The whys and hows. [Romans 8v28]

I wonder why, about many things,or even how, how does a magnet word ?or how does electricity work?, or how did Noah and family cope with living in the ark, it must have been a very smelly place with all those animals.[ As I clean birds mess of my car , I often thing ,thank goodness that elephants cannot fly]The whys and hows of life are unending ,and often we may never know the answers,but some cause us pain, particular the whys in life. As I write, some whys come to mind, why was I not allowed to be the missionary, I wanted to be, I did all the right things,went to Bible college.Why? ,yes there are the whys , but what about the hows?,so we could go on, but in the end we must simply leave all these things with God. Whatever the whys or hows, let us remember our loving heavenly Father is in control ,and that all things are working together for our good[ Romans 8v28 ], we may ask how?but the fact is He does and will. [ Dear God in faith we look up to You, we believe that You are in control of our lives, and so we let drop at Your feet our whys and hows ,in Jesus name. Amen ]

The wind of change. [ Acts 2 v 1- 4 ]

It was Harold Macmillon who spoke of the wind of change blowing over Africa,many in that continent resisted that wind of change, but to no avail, it happened. As I look at the church in England ,see it diminishing more and more, it is as if a wind of change is blowing over this country. The forces of secularism ,materialism,atheism and many other isims are in the ascendancy, people are being swept along in a blind mad rush ,oblivious to their to real need, and oblivious to their fate. What is the answer for us who are part of another kingdom?,well we need to be concerned, but more than that ,we need to seek God , and be guided ,by the Spirit of God. We need to pray that the Spirit of God may be out poured upon us,and begin to weep for ourselves, and for the lost. [ Dear God we feel so weak ,and yet we realize, that the need of the hour is great, millions upon millions of souls are lost,in Thy mercy send forth the wind of Thy Spirit to bring change, in Jesus name and for His sake we ask this. Amen ]

Thieves and robbers. [ Luke 23v 39-43 ]

A person shared with me how he was robbed of 400 pounds, a person he did not know offered him a computor,he handed over the money,and recieved what he thought was a computor, the person then drove off, when he looked inside the computor case ,all he found was magazines .It is so easy to be cheated and decieved,it is happening everyday to people,intelligent people,the person who was robbed said to me how the person who robbed him would have to give an account to God for their actions.This brings to mind a story I read of Charles Wesly who was held up and robbed, Charles spoke a verse of scripture to the thief, / The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1v7/. He later met that person ,and he had become a Christian, through the words that had been spoken, let us pray for thieves and robbers, that they may seek forgivness and trust Christ as their Saviour. [ Dear God we pray for the many thieves and robbers there are in in our neighourhood ,family,town,that You would convict them and save them through Your dear son Jesus .Amen ]

The influence of a steady ,quiet faith .[ 1 Peter 2 v12 ]

It is A W Tozer who writes of ,/the influence of a steady ,quite faith/, today let us take up the challenge of those words, to live a consistent life, in our homes ,in our streets, in our schools, in our jobs. That means living a life of holiness, faithfulness,and kindness, in 1 Peter 2 v12 we read,/ Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they,ll be won over to Gods side and be there to join in the celebrations when He arrives. [T.M]/ Again quoting Tozer,/ If I live right and walk before them as I should, I am putting up an argument they cannot successfully dispute/.We may not think we are accomplishing much, but the influence of a steady ,quite faith ,will have an effect, while we live, and even after we are gone.[ Dear God help me to live in a way ,that will bring Glory to You, and a blessing on others in Jesus Amen ]

We can survive. [Romans 8 v37 ]

A friend of mine has a daughter who wanted to insure her car, the highest quote was 7.000 pounds , and the lowest was 2.400 pound, the car only cost 500 pound,granted the girl has had a couple of claims, but the quotes seem a bit over the top.I suppose everything can be insured at a price, it is not wrong to insure things, to take precutions against the unexpectant . Yes life can throw up the unexpectent, the Bible tells us ,boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth [Proverbs 27v1 ]. Life is uncertain , I met a friend who told me how she had lost everything,business ,home , yes life is uncertain, but she mention that she and her husband had both jobs, where attending a local church,she had started a Sunday school, and her husband was on the oversight of the church,her faith shone through. Yes life is uncertain but we can come through, how?well just like those people in the Bible who experienced trials and difficulties, by faith in Our God and Saviour, the One who said He will never leave us, nor forsake us. [Hebrews 13v5][Dear God in the uncertain world, help us to trust in You, help us to be more than a conqueror through Jesus Your son. Amen ]

Lose not heart. [ Psalm 27 ]

There is a hymn by Frederick W Faber that is very meaningful,it is written to those who may be struggling in Christian service.Although we are all called to serve, so mybe it is for us all,it reads,/Workman of God,O lose not heart,But learn what God is like, And in the darkest -field, thou shalt know where to strike. Ah, God is other than we think, His ways are far above. Far beyond reason,s height, and reached only by childlike love. He hides Himself so wondrously, As though there were no God. He is least seen when all the powers of ill are most abroad. Thrice blest is he to whom is given the instinct that can tell . That God is on the field, when He is most invisible. For right is right, since God is God,and right the day must win. To doubt would be disloyalty, to falter would be sin./ [ Dear God help me to look beyond my natural sight, to pierce through the darkness ,to see You, and to trust in You, in Jesus name. Amen ]

Marriage. [ Colossians 3 v18 - 19 ]

And so they lived happily ever after, so ends the words of the fairy tale, is that possible?,I remember working with a man ,who said he and his wife never ,had fall outs.To me that seems impossible ,for some it may be,but for the majority of people it is not,I wonder how many people really think about the vows they make,/Forsaking all others,For better for worse,for richer for poorer,in sickness and in health/. They are very challenging words, not light words, not trivial words , they bring a life long challenge,when you make those vows you have to realize that there is no get out clause. Many people are breaking these vows, I am not judging them, but I would say, if you are thinking of entering marriage,consider carefully what you are going to do,and if you are married and struggling, remember what you vowed before God. [Father help those who are about to enter into marriage , and help those who are already married,in Jesus name .Amen ]