People I dislike. [Romans 5 v 6- 11.]

I have a confession to make, there is one character in the bible, I dont like, and I am not talking about Judas, no I am talking about, someone who was a king. Well it is not really important, I am sure God will help me, to look at him in a more balanced way as time goes on . Let us broaden this thought out to real living people we come into contact with, let us include, our friends, neighbours, work mates, family, and even fellow Christians. There are people in those group I must confess I dont like , I acknowledge this, but I do try to love them,for I know Christian love must rise above feelings, above the natural to the Spiritual, from being a son of man, to being a son of God. [Father I read in your word , that you love this world,that is the whole world, without exception, help me , for I acknowledge, I do need your help, to love those whom I naturally dislike, I ask this in Jesus name, Amen. ]

Empathy [ Hebrews 4 v14- 16 ]

The dictionary tells me that empathy means, intellectual or emotional identification with another, this is a very important aspect of life, and is vital to us as Christians. There are many ways to illustrate this, take our Saviour , in Hebrews 4 v15,we read , This High Priest [ Jesus] of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do,yet He did not sin. In other words when we go to Jesus in prayer in our weaknesses, He can identify with us because He himself has been through, what we have been through, He understands and sympathizes with us. So it is with you and I , why do we have trials? in order that we can identify with others who are facing similar trials, God is not wasteful, He allows us to experience trials so we can more fully help others, so we can have empathy with them. [ Father I often wonder why I am allowed to experience trials , I would rather not, help me to understand there is a loving purpose, in all you do, that my trials help me to understand what others are going through, in Jesus name , Amen.]

That special place.[Luke 23v 32-46. A.V.]

I am listening to an old Gospel song as I write this, the words go like this,Thanks to Calvary I dont come here anymore. Calvary , that special place for every believer. Calvary is only special, if by faith we have come to know what it means in our own lives, when as a sinner in all our need we trust in Christ as our Saviour, then and then only does Calvary, become special. Them we are enabled to move on into a new life, a transformed life, a life with tremendous potential ,we become people who are lead not driven, people who are free, not bound, for who Jesus sets free is free indeed.[ Father thank you for Calvary ,were Jesus your Son died, for sinners such as us, thank you for that special place, and that special person, Amen ]

How great is our God. [ Ephesians 3v 20 ]

It is hard for us to take in ,how God deals with all the mulitude of needs that are in this world. Consider how many prayers are ascending to God right now, millions, when I consider the many things I bring to God in prayer, how does God cope?. Well He does, we have to move out of our limited way of thinking, God is not a man, He is Spirit. It is in the 40th chapter of Isaiah, which I would encourage you to read, that we have a picture of the greatness of God,in this chapter we have, and I quote my study bible, Isaiah describing Gods power to create ,His provision to sustain, and His presence to help. God is almighty and all powerful, but even so , He cares for each of us personally,it finishes by saying this, dont limit His work in your life by underestimating Him. [ Great God and Father, we worship you ,we rejoice in your greatness, you are the One who is greater than our greatest thoughts, and yet You are so lovingly personal in your care for each of your children, we thank and praise You in Jesus name, Amen.]

Words [ Proverbs 12v25 ]

In Proverbs 16v24, we read, Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body, it is James who writes about the negative side of words, and the importance of controlling what we say.Lets be honest we have all said things we shouldnt have, and we have all without exception been hurt by words spoken to us. So today let us speak kind words , people are struggling with many things, they are no different to you and I, behind a smile there is often hidden hurts, worries. So today let us speak kind words,consider what Solomon wrote, and how positive kind words are , to those who hear them.[ Father I thank you for the kind words you continually speak to me, help me to to be like You with those I come in contact with, in Jesus name we ask this Amen.]

A bargain.[ 2 Samuel 24v24]

I wonder are you like me? you like a bargain, you watch with anticipation for a sale at your favourite store, and then you hurry there, hopefully to get something you really like ,cheaply. In 2 Samuel 24 , we read how King David was offered a bargain for free, and he would not take it, why?, here is his answer. The bargain was a peace of land that David wanted to erect an altar on, so he could sacrifice an offering on to God, the owner of the land wanted to give the land to David, for nothing. Consider Davids reply, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing. Joyce Meyer, says this ,Jesus does not offer us a Cross-less Christianty. The Gospel is the greatest bargain of all, we are saved freely by His grace, but being a Christian involves a cost, there are Christians to day who are in prison, there are Christians today who will die, for Christ. [Father sometimes we forget that there is a cost in being a Christian, forgive us, and give us grace this day ,to take up our cross , and follow our Saviour, Amen ]

Oh no not another giant.[ Ephesians 6 v 10-20 ]

Facing one giant is bad enough, but we read in 2 Samuel 21v 15-22, of four more giants that Israel had fight, let us be realistic , there are many giants, we have to face. Consider some of the giants we have to face, fear of failure, discouragement, etc, giants, but here is the good news, those four giants were defeated. Let us remind ourselves that God will not leave us on our own , no matter how many giants we have to face, and we can know the victory, so be encouraged. [ Father life is on going, each new day brings new challenges, we ask that You would give us the grace we need, to overcome the giants we have to face, we ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.]