God hates me. [ Romans 5v 1-11 ]

There are people who think God hates them, and I am sure there are many who feel God does not like them. One of my favourite authors is Philip Yancey, my favourite book of Philips is, Whats so amazing about Grace, and of course the God of all Grace , does not hate ,or dislike anyone, His very nature is love, if you doubt this, I want you to simply look to the cross, P.Yancey, quotes a line from Mozarts Requiem, [Remember, merciful Jesus, that I am the cause of your journey,] He remembers, Let us all remember that God is love, and that means He loves all of us. [Father in heaven ,thank You for loving me, thank you for Calvary love, that while I was a sinner, Christ died for me, Amen.]

Atheism. [ Acts 1v1-8]

I spoke to a person yesterday who was a atheist, someone who dismissed a belief in God, blaming all the worlds wars on religion, I also listened to an atheist on the radio this week. I believe there are two types of atheist, those who intellectually say there is no God, and those who live as if there is no God. There are reasons why people are atheist, it is a stronghold, I was so conscious of my weakness in speaking to that athiest, all one can do is to leave it with God. God is Sovereign, let us remember this in our witnessing, all we are asked to do is be faithful, and leave the results in Gods hands. [ Father I am not able to save anyone, salvation is your business, yet I am responsible to be a witness, help me to be faithful, for Jesus sake , Amen. ]

Despair.[2 Kings 6v13-17]

There was a young man who despaired, we read about him in 2Kings6 v15, but there was a man of God,who brought hope into the situation . There are many people today who are filled with despair, even some Christians, God will bring you into contact with them , that you may bring hope to them, that you may speak a word that will lift their gloom,that you may tell them, how God has helped you in the past, you may even be able to pray with them, that their eyes may be opened,as to what God can do in their lives, and how he can undertake for them, you can make a difference to someone today. [ Father use me this day to encourage someone , fill me with Your Spirit, speak through me, work through me,in Jesus name I ask this, Amen.]

Thank You. [ 1 Corinthians 13. ]

Rudeness is something we can do without, years ago there was a T.V, personality called Gilbert Harding, I remember him as being rude, Im sure he had good qualities, but it was his rudeness that I remember.Now if I am honest, there are times I have been rude, I hope ,not to many times, I try not to be rude, but I do slip up. To me the most challenging chapter in the Bible is ,1Corinthians 13. particulary in a modern translation, it is a chapter every Christian should read regularly,and meditate on, v4, reads like this,Love is patient and kind, love is not jealous or boastful or proud or Rude. [Father forgive those times I have been rude,help me this day to always act in a loving way, in Jesus name I pray this, Amen.]

We can Stand. [Matthew 7 v 24-27]

It is very stormy today , I hear the wind and rain as I print this, our Saviour illustrated a wonderful truth, by referring to storms that come into our lives. There are different things that we class as storms, lonlineliness, bereavement, the list is endless, but the storms are real, the question is this how do we cope with the storms that may even threaten to destroy us, here is what Jesus said, Anyone who listens to my teaching, and follows it, will survive the storms of life. I personally have survived bereavement , financial difficulties,unemployment, and numerous other things, and have proved the truth of what Jesus taught. [ Father thank you for sending Jesus, He trully is an anchor in the storms of life, help me today ,in whatever storm I am facing, to trust and not be afraid, Amen.]

A Prisoner. [Psalm 27.]

I was reading Psalm 27, what a wonderful word we have from God, it opens with these words, The Lord is my light and my salvation-so why should I be afraid?.Speak those words over to yourself continually, let them take root in your heart, when fear comes in,, chase it out with those words, I know from experience how easily fear can take root, how you wake up in the middle of the night,and dwell on a problem , and fear overcomes us.I pass on these words which I read in my study Bible, [Fear is a dark shadow that envelops us and ultimately imprisons us within ourselves ] let us remind ourselves ,that because the Lord is our light and salvation we need not to be a prisoner of fear.[ Father I am so often attacked by situations and circumstances that can cause me to become a prisoner of fear, forgive me and grant me the grace of faith that will enable me to live free from fear, I ask this in Jesus name, Amen]

Home. [John 14 v1-6.]

What do you think of when you think of home?your childhood home, your present home,like me my homeland, all these conjure up different feelings. The important thing is nome of these,homes, are permanent, two of the homes I lived in , in Belfast, have been demolised, no going back, let us remember if we are Christians , our permanent home is heaven, there we will know true security, harmony, love, and the abiding presence of Him who said to his followers ,I go to prepare a place for you. [John 14v2] . [ Father I thank you for providing me with a home, have mercy upon the homeless, I thank you that I have a home in glory land that outshines the sun, an eternal home, were I will live eternally with You, thank you in Jesus name, Amen.]