The truth sets us free. [ John 8 v 34 -36 ]

Why do we need to lock our doors at night?, why do we have to watch our pin number?, why do we have security systems?, why do we have a police force?, why do we have prisons?why do we have child abuse?, why do we have drunkenness?.Think of many other whys in life, and whats the answer?, sin, we live in a world affected by sin, this may not be politicly correct, but it is the truth. Many people are looking at the world believing it should be perfect, but the reality is, it is not perfect, and will never be perfect ,because of sin, and of course no one is perfect, because we are all sinners.It is the truth that sets us free,and the truth is that sin is a reality , which we need to face up to,the only answer for sin as regards the world and as regards us ,is a Saviour.[ Dear God help us to face the truth of sin, and help us to accept Your answer, Jesus the Saviour of the world Amen ]

The way of the cross[ Matthew 16 v24 -25 ]

Jesus says , Follow Me,but remember it is the way of the cross, a way of sacrifice, a way of pain, a way of being misunderstood. We cannot carry anothers cross, nor should we try, there is a path laid out for all of us, which only we are meant to walk. In many ways the path is a lonely one, think of the path our Saviour trod, all forsook Him,He even felt He had been forsaken by His Father. There is an old hymn which reads,/ Its the way of the cross that leads home/,it is the cross now ,but later it will be the crown and glory. In the garden of Gethsemane , the discples slept,when they should have been awake, and Jesus said, the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak.We need each day to crucify the flesh, to say no to self pity, to walk the walk of a disciple, and that is the way of the cross.[ Dear Lord Jesus, grant us the grace, each day to take up our cross and follow You, Amen ]

Being a martyr. [ Acts 1 v 8 ]

I recently viewed a painting, titled,/ Diana or Christ/, I dont know who the artist was,it pictured a young woman surrounded by officials who were giving her a choice, between Christ and the godess Diana. All she had to do ,to be set free was to burn incense to Diana,if she refused she would go into the arena, and face death, by being devoured by the lions. Jesus said to His disciples, and indeed to us,/ you will be my witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere/. [ Acts 1 v 8 ]Let us give thanks to God for the many faithful witnesses, who paid with their lives , who made a choice, to stand for Christ, are we prepared to follow in there footsteps?.Being a follower of Jesus involves us making the right choice in all things. [ Father in heaven we thank You for the many who were faithful in their witness, who declared I have decided to follow Jesus and meant it , Amen ]

Building [Matthew 7 v21- 27 ]

On holiday we went to Plymouth, if you ever visit Plymouth go to what is called Plymouth Hoe,it is very beautiful, and overlooking it is a reduntant lighthouse.It is called Smeatons Tower, and for two pounds you can climb it, this I did, half way up I came to a landing, and I noticed these words written on the wall,/ Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it/,[ Psalm 127 v 1].Those words blessed , and challenged me, for it reminds me that so many people are building, with out the Lord, building their marriages, friendships and a multitude of other things without the Lord. Millions upon millions of people are trying to be saved without the Lord Jesus ,and in the end it will all be in vain,today bring the Lord into your life , and into every situation, every endevour, and what ever happens all will be well.[ Dear Lord Jesus help us to realize the futility of building are lives without You, Amen ]

The giving God[ Philippians 4 v19 ]

None of us can outgive the Lord, today millions and millions of people will recieve from the Lord, all they need and more. The Lord is so generous and kind, sometimes, His goodness is overwhelming.I remember being on holiday in Italy and I was able to buy a chess set, I wept tears of gratitude.As I look back on my life I remember God helping me in so many ways,there were times I had nothing , no money , no food , and I had children to feed and clothe, and care for, and God heard the cry of the needy and supplied our needs. God is not a miser He is generous and kind, we can come to Him, not once but continually and we will find Him faithful,and kind. God will not humiliate us in our coming , He will not say, not again, no He will listen with love and understanding, He will not say to us you have made your bed ,lie in it,as with salvation, all His giving is out of a heart of grace, so come to Him today, in all your need, come to the giving God, and ask in Jesus name, and you will recieve. [Dear God we thank You for Your tremendous generosity and kindness , we ask in the name of Jesus that You will supply all our needs, Amen ] [ I am going on holiday today , so I will return to blog on Sunday 12th]

The best translation. [ Matthew 7v 24-29 ]

We live at a time of many bible traslations, have I a favourite? I am not sure, I was brought up with the AV or the authorized version, it is called that because it was authorized by king James. Many people love this translation because of the language, or because like me they were brought up with it, so they have an emotional attachment to it. The AV is a great translation for memorizing , when I am preaching I often quote the AV, because in my early Christian life I memorized many scriptures from it. I rarely use the AV now in my daily readings, I have read many translation, and am using the, New Living Translation at this time, so what do I think is the best translation?. The best translation is the one we translate into our lives,be it the AV, or whatever,the word of God is not something to be worshipped, or admired for its language, it is meant to be obeyed, we all are meant to be living epistles, that all can read, and if we are not we are fooling ourselves, and building our lives on nothing of worth. [Father in Heaven we thank You for Your Word , we ask that you would help us to not just treasure it and read it but above all else to obey it, in Jesus name we ask this Amen ]

Jesus wept [ John 11 v 35 ]

Those words, Jesus wept, remind us of the wonderful character of our Lord, we read of Him being moved with compassion[ Mark 5v 19], there is a little verse which reads,/With every pang that rends the heart , the Son of God has a part/.I am also reminded of many Gospel songs that speaks of a caring and loving Saviour, like,/ no one undestands like Jesus, or,/ Oh yes He cares, His heart is touched,with our grief/.Life can be filled with pain, I am reading the book of Job at this time, there was a man who suffered tremendously.If today you are suffering look to Jesus, He loves you more than you could ever realise. In Hebrews 4 we are told that Jesus who is our great high priest, understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will find grace to help us when we need it most.[ Dear Lord Jesus we come to You in all our need ,with the pain that others dont see ,and the hurts that no one can heal, and ask that You would undertake for us, Amen ]