Dont be fooled. [Romans 3 v 9ff]

I read this morning about a taxi driver who returned 13.000 dollars to a lady who had absentmindedly left it in his cab. My initial thought was good for him ,he didnt even want a reward, but then I had a thought if sin had not entered the human race, this would be the norm. I dont want to take away from what that man done, but we need to be reminded of a number of things. For all have sinned [Romans 3 v23],even the most honest person is a sinner, there are no perfect people,we all come short of the glory of God. The reason Christ came was because of your sin and mine, let us not be fooled in thinking less of our condition,than the Bible teaches, and let us if we are not saved, trust in Jesus for the forgivness of our sins. If we have done this ,then let us raise our voice in thankfulness to God , for His great mercy. [ Thank You Lord for saving my soul. Thank You Lord for making me whole. Thank You Lord for giving to me , Thy great salvation so rich and free, in Jesus name Amen ]

Secure [1 Peter 5 v7 ]

Life is very uncertain, here today gone in the afternoon, I dont want to depress you or myself, but it is very important to remind ourselves, that we are secure in our God, whatever happens.If you are feeling insecure , get your Bible out, and read Psalm 23/27/46/121/, Matthew 6 v25-34/Romans 8 v 28[av],this is the word of God to you today.So often in my Christian life ,in moments of insecurity , God has spoken,when the shelves were bare, and the cupboard was empty, and you have children to feed, and He has assured me through His word that He would supply and He did. When unemployment was looming up , God has spoken and acted , a door has opened, and so I could go on, I am just simply reminding all of us , that our security, is in our God and Saviour.[Dear God we thank You that we are secure in You, in Jesus name Amen ]

It is alright to laugh.[Galations5 v22-23 ]

There is so much in the world that is sad, so many serious issues,sickness, poverty,injustice, hell, and so the list goes on, and yet God has also given us the gift of laughter, the capacity to enjoy a good book, a good movie, a lovely painting, a nice meal. The question is ,do we have to feel guilty if we laugh,and enjoy ourselves ?,we are told there is a time to cry, but there is also a time to laugh, there is a time to grieve, but also a time to dance.[Ecclesiasties 3v4] I was at a church on Sunday and the minister who is a godly man, said something that caused me to laugh, an elderly Christian took offence and walked out, he felt that what the minister said was inappropriate. I dont know if it was inappropriate, all I know is it made me laugh, and who knows mybe it made the Lord smile.[ Dear Lord we ask that you would help us to have a balance in our lives,to laugh as well as to cry, to endure but also to enjoy life, Amen ]

Circumstances. [ Romans8 v 28-39]

In this world there are many who feel they are victims of circumstances, sometimes I feel a bit like that, things happen in our lives and we feel trapped. I was thinking that way this morning, when my mind was directed by the Holy Spirit , to Joseph [ Genesis 37-50]. Here was a man who experienced so many hurtful things, hated by his brothers, think about it, how would feel if your family hated you?. The hatred was so severe that they wanted to kill him,instead they sold him into slavery, as a slave he prospered, but then he was charged wrongly with attempted rape, he was then put into prison. Was he a victim of circumstances? no ,for God was with him,permitting it to happen ,and working it all out for his good and even for the good of his brothers who hated him. If God is with us we are not victims of circumstances, He is in control, yes even of those painful things, we are experiencing.It may not seem that way but it is, your God is in control, He has not failed you, nor forsaken you, but is with you every step of the way.so let us all hold on to the truth of Romans 8 v28[av ] [Dear God we bring all our circumstances to You, those things that have happened, and are happening to us, we ask for grace, peace,and faith in Jesus name Amen ]

The way forward. [2 Corinthians 12 v9 ]

We all have fears,some are temporary others are permanent, and often it is the permanent fears that can cause us the most bother, because they affect our lives and of those around us. The question is what can we do to overcome our fears?,and we do need to overcome them, if we dont we will be ruled by them and they will increase their hold on us, and affect our lives dramatically. Joyce Meyer was abused as a child and so she knows about fear in the area of the physical, yet it appears she has a happy marriage. Joyce wrote a book with this theme ,/Do it afraid/. I believe there is a truth in this that we need to grasp, our fears dont go away automatically, we have to face them ,bear with them and move forward at all times relying on the grace of God, we may never fully lose our fear but we can overcome them.I am reminded of the movie the Great escape, one of those tunnelling had a fear of being closed in,it was overwhelming, but if he was going to escape to freedom, he had go down that tunnel, and he did.[ Dear God help us to face our fears, to not give into them, help us by Your grace to overcome them, in Jesus name. Amen ]

Froth and bubble [ Matthew 7 v24-27]

Continually our Saviour reminds us of what is really important, we so easily fix our eyes on the froth and bubble of life, build our hopes and aspirations on the trivial. So often we build our lives like sandcastles, and we are surprised when the tide of life washes it away, and we are left with nothing. Our Saviour said we need to build our lives on a good foundation, I read this in the Message,[Jesus said] /These words I speak to your life are not incidental additions to your life,homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words , words to build into your life on.[ Matthew 7v24ff] , Previous to this we read,/ Dont be impressed with charisma, look for character [v15ff].The challenge of the Christian life is great, it demands a godly reality and a godly character, in these lives of ours, froth and bubble will not do.[ Dear Saviour have mercy upon us and grant that we will build our lives on on You and Your word, and not on froth and bubble .Amen]

A kiss[ 1 Corinthians 13]

I was not happy with her, who must be obeyed and I told her, yes we are not the perfect couple, we do have disagreements, I suppose it is because we are not perfect individuals, we are a work in progress. So I went to bed but before I went to sleep I read a new devotional I had just bought, and I read the following,/Agree with one another, live in peace, and peace will be with you[2 Corinthians13v11] The writer Jonathan Edwards said this,/it is of vast importance that you should avoid contention. A contentious people will be a miserable people/. I felt challenged so I without saying anything give my wife a kiss on her forehead,we are at peace now. [ Dear God help us to at all times to be a peace maker,help us to live in peace and avoid contention,in Jesus name Amen]