Thank goodness its all over.

Shopping for presents ,buying enough food to feed an army, decorations, writing out Christmas cards, preparing the Christmas dinner, etc, I am sure there are many who do say thank goodness it is all over. I dont want to load you with guilt on top of everything else, for thinking ,for saying thank goodness it is all over, we carry many things around with us, often one of those things is guilt, when we shouldnt, so get rid of any guilt you may be carrying, bring everything to Him who bore all your guilt on the cross, and leave it there.[ Father so often I feel crushed by many things , even guilt, so right now I ask you to take every burden , as I cast it upon you, in Jesus name. Amen.]

Memories.

This is a time when we will begin to look back, for some that will be a painful experience, for most of us nothing dramatic may have happened. Memory is there for a reason to help us in our everyday affairs, I wish I could remember all my families birthday, or were I parked the car when visiting the supermarket, still I can always put it down to getting older.God has a memory, He can remember everything if he chooses to, but here is a wonderful truth to all who know the Saviour, I hope this will bless you. In Jeremiah 31 v34 God says to His children, I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins. [ Father I give you thanks that through your Son I have been totally forgiven, my sins will never be cast up to me. Amen]

Intervention

Christmas is about God intervening in peoples lives, Mary , Joseph, shepherds, wise men ,and Herod, all these were touched by Gods intervention. Consider how God has intervened in your life, and what this has meant, remembering God always acts with a purpose, from the moment God intervened you became His child, you came under his special care. Give thanks today that God did not leave you in your unsaved state , but in His great mercy, He saved you and has cared for you ever since. [ Father thank you for coming into this world in the person of your Son, and thank you for coming into my life , changing me, and caring for me. in Jesus name. Amen]

The thought and the deed.

The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 7 v15, I want to do what is right, but I dont do it, if we are honest, and I do believe being honest is the best policy, especially in our relationship with God. Now lets face it, we all feel what Paul felt, we need not despair, God understands, the old hymn says ,Jesus knows all about are struggles ,think how He put up with the disciples, yet all the time He was teaching and moulding them, and preparing them for service in His kingdom. [ Father I rest on the solid fact that you are merciful ,loving and patient, while I dont make that an excuse for my failures, help me to not despair, I believe you are pleased with my weakest efforts, in Jesus name. Amen]

A true estimate

In romans 12 v3 we read ,Be honest in your evaluation of yourself, my study Bible, commenting on these words, writes,[some of us think to little of ourselves, on the other hand , some of us overestimate ourselves.] When I was a young man I played football, I was no George Best, but I had a certain degree of skill, I have a reasonable singing voice, but I know there are those who are more gifted. There is a saying which goes ,you are good for nothing, that is not true, we all good for something, and good at something.[ Father I know I am only a sinner saved by grace, but I also know you have blessed me with gifts and abilities, help me to use them, trusting you to bless them, in Jesus name. Amen]

The kingdom of God.

One of the most unthought out statements in the N.T. I believe are the words of our Saviour in John 18v36, they read ,My kingdom, is not of this world. There appears often to be such a tension, in these words ,it raises questions in regard to so many areas of life.So much of life appears to be at odds with the kingdom of God, I dont have all the answers to what those words mean, but I do believe them , there is a tremendous challenge to be faced in them. [Father help me to see and obey what it means to be a citizen of your kingdom, in the name of Jesus my King. Amen]

Victory.

How do we get victory in those areas of our lives,in which we struggle? a good question, first let us remember that life is ungoing, every new day brings the challenge to be holy, loving and kind.This means a continual reliance on God, an awareness of our weakness, we are never really out of the wood, so each day ask the Saviour to help you,and to fill you with His Spirit. Remember our very weaknesses are important whatever they may be, and we all have different weaknesses, you may want to be rid of your weakness, but God who knows best says no, [read 2 Cor 12][ Father I often wonder why I have to put up with those things, that cause me so much pain, wonder why you dont remove them, and then I hear you saying , My grace is all you need, through My grace you will have the victory. Amen]