Understanding the scriptures.[ 2 Timothy 3 v15- 17 ]

It is so vital that we have an understanding of what the scripture says, it is not enough to read the scriptures, there must be an understanding of them. The Bible is not just a telephone book, it is the word of God,it is not just enough to memorise the word of God. The religous people at the time of Jesus ,knew the scriptures, but failed to understand them,they did search the scriptures, but missed the most important part, that Jesus was the Messiah. [John 5 v 39 ]. In Psalm 119 v27, we read ,/Help me to understand the meaning of your commandments/,when I am going to preach I study the scriptures,seeking to convey the meaning of the scriptures to my hearers. I have many commentaries on the bible, written by godly people,they can help us ,understand Gods word. I attend a church where Gods word is taught ,and explained this is very important, but the person in the pew , must attempt to feed themselves. [ Hebrews 5 v12-14 ] This may appear a difficult task, but we have a helper, the Holy Spirit, who will guide us into all truth. [ Dear God help us to read,and study Your word,and above all else ,help us to understad it, in Jesus name. Amen ]

Consider your end. [ Psalm 1 ]

So often the Psalmist contrasts those who know God and live for Him,and those who dont,it acknowledges that the latter may prosper, cp Psalm 73, and that the former may suffer loss. Today there are godly people and they are suffering,they are poor, they are persecuted, they are hated ,and despised, you will not see them in Hello magazine. Our Saviour said ,Blessed are they which are persecuted ....blessed are ye ,when men shall revile you, and persecute you,and shall say all manner of evil against falsely, for my sake [Matthew 5 v 10-11]. In Psalm 37 v37 -38 the two groups are highlighted, /Mark the perfect man[ those who know God and are seeking to follow Him]and behold the upright,[ they are seeking to live a godly life ] for the end of that man is peace. [Glory, eternal life] . But the transgressors [ those who live without the fear of God ]shall be destroyed together,the end of the wicked shall be cut off./ We should always take into account the end of a thing, so many dont, and the end ,sadly of the many ,will be a lost eternity. [ Dear God open the eyes of us all ,to our end,so teach us to number our days,that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom, in Jesus name Amen ]

Charlatan [ Matthew 23 v14 ]

We are told that in 1 Timothy 6 v10, that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils, and as I watched a TV programme last night on faith healers, the reality of those words came to mind. I know how easy it is to exploit people who are vunerable, to play on their emotions, guilt, and fears. One of the things that sparked of the reformation under Martin Luther was the selling of indulgences, and of course even to this present day the Roman Catholic mass is a means of exploiting peoples vunerability, as a friend of mine who was a devout R C, and lived in Dublin, told me , no money no Mass. These things and many other things emphasize a love of money, beware of those who are religious , who have a emphasis on money, and who would seek to emotionally blackmail people.One story last night told of a young girl aged 14 ,suffering from a life threatening illness, she heard one of those faith healers, who promised if his hearers would pledge 1.000 dollars, they would , be healed, somehow the young girl raised that money and sent it to the faith healer, but she grew worse, she phoned the so called faith healer, and told him, he replied that she had sin in her life, thats why she was not healed. Later that youngster , went into her garage poured petrol over herself , and set herself on fire. [ Dear God we cry unto You against those who exploit the vunerable, for money,we pray that You would deal with such ,expose then for what they are, in Jesus name Amen ]

Forgiveness. [ Matthew 6 v14 - 15 ]

Yesterday I spoke on, unforgiveness ,and its serious effect on those who hold unto it, one of the things I said was this,/ If we dont forgive then we put something else in its place, and what that something is,can seriously effect our lives/.Not only our lives but the lives of those around us, there are so many people,who are carrying unforgiveness, is it the ultimate sin?. I say sin ,although I realize someone reading this may have experienced terrible hurts, so let me make it clear ,that I am not judging anyone. The fact is God is the forgiving God,He forgives, and forgives, and forgives, in order to enable Him to forgive,He had to send His Son into this world to die, He had to let His dear Son,be crucified. So God has experienced that pain ,yet He forgives all who seek His forgivness by coming to Him,and accepting His son as Saviour. He fully understands 0ur pain when we have been hurt,or those we love have been hurt,and His words to us is , as I forgive so must you forgive.[ Dear God grant us the grace we need to forgive those who hurt us, or even those we love, in Jesus name Amen ]

With Him we can make it.[ John 21 ]

Well it is Easter Sunday,my mind goes back to when I was a young man, it was Easter Sunday,I was a young and lonely man, I was standing on the corner , when a neighbour and his wife walked by,on their way to church. I asked them could I go with them, and they agreed,and so I ended up at church. And that night something happened ,God spoke to me,and that evening I returned to my Saviour. This is over 47 yrs ago, 47 yrs in which I have sought to follow my Lord, at times the path has been difficult, I have made many mistakes, I still feel lonely at times, I was never the perfect ,husband, or father. But then when we trust Jesus it is the beginning of a journey,a journey when we are being changed, to be better people ,there is still much change that is needed. Our Saviour will not give up on us inspite of our imperfections, because He loves us, and will always love us, I could have not made it this far,without that knowledge ,without His presence. [ Dear Saviour continue to keep us ,sustain us ,strengthen us, without You we cannot make it,so very simply we commit ourselves to You Amen ]

Friendship [ John 15 v 13-15 ]

It is nice to hear from old friends, friendship is important to most of us, it must be sad to have no friends, to feel that no one cares. I think of the story of the prodigal son , he ended up friendless, yes it was his own fault. In Proverbs 17 v17, we read, a friend loveth at all times,many so called friends fail in this,they are no longer our friends,mybe they were not really our friends. I give thanks for the many people who have been my friend,I still pray for some of them,even though they are no longer around, and I wonder how they are keeping.In Proverbs 18 v24 we read , there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, we would all like a friend like that, well the good news is ,we can have one, His name is Jesus, in the words of a gospel song,He is my forever friend,and He can be yours to. To have Him as your friend, He must first of all become your Saviour,and Lord,then you will have a true friend who will, never leave you,who will always have time for you,who will always listen to you, will protect you,provide for you, sometimes tell you when you are wrong, and put you right. If you want Him as your friend,then here is a prayer you can pray. [Dear Lord Jesus come and be my Saviour and my forever friend Amen ]

Good Friday.[ Colossians 1 v 12 - 14 ]

How on earth can the day in which a man died on a cross be called good,not just a death but a horrible ,and cruel death, a humiliating death. Surely such a day is not good, and yet it was a good day,because it was the fulfilling Gods purpose. A day in which the greatest problem that mankind was faced with, not an natural disaster, not unemployment, but sin, would be resolved. Consider sins effects upon mankind,everyday every moment, sin is being committed,it is a self destruct button, which mankind is continually pressing. Sin affects our relationship with each other and more importantly, affects our relationship with God who is holy.The only answer that God could come up with, was the death of His son on a cross,on that cross the hymn writer declares, /Heavens love and justice met/,when on Jesus the iniquity of us all was laid.when His soul was made an offering for sin. Sin ,satan , and death ,met their match, and were overcome, on Calvary . In the midst of all of Christs suffering, God was doing something wonderfully good, for you and me, so let us rejoice on this good Friday. [ Dear God we thank You for the cross of Your dear son, that made it a good Friday,for You, and us sinners. Amen ]