Gambling. [1 Corinthians 6 v12 ]

I dont gamble,It was one of those things one didnt do in Ulster when one became a Christian, also my father gambled, and that caused problems. In the place where I work a number of the workers are clubbing together to do the lottery, I dont judge people if they gamble, as to the rights and wrongs of gambling I am not sure. It does seem to me ,another potential area for people to be sucked in, with the possiblity of it becoming addictive, In 1 Corinthians 6 v12,we read /All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient, all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any/.My study Bible says ,/ Some actions are not sinful in themselves, but they are not appropriate because they can control our life, and lead us away from God/.[ Dear God keep me from anything that could control or destroy my life, in Jesus name. Amen ]

The faith of expectation [ 1 John 3 v22]

At this time I have come to the place of change in relation to my church situation, and so I am seeking God, as to His will. I am praying, reading Gods word for guidance, waiting, and expecting.It was William Gurnall who wrote ,/The faith of expectation engages God to help us. When you have been with God expect good from Him. For the lack of this , many a prayer is lost. If you do not believe , why do you pray? if you believe, why do you not expect?. By praying, you depend on God, but by not expecting, you unravel your prayer.O Christian , offer your prayer in holy expectation, upon the credit of the promise/. When we pray it is not a wish list, it is an act of faith to God, who has promised to hear and to answer, so today let us pray expectantly. [Dear God I bring my requests unto You, that You would grant what I ask in accordance with Your perfect will in Jesus name .Amen ]

Live like Jesus.[ 1 Corinthians 10 v32 ]

It was George Orwell who wrote [He wrote Animal farm]/ It is not strictly fair to judge a movement by its adherents , but the point is, people invariably do/. This can be applied to many movements, and it can be applied to Christianity,I remember my old gran saying,how my grandad would never contribute to a certain Christian group, because of something he witnessed ,by one of their adherants. Now of course as a Christian we will face criticism ,no matter what we do,but it is also true that we will do and say things, that will warrant criticism.The offence of the cross will always be there, but let us not give offence, by some hurtful or unwise action, when Daniels enemies tried to find fault with him ,they could find none occasion ,nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him .[Daniel 6 v4] [ Dear God in Thy great mercy help me live like Jesus today Amen ]

Forgive them. [Matthew 5 v44]

Christless religiosity can be and is a dangerous thing, I read continually of people being persecuted for their faith in Iran,where apostasy can be punished by hanging, I can only assume this is what the Koran teaches. Christless Christianity has in the past acted in ways that was so contrary to the Bible,they actually burnt people alive, tortured people. Thankfully those things do not happen now,and one wonders how people could have could done such things .Nowhere in the Bible are we instructed to torture or kill those who do not believe in Jesus, or to burn to death heretics.On the cross our Saviour prayed that those who had crucified Him would be forgiven [Luke 23 v34 ], and He taught us to ,love our enemies,to bless them, to do good to them, and to pray for them .[ Matthew 5 v 44]. This does not mean we agree with those who are heretics , or with those who are doing wicked things, but it does mean that we behave ,as true followers of Christ.[ Father we pray for those who are persecuting Christians, and for those who oppose the truth , that you would have mercy on them , in Jesus name .Amen ]

The preacher.[ 2 Timothy 4 v 1-5 ]

My blog is called ,Bill the preacher, I named it so because I believe God called me to preach, a friend of mine stressed how important preaching was to him. If one is called to preach then it is very important , it is very challenging, we have to discern what we are going to preach on, that in itself is challenging, then we have to study, then preach it, sounds simple, but I can assure you its not , but it is very rewarding.Some people feel in these times it is not so important to preach, but they are wrong, I know the times are changing, but the need for preaching is as vital as ever.The preacher is one who calls people back to Gods word, reminds people continually of the truths of Gods word, to sinner and saint alike. So today pray for preachers ,that they would be faithful to their call, and that they would be guided as to what they preach, and that God would annoint their ministry, to the salvation of souls, and the building up of Gods people.[ Dear God we ask that you would bless all those You have called to preach Your word, in Jesus name Amen ]

Change for the better. [ 1Corinthians 13 ]

I was reading how we can be evaluated, one persons took a test, and the result was they are among the limited number who are champions. I am not sure I want to do the test ,I may be told that I am a chump[ not a chimp, you cant make a monkey out of me]. I think we are all different,we may be champions, or chumps, but here is the important thing, God loves us. We may fail or succeed,be dull or bright, literate or illiterate, tall or small, tidy or untidy, but God still loves us. It is true,that we are all different, we are not clones, nor are me meant to be, but having said that, we all need to change, no matter who we are,and it should be a change for the better.If you want to know what that involves read 1 Corinthians 13, if we change in that way then it trully will be a change, for the better.[ Dear God I praise You ,that You me love as I am, but I also realize that Your aim is for me to change,this day help me by Your Spirit to change ,in Jesus name. Amen ]

My Shepherd . [John 10]

The 23Psalm is a wonderful Psalm, often my thoughts turn to it for reassurance, and comfort,and thats exactly what we need so often. It speaks of a personal relationship with God, a God who made Himself known to us as a man, Jesus, who was God manifest in the flesh.Relationships take on different levels, there are people we know ,and we dont know their names,people we do know their names, people we live with ,people we work with, but there is no relationship so personal as that of knowing Jesus .When we know Jesus ,the outcome should be,that we become more like Him, this also means getting to know Him in every aspect of life, of relying on Him, of following Him. It is a relationship ,that is not just onesided ,a relationship in which He reveals Himself to us,it trully is a very personal relationship, as the words of Psalm 23 declares the Lord is my Shepherd, is he yours? [ Dear Lord thank You for being my Shepherd . Amen ]