Just scratching the surface.[ Luke 10 v25-37 ]

The story of the good Samaritan has much to teach us, that we have to be inclusive in our attitude of all mankind,our country is full of people from many countries, and many resent this. As a Christian I am called to love all people, as God does, of course this goes further than different nationalities. The story of the good Samaritian would have challenged those Jews who heard it, as they did not like them, and had no dealings with them [John 4 v9 ]. This Samaritan showed love, with out conditions, he recieved nothing from that person he helped, he just helped him.Everyday God helps billions of people ,He feeds them, protects them,He just loves,and out of that love ministers to them. Billions of people will not give a thought for God today, they will just recieve, deneying Him ,even hating Him, and saddest of all rejecting His son Jesus, but He will keep on loving and helping them. It is hard for us to help people who dont appreciate us, and what we do for them, who never say thank you, but the challenge for us is to act like our Saviour.[ Dear God when it comes to loving others ,I confess I just about scratch the surface, so help me today to be a good Samaritian, in Jesus name we ask this Amen]

What would Jesus do ?[ Matthew 7 v1-6 ]

It is so easy to judge people, to judge situations, and we all do , even though our Saviour told us not to [Matthew 7v1-2],yet we do.Our Saviour said ,Judge not according to the appearance,but judge righteous judgement [John 7 v24 ],we often judge people and situations,by what we see with our eyes,failing to appreciate the hidden reasons, the unfortionate thing is we are often not interested in why people act in the way they do. A friend of mine left his wife,and I know Christians who judge Him,continually run him down,of course he should have stayed with his wife, but who am I to judge, and condemn. The safest and loving thing to do is pray for others in their failings, not finger point, or gossip,walking humbly with our God involves a humble spirit,an attitude, that there by the grace of God go I. As we face this day ,and come into contact with people , let us ask the question ,what would Jesus do?, what would He want me to do, what would He want me to think?. [ Dear Lord Jesus help me to be more like You in all things .Amen ]

Working with a purpose in mind. [ Psalm 18 v30 ]

Sometimes it appears life is getting out of control,things happen and we feel unsettled,I wonder how we would feel if we experienced what Job went through?.I read this morning of a Christian couple whose 12yr old child was raped and murdered by 5 Muslim men in Pakistan,and it appears that instead of those men being punished, the parents who are poor are forced to accept a cash payment in compensation. There is so much in life that appears to be out of control, what way are we suppose to look at ,so many things that challenge us , and our faith in a Sovereign God?.Well consider Job ,how did he react to the terrible things that happened to him,consider these words,/He [God ] knoweth the way I take , when He hath tried me ,I shall come forth as gold[23v10].Let us remember our sovereign God permitted His dear son Jesus,to suffer on a cross, I wonder how He felt, He could have prevented it, stopped it but He didnt, for He had a purpose in it all.Let us remember if we are suffering,and life appears out of control, and we view things that are painful,that God is sovereign, and is always working with a purpose in mind.[ Dear God help me when things appear to be out of control, to trust You, in Jesus name . Amen ]

Two worlds. [ 2 Corinthians 4 v17-18 ]

I read these words in a daily reading and they blessed me,/The kindest friend Ive ever had, is one I cannot see. Yet One in whom I can confide, who loves and blesses me/.I am reading a book and it stresses the fact that as Christians, we belong to two worlds, one we can see ,the other we cant, that we are citizens of planet earth, and citizens of heaven.The visible and the invisible, many people only concern themselves with what they can see, and live accordingly, the emphasis in their lives is to do with the here and now, eating ,drinking,money ,sex ,success,etc. The odd religous encounter has no real bearing on the vast majority, their lives remained untouched by the invisible kingdom, it is sad but true, it will only be when they die will they become fully aware of that other world. As Christians we are to manifest the realities of that other world, by our speech,and actions,and this will often bring us into conflict, thats what happens when two worlds collide.As a Christian I love and know someone whom I have never seen , His name is Jesus,He calls me and every Christian to live, with heaven always in our sights. [Dear God help me to live for You, by faith, to live for your kingdom, to live for Your son Jesus. Amen ]

Help. [ Psalm 121 ]

He helped, I was ministering yesterday at a hospice ,I sang and spoke a word, and God helped, the Holy Spirit helped me,I find it harder to sing these days, and play the guitar,yet I was conscious of Gods help.The Psalmist asked a question,/From whence cometh my help [Psalm 121 v1 ] maybe you are faced with some task or difficulty, and you are wondering ,how you are going to cope, how are you going to manage. Well here is what the Psalmist replied,/ My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.[Ps 121v2]. Look at this world, God made it all, look up into the starry sky, He made that also, surely He can help us, with ease, and in a way that can amaze us. So today look beyond the mountains of difficulties ,to our great and awesome God, and ask Him to help you. [ Dear God I bring all things to You, the difficulties I face, the tasks I have to do, and ask that You would help me, in Jesus name Amen ]

Why did I say ,and do that?. [ 1 Kings 11v1-8 ]

One of the things I need more and more is wisdom, when to speak, or not to speak, and if I speak ,to say the right thing,also when to act or not to act, and if I act ,to take the right action. So many difficulties,problems, yes wars ,have come about ,because of unwise words and actions. Even wise Solomon acted unwisely,instead of relying on the gift of wisdom ,that God had given him, he let his natural feelings take over,and in old age ,he became an old fool. We are not so different from Solomon, his mistakes should be a warning to us all, how easy it is to act foolishly, and cause so much damage. It is not only the young who rush in where angels fear to tread, Solomon was an old man, age does not necessary free us from folly. Yes let us ask of God for wisdom, and He will grant it [James 1v5], but let us act on it, let us exercise it, let us not forget it, and cause a lot of harm to others, and ourselves.[ Dear God forgive us for our unwise words ,and actions,grant us the wisdom we need irrespective of our age, and help us to act on the wisdom You grant us ,in Jesus name .Amen ]

Our sufficieny. [2 Corinthians 3v5 ]

The Christian life presents us all with a tremendous challenge ,it is on going we cant put our feet up, and say thats it ,I have arrived, no its onward ever onward.As I look at the beginning of another year, I feel a bit overwhelmed, how am I going to make it?, life has so many pitfalls, I ask the question who is sufficient?,who indeed,well the great apostle Paul felt this way[2Corinthians 2v16]. Yes even the great men struggle, it is no good us saying, as we may, its alright for that person ,they dont have to contend with the things I have,yes they may not have to,but you dont have to contend with what they have to contend with. The fact of the matter is,we all have to contend with something, we are all in the same boat,so how are we all to cope?well writes Paul, our sufficieny is of God.[ 2 Corinthians 3 v5] . As we [in the words of the hymn] wrestle on towards heaven, gainst storm,and wind,and tide,let us not wrestle in our own strength, but in the strength of the Lord,let us draw daily on the grace of God,and let us trust totally in the word of God. [ Dear God help us , strengthen us, uphold us, guide us, enable us to face life with all its difficulties, we ask this in the name of Jesus . Amen ]