Challenges [ Joshua 1 v9 ]

Why do people climb mountains?why do people do all sorts of dangerous things ?, is it the challenge, I am sure thats part of it. There are many people out there who love a challenge, sometimes we admire them, other times we see them as foolish, whatever we think, there will always be people who love a challenge.In my own life I have taken challenges,years ago I left my job and went to Bible college,I say I, but my then wife was with me in it also, we had three children, and we had no money. I can assure you it was a big challenge, and I am sure there were those who were critical, but we believed God was in it, and that helped us a lot. There are other challenges I can remember. As life is ongoing, I wonder what new challenges there will be?. [ Father today is a new day, help us to face with courage , those challenges that our presented to us, and those we have taken on, in Jesus name Amen. ]

It is important. [Proverbs 3v 5- 6]

There is a place of quite rest, Near to the heart of God, A place where sin cannot molest, Near to the heart of God, so reads the words of an old hymn. How important to find that place of quite rest, were we commune with God , I heard a Christian telling how , while driving to a place were he was going to preach ,he was finding it hard to locate this place, so they stopped and asked someone, but the person didnt know , so the Christian said, they prayed,and would you believe it , just over were they were parked was the very place they were seeking. In the midst of all the pressures we meet today , find that place of quite rest. [Father God help us to bring You into all of our lives in Jesus name we ask this, Amen.]

Fathers day [John 14 v1-11. ]

When I was young my mother and dad split up ,they never did divorce, so for most of my life I never knew a fathers care,or love. It goes without saying having a father is important to everyone , the absence of a father figure ,can effect a child. I remember as a youngster lying in bed, and my thoughts must have been on not having a father, and I remember acknowledging God as my Father, and so for most of my life God has been my father,for this I will always be grateful.[ Father God on this Fathers day we just want to say, we love you, in Jesus name, Amen. ]

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. ]