Oppression. [ John 8 v1-11]

The Koran is going to be burnt by a pastor in USA, the world of Islam will be up in arms,they feel their god is being insulted. It appears that anyone who differs with them is worthy of death,it does see to me that Islam is a very violent religion, they are good at reminding the world of the wrongs of the crusades, but they did there fair share of conquering. Time after time we here of poor women,[it never seems to be the men]being flogged or stoned to death. I remember speaking to a young soldier, who had served in Afghanistan,I asked him what he remembered about his time there?,he replied, people with no limbs,this was there punishment for stealing. Imagine what it must be like living under such a system, no thank you,today let us pray for Muslins,that God would move,and save,also let us remember our fellow Christians,who live in the lands of Islam and suffer many injustices.[ Dear God have mercy on those who are living under the oppression of Islam, bring them to faith in Thy son Jesus,also help Your people who live within the lands of Islam, Amen ]

Everyone. [Romans 3 v23 ]

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, recently a visitor to our church told us of four people who trusted Christ as their Saviour and one was a protitute. This dear lady had suffered tremendous abuse and is dying of cancer,now she is saved,safe and going to heaven. But I mentioned four people, I dont know much about the others, but whatever their profession, they had the same need of salvation as the prostitute, why?, because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Because everyone is a sinner everyone without exception needs Jesus as their Saviour, that means prostitutes,pilots, footballers,old people ,young people, all people, that means you and me.[ Dear God forgive me my sins in Jesus name Amen.]

Emotions. [ John 11v35 ]

Often as I preach these days I become very emotional, I read something this morning and tears came to my eyes. People become embarrassed when they show emotion, and yet God has emotions,Jesus wept openly[ John 11v35 ], He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities, [Hebrews 4v15],in all this Jesus who is trully God and trully man, shows us a God who has emotions, of love,and compassion, for His creation.When we show the right kind of emotions,we are, I believe being like Jesus,so let us weep ,as Gods word touches our hearts, as His spirits moves upon us,and we see things through His eyes, yes let us weep, for this sinful hurting world, and let us pray, and let us do, what we can , to be Gods instuments of healing.[ Dear Lord Jesus as I go through this day, help me to feel for those who are hurting and wounded, Amen ]

Preach the gospel. [ 1 Corinthians 9 v16 ]

I was busy yesterday, spoke three times, and even sang once at a hospice,although my singing ministry I feel is coming to a close.When I was booked to speak at the evening meeting ,I was asked to preach the gospel, which I attempted to do. It is the apostle Paul who declared , woe is unto me ,if I preach not the gospel [1 Corinthians 9 v16],these words are a challenge to me, and I hope to you, to tell others about the Saviour. It should be one of the most important things in our lives, we should all be like Paul, let us ask God to help us to tell others about Jesus,let us rise above our reserve,our feelings of rejection when people, dont want to listen to us. Jesus is saying to all of us , I want you to preach the gospel, I will help you,, I will give you the words to say, be faithful in this task, for My sake. [ Father, help me to tell others about Jesus, grant me boldness ,and the power of the Holy Spirit Amen]

Be on your guard.[ 2 Timothy 4 v1-5]

Yesterday I attended our local agricultural show,I enjoyed seeing the animals especially the horses,especially the Shires, magnificant creatures,also the cattle, the hairy highland breed.There where many stalls with different produce,and as I came to a particular stall, at first glance it appeared to be some Christians witnessing for their Lord, but as I spoke to one particular person, it soon became clear that they were not Christians, but a group of people who were in error.I sought to talk to that person but it was obvious that he was not listening, like so many ,he was a rationalist, he is among the many who seek to lean upon their own understanding, instead of the way of faith as revealed in Gods word. We do need to be on our guard against such groups,as a bank teller will reject counterfiet money ,so we must reject counterfiet religion.[ Dear God help me to reject error and to hold fast to to Your truth as is revealed in Your word in Jesus name Amen]

Flashbacks. [ Philippians 3 v 13-14 ]

Sometimes I have flash backs to situations,situations that have caused me pain, and I find myself getting angry. I start relieving it again, I lash out with my tounge, I retaliate ,I, then I stop, whats the point,I think, what purpose is it serving?, and of course none. I cannot change the past, but the past painful experiences can change me, in a destructive way if I dwell on then,and nurse them,they will affect me, not for the better. Lets not dwell on the past hurts and injustices,let us lay hold afresh, on the truth that God meant it for good, your good, my good, and move out of yesterdays painful experiences, let us ask God to fill us with His love, and peace, and lets us fix our eyes on our Saviour, and march bravely towards our ultimate goal, Heaven, and home. [ Father help me to leave behind my past failures, hurts,those things that have caused me pain,fill me with Your love and peace, in Jesus name Amen ]

The need of the hour. [1 Corinthians 9 v 16-27 ]

As I listened to the radio report my heart went up in thanksgiving, it was telling how the church is growing in China, one person interviewed spoke how the goverment cannot control peoples spiritual needs. As I listened to that report my heart also give out a cry for this country England, that people would begin to embrace Christ. I know God is working ,people still are being saved , but the vast majority of people are dead spiritually,and appear to to have no spiritual desires. The hour and the need is so great, all we who are Christians, need to awake to the hour ,and pray for our neighbours ,and the many people we have contact with, and we also need to tell them about Christ. What I am saying may sound a bit desperate, well I must confess it is, for mans need is desperate, am I prepared to be used by God , to meet the need of the hour?let us all ask ourselves that question.[ Dear Lord Jesus use me , use even me, to tell and to win others for You Amen ]