Innocent.[ 1 Corthinians 14v 20]

It appears that children in the west grow up before their time, many of them dress up like little adults,and they loose an innocence in regards to so much. They see things and hear things which former generations didnt, there are different reasons for this, TV, irresponsible parents, no absolutes, in other words anything goes. In 1Corinthians 14v20, we read,/ be innocent as babies when it comes to evil/,most of us are not,we have all been affected ,by the filth that is in the world, none of us have escaped untarnished. Now that we are Christians the challenge is to have a different attitude and emphases in our lives, to aim for holiness, aim for maturity in our thinking, let our hearts not be controlled by our passions .So let us fill our minds with thinking of what is true, wholesome,noble,pure,beautiful, not on the ugly things of life, not on the unwholesome things.[ Dear Lord we ask You to help us to be innoncent as regards evil, help us to fill our minds with right thinking, and fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Amen ]

A Jigsaw [ Revelation 21 v1-4 ]

The book of Esther is a very instructive book, Esther is suddenly chosen to be queen, and she was a Jew, in many ways, the book of Esther is like a jigsaw, and Esther being chosen to be queen was the first piece. As in a jigsaw only as each part is added does the whole become clear, it is the apostle Paul who wrote about knowing in part, and then He adds , but then shall I know[1 Corinthians 13v12]. Life will bring many unexplainable things into our lives, mybe you are experiencing such a thing now, it may be very painful, and you dont understand this part of the jigsaw.Ira Stanphill wrote,/The shadows deepen and my heart bleeds, I will not question the way He leads. This side of heaven, we know in part- I will not question a broken heart. We,ll talk it over in the bye and bye, We,ll talk it over my Lord and I, I,ll ask the reasons, He,ll tell me why, When we talk it over in the by and by/. [ Loving Heavenly Father we believe Your way and will is perfect, help us to trust You in each experience of life, especially those parts we dont understand, in Jesus name. Amen .]

I did not like school. [ Hebrews 12 v1-12 ]

I must confess I did not like school, I used to sit and daydream, and look out the window, I think I got most out of primary school , but after that, not to much. I do thank God for school , for even though I did not like it , I did learn things that have helped me greatly in life, like reading and writing. As a Christian I see myself still in school, Gods school, He is the teacher, and I am the pupil,when I am facing frustration, He is teaching me patience,when I am struggling He is teaching me to persevere, when I am weak through phyisical pain or whatever , I am being taught to rely upon His grace, when difficulties come, I am being taught to trust the Lord to overcome, and when bad things happen, I am being taught to trust in the promise that all things are working together for my good. Well my fellow pupils ,what lesson is God teaching You today? [Dear God I thank You For Your ongoing work in our lives, for the valuable and life changing lessons You are teaching us , in Jesus name . Amen ]

To God be the glory.[ Galations 6v 14]

When a football manager picks his team, he picks the strongest team, and in time he will let go those he considers his weakest players, if I was a manager thats what I would do. When God chooses He chooses those considered weak, those considered foolish,those who are despised,[1Corinthians 1v26-28], strange choice one may say,from a human point of view yes, but not from Gods point of view. Why does He do this? that He may recieve all the glory, and that those who are chosen will never boast, we are so quick to rob God of His glory.The old hymn puts it like this./ boasting excluded, pride I abase, Im only a sinner saved by grace/, there will be no boasting in heaven, only gratitude to an all loving and kind God, who choose us .[ Dear God we give You all the praise and honour, and glory for saving us through Your dear Son Jesus. Amen ]

Asking. [ Proverbs 9 v10-12 ]

That night God appeared to Solomon and said,What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you, [2 Chronicles 1v7] I wonder if God spoke those words to me what I would answer. First of all God is not a genie, many people thing He is a being who has to give us what we want, no, He does not. But if God said to you, what He said to Solomon ,what would you ask for?well Solomon didnt ask for weath or health, or power, he asked for something more important than those ,wisdom and understanding, and God granted his request.I do ask God for many things, our Saviour tells us to, Luke 11v9,there is nothing wrong with asking for different things, but more and more I see the importance of following Solomons example, of asking for wisdom and understanding. Life is very complicated, often we do not know what to do for the best, we have to deal with situations and circumstances that are often beyond us, the answer is very simple, ask God to grant unto us wisdom and understanding, in James1v5 we are told , God will grant them unto us.[ Dear God we thank You for all Your blessings , for the many answers to prayer, today we ask that You would grant unto us , the gifts of wisdom and understanding, in Jesus name. Amen]

That they may see.[ Luke 10 v29-37]

While in hospital a doctor and others came round to examine me, the doctor snatched my notes, from a colleague, he then went on to shake my hand ,an introduced himself to me, and then examined me. I dont remember his name or much of what he said, but I do remember his rudeness with his colleague. I wonder what people remember about us? I remember a pastor who used to say ,they are watching. I wonder what my colleagues in work will remember me for? what will my children remember me for?, and so we could go on, it is very challenging, our dear Saviour said,/that they may see[Matthew5v16. av]/. A holy life is a loving life, holiness has got a very bad press,think of the so called holy people of Islam,or of holy Joe,s everywhere, they are so often far from loving, and then think of our dear Saviour, what a contrast, He was never rude or unkind, He was and is everything we should be. [ Dear Saviour forgive us for our failings, and grant us the grace to trully reflect You in these lives of ours, to those who are watching us, and with all we have contact with .Amen]

My special friend.[ John 15v13 ]

Last night a friend visited me, we meet up once every two weeks for fellowship and a time of prayer, we discuss different issues. Friendship is very important in my life ,I have had a number of friends in my life, I value friendship, to me it is important. I have a very special friend He sticks closer than a brother, who encourages me, he tells us when I am wrong, He never leaves me, He guides me, provides for me, speaks to me, forgives me, chastises me, and in all this he there for me, and here is the most important thing He loves me unconditionally. Above all else He did something uttterly wonderful ,He died for me, I was lost in sin, going to a lost eternity, and this friend of mine ,was willing to lay down His life for me, I am proud to have such a friend, he will never do me any harm,, and when I die , I will fear no evil because He will be with me, and He will take me to heaven, His name is Jesus.Do you know this friend? if not why not simply ask , Him into your life, and when you do ,He will be your friend.[ Dear Lord Jesus we thank You that You offer Your friendship, to all, help us to open our lives and hearts to recieve You . Amen ]