Faithful to the end.[ 2 Timothy 4 v7-8 ]

The seasons are changing, I noticed that the leaves on the trees are changing colour,autumn has arrived, the days are shorter, we do have occasional sunny days. I often think that our lives are like the seasons,I suppose I am in that season called old age,I am reminded of this by the different ailments I have, I wont bore you with them,but they are increasing. I am not too concerned about the season I am in, it is a time when one reflects on life, and remembers, and yes I still want to serve God, I want to end my life in His service. I want to say with the apostle, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. [2 Timothy 4 v7 ] J E Bode wrote, O Jesus I have promised to serve Thee to the end, that is my desire, I hope and pray that it is yours .[ Dear God help me to be a faithful servant of Yours, all the days of my life ,in Jesus name Amen ]

A person in the making.[ 1 Corinthians 1 v 25ff ]

This thought has come to me as I start to write,/ A person in the making/, what it reminds me of is that we all are in a process of change, the apostle Paul writes of the believers being changed by the Spirit of God [2 Corinthians 3v18 ]. It is very important to remember that God is changing us , that I am not the person I once was,I know there is is still much that needs changed, but I am confident that God will perfect that which concerneth me [Philippians 1v7/ Psalm 138v8]. We speak of people in a dismissive manner as if we are perfect,and say they cant be used of God, or serve God,we say this, because they appear to have certain inperfections.Let me say this, all of the greatest servants of God had their imperfections, Moses had his temper[Numbers 20v 7-11], Peter his inconsistences ,[Galations 2 ] and so one could go on. Make no mistake about it ,we are all people in the making, but here is the important thing, God will still use us in our imperfectness, if I did not believe that ,I would never preach another sermon. [Dear God, perfect that which concerneth me, and help me to see that inspite of my failings You are still willing to use even me ,in Jesus name Amen ]

The messenger of death.[ Acts 16 v31 ]

I have just been informed of the death of a dear aunt, I did phone her occassionally, she was a good mother, and a kind person, memories come back, of spending a holiday at her home, but now she is gone ,but not forgotten. In Ecclesiastes 7v2 we read,/ It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to his heart/. In these days of forgetfulness of our mortality, a death of a loved one or a friend is a reminder to us all, that we should consider our latter end, for after death the judgement. The death of someone should not just cause us to remember, but cause us to consider,our condition spiritually, and ask serious questions, like where will we spend eternity?, and are we saved?.In these days when Christianity is being marginalised, the death of a loved one or whoever,is meant to draw us back from the margins to consider our need of Jesus as our Saviour.[ Dear God I acknowledge that I am a sinner and I accept Jesus as my Saviour Amen ]

He knows His own. [John 10 v 1- 18]

In one of James Herriots books, he tells of attending to a shepherds sheep [He was a vet],and speaking to the shepherd he says ,as he looked for one particular sheep ,how they all looked the same to him.Well it was no problem to the shepherd,who knew all his sheep, he immediately points out the sheep to James.In John chapter 10, Jesus declares v14,/ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine/.As I look at people and speak to them I am not always sure if they know the Lord,they attend church ,sing the hymns,but I am still not sure, but Jesus knows. He knows who is His, He knows who trully has trusted Him to be their Saviour,He knows whom He died for,He knows His own.There is coming a day in which we will know ,who belongs to our Saviour, [Matthew 25v31 ff] let us ask ourselves the very important question,not in relation to others,but in relation to ourselves, am I trully one of Jesus sheep?. [ Dear Lord I thank You that You know Your own, help me to be absolutley clear that I am one of Your own Amen ]

Feeling overwhelmed. [ Psalm 91]

Sometimes life overwhelmes one, you feel the burden of life greatly, for those who are in pain, and indeed the pain we may carry within our own hearts. I get annoyed at those who preach a prosperity gospel, they intice you into the kingdom with a promise of wealth and health, a teaching that is so far removed from reality, did Jesus ever say if we follow Him ,we would have perfect health, and abundant wealth ?,no, His very act of coming into this world was one of great sacrifice, He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor, He had no where to lay His head. The very nature of Christianty is one that will bring you persecution, and many are experenceing this now. Jesus told us to lay up treasures in heaven, He tells us to deney ourselves and to take up our cross, and to follow Him, and for this challenge He promises that He will be with us, He promises to meet our needs, He will pour into our lives His love , and grace,and continually show us mercy, yes life can be overwhelming, but Jesus will uphold us, and bring us through. [ Dear God help me in the ongoing battle of life, to not give up, grant me the grace I need, fill my heart with Your peace, and a sense of Your presence , in Jesus name Amen ]

Our part.[ Acts 1v 8 ]

In Ephesians 1 v7 we read that God chose us before the foundation of the world, this is a great mystery ,but that is what God did, we were not an after thought, God planned it this way.God does not work haphazardly, He is never caught out ,He has a plan, and He will fulfill that plan ,nothing can stop it, and the core of His plan is redemptive, the salvation of people. Not only were we part of His plan, He will even use us in working out that plan, how?, by telling others about Jesus,in bringing others into His kingdom [Matthew 28 v19-20].He expects us to play our part in telling others about Jesus ,to be soul winners, the results of our witnessing , are in His hands, ours is not to reason why,ours is to simply obey. [ Dear God help me to tell others about Jesus, to not be disobedient to this heavenly calling, in Jesus name we ask this , Amen ]

My friend . [ 1 Peter 1 v 8-9 ]

I just heard yesterday that a friend has died suddenly,I have known this friend for a number of years ,I sometimes spoke to her on the phone, but mainly I wrote to her, and she would send me a postcard when she was on holiday. The thing is I have never seen her, I dont know what she looked like, but she was my friend, and I am sad at her death.This reminds me of my relationship with my Saviour, I have not seen Him,yet He is my closest friend, I speak to Him every day ,and He speaks to me continually,in so many ways,He is that friend that sticks closer than a brother, He comforts me , guides me,protects me, shapes me. This is a relationship of faith, it is real and deeply meaningful, a relationship that will never end, I know Him and I love Him ,and He loves me. He wanted to be my friend so much He was prepared to die for me on a cross,when I realized how much He loved I fell in love with Him, Iasked Him to be my Saviour, and I committed my life to Him.[ Dear Lord Jesus thank You for being my friend, Amen ]