Self Control. [Luke 15v11-32]

In Proverbs25v28, we read a person without self-control is like a city with broken -down walls,in other words the city is vunerable . More, than ever we do need to practice self -control, think how much pain would be avoided if we we would put this wisdom into practice, consider the following, debt, drink,sex,temper,appitite, I could go on. Now I dont want you to feel condemned, but I want to bring this challenge to you, to exercise self control, in your life, refuse to live on impulse and instant gratification.[ Father help me to know self control , I know in my own strength this is not possible, so fill me with your Spirit, that I may know the victory through the Lord Jesus, in whose Name I ask this, Amen]

Dont let anyone mislead you. [John 14 v6]

We live in a world of confusion, a world that is full of false ideas, values, so many false prophets, how important those words of Jesus are when He tells us ,dont let anyone mislead you,[Mark13v5]. The Bible tells us a very important truth, we must bear this in mind continually, for it answers so many of our questions as to the why of life, this is a fallen world, sin affects everything. Let us not be fooled by lovely sunsets or whatever, the sweetest little child has a fallen nature, no matter how things are dressed up, everything is affected by sin. I am not being cynical ,I have had a revelation , when Jesus became my Saviour, I see things differently, I do not lean on my own understanding, I believe in Him who is the truth, I believe on Him who died on a cross for sin, He said , dont let anyone mislead you.[ Father I thank you that you sent Jesus, to bring us out of darkness, to fill us with your Spirit, and to guide us by your precious Word, Amen.]

Afraid of What?

Thinking of psalm 23. were David says, I will fear no evil, what a bold statement, and a amazing one, is it possible, to fear no evil?.First of all , he is not writing of all fears , some fears are healthy, but there are fears that we do need to challenge, take the fear of death, many young people fear death, the Christian view is , Christ has conquered death by His resurrection, [C.P. John 11 v25], so , because He lives we shall live also,consider the words of David in Psalm 23v4 , He refers to the valley of the shadow of death, he sees death as but a shadow, consider a shadow cannot hurt, a shadow has no power to do us any harm, the great secret of overcoming our fears, be it death or whatever,is to believe what Gods word tells us, faith is the answer. [Father so often my life is affected by fear,fear that robs me of your peace, forgive and help me to grow in faith,help me to experience a deeper trust in you , in Jesus name, Amen.]

A Blessing. [Psalm 23]

One of the most popular passages of scripture is Psalm 23, written by a shepherd boy , who became king, indeed the greatest of all the kings of Israel .This Psalm has blessed millions of people, it is wonderful to think how God can use us to be a blessing to others,through our words, and through our lives .We may not be a David but God can use us to be a blessing to those we come in contact with today, our lives can count for Jesus, believe it,here are the words of a chorus we used to sing, make it your prayer today,[ Father,make me a channel of blessing today, make me a channel of blessing I pray, my service blessing, my life possessing, make me a channel of blessing today. in the name of Jesus I pray this ,Amen.]

Hurting. [Jeremiah 17v14]

There are many things that can hurt us, mybe you have been hurt recently, I know a person who will not travel by bus, because they were in an accident on a bus. there are different types of hurts, phyisical,mental, and spiritual, I wonder what you think are the hardest hurts to get over?,I would think, mental and spiritual. What do you do when you are hurting?, when one was a child, and fell over, you would go to your mother , to kiss it better, and for comfort , but sometimes we carry our hurts all our lives, we hold on to them, nursing our grievances, we may not realize that they have affected us, and have shaped our personalities. I am sure it is time to pray about those hurts ,to pray honestly,and humbly, to pray as you have never prayed before. [Father in my of journey of life ,I have hurt others, forgive me, I have also been hurt , heal me, in Jesus name I pray this, Amen.]

Only Believe. [Hebrews 11v 1-7]

Our last look at Mark 9v14-29 ,we noted yesterday how the father came to Jesus in desperation, for his demon possessed son , he is desperate, he speaks to Jesus, help us if you can. observe Jesus reply, What do you mean, if I can? the fact of the matter is, He can, let me ask the question, do you believe He can? if you were that father would you be saying,help us if you can. Jesus folows up with a challenge, Anything is possible if a person believes, there is an old hymn which goes ,Only believe, all things are possible only believe,the father hearing those words cries out, I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief, and Jesus did, and He healed the boy. [Father I am so much like this man a mixture of faith and unbelief,in thy mercy forgive, and perfect that area of my life , I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.]

Everybody is a Critic, [Matthew 7v1-5 ]

Another look at Mark 9v14-29. in his conversation with Jesus the father says, Have mercy on us and help us , if you can, it did seem to that man that even Jesus may not be able to do anything to help. This problem had been going on for years ,we can assume that he had prayed and prayed, the result no change,this was his mountain, so he comes to Jesus barely hoping,would you and I be any different? let us not be critical of others,consider, we have not walked in their shoes. if we had we would be more understanding, and less judgmental. [Father help me not to judge others, help me to refrain from being critical, help me to have your compassion and love, in the name of Jesus I pray this, Amen.]