The Holy Spirit. [ John 3 v 1-8 ]

November is bringing with it strong winds, winds that can cause damage, and choas as the bridge into the county of kent is closed, the result grid lock.Our Saviour spoke of the wind, He likened it unto the Holy Spirit [ John 3 v8 ], D A Carson writes ,/ The wind can be neither controlled nor understood by human beings[ he does mention that this was written before modern meteorology alleviated at least some of our lack of understanding] But that does not mean that we cannot detect the winds effects...... so it is with the Spirit. We can neither control Him nor understand Him. But that does not mean we cannot witness His effects. Where the Spirit works the effects are undeniable and unmistakable/. [ Dear God as we live for You today ,fill us with You Spirit, that through Him and His power, we may be channels only,let us witness His powerful effects on our lives and in those we come in contact with today, in Jesus name we ask this Amen ]

He led them on safely. [ Psalm 78 v 53 ]

This is a special day for me and my family, 30 odd years ago we travelled from Ulster to this country, I had recieved a call from a church , and was travelling there to take up my position as a minister. On the day we were travelling over I read these words in the Daily Light,/ He lead them on safely [Psalm 78v53] ,followed by ,/Behold ,I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.[Exodus 23v20 ]. These were tremendous words for us as we set out on our journey,and they have remained with me ever since.On our journey in our little Morris Minor, there were six of us, we travelled to Scotland , then right down through England, we got a puncture, and had to stop to have the fan belt tightened,drove through London, but we got there . God did trully lead us on safely, he did not fail us, and the journey is not finished yet, for you and for me, whatever the future holds, God will continue to lead us on safely. [ Father we thank You that You are leading us on safely , in Jesus name .Amen ]

Debt. [ 1 Peter 1 v 18-19]

As I opened up the internet I noticed that the UK is in debt to the little sum of 10 trillion pounds, my goodness how on earth did that happen?. Gone are the days when people did not get into debt, debt is a sign of the times, although many people may now begin to change, mybe not, bad habits are hard to break. Hopefully our country can get out of the hole they have dug for themselves, I pray so, as indeed I pray that the many who are struggling with debt may cope. Of course there is a debt that no one can pay, each sin we commit can be likened to a debt, this debt will not go away, and each day it just keeps mounting up,and up, and up, till the day we die. And here is the point we are absolutley unable to pay that debt off, there is no earthly solution, and the consequences of this debt is horrendous. Thats the bad news ,but the good news, there is one who can clear that debt, His name is Jesus, for that is why He came and died ,to save us from our sins. [ Dear Jesus I ask that You would clear my of sin, that debt I cant clear, Amen]

Insight [ Romans 8 v28 ]

I have in recent times been praying about a certain thing,as to a need, not material, or physical, but a personal need, when reading a Christian book, God give me insight, as to why I had that personal need. That which I considered a need may not be answered in the way I want ,but I can have peace, because God has shown me why. God always has a reason ,he sometimes reveals His reasons ,sometimes He may not,Job was never given a reason, Paul was [ 2 Corinthians 12 ]. But this I do know, with all my heart, that all things are working together for my good[Romans 8 v28 ],so it is for every child of God. Norman R Perry wrote the following, let us make this our prayer[ Teach me ,O Lord ,to understand,even in darkest night. When storms are high and seas are wild, Thy way is right. Grant me O Lord ,to feel Thy hand of tenderness and power, is holding mine ,and leading me,Each day , each hour. Amen ]

The old paths.[ John 3 v16]

In the book of Jeremiah God speaks to His people ,He tells them to return to the old godly paths, and in so doing they would find rest for their souls, and they answered, we will not[ Jeremiah 6v16 ]. As I look at life so much has changed, and much for the better, in so many areas of life, the modern car is better than the old ones, with its power steering, air condition etc. Our homes are better, the advancement in medical care is better, people are better fed, yes there is much that is better.But spiritually things are not better, people have left the old paths, they feel they dont need God, but they do, and they always will, for there is a hole that only God can fill. We need God for time and for eternity,God said ,if they would return to the old paths they would find rest to their souls. Yes ,rest to their souls, it was Jesus who said,/ Come unto me , all ye that labour and , and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me , for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy , and my burden is light . [Matthew 11v 28-30] [ Dear God help this generation return to the old paths, to Jesus Your son. Amen ]

Panic. [ Psalm 91 ]

If you can keep your head when all around are loosing theirs, so wrote the poet, I work with some people who get panic attacks,they have no control over what is happening.There are reasons for their panic attacks,but they appear not able to do anything about them, just hang in there until they subside. Sometimes I feel panic creeping into my heart, things are happening that I dont have any control over, what can I do? , in one of the Fraizer programs , his brother panics and hides under the grand piano,reverting to what he did as a child. In my times of panic I turn more and more to the Psalms, Psalm 91v1-2, comes to mind,it reads, /He who dwells in the secret place of the most High,shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress. My God in Him will I trust. [ Dear God help me when panic is arising in my heart to trust in You, for in You alone is peace and security, in Jesus name . Amen ]

A block.[ Psalm 66v18]

When will God answer?I suppose the answer is when He sees fit,why does it seem He is in no hurry to answer? is He going to answer?will He answer?.When we pray we want an answer, we desire an answer, I wonder do we make it difficult for God to answer?, do we put barriers in the way?. One of my sons saw a young lad doing something wrong,when he was challenged about it ,he denied that he had done anything. I dont know all the answers to my questions as regards prayer, but I do believe that when we come to God in prayer, it is no use being into denial, and act as if God does not see everything. Let us remember a blockage will block the flow,an unconfessed sin,an unwillingness to be humble,will hinder our prayers being answered. It is in Jeremiah 11v14 we read,/Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them, for I will not hear them in the time they cry unto me for their trouble./The people of Isreal refused to acknowledge their sin ,refused to change, would not listen to Gods voice,so there was a block in their relationship with God. [Dear God help me to be honest with You, help me to be humble before You,help me to not act in anyway that would put a block in my relationship with You in Jesus name. Amen ]