Waiting and walking.[Hebrews 11v5 ]

I was thinking of the words ,/pray without ceasing/ [1 Thessalonians 5v17], I wonder what you think of those words,is it possible to pray without ceasing?. I see it as an exhortation, something we are to aim at,we may not achieve what it says,but we can try. There are many exhortations in the Bible which we may find hard to fulfill but we are to try,and in our trying we will be blest. We must be careful not to let our walk with God become to ridged, a quite time is important,a time when we pray and read the word of God, yes let us wait upon God, but let us also walk with Him, throughout our day. The old testament saint Enoch did this [Genesis 5v22/ Hebrews 11v5 ] he walked with God ,let us follow his example, let us walk today with God,and if we do, who knows what we may experience, we will be blessed and we will be a blessing to others,of that I am sure.[ Dear God help me to wait upon You, but also help me to walk with You throughout this day in Jesus name Amen ]

Little things mean a lot.[ 1 Corinthians 5 v 6-7 ]

The words of an old song comes to mind, little things mean a lot, and this is very true, in Cliff Richards account of his life, he mentions how is father lived with the old truth, look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves. It is a good practice, there are other things that stress the importance of little things, like a stitch in time saves nine. In 1 Corinthians 5v6 we read ,know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?, we may not be aware of the process of leaven,but we may be aware of what tiny sweetener tablets do. They are ever so small yet they will sweeten a bowl of porridge, or a mug of tea,what we are been taught, is that even a so called little sin can have devastating effects on us, on churches, on families. Let none of us underestimate the affect of sin in any shape or size, let us forsake all sin, no matter what the cost, for the cost of not dealing with it can destroy us and others.[ Dear God grant me the grace to forsake anything thats tainted or evil, in Jesus name Amen ]

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 ]