Hebrews 9 v 22  we read 'the law requires  that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness' Cp Lev 16 v14.So it is in Hebrew 9 v27 we read,'so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many. Jesus would have to die that also included taken the punishment for our sins ,He became our substitute bearing the full wrath for the sinners sin.In trusting Christ  we are no longer under the wrath of God for Jesus bore the wrath of God for us' Cp Isaiah 53 v 10.

Compassion (Lamentations 3 v 22-23 )

What do you think when you hear the word compassion? there are a number of meanings ,'a feeling for those who are suffering,and for many that's were it stops,just a feeling.I read the following description of the word compassion,'It is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering'.A  strong desire to do something,it is illustrated so wonderfully by our Saviour ,in Matthew 14 v 14ff ,He saw a large crowd,He had compassion on them and healed those who were ill,he followed it up by feeding them .In Luke 7 v11ff,He witnessed a funeral procession,a widow woman had lost her son,we read,'His heart went out to her'then he raised him from the dead,a  wonderful  description of compassion.Someone said that compassion is a verb,a doing word.Of course you may say I can't perform miracles,that's right but we can do something,if we have the where with all ,we can do something,it is not always about  money,When my son had to have an operation for cancer,  people from his church brought meals for his family.

                                                    'Let us turn our feelings of 

                                                     compassion into action'

Walking in their shoes ( 2 Corinthians 1 v 3-4)

I listened to what a person was saying at our home group,the conversation had arisen as regards a person in our fellowship who is married ,he and his wife had lost a son whom they had looked after for 40 yrs,the son had special needs.Coming back to that person he could not understand why the brother was still grieving over his loss.As a person who lost a young wife many years ago, I still remember her and am sad at times,I know that grief can be long lasting,time eases the pain,but we never forget,nor should we,it doesn't control my life,for I know she is in heaven,and that's the most important thing.That person who could not understand why that brother had not got over his sons lost, had not walked in that brother shoes, but one day he will understand,so let us not judge people,let us pray for them .

Heed the warnings ( Hebrews 10 v31)

'' Beware of the ides of March'' is a famous warning from Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar,telling the Roman dictator to watch for danger on March15th. The day he was famously assassinated .The warning was added by Shakespeare,it never really happened,but if it had been uttered would he have heeded it?,we will never know. Many people have ignored warnings,of real dangers,and have suffered the consequences. One of the most well known warning in the Bible was given to Lot and his family,just before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah,they were told ,'Flee for your lives! Don't look back' (Genesis 19v17) Lot's wife for whatever reason looked back,and suffered the consequences,but there were other people in this chapter who were warned Lots sons-in-law, but they treated the warning as a joke,but soon found out that it was no joke. When God gives a warning we ignore it to our cost,the preacher is given a solemn responsibility to warn people of the dangers of ignoring God's warnings,They have to warn people of the dangers of sinful behaviour,not to cross God's moral boundaries,and the consequences if they do . This is a challenge not just to the unsaved, but to the saved,when it comes to  sin God will act,heed the warnings.

                                                     

                                                  

                                                        

Preach the gospel. ( Romans 1 v 16)

There are those who say  as regards the Gospel you can't preach the gospel every time you preach,the sad thing is many so called ministers never preach the gospel. As regards those ministers who don't preach the gospel they will be held accountable, I remember being at a funeral service at a crematorium and  I   was so sad that the minister had not really spoken about Christ, and afterwards I spoke to him and I challenged him. All Christians have a responsibility to  be witnesses  for Christ,but a minister should be a minister of the gospel, God has entrusted  us with that responsibility, of telling sinners about Jesus Christ. Responsibility brings with it accountability. We must be not be intimidated ,showing neither fear or favour,but be faithful,to the charge that has been given unto us.People need to be saved,saved from what?,there fallen condition and its consequences.. What is their condition? they are sinners ,I include myself in that,and what do sinners need,they need their sins forgiven ,what is the consequences,so many peoples lives are in ruin because of their sinful ways,only Jesus can break the power of sin,and set people free. But there's more , in the novel 'the Scarlet  pimpernel,the question is asked,is he in heaven? is he hell?. It is very clear that  if one dies without Christ you will go to hell,if you trust Christ  you go to heaven.

New life ( Romans 6 v 1-14)

 I heard recently of a minister who refused who to baptise a man ,many people knew this man by reputation that he was a scoundrel who had not repented of his sins .It was John the baptist who challenged the religious elite whom he felt were very wicked,that they should bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3 v8) John spoke of another who would baptise with the Holy Spirit and  fire,the one he spoke of  was Jesus .Cp  1 Corinthians 12 v 13 which reads,'For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body whiter  Jews or Gentles slave or free and we were all given the one Spirit to drink'.Water baptism is not for the unbeliever,but for the Christian,it is a personal confession  of ones faith in Christ. It is saying I have died with Christ,my old life is gone,  and as Jesus was resurrected and so I am also resurrected to live in newness of life,dead to sin but alive in  Christ Jesus

                                                          'I give myself to Thee

                                                          My Saviour and my God,

                                                          To be Thine own for evermore

                                                          O help me to renounce      

                                                         The hateful works of sin,

                                                         The empty vanities of life,

                                                          The flesh that strives within.

                                                              Words Emily Symons

 

He is able (Romans 5 v 8 )

 I want to bring to some thoughts from Isaiah 50,Israel is in captivity in Babylon,and they are complaining that God has forsaken them,in fact they are saying ,he has divorced them.Of course this was rubbish He had not forsaken them but He had dealt with them because of their sins ( v1) The prophets had spoken to them but they did not listen,and just kept on sinning.We expect that of the unsaved but they were the  people of God, they should have known better. In verse 2 God declares He had come to them ,but He got no answer they turned a deaf ear to Him,He reminds them of His power that could save them,with those well known words,'Is my hand shortened at all, that cannot redeem them,  reminding them of His power. Never underestimate the power of God ,He is all powerful,He can save the chiefest of sinners ,hear what the apostle wrote,

                                                'Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves

                                                 full acceptance; Christ Jesus  came into the

                                                 world to save sinners of whom I am the worst'

                                                                  1 Timothy 1 v15

Trust Him. ( Habakkuk 3 v 16 - 18)

So it's all over for another year, one has to laugh at the words of a song, ',I wish it could be Christmas every day' imagine the turkey dinners we would consume,I dread the thought. Now back to reality back to the future,it goes without saying we don't know what the future holds, but there is someone who does, ''God'' Thats very important to be reminded of that, but He is not just a spectator, He is a sovereign God who rules and reigns over all things,if that is true why?yes that why again. Tozer writes that He is all knowing, all powerful,and absolutely free. Consider the last one absolutely free.We do not have the answer as regards ,'the riddle of permitted evil'. or the mystery of permitted evil. The Westminster Confession tells us,'His not the author or approver of sin,nor is he blameworthy for it' .Because God is sovereign we can have hope,our times are in his hands,that means the good times and the bad ,and some very bad time.Bad things happen to God's children,in Philippians 2 v29 we read'For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him,but also suffer for Him'.Romans 8 v28  tells us that all things work together for good  to those who love God'.  All things, yes even evil things, I may not understand these words,but we must exercise faith in our sovereign God  and His will for our lives,and not to give up on God, whatever the new year brings.

                                       'I know who holds the future,and He'll guide me with His hand,

                                        With God things don't just happen,everything by Him is planned;

                                        So as I face tomorrow with its problems large and small,

                                         I'll trust the God of miracles,give to Him my all'.

Three things Ephesians 6 v10 -20) New Years day

 As we enter the new year ,I would like to mention  three things,that I feel are very important for all Christians ,including myself,I'm not sure if I mention them before ,.even if I had,I want to mention them again

                                                              'The first one'.

The apostle Paul writes the following ,'But one thing I do : forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead' (Philippians 3 v13 )The apostle had a long history ,full of so many things,he wrote 14 epistles if you count Hebrews,which I do,a tremendous achievement by any standard.He established a number of churches, suffered so many things in his effort to spread the gospel,of course he also had discouragements . But he does not linger on those things,he refuses to dwell on them,he does not become a prisoner of the past,nor should we. Unfortunately many of us are so caught  up with past that we do not move forward,

                                                               'The second one'

 It is very simple yet very challenging, 'Pray,Pray,Pray',  in Ephesians 6 v 18-20 the apostle Paul  mentions prayer 5 times.each bring a challenge to us,a challenge we need desperately to rise to.Make the coming year a time of communing with God,tell Him everything.

                                                                  'The third thing'

Last but not least,don't starve your soul,read the word of God, memorise the word,get to understand the word of God ,use the available helps to do that,and most of all  rely on the Holy Spirit. The word of God is food for your soul,so don't starve it. Our Lord Jesus said 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word  that comes from the mouth of God' (Matthew 4 v 4.)