Difficulties [ Philippians 4 v6 -7 ]

How do we view difficulties?, it is an important question, yesterday I found myself in a traffic jam, it was so unexpected, and I laughed, I dont always laugh at difficulties. Recently I find myself just dropping any difficulties into the lap of God, and try not to worry, and it does work. In Philippians 4v 6 we are instructed to ,/ not worry about anything,instead , pray about everything/, let us take these words with us today,let us not just be hearers of the word, remember God is faithful. Let us tell God, let Him be our first port of call,let us tell Him what our needs our, and let us thank Him for all He has done. Then we will experience Gods peace, which exceeds anything we can understand,, His peace will gaurd our hearts and mind as we live in Christ Jesus. [ Dear Lord Jesus help us to face every difficulty with trust in You, help us to not despair or to panic, grant us Your peace, Amen ]

God is speaking, are we listening?. [Matthew 6 v 25 - 34 ]

I still enjoy fairy tales, well on the big screen ,think of the Beauty and the Beast, were a repulsive creature is transformed by love, apply this to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,and how we can be transformed by the love of God. Or think of Snow White lying in that glass coffin dead, suddenly brought to life by a kiss from her prince,consider how we who were dead in trespasses and sin, have recieved the kiss of life, from Jesus. So many things in life we see can be used ,to apply spiritual truths, so many situations, if we have eyes to see , can prompt us to think of deeper truths, articles in the paper, news events , ask yourself what is God saying, be it in a tradgedy, or a triumph, ask God to open your eyes, and ears, to what He is saying.[ Dear God forgive us for our spiritual dullness, help to be alert to what you are saying,in what we observe all around us, we know You are speaking, help us to listen , in Jesus name we ask this Amen ]

He changeth not.[ Hebrews 13 v 8 ]

The weather has changed, it is a winter wonder land, snow and more snow, but hopefully the rain will come and wash it all away. The weather reminds us of the changeableness of life ,whither we like change or not, it will happen, but the good thing is , God does not change. Consider what that means , His care for us will not change, His love for us will not change, you see ,God does not change. Whatever change that may come into our lives, let us hold unto this truth, He changeth not, in a world where much is uncertain , He is the one we can rely on, to overrule, and undertake for us, so never mind the weather, or whatever, hear the word of the Lord,/ I am the Lord , I change not[ Malachi 3 v6]. [Father we confess that change can unsettle us, cause us to feel fearful, help us to rest in the truth that You do not change, You will always be there for us, come what may, we thank You in Jesus name. Amen ]

Success [Matthew 5 v 1- 12 ]

Perfect health, money in the bank,a perfect marriage, with perfect children, and a perfect job, holidays every year, that is success, and of course it all comes about because you give a tenth of your earnings. Now let me say this, God does bless His children, I am very blessed, I do have a good job , I do enjoy holidays every year, I have been blessed with 5 sons , and many grandchildren, I have a nice home, we have two cars,but I dont have perfect health, nor do I have a perfect marriage.It would appear that for most of us ,life is a mixture ,and for many dear Christians, they have a lot to cope with, unemployment, poverty, persecution, mental illness. Life is not about everything being perfect, I am struck with the words in Hebrews 11v36-37, regarding those saints who suffered greatly, it says,/ Of whom the world was not worthy/. Gods ways are not the worlds ways, Gods values are not the worlds values, consider, the most successful person who ever lived died on a cross. [Dear God thank You for everything that You bring into our lives, the painless things, and the painful things, in Jesus name we pray this Amen ]

Rock of ages [ Hebrews 7 v 25 ]

It was A M Toplady who wrote that old hymn, Rock of ages,and there is an other old hymn, Im not sure who wrote it ,and it goes like this, /Oh safe to the Rock that is higher than I, My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly/. These hymns express a desire for salvation ,safety, and security, who is this rock they wrote about?, Jesus [1 Corinthians 10 v 4] . Who else but Jesus can save us?, no one, only He can save, and keep us in this life, only He can comfort, strengthen, and keep us secure.Who are we looking to, to save us, to protect us,? , is it Jesus?, I hope so , Jesus never fails.Untold millions have found in Jesus all they need, He saves to the uttermost,He provides, protects,guides, and never leaves us, He trully is a Rock in a weary land./ How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe, I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe, How often when trials like sea- billows roll, Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul/. [ Rock of ages we come to You, for you and You alone can save, and bless us with all we stand in need of, Amen ]

Somewhere [Psalm 23 ]

One of my favourite singers is Eva Cassidy, and she sings a song from one my favourite movies, The Wizard of Oz,/ Somewhere over the rainbow/, when Eva sings this song it takes on a spiritual meaning, and I think of home, I dont mean Ireland, I mean Heaven. I wonder do you ever think of home? I wonder what it is going to be like, I can only imagine. Well it will mean rest, often in life we feel tired, not of life which is a precious gift from God, but one feels weary at times in the struggle of life.Home will be such a change , where all will be harmonious, a place of peace , a place of no discord, a place where faith will give way to sight, when we will see at last our Saviour,what joy will fill our hearts then, to see Him whom we love, to be with Him for all eternity. When I think of home ,at times I become homesick, but until then by Gods grace, let all of us live for Jesus, following Him, serving Him, loving others for His sake. [Dear loving heavenly Father , help us to keep eternal realities, and values,in our lives,and by your grace, bring us safely home, to be with our Saviour Your dear Son, Amen ]

Where is love [ John 3 v16 ]

One of my favourite songs from the musical Oliver, is , /Where is love?,/ many people ask this question, as they experience pain, or as they observe lifes tragedies. There is within us all that desire to be loved, by our parents, friends,families, but so many feel unloved, and are crying out today ,where is love?. People ask the question, if God is love, why?,you can add your own answer to the why, so many people are judging God, because of evil, painful things that are happening in this world. Well it was Job who suffered tremendously, who said,/Surely I spoke things I did not understand, things to wonderful for me to know[42 v3 ], let us not charge God foolishly, I believe God is love. Where is love?, let us lift our eyes, from the gloom and doom, to the ultimate place of suffering the cross, and hear the one on that cross , saying I love you, I am dying for you because I love you, will you not trust Me? as your Saviour.Isaac Watts,wrote of Calvary love,/ Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul , my life, my all.[ Father help us to see beyond the many obstacles that blind us from seeing , and embracing Your love for us in your Son Jesus, Amen ]