Honesty and Juctice.[Hebrews 13v 18/Psalm 103 ]

I read how Tescos the supermarket have paid out a million pounds by mistake, they have recovered some of the money , and are seeking to recover the rest. There will be many who will have no sympathy with Tescos ,and will be even glad, because they see so much that concerns them about supermarket practices. There are people who avoid shopping at supermarkets believing that they should shop locally, I can appreciate some of their concerns, although personally I shop at supermarkets, like the vast majority of people.There appears to be two things in all this, first honesty, the people to whom Tescos paid the money ,should pay the money back. Honesty is important be it with a million pound or one pound. Secondly ,Tescos do need to consider their practices , are they acting in ways that are just?, do they pay thier suppliers enough?, justice is important, a society that fails to be just is failing.[ Dear God help us to be honest in all things, and help us to be just in all our dealing with others in Jesus name. Amen ]

Powerless [James 5v 17-18]

Recently a friend said in a prayer meeting, as we considered prayer requests, that she felt powerless. I can understand those words, and feeling like this, but we were at a prayer meeting,of course we are powerless, in ourselves, but let us remember, prayer changes things.I am so encouraged by what I read in the epistle of James[5v17-18], about the prophet Elijah, that he was a man just like us, in other words a person who was far from perfect, was not always strong, but when he prayed God answered. Today when we think of certain situations that are hopeless, let us remember Elijah, and let us consider what happened when he prayed, things did happened, things did change, we can be as effective as Elijah when we pray.[ Dear Lord Jesus we acknowledge our weakness, but we rejoice in your graciousness, in answering our prayers. Amen ]

Miracles [ Revelation 5 ]

Miracles do happen in fact, recently my driving has reminded that its a miracle I have not been killed, my wife would agree with that. I remember her saying to me after we had a near miss, about making a will, my driving is a great spur to pray, people become very holy and prayerful in my car. It is Frank Sinatra who sung a song with the words,/ The age of miracles has not past/, and thats true, I was thinking this morning how God has kept me all these years, I remember all those years ago, as a young man coming back to the Lord,over 45yrs ago,it trully is a miracle, that He saved me , restored me, and has kept me,yes I believe in miracles, the age of miracles is not pass.[ Almighty God we praise You for the miracle of salvation, that we have been saved, that we are being saved, and we will be saved, though Your wonderful Son Jesus , Amen]

The worst decision in my life.[1 Samuel 16v7]

On the news I read about a footballer who is having tatoos removed, because of his religion, he says having tatoos was the worst decision in his life. Having a tatoo is not the worse decision anyone will ever make, I can think of a lot worse things, I not advocating having tatoos. The Bible tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost[1 Corinthians 6v19],I dont necessary think having a tatoo is wrong, what is wrong as 1 Corinthians 6, points out ,is to let our bodies be involved in any wrong sexual behaviour, or any wrong activity. I can assure you there are worse things than having a tatoo. [Dear God so often we loose sight of what is really important in your sight, like holiness, love, justice, help us to follow after these things. Amen ]

Healing ministers.[ Galations6 v1-3 ]

I am not moaning I am hurting, there is a difference ,and often we do not see the difference, but it is there, when a person attempts suicide it is usually a cry for help.Today let us listen to what people are really saying, for behind the outward show there is often pain, and unresolved hurts, behind the difficut behaviour there is a heart craving for love. People are loaded with many things, overwork,being pulled in two directions, and often, somethings got to give, often it is that person, they go under.So today walk prayerfully as you hear people moaning, remember they may be hurting, you may be able to help, in a practical way, or just by offering up a prayer to the one who trully understands , and can bring healing.[ Dear God in this world affected by sin, a world were many are hurting, and in pain, help us ,use us, to be Your healing ministers, in Jesus name Amen]

From nothing to something.[ 1 Peter 2v9-10]

In 1Peter2v9-10 we are told a number of things, that as Christians, we are part of a chosen race, that we are special, that we are priests , that we are holy. We are wonderfully blest, there was a time that it was not so, we were without God and without hope, but God in His great mercy, has changed all that.Dear fellow Christians let us rejoice in the Lord, let us give thanks unto to Him, for the great things He has done for us through His Son Jesus. As the message puts it ,/ From nothing to something, from rejected to accepted/, and with these blessings comes the challenge, to show forth to others and to tell others of what God has done for us through Jesus.[ Merciful God we give You thanks for reaching down to us and lifting us up ,out our darkness and bondage, out our nothingness, and saving us through Your Son Jesus . Amen]

Weary [ Matthew 11v 28]

Sometimes things wear you down,a complaint that will not go away, a situation that refuses to change, you pray and pray and you become weary . I know a dear brother who confided in me many years ago, of a real problem in his marriage, years later I heard how he walked out of his marriage. That was his way of dealing with his problem, it could be ours, we have a choice,we always have a choice. The words of a gospel song comes to mind,/ are you growing weary in the struggle of it all?, reach out to Jesus as on His name you call/. Often we dont have the answer to everybodys on going problems, other than to encourage them to reach out to Jesus, for He understands all about our struggles, and out of His understanding can grant unto us the help we need.[Dear God in all our need we come to You and ask that You would help us in the ongoing struggles we face day by day, in Jesus name .Amen ]