Led by the Spirit. [ Romans 8 v 14 ]

One of the great blessings of being a Christian is ,we have the Spirit of God dwelling in us, not just some Christians but all Christians.Having the Spirit ,all Christians are led by Him,Leon Morris writes, / The work of the Spirit is not an option or an extra for the advanced Christian. Being led by the Spirit is a mark of all Gods people/. So today do not feel excluded, take comfort from the comforter the Holy Spirit, and follow His leading in your life, it is a mark as a man called Earle puts it,/that we not only belong to Gods family, but we also act like we do/. Today keep in tune with the Spirit, be sensitive to His prompting, restraining,and guiding in all things./ I love that hymn by Henriette Auber/, Our blest Redeemer , ere He breathed His tender last farewell, a guide , a comforter bequeathed,with us to dwell. And His that gentle voice we hear, soft as the breath of even, that checks each fault, that calms each fear, and speaks of heaven. And every virtue we possess, and every victory won, and every thought of holiness, are His alone./ [Dear God we give You thanks that we have Your Spirit in us ,to lead, guide,comfort and strengthen us, we give You thanks in Jesus Name Amen. ]

Are we growing? [Colossians 3v1-17 ]

There are days that are significant in our lives, this is such a day for me, fo it is the anniversary of my first wifes death. It brings backs many memories of a lovely lady, who continued to grow in her Christian life, till the day she died, and now she is trully perfect. This brings a challenge to me , am I growing in my Christian life?, I rejoice in all Christ has done in my life in saving me, but what progress am I making now?,it is not wrong to ask these questions, it is wrong if we refuse to face up to them. Let us remember our Christian life is not a history lesson, but a living letter for all to read[2 Corinthians 3 v 2-3], all the failures ,trials, whatever, are sent for this one purpose, that we may grow to be more like Jesus. [ Dear God grant us the grace to accept all that comes into our lives as an opportunity to grow more like Your son Jesus. Amen ]

Sunshine. [ 1 Thessalonians5 v16-18]

Yesterday and today have been sunny, as I am at home recovering I am benefiting from the lovely sunshine. We spend a lot of time in this country ,talking about the weather and many people are affected by it,especially those who suffer from mental illness. In that well known hymn,/ All things bright and beautiful, verse three reads, The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun........He made them everyone,/ Yes He made the dark days,and the sunny days, there are some things we cannot change, the weather is one of them. The story is told of a minister who was forever giving thanks, one dark and dreary day as he stood up preach, the congregation were wondering what he would give thanks for, so the minister prayed ,we thank You Lord that all days are not like this one. [ Dear God we we give you thanks for sunny days in Jesus name Amen]

A new experience [Psalm 148 ]

I had to go into hospital last Wednesday to have my gall-bladder removed, the way it was put to me was, I would in and out on the same day, but it didnt work out like that.my stay in hospital lasted 3days and so I am recovering , I feel a bit out of sorts, but I have not expreienced any pain, although I do feel a bit of soreness. I am grateful that I live in a country , with a free health service,I just cant imagine what it would be like if we didnt have our NHS,it is not perfect, but it does work for most people, rich and poor alike. I am so conscious that we live in a world were so many have so little to live on, no health care, and are also being oppressed, today let us pray for the many in this world, who are poor and oppressed, who have no health service, no homes, no hope, and if we are fotunate to live in this country ,raise a prayer of thanksgiving for all we do have. [ Dear God we give you thanks for the blessings of life, but we also remember those who our not so blest in Jesus name Amen ]

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 ]