T L C. [1 Corinthians 13 [The Message ]

We read in John 11 v 35 these simple but profound words, Jesus wept, so often we read of Jesus being moved with compassion, when He healed , He did it out of love, when He fed the hungry, He did it out of love. His whole mission in coming ,was motivated by love [John 3v 16 ], He never acted just out of duty, but out of love, you see it is possible to do things, even noble things, without love. Yes people need help, but what they need is loving help, so many people are crying out for T L C, tender loving care.When I started in my present job, working with mentally ill people, I was introduced to the word, empathy, what does empathy mean,it means,to understand and enter into how another person is feeling. The doctor who just precribes, and writes prescriptions, and who does not feel empathy, is lacking ,and same goes for us. And yet I feel love goes deeper than empathy, much deeper, for it will involve an echo of Calvary love, a love that will sacrifice self, a love that will not want its own way, do read 1 Corinthians 13, in the Message[ A paraphrase version of the Bible]. [Oh God of love forgive me for my unloving ways,thoughts ,and words, help me to change and be more, and more like my Saviour. Amen ]

Facing uncertainties. [ Psalm 78 v53 ]

In Psalm 78 v53 we read these words,/ And He led them on safely/, these words are to do with Israel ,when God delivered them out of Egypt, the deliverance was wonderful, but it was just the beginning, they now had to reach the promised land. On their journey they would have to face many things,they would travel through a wilderness, yet inspite of all the difficulties they would arrive at the promised land. How did they manage to complete and finish their journey?very simple, God led them on safely, how are you and I going to get through?,God. The hymn writer wrote of the many dangers toils and snares that he came through, how? God, the God of all grace. Today you may be facing uncertainties,your heart may be filled with worry,and cares,take comfort from these words in Psalm 78 v53. Trust in your God to undertake for you, He will not fail you , He will lead you on safely. A B. Smith wrote,/I know who holds the future,and He will guide me with His hand,with God things dont just happen , everything by Him is planned. So as I face tomorrow with its problems large and small, I will trust the God of miracles, give to Him my all/.[ Dear God help us to trust in You with all our hearts,to realise that You will lead us on safely, in Jesus name we ask this. Amen ]

Judgment. [ 1 Peter 4 v17 -18 ]

One of the earlist Christian books I read was on Elijah by ,Pink, I cannot remember much about it,but one thing I do know that a study on the prophet Elijah ,is always profitable. We read about him first in 1 Kings 17,he just suddenly appears, we are told where he came from, but we dont know anything else about his background. He was called by God to speak to an ungodly king, called Ahab,he suddenly and dramatically appears to him, with a word of judgment. The message he brought was, that there would not only be no rain ,but there would also be no dew, Not a drop of dew or rain, this would last for about three and a half years, we are inclined to complain if we get rain, we want sun and more sun. This was not happening so the people could enjoy the sun, it was a judgment upon a nation , led by king Ahab , who had forsaken God, had turned to vain idols.God will chastise His people,none of us will escape that, but a more serious thing is when God judges His people. It is Peter who writes of judgment beginning first on Christians [1 Peter 4 v17 ], and it is A M. Stibbs who comments on this, he writes,/ For if God , the righteous judge, so hates sin [and He does ]that He judges His redeemed people[not with hell ],what will be the fate of unbelievers, when His full wrath against sinners is revealed./ Christian let us not take a light veiw of sin, let us take sin as serious as God does.[ God and Father help us to see that sin is repulsive ,and evil, and to play around with it will bring Your judgment down upon us, in Jesus name we ask this Amen.]

He is merciful. [ Ephesians 2 v 4 ]

Continuing on in Luke 22, let us consider v 62,/ And Peter went out,and wept bitterly/,here was Peter in blind panic deneying his Lord,then we read v61,/ And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. That look stopped Peter in his tracks, he suddenly remembered what his Lord had said,and immediately he left ,and he wept bitterly.We can I am sure imagine how Peter must have felt, that look ,must have cut into his heart, he must have felt a utter swine,would he have been ever able to look at himself in the mirror again?. So thats the end of Peter,no , he would be forgiven and restored as our Saviour said he would[ Luke 22 v31-33]. Christ came to save sinners,the Peters,you and I,we may fall morally, spiritually, but Jesus still loves us, will forgive us ,and even restore us, and use us. Charles Wesley wrote,/ I know Thee ,Saviour ,who thou art. Jesus the feeble sinners friend.Nor wilt Thou with the night depart, But stay and love me to the end. Thy mercies never shall remove, Thy nature and Thy name is love/. [ Dear God we thank You for being merciful to Peter, and to me,we thank You in Jesus name Amen ]

Forgetfulness [ 1 Corinthians 10 v12 ]

In Luke 22v61 we read ,/ And Peter remembered the word of the Lord/, our Saviour had warned him, that he would fail, Peter had dismissed the idea [Matthew 26 v 33-35 ]. It is Shakespeare who said man know thyself,very few of us know ourselves, we are told that none of us know the sinful depths of our hearts [Jeremiah 17v9 ]. Really godly people have acted in most ungodly ways at time, King David is a prime example [2Samuel 11, and his son Solomon 1Kings 11]. Peter was a man of God but what him made a man of God was God, Peter like all of us was also a sinner saved by grace. We learn from these things that we will only be godly people as we rely on the Lord, and we remember and practice what He says unto us. Peter failed because Peter forgot what the Lord had told Him, what the Lord had told him should have put him on his guard but it didnt, and so he fell. Let us take the following words to heart,/ Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. [1 Corinthians 10 v12 ][ Dear Lord help us not to be be forgetful of Your word, its warnings and instructions,help us to stand in our hours of temptation, and trials, in Jesus name Amen ]

The wrong company. [Psalm 1 ]

The next thing we read about Peter is,/ Peter sat down among them [v 55 ],in doing this he was asking for trouble, these where the people who had been baying for Jesus blood. If you mix with that crowd ,then you will find things becoming difficult and even dangerous,as Peter was going to find out. The enemies of Christ will not love His followers, and will not take kindly to their presence. In Psalm 1v1 we read ,/Blessed is the man, who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners/. If I am a Man U fan I dont go to the football match and stand with the opposing fans,if I do I will be risking life and limb. There are situations and people we need to avoid,the sad thing about Peter is, he begins to identify with these people. He finds himself saying things which he would regret for the rest of his life, He denied the one person he loved more than anyone else, Jesus. He denies his Lord not once but three times,he is filled with panic and with fear,and He lets himself down and His Lord down.[ Dear Lord guide my footsteps this day ,help me not to be like Peter, and deney Thee, in anyway. Amen ]

Following at a distance [Luke 22 v 54 - 62 ]

Let us consider Peter on the night of his Lords betrayal as is recorded in Luke 22, our Lord had just been arrested, and we read, Peter followed afar off v54. Now it is understandable that he followed at a distance, in fact there was not much else he could do, at this stage he was doing his best, to keep in touch with his master, so let us not point the finger at him. In fact mybe that is a practice we should stop doing altogether,there are those who are like Peter, and to us they appear to be following afar off, but the Lord knows their hearts. He knows the whole story and understands their difficulties,emotional,intellectual,or whatever,He knows that they are trying to follow Him, in their weakened condition. And they more than likely know where they are at,in Ecclesiastes 9 v 11, we read ,/ The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong/. I have known Christians who were leaders in the church of Christ, but are now away from God. Peter may have been following afar off, but he was still following,in his weakness ,dear weak child of God, press on in your weakness,even if it is at a distance. [Dear Lord so often we are like Peter, following You at a distance, struggling ,stumbling, we thank You, that You still love us, and would encourage us to not give up . Amen ]