The Jacob experience. [ 1 Timothy 4 v 8 nlt]

It was Jacob who said, all these things are against me [ Genesis 42v36], words of despair, as he considered his situation, he felt overwhelmed. We can be like Jacob, we are in situations that are very difficult, there appears no light at the end of the tunnel,no matter what we try nothing appears to change.Lets call it the Jacob experience,its not nice , but it happens, we cannot see a way out, we have prayed continually,but the situation continues. In this situation you feel like giving up,you say whats the use of going on, nothing is going to change. Ah ,but you are wrong you are changing, and hopefully for the better, it is Henrietta Mears who wrote,/Trials and suffering are not always for our punishment but sometimes for our education and training/. If we are going to be used by God, then He must train us, educate us, we are in Gods school, He is the headmaster, and He is preparing us for a life of service, so let us buckle down and learn. [Dear God help us to be teachable ,in Jesus name Amen ]

Empty hands. [ Galations 3v11]

Just recently this thought came to me, /that all men/women are not equally evil but all need Christ/.Our Saviour had to continually contend with the very religious,these people prayed,attended religious services,sought to live by rules and regulations. They considered, as long as they fulfilled all the do,s and donts they would be accepted by God. I am reminded of Martin Luther who became a monk,it was during a thunderstorm he became so terrified of dying unprepared,that he made his vow to become a monk. As a monk he prayed and fasted ,did penance, but he had no assurance of salvation, until he read the word of God,and the words,/The just shall live by faith [Galations 3 v11]/. So Martin a sinner put his faith in Jesus to save him, which he did, and the rest is history.Toplady wrote,/ Not the labours of my hands ,Can fulfil Thy laws demands. Could my zeal no respite know. Could my tears for ever flow. All for sin could not atone ,Thou must save , and Thou alone. Nothing in my hands I bring , Simply to Thy cross I cling./ [ Dear God we come to You with empty hands,trusting only in Jesus to save us Amen]

Look up.[ Psalm 121 av ]

Another thought on Psalms 42/43, and this aspect of hoping in God, now the context of the Psalms, David is feeling cast down, many things were against him. Lets consider the following. [1] The inward look ,he was cast down,dark depression had engulfed his mind,and he was continually crying[2] .Next the outward look ,this is why he was cast down, things looked bad, people where against him, he felt isolated ,could not get to church.[3] Next the backward look , v4, I remember the good times, I used to have, and this only increased his pain so all is despair and gloom. [4] But then he has the upward look,Hope thou in God, he declares, or as the NLT puts it,I will put my hope in God. Today you may be facing many difficulties,you may be shedding many tears, you feel alone and isolated, look up ,your help comes from the Lord , He has not forsaken you, and He will come to you aid, so look up. [ Dear God help me to look up to You , and come to my aid ,in Jesus name Amen ]

Hope in God. [ Psalm 42/43 av ]

David who wrote Psalm 42/43, was finding life difficult, in fact the difficulties were overwhelming[42v 7 ],he is cast down, feels that God has forgotten him, he ask the question why, a number of times. Even the great men of God struggle, but he holds on, tells himself off, and declares to himself, / Hope in God/,the question is ,what was the bases of that hope ?. His relationship with God, the Lord was his shepherd[Psalm23v1],so he could hope,if we are a Christian, then God is our loving heavenly Father. That relationship guarantees that God will care for us, no matter how difficult the circumstances,we can hope in God to undertake for us. /Be not dismayed whatere befall God will take care of you, under His wings of love abide ,God will take care of you./ [ Dear loving heavenly Father we rejoice that we are Your children,and are confident that You will take care of us , in Jesus name Amen ]

The difference [ Isaiah 40 v28- 31 ]

I will share with you the following by an unknown author,/ I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day, I had so much to accomplish that I didnt take time to pray. Problems just tumbled about me and heavier came each task. Why doesnt God help me? I wondered, He answered, You didnt ask. I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, grey and bleak, I wondered why God didnt show me. He said you didnt seek. I tried to come into Gods presence, I used all my keys at the lock. God gently and lovingly chided, My child you didnt knock. I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day, I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray./[Father in heaven help to see the importance of seeking You in Jesus name Amen ]

Doctrine. [2 Timothy 3 v16-17 ]

In Proverbs 4v2[av] we read,/For I give you good doctrine,forsake ye not my law/.When it comes to doctrine, many dont appreciate its importance, and yet it is vital, it defines what we believe, and what we believe is vital.Let no one tell you doctrine is not important, for if we believe the wrong things, we can go to hell, we can lead others astray, and we may begin to do things that are sinful. Doctrine is not just for spiritual eggheads , no, it is for all believers, to consider what they believe. God has given us good doctrine in His word, any doctrine that is not in keeping with Gods word must be rejected. Biblical doctrine reveals Christ to us,it reveals His person, His work of salvation,it reveals that through Him ,we can be forgiven,and recieve eternal life. It tell us, that we cannot be saved by good works of any description,it tells us that we sinners, can be reconciled to God.[ Dear God thank You that You have given us good doctrine, Your truth, revealed to us in Your word,help us by faith to embrace all of your truth, and to proclaim it and to live by it, in Jesus name Amen.]

All things. [Romans 8 v28 ]

Something happened yesterday which threw me, I fortunately did not loose my cool, but it did upset me, I was not a happy bunny. Life can throw up the unexpected, many people are experiencing this at this time, some of the things are good,others not so good,but some can be awful. Because I am a Christian I know that my times are in Gods hands [Psalm 31 v15 ],yes even the times when the unexpected happens. He has allowed it to happen, I refer you to the life of Joseph,a man who experienced so many unexpected things to happen, [ Genesis 37/39-41]. God was with Joseph ,and overruled for his and others good. When the unexpected things happen retreat to God, and trust His perfect will for our lives, He is still on the throne , still in control, and watching over His children. The words of an old Gospel songs comes to me,/ Be not dismayed whatere betide God will take care of you, under His wings of love abide God will take care of you./ [ Dear God we rejoice that You are in control of our lives, and will work all things for our good, even the unexpected things, help us to rest inYour loving care, in Jesus name ]