The cross.[ 1 Corinthians 1 v23 ]

I am sure we all get offended at times ,I do ,for different reasons,a number of years ago while visiting my son and family in Ibeza, I bought a cross. Now I have worn that little cross ever since,I was very self conscious about this as a Ulster man and with me being an evangelical,it may seem a small thing to openly wear a cross, but to me it was not. Generally people dont say much about it,although a few people if truth were told where offended at me wearing the cross. I think it is because they see me ,an evangelical doing something that evangelicals dont do. It is a strange thing that Christians become offended as regards me wearing a cross, It was the apostle Paul who wrote, God forbid that I should glory ,save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.[Galation6 v14] Why did he say that?,because on that cross Jesus died for our sins,that cross tells us we cannot do anything to save ourselves, and I stress anything. The death of Christ on the cross, was a saving act,it means that when we trust in Jesus, He will save us. Today look to what the cross really means, a Saviour dying for you, and ask Him to be your Saviour.[ Dear God we rejoice thank You for Jesus Your Son who died on a cross to save us Amen ]

Look to Jesus. [ Hebrews 12 v2 ]

I wonder who or what you are looking to ,the football fan looks to their team and certain players, as a football fan ,I see all my football on the TV, I do my own bit of shouting,and criticizing. In my living room I dont have to listen to swearing ,that was until Saturday, when a certain person swore into the camera, after he scored a goal. Who am I looking to? not these imperfect individuals, let me ask the question again ,who are you looking to?. We have a choice ,we can look to imperfect people ,and if we do,dont be surprised if they disappoint us, or suddenly they are no longer there. Let us realize that the one we need to look to, is Jesus, what I am saying may seem very obvious,but so often we forget this, and so let me remind myself and you today ,look to Jesus, if you are not a Christian ,look to Jesus to save you, if you are a Christian,look to Jesus, for your needs,and friendship,if you do, I am sure you will not be disappointed. [ Dear God thank You for your dear son, who is with us all the time,help us in every situation to look to Him. Amen ]

The best book to read is the Bible.[ Psalm 119 v105]

This is a very special day, it is my birthday, I am 67, I will not be having a party,I have recieved cards, and presents, I dont know when I am going to read all the books I have recieved. I do love books,and love to read, yesterday my young daughter-in- law was showing me one of those electrial gadgets with books on it, I may be tempted to buy one, the only problem with those gadgets I cannot underline it, and refer to it. While out during the week I notice a lady reading the Bible,and I said as I passed her, thats a good book you are reading, she seemed pleased at my remark. The fact of the matter is ,the best book to read is the Bible, for in that book and that book alone , do we find the answer to life, and to eternal life. Today read your bible, and if you have not got one ,buy one,you will find in that book , the one whom you need the most, Jesus. [ Dear God thank for Your word, that lightens our darkness, and reveals unto us Jesus, Amen ]

Jesus. [ Hebrew 4 v14-16 ]

I saw a young lad yesteday as I drew up in my car and I noticed that he was smoking ,and my heart went out to him, I got out of my car and called after him, I spoke to him of the dangers of smoking, I was not judging that boy, no I was concerned for him. You see I remember when I was a youngster and I smoked, I had walked where he had walked,but I remember how the Lord had delivered me, the path that one has trod,should change us for the better,and not make us bitter. It should cause us to have compassion on those ensnared in habits,sins,difficulties, our Lord manifested this continually, and was angry with those who lacked compassion,and lacked mercy,our Saviour was perfect in holiness, but also perfect in mercy, and love. That is why we can come to Him, for forgiveness, for understanding, and comfort, it is true, no one understands like Jesus.[ Dear Saviour our hearts go out to in praise to You for your compassion,love ,mercy, and forgiveness, Amen ]

But ,Jesus said.[ Luke 6 v27-49 ]

I must confess I am inclined to help deserving cases, in the church where I was an elder on a couple of occasions we have helped strangers,they have spun us yarns,and yet one feels thats all they were doing ,spinning a yarn,and you know the punch line will be,they want money. What does one do?what would you do? ,what would Jesus do ?,on both occassions we have given them what they asked,money. It is obvious that everyone Jesus helped was not deserving,or even thankful cp Luke 17v11-19. Everyday God helps heals ,protects,provides , and blesses untold millions of underserving people. Consider what our Lord taught in Luke 6,/Love your enemies,yes even do good to them,bless them that curse you, pray for those who despitefully use you,give to them that ask of you,and in v36 He declares, Be ye therefore merciful , as your Father also is merciful. How can I possible live up to such teaching?, and I must, well in ourselves we cant, but the one who taught us is the one who will enable us.[ John 15 v 5] [ Dear Saviour we hear what You say, and we struggle with it in our hearts and minds,helps us Lord ,Amen ]

The royal law [ Galations 5 v14 ]

Our Saviour lived in a society that was ruled by religious people,in some Islamic groups they have the beard police,in the society that Jesus lived they had those who watched what you did,especially in relation to the Sabbath. But the problem was ,what they considered keeping the Sabbath,and what Jesus considered keeping the Sabbath was worlds apart. The religious groups had devised so many rules and regulations, life became very oppressive, and fear driven, this is what happens when you try to please God by rules and regulations.The result of all this was a cold hard indifference when it came to others,and when Jesus cut across all that they hated Him , in Luke 6 v11, we read that they were filled with madness. What had He done?,well He had healed someone,rules and regulations have their place ,but when they get in the way of love, we are duty bound to break them, even if people become mad at us.[ Dear God help us to keep Your law, the law of love, in Jesus name Amen ]

Children. [ Mark 10 v13-16 ]

Last night I was watching an old film, when one the actors said to the child actor have you said your prayers?. As I heard those words I thought ,how many children are going to bed and never say their prayers. So many dear children have no spiritual imput into their lives,their parents have rejected God, and live only on a material secular level. Today let us pray for the children, our own children, our neighbours children ,children in our streets,in our schools,children everywhere. Childrens lives are filled with so much, but empty of any spiritual imput, is it any wonder that they turn to sex and drugs ,and so may other things. I thank God I was sent to Sunday school, I thank God for childrens meetings, it was at such a meeting I got saved. Children need to be saved, they need to hear about Jesus, so today let us offer up a prayer for children.[ Dear God have mercy upon the children in our famlies,our streets, our schools,our towns ,our cities, our countries, bring them to Jesus Your son Amen ]