Being different. [John 3 v16 ]

I watched the movie ,Happy feet, yesterday ,about a little penguin, who was different, it reminds me of a joke, a penguin walks into a bar and asks the bartender, have you seen my brother?, and the bartender replies, whats he look like?. Now of course to us all penguins look alike,we often say that about other races, and of course they may look alike,but in fact they are all different. My sister-in-law has a little dog and it likes cheese, strange but true,it is no less a dog for all that, and we are no less human because we are different, nor does our being different make us of less value.Let us not devalue anyone because they are different,let us accept everyone whatever their difference ,God does. [Dear God help us to accept everyone, even though they are different, in Jesus name. Amen ]

A true worshipper [ John 14 v6 ]

If everyone is a worshipper, which I believe they are, where will they be worshipping today? not far from where I live is a modern shopping center. Yesterday many went there to worship, am I being to cynical, maybe , but it may be true, the word of God declares,that we should have no other gods but one[ Exodus 20 v3].Remember if we erect our own gods,they will fail us,and indeed mock us,let us make no mistake about this, they cannot satisfy ,cannot satisfy,and they cannot save us.Jesus came to bring us into a place of being a true worshipper, he continually challenged people as to their empty worship, their false gods, and said if they wanted to be a true worshipper they must cast down their idols,and trust in Him,He said that no one could come unto the Father but by Him.[ John 14 v6 ].The gods of gold , silver,materialism, people,politics ,science, knowledge,health,sport,entertainment, are not the answer, cannot be the answer,God has provided the answer by sending His son into this world, to save us, to bring us into a place of being a true worshipper.[ Dear God help me trust Jesus, to cast out the false gods ,I have erected, help me to become a true worshipper,in Jesus name Amen ]

Lord make me beautiful.[ 1 Corinthians 13 ]

My mind turned this morning to the true story of Joseph Merrick,who unfortunately is known as the elephant man, because of his deformities, caused by the disease, Proteus Syndome. The movie of his life is not totally accurate, but it helps us to appreciate his condition. Joseph suffered a great deal,his mother died when he was eleven, his father remarried ,and in the end he was turned out of that home,he suffered a great deal because of his appearance. He was eventually befriended by a surgeon called Treves, and was cared for until he died, although he was disfigured physically, ,he was a very cultured,educated, and a sensitive person, and a devout Christian.It reminds me how people judge so often on outward appearance, no matter how we may appear physically, no matter, about our circumstances we can by the grace of God, and the Spirit of God manifest a lovliness ,that can leave a lasting testimony to the glory of God.[ Dear God help us to be like your Son Jesus, inspite of difficulties, help us by Your grace ,to be more like Jesus in every situation, for Jesus, Your sons sake. Amen ]

It can be a happy Christmas.[Romans 6 v23 ]

Well the snow is nearly all gone, I hope for good, I dont want a white Christmas, what do I want for Christmas?, maybe I will get something I dont want, although I arise early, I have not opened my presents, we will see.What I do have this Christmas is Jesus, Gods unspeakable gift, what want I more, He is with me after the Christmas season, ,and indeed in all the seasons of my life, He is the one who said I will never leave you ,nor forsake you. [Hebrews 13 v5 ]. There is no greater blessing than to know Him as Saviour, Lord ,and King, but also as a friend, He gives us many gifts, but most of all He gives Himself, many people will recieve gifts today, but will miss out on the wonderful opportunity of recieving Jesus as Saviour, if you have, rejoice, if you have not, God would offer that gift to you, ask and you will recieve, and then it will be truly a happy Christmas for you.[ Dear God thank You for Jesus Your dear son, help us all to see our need of Him, and to recieve Him as our Saviour. Amen ]

Merciful. [ Isaiah 53/ Luke 23 v34]

The O T prophets were called to speak for God, often against a tidal wave of immorality, injustice, and idolatry, they pleaded and wept, it was not easy being a prophet. They would point people to the consequences of their actions, and tell the people how God felt, at their sinful behaviour. They told of Gods judgement if they refused to repent, but most of all they pointed the people to Gods mercy ,and forgivness, I love those words from Micah 7 v 18-19./ Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage, and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob , and the mercy to Abraham, which Thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old/. God has not changed the God of the OT is the God of the NT ,He still challenges us as regards our sin, and warns us of the consequences, but above all else He offers forgivness to all who repent and trust His son Jesus. [ Dear God we deserve Your judgement for our sins, yet we thank You that You are merciful and forgiving, which we can know through Thy son Jesus, Amen]

All will be well. [ Psalm 42 ]

Its one of those days, like the hymn writer wrote , days of darkness still come over me, it is Joyce Meyer who spoke of the battle of the mind, and of course it is. Whats the answer take a pill?, no ,the answer is not there ,deney it ?, no, the answer is, hope in God. Thats what the Psalmist did,Psalm 42/43, and so must we, a dear saint who suffered much for Christ,imprisoned in a deep dungeon,made to exsist on a little bread,she felt overwhelmed, and then she remembered the words of Psalm 42/ Why art thou so heavy my soul? And why art thou so cast down within me? Still trust in God/, at this she said/ Gods right hand can change all this/, this gave her comfort in her sorrows, and she continued joyful until she was released.[ Dear God You know how easily we can feel cast down, help us to be like the Psalmist ,to hope in You, knowing if we do ,all will be well, in Jesus name we pray this Amen ]

Snow ,Gods call. [ Isaiah 55v6 ]

I found myself asking the question, why the snow?,after all ,it only appears to inconvenience us, traffic jams 20 mls long, dangerous to walk on, maybe I am getting old, I have not thrown one snowball, or built a snowman. Yes snow can be fun ,but mostly we see it as an inconvenience ,something we wish would not happen.Here is another question, who made the snow?, and of course God did,so what does that mean for us, well it reminds us that in inspite of all our advances in technology, that we are only the creatures, not the creator, that God is incontrol not us. Yes there are lessons from the snow, and from sickness,from even death,they are the voice of God , calling to us, reminders of who we are,and who He is. The next very important question is are we listening?. [ Dear God snow ,floods, earthquakes, sickness, help me to here Your voice calling me back , from my sinful independance,to Yourself,help me see that only in you am I trully secure, in Jesus name Amen ]