Shine [ Matthew 5 v 13-16 ]

In our garden we have a lot of solar lights, but some of the solar lights are not shining, because they need new rechargeable batteries.These lights were made to shine ,but they are failing to do this,and just like those lights we as Christians are meant to shine.Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 5 v16,/ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven/. Are we shining in our homes,jobs, communities ,and wherever God has placed us?, for that is what we are to do. Our Saviour says let your light,yes we have a choice, we can choose to, not let our lights shine, we always have a choice. The shining is linked to good works, there is an awful lot of need in this world,a need of financial help, practical help, help of all kinds, shine. And in shining our motive must always be to bring glory to our heavenly Father.[ Dear God help us in the name of Jesus to shine, Amen ]

Tears. [ John 11 v35 ]

As I grow older I appear to be more emotional,us British are known for our stiff upper lip, a sort of stoicism,so I am not being typically British. As I prayed this morning ,I felt a certain emotion in relation to,two families in Vietnan, who are suffering for being Christians, I mention their names ,and mybe you could pray for them,Pastor Y Yu, and Pastor Y Co, and their families. Both these men are in prison, they have experienced violence, their families lack food, and medicines, and one family is living in a dilapidated house. Consider the words of Hebrews 13 v 3, Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. And as you remember them dont be ashamed of shedding a tear, God is pleased when we shed tears, for those who are suffering, let us remember our Saviour was a man of sorrows.I will close with a prayer written by Graham Kendrick. [ Soften my heart Lord, soften my heart, from all indifference set me apart, to feel your compassion, to weep with Your tears, come soften my heart , O Lord , soften my heart. Amen ]

Grace will always win . [Romans 5 v 20 -21 ]

As we near Easter my thoughts have been on the cross, and the people surrounding it, Judas the dark deceitful traitor,Peter the weak coward,the other disciples, who all forsook Him. These were our Lords friends, with friends like them ,who needs enemies,and of course you have the others ,the religious leaders baying for Jesus blood,and the mob, and the soldiers,and the awful cruelity ,inflicted on our dear Saviour. No wonder the sun refused to shine,on such a dark sinful scene, sin in all its fullness was trully abounding.But as Paul wrote in Romans 5 v20, where sin, abounded, grace did much more abound,and of course that amazing grace triumphed over all the darkness, and won the day,I like what the Message says,/ When its sin versus grace,grace wins hands down/.In that darkest situation of Calvary, grace triumphed, grace will always triumph,so let us not despair, as we witness,the darkness of sin in peoples lives ,the grace of God is greater.[ Dear God help us not to despair of situations that appear so dark, help us to lift our heads up to view the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, where the grace of God triumphed to its fullest degree. Amen]

Easter cards. [ Luke 12 v49 -53 ]

I was annoyed yesterday, I was in an Asda,s store , and was looking for an Easter card, but all I could find was cards with the Easter bunny on them,and other rubbishy things. I supposed they are trying to be politically correct, I wonder what is political correctness?, is it trying to mould us into a society that accepts what everyone does,and seeks to play down our differences,yes and to put down, any who appear to create waves. Where did this political correctness come from? not from God, thats for sure, but then the times we live in ,is a secular age. As a Christian I am called to be tolerant, but not tolerant of sin , or error,not tolerant of those who would try to stop me sharing my faith. Jesus is Lord, not political correctness, and it is Him we must obey, even it makes those around us uncomfortable. [ Dear God help us not to be squeezed into the mould of the society we live in,help us to live for You, to be light in this dark world, to be salt in this corrupt world, in Jesus name. Amen

Sacrifice. [ Revelation 5 ]

His dad cleaned loos to fund his dream,so read the words in a national newspaper,referring to the sacrifices Rory Mcllroys parents made for their son, in order for him to play goal. Rory who is only 21 nearly won the Masters,nearly, but in time I am sure he will. To succeed in life it takes sacrifice, success does not just happen, it involves sacrifice, if you want to be concert pianist, or a ballet dancer, or even an artist, there are no short cuts, practice, practice ,practice, work ,work,work. Rorys parent made sacrifices for their son , why ?because they loved him. We are Christians because someone made the ultimate sacrifice for us, His name is Jesus, why?, because He loved us, as Rory things of his success, he looks at his parents, and thinks I owe it all to them. As Christians we are blessed with so much,we have been forgiven,welcomed into the family of God,and one day we will stand in glory,transformed , exalted, and for ever blest, and we owe it all to one person, Jesus.[ Dear God we thank You for Jesus who sacrificed His all for us. Amen ]

An antidote to fear. [Psalm 91 ]

Recently I have had a few near misses when driving,only yesterday a car could have crashed into me, yes driving is a hazardous activity.But of course many aspects of life are dangerous, there are many accidents in homes, in work places, one wonders are there ,is there, any totally safe places?. If we dwell to much on the dangers ,we would not get up out of bed,and yet consider how many people die in bed. Let us not be driven by such fears,or controlled by fear, of anything ,save the fear of the Lord. Is there an antidote to fear?, yes trust in the Lord,we read these words in Psalm 91[ Do read this Psalm it will quell your fears], in verse 2 , /I will say of the Lord ,He is my refuge and my fortress ,my God, in Him will I trust/. Here we have a statement that declares his confidence in the Lord,let us follow his example, let us declare this,and let us trust and not be afraid. [ Dear God let us not be controlled by fear, grant us grace to put our confidence , and trust in You , in Jesus name, Amen ]

Do it. [ Matthew 7 v21-29 ]

The word of God continually stresses the importance of ,not just hearing ,but doing,and acting on what we hear. As a preacher who has preached many sermons,it is nice when one recieves a compliment, a word of encouragement,but if the person who gives you the compliment, or word of encouragement does not act on what they have heard, whats the point.James in his often misunderstood epistle puts it like this,/but dont just listen to Gods word. You must do what it says. Otherwise you are only fooling yourselves.For if you listen to the word and dont obey, it is like glancing at your face in the mirror. You see yourself, walk away and forget what you look like. [ 1 v22-24 ] Our Saviour said,/ blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it/. Forget about whither the preacher gave a nice sermon, or he used the right translation,concentrate on obedience,not just being a good listener, but one who acts on what they have heard. [ Dear God help us to be a doer of Your word in Jesus name .Amen ]