Materialism. [ Luke 12 v16-21]

Yesterday I mentioned about so few people being saved at this time, it all looks pretty hopeless,there is so much against people being saved. Let us consider the things that are against people putting their faith in Jesus, materialism, people have so much of this worlds goods,in this country, and at this time we are ,compared to former generations rich , if you get a chance read Helen Foresters[ I cannot remember the title of the book] life and the awful poverty she and others lived in. I remember different times, when the pawn shop was the norn for many, wages were low ,holidays in Spain were for the very few. Putting things on the slate was the norn also at the local corner shop, money was scarce, going to grammer school was for the few. Times have changed in the west, that is why we have so many people wanting to come to this country. The point is this with the increase in material possessions,people feel they dont need God, when they already have a god called materialism.[ Dear God have mercy upon this generation ,who have trader their soul for the things of this world, in Jesus name]

Why?.[ John 4 v34-38 ]

I found myself asking ,why this morning, why is it that we hear very little of people being saved?, is it my fault?is it your fault?, I dont know , but it gaves me great concern. Why should I be concerned?, because Hell is real, sin is real,and Christ died to save us from Hell and forgive our sins. I know that God is sovereign, and that salvation is of the Lord, I know that I cannot save anyone, and yet I know that we are the instruments that God uses, He does not use angels, He uses people like you and me. I pray for many people to be saved ,many I have prayed for, for years, and yet they are not saved, why?. There is a little prayer we used to pray, it goes like this.[ Lord lead me to some soul today, help me Lord just what to say, friends of mine are lost in sin,and cannot find their way, lead to some soul today, Amen ]

The ripple effect [Matthew 5 v 13-16]

What we do each day can have an affect on others, the entertainment industry often forget this, and so do we. Often we are swept along with our emotions and we loose sight of those who are around us, if only we could stop and think. There are those who are so wrapped up in themselves and their lusts they really dont care how it affects others, they become hardened, we read of them in Romans1v 18 -32. This is one aspect of what we do,the wrong aspect, but we can have an affect for good today, a kind deed, a kind word,a time spent praying for others, a time spent with others. We can make a difference for the better, in this old world, in the place God has put us , if we are a parent ,what we do ,say ,can have an affect on our children for the rest of their lives, for good or bad. Today let us all remember the ripple effect. [ Dear God help us to live our lives in such a way that others will be helped and not hindered, in Jesus name Amen ]

Gospel songs. [ Psalm 40 v3]

For all of my Christian life I have been blessed through the ministry of Gospel songs, and still am, I remember those early songs ,sung by Bev Shea, and may others. As I write this blog I have a gospel song on,such songs have blessed and encouraged multitudes, I have myself exercised the ministry of song, not so much these days,as my voice is not what it used to be. I am always on the look out for fresh songs that have meaning , that I can play and recieve encouragement from. I play them in my car , when I am carrying passengers, with the hope that they will be blessed, and if they are not saved , the Spirit of God may touch their hearts. I have many favourite gospel songs ,they have played their part in my growth in Christ, they have challenged me ,encouraged me to keep my eyes on Jesus and my vision on eternal realities. [ Dear Lord we thank You for those dear people who have written gospel songs, and for those who have sung them, Amen ]

Marriage [ Ephesians 5 v21-33]

This a special day for my wife and I, it is our anniversary,we have been married 28yrs, 28yrs of living happly ever after. Well I would not describe it like that,we love each other dearly,but at times it has been a stormy affair, one of the important things I have had to learn is patience, I am still learning. When one is married ,there are many lessons to be learnt, and the most important is to love, and love, and love, not just the romantic love, but that special Christ love. As a Christian I have to love my wife as Christ loves His church [Ephesians5v25],and also to love her as I love myself [5v33]. My study Bible says,/ Marriage for Paul, is a holy union, a living symbol, a precious relationship that needs tender , self-sacrificing care/.[ Dear God we thank you for our husbands and our wives, grant us the grace ,to love each other as You love us, in Jesus name Amen.]

The call of God [Romans 12v1-8]

The call of God should not be restricted to missionaries, pastors, the call of God is all embracing of life, I believe that I have a calling on my life to preach. I have and am fullfilling this call , but I also believe I have been called to work with mentally ill people, this I have done for nearly 19yrs,I also have the call on my life to be a husband, and a call on my life to be a father, and a grandfather. All these are valid callings, we must not make little of any of them,all of life is sacred,as Christians we must recognize, the call of God on all our lives, in whatever role He has placed us. We are all called to serve God, it may be as a dustman, a doctor,a farmer, a preacher, a missionary, we must not undervalue any of these calls. Whatever our calling is ,it is important that we glorify our Saviour, by our lives and words .[ Dear God grant us the grace to glorify You in our calling, in Jesus name Amen ]

The call of God.[ Acts 8 v26-40]

In the Bible we read of God calling all sorts of people , a fisherman, a shepherd, a taxcollector, not only different people, but at different ages. Samuel was only a boy, David a young lad,Moses an old man, some like Moses and Jeremiah struggled with the call, but God was patient with them, and enabled them to rise to the task. The call of God for them was not optional, we see this in the life of Jonah, I suppose we may ask, do we have the option of saying no to the call of God?. I am not sure, but I do know ,I would have missed so much of Gods blessing in my life if I had stayed were I was. Hopefully I am still following that call on my life, and listening as to the next step I should take, and I am 65yrs of age.Elsie Yale wrote,/ Theres a work for Jesus , ready at your hand, Tis a task the Master,just for you has planned. Haste to do His bidding,yield Him service true. Theres a work for Jesus None but you can do./[Dear Lord help us to be odedient to Your call, to trust and obey, Amen ]