Me, a saint. [Philippians 1 v 1-2 ]

I have many names ,William Alexander Heasley ,unlike some I like my name,although I thought recently my surname should have been Holmes ,my mothers maiden name, in fact when we were young some people called us Holmers. This was because my mum and dad seperated when we were young, and so I and my brothers/sister, identified with my mums side of the family.So what is my other names, here goes,/son, brother,uncle,nephew,father,neighbour, support worker,friend,husband,cousin, preacher,oh yes Christian, child of God, saint. My goodness saint,people who know me may easily say ,I am no saint, but I am, Vine describes saints as all believers, it does not apply to people of exceptional holiness, or to those who have died,in 2 Thessalonians 1 v10,saint is used of all believers,it has the sense of holy ones. That is very important for if we are a holy one, then we are expected to be holy, holy in thought,in word in deed[ 2Peter 3 v11].Of course we need to remind people that we are saved only through anothers righteousness, Jesus the holy One.[Acts 3 v12-16 ].[ Dear Father in heaven help us to be holy, to never stop trying, no matter how many mistakes we make , in Jesus our righteousness name we ask this. Amen ]

Legitimate things.[ John 21 v 15-17 ]

Ignatius wrote,/ All the things in this world are gifts of God, created for us , to be the means by which we can come know Him better, love Him more surely,and serve Him more faithfully. As a result, we ought to appreciate and use these gifts of God insofar as they help us toward our goal of loving service and union with God. But insofar as any created things hinder our progress toward our goal, we ought to let them go/. Often it is not the blatant sins that hinder us in our relationship with the Lord ,it is the legitimate things, and when they do then we must ,as Ignatius wrote, let go of them. I was in a charity shop , and a lady spoke to a friend, about her church,the friend replied, that she was not attending so much as she was busy.When we who are Christians start talking like the non- Christians , then that becomes a problem,we are letting legitimate things hinder our relationship with our Lord, and we should let them go.[ Dear Lord Jesus help me ,to let nothing hinder my relationship with You,help me to let go of anything that is coming between You and I. Amen ]

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 ]