A good looking boy. [ Romans 3 v23 /Jeremiah 17 v9 ]

The Bible tells us that man looks on the outward appearance [ 1Samuel 16 v7], now there is nothing wrong with beauty, but beauty does not tell the whole story.I noticed on the internet a picture of a young lad, a good looking young lad who has murdered a seven year old girl.I am sure those who knew that youngster cannot believe that he would do such a thing, but he did,his parents I am sure are devastated,their lovely young darling boy has actually killed a person ,and why did he do this,he was addicted to video games. The Bible looks beyond the outward appearance of humankind, and tells us we have a nature that is sinful, a heart that is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked[Jeremiah 17v 9 ]. No matter how gifted one may be,or beautiful, we are sinners capable ,yes of murder,adultery, lying,perversion, you name it, we are capable of it . Our sinful hearts refuse to acknowledge this, refuse to accept Christ as saviour, the one who died for sinners, refuse to come to Him that they may have life.[ Dear God grant that Your Spirit may so work in the hearts of people, that they may see their true condition, that they are sinners needing Jesus as their Saviour. Amen ]

Ulster the land of my birth. [Romans 11v33 ]

I was watching a TV program called ,Songs of praise, which is recorded in various areas ,this one ,was from Ulster, the land of my birth.When people think of Ulster they think of the troubles, but of course there is much more to Ulster than the troubles. It is a land of beauty,the Antrim coast ,the Giants Cauesway, the beautiful Mourne Mts that sweep down to the sea. It is a country where many still attend church, although many dont,the church in Ulster, usually gives a more clear gospel message. This is one of the reasons ,I thank God , that I was born in Ulster, from an early age I heard the Gospel, in Sunday school, at childrens meetings,and at the Sunday services. I am not blind to the situation in Ulster, its sectarian and political divide , but for all that I give thanks, that in that little place called Ulster, I came to know Christ as my Saviour. You may not have been born in Ulster, but if you know Christ, stop and give thanks, to God, for those influences that where used by a sovereign God To bring you to Jesus.[ Dear God thanks for those influences, people, places,circumstances that You used ,to bring us to know Jesus as our Saviour. Amen ]

Holy harmony. [ Psalm 19 v14 ]

The last verse of Psalm 19 reads, /Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord my strength ,and my / It is C.H. Spurgeon, who writes of the ,/ Harmony of heart and lips, needed for acceptance/. If we are honest so often our words are not in harmony with our thoughts, we say one thing with our lips, but in our hearts we think another.David wants his words and his thought life to be acceptable in Gods sight,we listen to many entertainers , who want their words to be acceptable with man , but often what they say is not acceptable in Gods sight. David writes about his thought life, what does our minds dwell on?, lust/purity/hate/anger/self/or ,love/purity/pleasing God,Gods word. How is it possible to speak aright , and think aright?the answer only with Gods help. [ Dear God help me to speak , and think in ways that glorify You, may my words and my thought life be acceptable in Thy sight, in Jesus name we ask this. Amen. ]

Heed the warnings. [Psalm 19 v11]

David ends the 19th Psalm v11-14, with a deep concern,that he may be kept from sinning, in v11,he stresses the importance of Gods word,/Gods word warns us of danger [T M]. How important for Christians to read the word of God, to be imformed by the word of God , to be directed by the word of God, and not the changing standards of our society. Irrespective of what society is doing fornication is still fornication, adultery is still adultery, blaspheming is still blaspheming,stealing is still stealing.In a changing world sin does not change, idolatry is still a sin, the word of God is there for all His children ,to take heed of, and avoid. The word of God informs us, but it also warns us, of the consequences of sin , let us all remember that sin must carry with it consequences, that effect our relationship with God, and that is very, very ,serious. In Psalm 119 v 92, we read, /Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction,/ [ You saved my life with those wise words T M ]. [ Dear God we thank You for Your word that informs ,instructs , and warns us,as regards sin and its consequences, help us all to be guided by Your word, and most of all to obey it, in Jesus name we ask this. Amen ]

Gods written word. [Psalm 19 v 7-11 ]

Yesterday we considered Gods voice in creation, that it is not something just to be admired ,but it is something that is speaking to all mankind ,of a creator. Psalm 19 now moves on to Gods word ,and its effectiveness in the hearts and lives of those who hear and respond to it. In the church where I ministered ,in the pulpit ,was a little rug with these words on it, Preach the Word,for it is the word of God that is able to make us wise unto salvation [ 2 Timothy 3 v15 ],it is the word of God that guides us[ Psalm 119v 105 ], it is a powerful and effective weapon in contending against the devil[Ephesians 6 v 17 ]. The word of God can cut through our defenses,and touch our hearts [Hebrews 4 v12 ],it is light ,exposing those wrong things in our lives, and teaching us to walk aright, it equips us to serve God. [2 Timothy 3 v 16-17 ]. No wonder the Psalmist declares it is of more value than the most pure gold [Psalm v19 v10 ], to ignor it ,endangers us,to neglect it, impoverishes us, to respond to it ,enriches and blesses us, and most of all the word of God reveals Christ to us, who alone can save us [ John 14 v6 ] [Dear God thank for your word, helps us to hear its message and respond ,and obey it ,in Jesus name. Amen ]

Creation ,Gods voice. [Psalm 19 ]

Let us consider Psalm 19, written by dear David, it commences by pointing us to creation, / The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth His handywork[v1]/ Times have changed evolution is the god of the so called Christian countries, but the Psalmist holds not to such nonsense, so he confidently declares that as we look up we see Gods handywork. He tells us that Gods creation is preaching to all the earth,it is the great apostle who takes up that theme in Romans 1v18 -23, v20 ,reads,/ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made,they can clearly see His invisible qualities- His eternal power and divine nature./ and then he adds this very telling statement,/ So they have no excuse for not knowing God/.Today God is speaking to His world, through His creation, but unfortunately,they are not listening, it is a reminder just how much sin has affected mankind. WE will finish with the words of a Russian hymn as a prayer[ O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works Thy hand hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul , my Saviour God to Thee. How great Thou art, how great Thou art . Amen ]

An awful big adventure [Psalm 23 v 4 ]

It is Peter Pan who declares to his arch enemy Hook,/To die would be an awful big adventure/. How should we view death?, should we ignor it, should we ,think about it?, is that not just being morbid to think on death?. I wonder if the person in the street thinks about death, I think children do, the adult population are to busy living ,and trying to stay alive, so they appear to ignor it. It is said that there are two certainies in life ,death and taxes, as regards the latter, it is really foolish to ignor paying your tax to the goverment, many have,to their cost. So is not also foolish not to giving consideration to death that other certainty?,is it not foolish to think it will not happen,because it will. As a Christian I believe death will be an awful big adventure,something more wonderful than my most wonderful thoughts. For the Christian death is not something we need fear, it was Jesus who declared , that He was the resurrection and the life,and those who put their faith in Him, though they die would live [ John 11v25 ]. [ Dear God help us not to ignor deaths reality, help men and women, to think upon their latter end, and trust Jesus your Son. Amen ]