Fortune cookies. [ Psalm 119 v9-16 ]

While visiting one of my sons, and his wife we went out for a meal in a Chinese restaurant, and at the end of the meal we recieved fortune cookies. These fortune cookies are a little like what one gets in a Christmas cracker, both are a bit of a joke. The fortune cookie usually says something like, /you are going to come into something that will make you very happy/. I wonder do we sometimes treat the Bible like a fortune cookie? which of course its not, for often what the Word of God tells us is very challenging.Read the prophets, the prophet Habakkuk, who was told of coming judgement,likewise Jeremiah,or Ezekiel, read the book of Revelation,with all its woes.No the Bible is not like a fortune cookie, it tells us ,often what we dont want to hear, yet what we need to hear. So today as you read the Bible, dont just see it as fortune cookie, but as a wonderful book,that needs to be listened to ,and obeyed.[ God we thank You for Your precious word, help us to read it regularly, and to not treat it as a fortune cookie in Jesus name Amen]

The darkness cannot win. [ John 1 v 5 ]

The Bible speaks much about light and darkness, now sometimes we fell that the dark forces are going to extinguish the light, consider the darkness, Islam, secularism,political systems,and so the list goes, and of course the other gods of this world, materialism,sexual obsession,pleasure,money.We must not be surprised at these things, because the word of God tells us that men love darkness rather than light [John 3 v 19],that is mans nature, a fallen nature.But it does not stop there, for we further read in 1 John 5 v19, that the whole world lieth in wickedness.It doesnt stop there for we read that there is a god of this world, who has blinded the minds of them which believe not,lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,who is the image of God, should shine unto them [2 Corinthians 4 v4 ] . This is the world we live in, it appears hopeless, yet let us not despair ,God is sovereign , He is in control, He is in the business of rescuing men and women out of the darkness, Christ who is the light of the world cannot be extinguished [John 1v5], He will build His church .[ Matthew 16v18 ] [ Father in Heaven, help us not to fear that the darkness will win, help us not to despair, fill us with hope, faith and Your peace ,in Jesus name Amen ] [I will be away for a couple of days I will recommence Sunday]

Deception.[ Genesis 27]

I remember seeing an old movie called ,/The man who never was,/ based upon a real event that took place during the 2nd world war. The Allies were going to invade Europe, the Germans knew this, but they didnt know where, an idea by Ian Fleming of James Bond fame, was used to decieve the Germans into thinking that the Allies would invade Greece, when it in fact it was Sicily.The idea was to plant false information on a dead person,whose body would be found ,washed up on shore ,this deception worked, the landing took place was successful,and many lives were saved as a result of it. I suppose in war deception is acceptable, but not in life generally, we need to be open and honest in achieving our aims,we read in 2 Timothy 2 v5,/And if anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully[fairly ,according to the rules, laid down . [Amp v]. We see so much deception in sport, finance, and in relationships,unfortunately we also at times see it in the church , and this can never be acceptable.[ Dear God help us to be honest in all our ways, to strive for success, but always may we strive lawfully ,in Jesus name Amen ]

Scarey things.[ Hebrews 11]

Many many years ago in my far distant past my wife and I attended a missionary weekend,we felt challenged with the other young people, to give a weeks pay unto the Lord. This was an act of faith by them and by us, as a couple we had no savings, but we did it,it was a bit scarey when I look back on it. I was just thinking ,when was the last time I did something that was a bit scarey.We wrote yesterday of Daivd and Goliath, as David looked back he must have reflected, on what he did, a bit scarey. I am not saying we should act for the sake of it,but we do need to be listening to Gods voice,give occasionally more that we would ordinarily give, even witness to somebody, break out of our set ways.Let us all remember that we belong to another kingdom, a kingdom of different values, different aims,different.Although what we are called to do, may be a bit scarey, dont be afraid, God will not fail us, and in His way He will reward our efforts. [ Dear God grant me the grace to attempt scarey things for you in Jesus name Amen ]

Against all the odds.[1 Samuel 17 ]

A little unknown football club have been drawn to play the mighty Manchester united in the FA cup, it should be easy for the giants of football to beat this little team. But then I remember David and Goliath, could it be possible that this little team can beat Man U? we will see, I sincerely hope not, as I support Man U. How did David against all the odds defeat Goliath?,the answer God working through him, we are told if God be for us,who can be against us[ Romans 8v31].Could it be that you are faced with a big problem ,and you wonder how are you going get through, well how did David get through? with Gods help,we can think of many other people in the Bible ,who won through against the odds.So today look at your problem and remember David,who not only defeated the giant, but went on to be Israel greatest king. [Dear God help me to see that You are greater than any problem I am facing,in Jesus name Amen ]

Sidelined. [ John14 v6 ]

Maggie and the Indian mystic,so read the headlines in the newspaper, it was about a barefoot gura who spoke to Mrs Thatcher, predicting that she would become prime minister. Let me say this many people are listening to mediums,, and being drawn into error,into the dark side. These things are interesting but they will not help us with the most important question as regards my sin, and the consequences of it.John Travolta and his wife have celebrated 2o yrs of marriage , he put it down to good communication and the tools of scientology. A number of things may help us in our marriage, but rest assured scientology,Indian mystics, will not lead us into the truth, will not save us in our lostness, Jesus said ,I am the way the truth and the life , no man [or woman]cometh unto the Father but by me [John 14 v6 ][ Dear God help me not to be sidelined into error, help me accept Jesus as my Saviour,and to follow only Him. Amen]

Say it like it is. [Luke 23 v 39-43 ]

I read an article in the news paper about a gorilla that walks upright, now the article was not making the point of evolution, more about gorillas becoming an extinct species.The way humanity behaves so often ,may be an insult to a gorilla, humanity can often act worse than any animal. I was listening to person on the radio, how the Germans used starvation as one of the tools of the war, letting Russian prisoners die of starvation. They are not the only nation that have committed atrocities ,the list is endless, we just have to read the newspaper to see how mankind is capable of awful things. Two TV presentors loose their jobs , one of their wives said ,they were just being boys,no ,they were manifesting sinful behaviour, the sad thing is they will be sorry that they have lost their jobs, but they will not see their behaviour for what it is, and will not change.The word of God tells us that all of us are sinners [Romans 3v23 ], whither it is the sins of a nation or of the individual, it needs to be forgiven,and the only place that can take place is before an old rugged cross,before a Saviour called Jesus, it is time for nations and individuals to seek that forgivness.[ Dear God I want to stop making light of my behavior, I acknowledge that I am a sinner, I bow before You and ask Jesus to be my Saviour, Amen ]