Confidence [1 Kings18 v20 -39]

In James 5v17, we read that the great prophet Elijah, was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly no rain would fall for over three years, and then he prayed again, and it rained. James wrote this to encourage us to pray,inspite of our weaknesses ,to look up in our weaknesses, to the God of grace, who hears the cry of His weakest child. So dont be put of praying to God because of your natural weakness, God does not love you because you are strong, your not, He loves you, because you are His child, so have confidence when you pray. [Father we come to you the God of all grace, help us to have faith to know that you love us, and delight to hear us when we pray, Amen.]

A man with principles [Daniel 1 v8 -20]

A well known politican has resigned his seat because of a principle, many are judging him, doubting the wisdom of what he is doing. As I think of that politician I am reminded of Four men in the O.T. Daniel, Shadrach,Meshach, andAbednego, they were very brave, risked all because of their principles. We are not called to be difficult but we often as Christians are called to take a stand against injustice, and for what we believe to be right. I am conscious that times we may get it wrong , but I am also very conscious that we need more than ever to be people of principle. [Father give us wisdom in this life were so many people are controlled by others, and so many never question so many things, help us to be people of principle , for your glory, in Jesus name we ask this, Amen.]

A bump on the head [Psalm 150 ]

I was feeling melanchollic recently , I dont think it was a Winston Churchills black dog day, but it was affecting me, and I got a bump on the head, and it was as if God was shocking me out of my melancholly, it did work. Sometimes we need shock treatment to help us realise things are not as bad as we think, we need to begin to focus on others, we need to start praising God, praise can drive the blues away, the hymn wrote , O for a heart to praise my God, let us try this today, I can assure you it will be less painful than a bump on the head. [Father we ask You to fill our hearts with praise for You today, in Jesus name we ask this, Amen.]

When God shuts one door [Romans8 v28. A.V]

I was watching a T.V. programe , and one of the actors said that old worn out phrase , when God shuts one door, and the response by another actor was, yes He breaks your heart. Does God break hearts? is that to severe a thing to say ?, it may seem so,especially if your heart is breaking at this time. It is to ancient Israel God declares ,I have loved you with an everlasting love, [Jeremiah 31v3], yet in that same book we have the prophet, going to the potters house, and he sees the potter breaking imperfect pots, and remaking them, the lesson being that ,Israel was like that imperfect pot and God was going to remake them. Let us remember whatever breaking experience we may go through , God loves us and He only desires whats best for us. [Loving Heavenly Father we place all our breaking experiences into your hands, we believe you have a loving purpose for our lives, remake us in your image, for the glory of Jesus, Amen. ]

All the answers [ Ecclesiastes 3 1-8 ]

The very nature of life throws up so many unexplainable things, no one has all the answers, there are so many things, we do not understand. The why will always hunt us, why this , why that, it is ungoing, and often unknowing, so what can we do?. Well we can let the why rule our lives, disturbing our peace,creating unrest,or we can just commit it all to God, let us leave it there, as the old gospel song says, take your burden to the Lord , and leave it there, take all your whys , give them to Him. [Father for all our knowledge ,there is still so much we dont understand, so much that puzzles us, we bring all our whys to you , take them and give us the grace to move on, in Jesus name we ask this, Amen ]

A cup of cold water [Luke 19 v 12-27 ]

What does God require of you and me?, well He only requires us to do what He has given us to do. I am leader of a small church, it has always been so, that is my responsibility, that is what He has intrusted to me, this is all I am accountable for. It may be nice and challenging at times to preach to larger gatherings ,but at this time I am only responsible for my small church. I had a burden to be a missionary, I tried my best to make that happen, but it did not happen, God had other plans for my life. Remember be faithful wherever your Lord has placed you, and be faithful with what ever He has placed in your hands, even if it is only a cup of cold water.[ Dear Lord help us to be faithful in the place were you have placed us,and to be faithful with what you have intrusted to us,
Amen.]

You feed them.[ Luke 9v 10-17 ]

We know that God fed Israel with manna, this was not the norm, the norm is, you and I,we are the hands of God,in this world. The needs of others are , our responsiblity,when I lived by faith God used others to meet my needs, thankfully there were those who listened to Gods prompting , and gave to us.It is James who challengs us to be practical in our outlook, [James 2v 14-17 ], the words of our Saviour are a challenge to all of us ,You feed them, will we rise to this challenge?. [ Father you are the giving God, you give us so much, your mercies are new every morning, we give you thanks, help us to be more like you in our giving, in Jesus name we ask this, Amen. ]