Looking back. [ Philippians 3 v12-14 ]

There is a sense looking back can be unhelpful, and sometimes downright destructive, we are continually warned against looking back, the greastest example of this is Lots wife, [Luke 17v32]. Our Saviour warned that looking back , meant that you were not worthy for His kingdom[ Luke 9 v62], He reminded us that the challenge of the Christian life is total, you cannot have a foot in both camps, He made this point in very graphic ways, read Luke 14v 25-27. One of the problems with Israel when they came out of Egypt was they looked back, with a distorted view of the past,[Numbers 11 v 4-6 ], and at times they even wanted to return , to Egypt, [ Numbers 14v4 ] . So let us not look back at the old paths we once walked in, lest we become discouraged, and start to become discontented. [ Father take from us the foolishness of looking back, give us an undivided heart, a heart thats completly captivated by Jesus, in whose name we ask this. Amen ]

A Mystery. [Romans 8 v26-28 ]

Prayer in many ways is a mystery, we dont always know what we are accomplishing when we pray, I have been praying for people to be saved for years, they are still not saved.Let us be honest prayer is not just a black and white subject, but then there are many things we dont understand in life, and may never understand, I read a booklet on the quantum theory recently, I still have not a clue, what it means, but it wont stop me reading. So it is with prayer I may never fully understand this subject, but I am not going to let it stop me praying, let us all continue in prayer, knowing that God hears us, and will answer in a way that is best.[ Father help us to pray, even when it appears nothing is happening, help us to hang in there, and to trust You in Jesus , Amen.]

Timing .[ Psalm 40.]

As I read the scriptures I see an important truth, that Gods timing is perfect, He always comes at the right time, read the life of king David, of Esther,of Israel. There are many examples of this happening in the saints lives, 17 years ago, I was about to become unemployed, when I got my present job, the timing was perfect, God will always come in the nick of time, His ways are perfect, and that includes His timing, so dont panic, trust Him to act for you at the right time. [Father thank you that whatever involves us is your concern, you are guiding us , and will work on our behalf, in Jesus name, Amen.]

Dreams. [Proverbs 13v12 ]

Here is a thought for today, [Dont live in your dreams live within your means], so many of us make the mistake of letting our dreams take over us, and this can get us into all sorts of trouble.This is a lesson I have had to learn, I am not saying one should not have dreams, in fact we should have, the whole of history has been changed by people who have had dreams.Dont let anyone rob you of your dream, pray about it, work towards it, have faith in God to fulfill it. If it is of God it will happen, it may take time , but Gods timing is perfect. I suppose the dream in my thought for the day, is in relation to acting in a way that is not helpful, we dream of material things we get into debt, we need to be wise in all aspects of our lives.[ Father in your mercy help us to follow are dreams, and help us, to be responsible in our desire for our dreams to be fulfilled, in Jesus name we ask this. Amen.]

Giants [1 Samuel 17]

David and Goliath, what a story, you can read about it in 1 Samuel 17, it is such an inspiration, a great big giant, a young lad, two extremes. Consider a number of things, the giant was covered in armour, he even had a guy in front of him carrying a shield, he was taken no chances, he must have thought he had covered all his bets. Then we have dear David, a young lad no armour , just a sling and five stones, ah ,he had more than that, he had the Lord with him, this was his security, strength, and confidence.The nature of life will always present difficulties, some of those difficulties, are like giants, everything appears to be in their favour, they appear indestructible, and they will let you know it, listen the Lord is with you, just as sure as He was with David, have confidence in your God , He will not fail you. [ God of David your servant, we lift up the eyes of our faith to you, believing that in the name of Jesus, we can be more than a conqueror, Amen. ]

There is a purpose. [Romans 8 v28]

Think of Job, a man who suddenly experienced one blow after the other, he was a godly man, the things that happened to him , were real, and severe. To be a follower of Christ does not mean you will not suffer, in various ways, it is the nature of life. God permits suffering to come into His childrens lives,that is a fact,but that suffering is under His control, and has a purpose, read 1Peter1v 6-7, here Peter tells us a number of things about suffering, [1] Trials will show that our faith is genuine. [2] Trials purify, there is a lot of dross in our lives. [3 ]The preciousness of our faith. [4] God will honour our faithfullness. [Father I dont always understand the trials that you permit to come into our lives, but I believe that You love us , help us to hold on to this truth, in Jesus name. Amen]

A short break

Just to say I will be on a short break to York , I will recommence my blog on Monday