Sometimes[ Psalm 23 ]

Sometimes it seems that things are getting out of control, so what do we do, panic? we may ,we can. In Marks gospel 4 v35-41 we read of an incident were the disciples panicked, they were in a storm, and they felt they were going to drown, and yet Christ was in the boat with them.We used to sing , With Christ in the vessel , we can smile at the storm, the disciples were not smiling, to them ,things it seemed were getting out of control. Does it seem that way in your life? well it did for the disciples, so they go to Jesus, who was sleeping, woke Him up, and started to shout at Him, have you ever shouted at Jesus? and then they started to accuse Him, dont You care that we are going to drown?. The fact of the matter is Jesus cares more than we can ever realise, He stilled the storm, and challenged them as to their lack of faith, we need to take up that challenge.[ Dear Lord Jesus , so often we feel that things out of control, so often we panic, and in our panic we turn on You, forgive us, help us to trust You in every storm, Amen ]

Rest [Luke 15 v11-32 ]

One of the most beautiful verses in the Bible I feel is Matthew 11v28, it reads, Come to Me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest, words spoken by Jesus. Everyday I see people carrying burdens, mybe you are, well consider those words of Jesus, but do more than that, respond to them, honestly , humbly, as a young man I did, and I found them to be true. A man called Horatius Bonar wrote a hymn based on what Jesus said, it goes like this, I heard the voice of Jesus say , Come unto Me and rest, lay down , thou weary one, lay down thy head upon my breast, I came to Jesus as I was , weary, and worn and sad, I found in Him a resting place and He has made me glad, untold millions have experienced this to be true. [ Dear Lord Jesus in this troubled world were so many are weary and burdened, we thank you that there is a rest to be found in You, Amen ]

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.]