Flee ( Matthew 4 v 1-11)

 I find the epistles to the church at Corinth very interesting,in which we can learn  many lessons Corinth was a very inmoral place.(1Cor 6 v 9-20)Within these verses the apostle Paul had to instruct them as regards sex that was sinful,verse 18 he tells them to flee sexual immorality,It reminds me of Joseph when he was being pressurized by his master's wife to have sex with him,and we read,'that she caught him by his garment,saying,''Lie with me,'' But he left his garment in her hand and fled out of the house. (Genesis 39 v 11-12).Don't linger over temptation ,and don't put yourself in the way of temptation. Remember behind every temptation there is the tempter the devil(Matt 4 v3) It is James who writes what we should do when we are tempted by the devil,first 'submit yourselves unto God,we cannot fight the battle of temptation in our own strength,we must call unto God,and he will help us.If only Eve had done that in the garden,things would have turned out better for the whole human race. 'If only', If we do that  we can resist the devil,and escape out of his clutches .  (James  4 v 7)

                                                  'Yield not to temptation,for yielding is sin,

                                                            Ask the Saviour to help you,

                                                       Comfort,strengthen,and keep you;

                                                             He is willing to aid you,

                                                             He will carry you through'.

                                                             

He did not need extra training ( 2 Timothy 2 v 15)

 Early on Spurgeons ministry,which was greatly blessed,a man called Joseph Millan a principal of a well known theological college, thought it would be helpful if Spurgeon had some formal training.So an appointment was made to meet at a certain date,in the home of a Mr Millan.when Spurgeon arrived at the appointed time,he was shown into the drawing room.Angus when he arrived was placed in the parlor; neither were informed by the receiving maid of the others presence.The result was,Angus in the end had to leave to catch a train back to London,the interview never took place'.Later on Spurgeon  while he was out walking,he tells us that God spoke to him,when he heard these words,'Seekest thou great things for thyself seek them not'. That decided him to not go for extra training.Most of those going into Christian work need training.but not everybody. Later on when he was an establish minister, he opened what became known as  Spurgeons collage to train young men for the ministry.

Spurgeon on Prayer. ( Hebrews 4 v 14 -16)

 Prayer is the never failing resort of the Christian  in any case,in every plight. Prayer is an open door no one can shut. Devils may surround you on all sides,but the way upward is always open,and as long as that road is unobstructed ,you will not fall into the enemy's hand. Prayer is never out of season; in summer and in winter its merchandize is precious. Prayer gains audience with heaven in the dead of night,in the midst of  business,in the heat of noonday,in the shades of the evening. In every condition, whether of poverty,or sickness, or obscurity,or slander, or doubt,your covenant God will welcome your prayer and answer it from His holy place. Nor is prayer ever futile. True prayer is evermore true power.You may not always get what you ask, but you will always  have your real wants  supplied. When God does not answer His children according to the letter,He does so according to the spirit. This evening, my soul, forget not to offer thy petition and request,for the Lord is ready to grant thee thy desires. when you pray.

                                                   'Have confidence when you pray'

                                                    

God ( John 4 v 24)

I  think it would be to our benifite if we purchased A.W.Tozer's book ,'The knowledge of the Holy',why?because an ignorance of God and his being will lead us away God.The history of Israel shows that to be so,time after time they forsook God,and turned to false God's.Tozer asked the question,'What comes into your mind when you think about God ?'or do you think about God?None of us will never fully understand God,in one sense He is 'Incomprehensible and yet knowable', Tozer quotes Richard Rolle, who said,'Verily God is of infinite greatest'...''more than we can think''.But he  is knowable ,as is revealed in his word.' Creation  contray to evoulutionist should remind us of the one who created all things,but alas mankind are blind to that,because they don't want to believe.The cults are not in the least bit interested in the biblical revelation,their founders rejected that truth,and so they follow in their footsteps.Daniel 11v 32 reads,'The people who know their God,shall be strong and do exploits'.This is what as Christians we have to do,get to know the God of the Bible.So purchase Tozer's book ,it's readable,and will help you greatly  to know God.

Held captive. ( Psalm 119 v14 - 24)

Martin Luther was tried before the emperor and religious dignitaries to recant of his 95 Theses,he asked for 24 Hrs to consider what he should do,this was granted to him.When he returned he was asked the same question he replied, 'My conscience is held captive by God's word'.  It would be wonderful if every minister would say that, but alas it is not so. unfortunately they are offended by the the truths that are there.Those who are called to minister God's word must not betray that trust,if they do they will be held accountable before God the result is many of God's children are confused .The word of God must be accepted for what it is,the word of God.There are things we don't understand but we are told not to lean upon our own understanding.We must see the scriptures as being unique,no other book compares to it.In that wonderful book we have a wonderful revelation of creation,and salvation,no other book has that.We also have God's moral boundries to break them  is a sin. Like Martin Luther ,'may our conscience be held captive by God's word'.

My times are in God's hands. (Psalm 31)

In Psalm 31 v 15 ,reads 'My times are in your hands',  these words are uttered by David  at a time of great danger and distress.He is crying ,saying ,my life is in God's hand,it is a submissive statement,yes he was crying for deliverance,but he is acknownledging that whatever may happen, it is in God's hands,be it life or be it death.

                                                       1       'My times are in Thy hand:

                                                               My God,I wish them there;

                                                               My life,my friends,my soul I leave

                                                               Entirely to Thy care

                                                       2      My times are in Thy hand,

                                                                Whatever they may be;

                                                               Pleasing or painful,dark or bright,

                                                               As best may seem to Thee.

                                                       3      My times are in Thy hand,

                                                               A father's hand will never cause

                                                                His child a needless tear.

                                                        4      My times are in Thy hand,

                                                                Jesus the crucifed;

                                                                 The hand my cruel sins have pierced

                                                                 Is now my guard and guide.

    

So pray. (Luke 18 v1)

 Prayer is very important ,our Saviour was an examble to all of us,he taught us that we should always pray and not give up Luke 18 v 1. Elijah was a man of prayer,he prayed and there was no rain for three and a half years,and then he prayed again,and the rain fell.That's one example,there are others we could mention.Moving from the Bible we know of people who were mighty prayer warriors,people like George Mullier who strarted up a work among children, which grew and grew,it was a work of faith,he never made any appeal for money he prayed and God supplied the need,There are so many great indivduals who prayed and God answered in wonderful ways.I remember a missionary who served God in Brazil,who prayed for a young mans wife who died, and she came back to life.Marvellous things can happen in response to prayer. We may think that our prayer life does not  compare,to those people we have mentioned.But hear this your prayers will make a difference to your family,to the neighbourhood you live in,to the people you witness to,and so we could go on,so pray.

Are you sitting comfortably? ( Acts 1 v 8)

 C.T.Studd was a 19Th century  cricketer and a pioneer  missioary in China,India,and Africa,he said, 'Some wish to live within the sound of church or chapel bell,I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of  Hell''. No comfort cosy life for him,I wonder how you feel about what he said?,there is a challenge in it,how seriously do we take up the challenge of witnessing for Jesus?Another question ,do you believe that people are going to hell?,if so what are we doing about it?.They need to be reached, are you willing to say here am I ,send me ,use me. I asked a lady was she a Christian she said yes,and then she added I'm a Catholic,it is time we stop hiding behind our lables.People are lost,how much are we willing to sacrifice in reaching them with tbe gospel?.

                                                         'Get out of our comfort zone'. 

That hidden monster. (Romans 3 v 10 -18/23)

 I often watch Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook and their historical programes they put on  Utube ,recently I heard Dominic say this ,'we fail to appreciate human nature',he mentioned the monster within.I agree with this,the Bible tells us of people like Job, calling him a man who was blameless and upright,who feared God and shunned evil.(Job 1 v1). But note this ,it does not say he was sinless,it is very important that we grasp this,and what it means.The Bible speaks as regards human nature,it is not complimentary,far from it,but it is honest,and it is true,Jeremiah that great prophet of God,wrote the following,'The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure'.( Jer 17 v 9)Here is an example,many of the Nazis party came from good families,likewise many who run the death camps,were educated people.We may look at them and say,I would never be like that,but you may,who would ever have thought that Judas would betray Jesus,or that Peter would deny him. There is a Jekyll and Hyde in all of us,I'm sure that is what .Robert Louis Stevenson had in mind,I knew a very nice person but he raped two women, so much is hidden from us,but not hidden from God, That is why our greatest need is a Saviour and his name is Jesus.

William Tyndale (Revelation 14 v 13)

 There was a time when there was no English translatiions of the Bible until William Tyndale translated the the NT into English.I mentioned this because it is the 500th anniversary of his translation, now there are many English translations. William was a very scholary man ,he was fluent in at least seven languages, French ,Greek, Hebrew, German,Italian,Latin,and Spanish.He had a great passion for translating the Bible and was continually under threat of death,for what he was doing,in the end he fled to Antwerp,it was there he completed his translation of the NT ,and part of the OT. But alas his persecutors caught up with him,He was arrested ,and finally was executed by stragulation,and then his body was burnt at the stake,he was aged about 42', He vowed to a Catholic Cleric,'If God spared my life,ere many years pass,I will cause a boy at the plough shall know more of scriptures than thou dost'. We honour the memory of William Tyndale,and of the great work that God enabled him to do.

Barriers ( Mark 10 v17-27)

 A wealthy person came to Jesus and he asked him a question,'Teacher,what good thing must I do to get eternal life'.Matthew19 v 16ff. Jesus took him as it were on a journey,stripping away, challenging him,that there was no one good only God ,the young man confessed that he was very religious,but then religion  will not save us,as he would soon find out.This is what Jesus said to him ,'sell your possessions and give to the poor,and you will have treasure in heaven.Then come,follow me' sad to say he wasn't prepared to do that,for he was very rich.Jesus loved this young man (Mk 10 v21)Jesus went on tell how hard it was for a rich person to enter the kingdon of God.The disciples were amazed a't what Jesus said,and asked him who then can be saved? Jesus looked at them and said ,'With man this is impossible,but not with God;all things are possible with God'. The young man asked Jesus 'what good thing must I do to get eternal life',it is not what we do that saves us,only God can save us,we must remove the barriers first ,then God will save us.

                                                            'Nothing in my hands I bring.

                                                             Simply to Thy cross cling:

                                                  

His eye is on the Sparrow (Psalm 34 v15 )

 Psalm 91v 4 ,reads, 'He will cover you,with his feathers,and under his wings you will find refuge;'These words are spoken by Moses.They are words of comfort and assurance  spoken to Israel, they are being reasured of God tender care,One commentator writes the following,'That those who live under the protection of the most high God, who will be their refuge and fortress'.  Spurgeon writes,'Under these wings,therefore,four blessings are conferred upon us. (1) We are concealed;(2) Under these  we are protected from the  attack of the hawks and kites,(3)Under these a salubrious shade refreshes us,and wards of the overpowering heat of the sun; (4) Under these also we are nourished and cherished' In v2  'My God,in whom I trust'.He writes in v5 he declares not to fear the terror of night,night is often when thieves and robbers do their dirty work.Likewise the dangers by day''.There is so much in this Psalm to encourage us in the difficulties we meet in Life,God will be there watching over us,I read the following ,' A Christian couple were visiting a bedridden woman and her disabled husband , When asked how they remained so joyful  despite their hardships,Mrs Doolittle replied' His eye  is on the sparrow,and I  know he watches me''

Infinite ( John 3 v16)

 There are some words that have  facination about them, like,' Infinity',what does it mean?,are there examples of infinity?,I would say the only example is God.What does it mean?'It has with it a quality or state of being boundless ,limitless and endless with no beginning or finish. If used of God,as having no limits,boundaries or measure in His being,power ,wisdom,or character.He exist without a beginning,an end,or an origin.1n 1 kings v27 we  read,'But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold ,the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee'.  Psalm 147 v 5 reads ,'Great is our Lord,and of great power; his understanding is infinite.' God is infinite in Isaiah 40 v25 ,God asked his people,'To whom them will ye liken me,'the fact is no one can be likened unto God,that is why we are told in Exodus 20 v 4'Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image,or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath,or that is in the water under the earth'.Let us consider the great mystry of the incarnation, when God the Son stepped into planet earth as a babe,that truly is awesome beyond words,but it does not finish there,that babe came for a purpose , an astonishing purpose,he would die on a cross ,so that our sins could be forgiven,He did this because He loved us,so if we believe in him we would not perish,but have everlasting life.

Thrown unto the scrap heap. ( Psalm 92 v 14)

 At this time of the year,the weather has changed,we are in the season called Autumn,it brings a change,it becomes  colder ,the leaves on the trees change colour,and then they fall off.Life has it's seasons and the season brings change into our lives,and sometimes it is hard to adopt to change,but we have to .The season of old age  brings phyisical challenges,but it does not mean that we are to be thrown unto the scrap heap.I spoke recently at a church,they are recovering from a bad experience,they have no pastor at this time,the pastor they had ,caused division ,he was just concerned about the young people,it appears he did not want the old people in the church. It is interesting that leaders in the church in the NT are called elders, I believe we need  all age churches,each generation can contribute so much to to the church,they all can enhance the church.I don't think as an old person I should be thrown on the scrap heap,I  don't think anyone should be thrown on the scrap heap,God values all of us,and so should we.

Who is the guilty one? ( Ephesians 2 v 1-10)

 Darius became the King of Babylon and during his first year ,Daniel reads from the scrptures,and the words from the prophet Jeremiah that the captivity in Babylon,they would return to Israel after 70yrs,and so he prays to God .  (Chap 9) It is a prayer of repentance for Israels past sins that brought God's judgement upon them.He puts the blame on Israel for what has happened and he includes himself ,continually he says,'We have sinned', he does not blame God,nor should we ,God is not guilty of doing anything wrong. Verse 7 he says,'Lord ,you are righteous,but this day we are covered with shame',yes God is not guilty,look out at the world,is God guilty of all the wickedness that mankind is doing?,of course not, we are , I mean all of us,we all are without exception guilty,Romans 3 v23 'For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God'.  A minister once said to a young lady,this is what you must pray;''God be merciful to me a sinner'' 'I'm not a sinner',she shot back ,and added,'And if you knew me you'd know I wasn't' People are spiritually blind,blind to their condition,blind as to the great danger they are in,for after death  they will be judged by a holy God.

                                                             ' God is not guilty

                                                               but we are,that is

                                                               why we need Jesus'  

                                                         

Blockages ( Psalm 51 )

 I am sure many have had blocked drains,the drain needs the blockage to be removed,in the puplic drainage systems there is often  a big problem with fatbergs,they can be very large,but they need to be removed. The Bible tells us about something that can be seen as a blockage, in our relationship with God.In Isaiah 59v 1-2 ,God speaks to Israel reasuring them how that he can deliver them from their enemies,yes he can,but v2 tells there was a problem that is hindering that,here is how it reads,'But your iniquities have seperated you from your God.; your sins have hidden his face from you,so that he will not hear.'It is as serious as that, shut out from the presence of God.If we want our prayers to be answered then the blokage of sin will have to be removed,no ifs or buts,we must face up to this.Sin is not meant to be our companion, if it is  the very thing that we treasure it will be like chasim that we cannot cross,only till we deal with the blockage of sin,can we regain our relationship with God. When Hudsons Tailors wife was dying,her name was Marie,she said this as regards her relationship with God,there was no clouds between her and God.

A everlasting kingdom. (Daniel 7 v 27)

One of the most important doctrine we must hold unto like grim death,is the Sovereignty of God,because I believe that things in this world are going to get worse.I mean on a world wide scale. Cp Daniel 7 v24-25 /2 Thessaloians 2 v 3-4.Daniel was a man whom God  revealed so much to,one that stands out it involved  a  king of Greece ,Dan 8 v 21./ 10 v20/ 11v3. This was none other than Alexander the Great,he came 200yrs after this prophecy. It has been more than 2000yrs  since Daniel and Paul prophesied of as Paul called him,'The man of lawlessness',make no mistake about it ,it will came to pass.He will be powerful but not more powerful than God,in Daniel 7 v 26 we read,'His power will be taken away and completely destroyed for ever',by our sovereign God (Dan7 v27)When he comes he will manifest great power it will be a challenging time for even the children of God, but again God is sovereign,the kingdoms of this world come and go,but not the kingdom of God it is an everlasting kingdom,ruled by King Jesus.

Praying Hyde ( Mark 16 v15)

 Suddenly a name popped into my head  ,'Praying Hyde',so much locked  away in our memories,here was one.He was an American and served as a missionary in India. He was totally given to  prayer and evangelisim,it was said of him that he was consumed  by praying,he listened to God, pleaded with God, he wept before God.That is why he is remembered as the Apostle of prayer,from weakened by food -less days and sleepless nights,with sobs as he pleaded ,'O ,God give me souls or I die'.He knew the awful consequences that awaited  the lost in eternity,in other words he knew the value of a soul,do you? ,do I?.

                                                                   'Rescue the perishing

                                                                    Care for the dying.

                                                                    Snatch in them in pity

                                                                     from sin and the grave;

                                                                     Weep o'er the erring one,

                                                                      Tell them of Jesus the

                                                                           mighty to save'

Elijah ( James 5 v 13ff)

   I like Elijah that great prophet ,he prayed and rain stopped for three and a half years,and then he prayed again,and the rain fell.Then the great event on mount Carmel ,where he withstood against  450 false prophets,and challenged Israel to follow God. ( 1 Kings 18 v16ff)What a man, a great prophet, yes he was ,but listen he was a man,as James points out he was ,'Just like you and I' ,( James 5 v17) In 1Kings 19  we see the mighty prophet full of fear,lying under a bush wanting to die,here is what he prays,' I have had enough,Lord,take my life'.Is that you today? ,well God understood how he felt,and prepared a meal for him,and give him rest.Later on God spoke to him quietly,softly,and he assured him that there was still  a faithful remnant in Israel. God renewed Elijah,and still continued to use  him,until he took him home to glory.Don't put anyone on a pedestal,honour those who should be honoured,but remembering that they are imperfect human beings as you are, and I am. 'Keep in touch with God',Elijah kept praying to God,and God brought him through,he will do the same for you, and for me.

Lift them up ( Luke 10 v25ff)

 I recently watch a movie about President Roosevelt and his struggle with polio,it was a very lovely movie,I enjoyed it very much. PR went to a particular place where polio were being treated.,there he met other people who had polio,one could say they bonded together.There came a day when left the place he was being treated,but before he left he said this to the residents,''Do what you do best,lift one another up''I think that is a challenge to us all,how do we do that?.Their are many ways,by showing kindness,love, ,and going the extra mile.A man in Angola walked 200 kilometres to a hospital in Zambia,he was asked why he did that ?,he said,'The people here show patients love and respect'.It is a Christian hospital,surely every Christian should show respect and love,,to everyone.Dont always preach at people,but offer to pray with them,and if thay need help ,help them.But do witness to them when you have an opportunity,everyone needs Jesus,never forget that,think of the words of David in Psalm 40,speaking of God's goodness,'He lifted me out of a slimy pit,out the a mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock,and gave me a firm place to stand'.Yes that's what the gospel does ,it lifts people up.