Onward ever onward. [ 2 Timothy 1 v7 ]

It some times surprises me as I look back on how many sermons I  have preached, and how many thoughts for the day I have written,when I was a full time minister I sometimes had to preach three times on a Sunday,how did I do it?. The first thing I would say , I believed God had called me ,and it appears that if He  calls He equips, and enables,this applies to any calling. The next important thing to remember is we have one who will help us in our calling,the Holy Spirit,whom our Lord said would help us[Matthew 10v20-21].I was speaking recently and I pointed out that Elijah the prophet was a man ,of like passions as you and I, in other words he had his faults and failings,but God used him.Recently I read about Francis Schaeffer  author and Christian apologist,that he was dyslexic,but God called him and used him.I personally never did very well at school,I am conscious of this,but it has not stopped me, and as I get up to preach, I have to remember I am not ministering from a perfect educational background. That does not mean I don't try to improve,I did attend Bible  college,and I diligently prepare for every sermon I preach, over time I have bought commentaries,and have a reasonable library.And so I am surprised ,yet confident in my God to continue, help me and use me,so onward ever onward.
A  prayer...../Dear God we thank You for all we have been able to do,inspite of our many limatations,in Jesus Name Amen /

Gentlness and meekness [ 2 Corinthians 10 v1]

One of the great lessons the disciples had to learn was the importance of a meek and gentle spirit,when a certain Samaritan village,would not receive Jesus,the disciples wanted to call down fire and destroy it.Jesus rebuked them, and reminded them of the purpose of His coming,that He did not come to destroy lives but to save them[Luke 10v 55-56]. I wonder how the Crusaders,and even dear Oliver Cromwell, reconciled their violence ,to what Jesus taught?. It is an amazing yet mind blowing truth that the meek would inherit the earth,[Matthew 5 v5]. no, said Hitler, it is the strong and powerful,those meek people,have no chance,and does not the god ,evolution teach us the it is the fittest that survive.Now of course being meek does not mean weak,the one who said, I am meek and lowly of heart was not a weak person.Our Saviour challenged those who were offending God,as was manifested when He went to the temple,and overthrew the tables of the money changers [Matthew21v12 ]. It is in 2 Corinthians 10v1 ,that we we read of the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I am slowly but surely learning the importance of these words,although I still manifest the old Bill,at times, I do pray for the necessary grace to be more like Him who was both meek, and gentle..
A  prayer....Dear Lord Jesus grant unto us a meek and gentle spirit Amen/

Christians also get sick [2 Corinthians 11 v23ff]

A friend of mine who is having ongoing treatment for cancer was seeing the consultant, and the consultant said ,/Christians also get sick/. Yes we do, being a Christian does not mean no problems,Christians loose their jobs,have miscarriages,have accidents,well we just have to read the book of  Job to see this.So what advantage does a Christian have over the non Christian?well they have the Lord,make no mistake about it,that is a tremendous advantage,in those dark trials there is one with them and His name is Jesus,he does not desert them when the hard times come.Next the word of God tells me,that God who is sovereign will work everything that happens for the good of His children[Romans 8 v28]. God hath not promised skies always blue,but He has promised strength for each day,and each trial. If the trial should lead to death ,the Christian need fear no evil,for the good shepherd will be with them [Psalm 23 v4] The word of God assures us that no matter how severe the trial,God is in control,and that the sufferings of this present time,are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us[Romans 8 v18 ]
A  prayer..../Dear God we thank You that You are caring for Your children,that You love them ,even when You allow them to experience trials ,in Jesus Amen /

Are you brave.? [ Psalm 139v23-24 ]

Bravery comes in many forms ,and often from the most unexpected people,there is bravery on the battle field,there is bravery of a bereaved soul. Of a person who faces one problem after another,who sacrifice their ambitions, for the sake of others, who face insurmountable odds. I wonder are you brave enough to pray this prayer?, /Search me O God, know my heart,try me,and know my thoughts.And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting[Psalm 139 v23-24]/I wonder are you and I willing to pray those words?.And if not ,why not?,could it be that we don't want God to challenge us,we are afraid what may be shown up,in our hearts ,yes our hearts,God starts at the most important place ,the heart. Then he prays, and know my thoughts,how is our thought life?,what has our minds being dwelling on today?.And see if there be any wicked way in me,well is there?.Again let me ask the question ,to myself and to you, are we brave enough to pray this prayer?.
Spurgeon comments,/This is a beautiful and impressive prayer for the commencement of every day./
                        A  prayer..../Search me O God. my actions try,and let my life appear,
                                             As seen by thine all- searching eye,To make my ways make clear.
                                             Search all my thoughts,the secret things,The motives that control.
                                             The rebel heart where evil things,hold empire o'er the soul.  Amen/
                                               [Words by Francis Bottome  ]                     

The powers that be. [ Romans 13 v 1-7 ]

I  believe that democracy is  best,because it should mean that leaders and governments can be challenged,and changed.Hitler went along with the democratic system until he was elected,as I see what is happening in the Arab world,I wonder how many when they get into power,will continue to be democratic. What will become of the minorities in these countries?,will they be treated fairly?,or will they be persecuted?. The Bible tells us that the powers that  be, are ordained by God,[Romans 13 v1],these words were written when Rome ruled, of course the church of Rome did its fair share of ruling,I cant say it was their finest hour.God is not a democrat ,He rules by divine right,all the affairs of Life are under His control,all these things raise many issues,.The Bible makes it clear that all governmenst are accountable not so much to  those who elect them, but to God.So where does that lead us?well the word of God tells us what we are to do,we read, /Pray especially for rulers and their goverments to rule well so we can go quietly about our business of living simply,in humble contemplation. This is the way our Saviour God wants us to live/.[1 Timothy 2 v 1-3 ]
A  prayer..../ Dear God  guide and direct those who have the rule over us,and help us all to be good citizens in Jesus name Amen /

Deafness. [1 Timothy 2 v4 ]

A friend of mine has a hearing aid,I  was beginning to  have a conversation with him, and he said I must put my hearing aid in,so I can hear what you are saying, instead of not having it in and pretending I am listening.Jesus spoke to many people but it is obvious they did not hear or listen,as one preaches one wonders how many people really listen. Natural deafness shuts a person out from the natural sounds we hearing people take for granted,but even deaf people can hear through the deaf language.But what about those can hear? ,yet don't hear,when they are told about Jesus,they are spiritually deaf,and so they remain in their sin,lost without Christ.It need not be so,we must not give up on them,I was watching a movie, and in it a dam was being built,when suddenly it started to break up, one man  took it upon himself to warn those,who would have drowned,he kept shouting,until they heard,he did not give up.Nor should we give up praying,and telling those who are going to a lost eternity,who knows even today,you may be Gods voice,to those who are dead, and deaf spiritually.
A  prayer...../Dear merciful God,we ask that You may be pleased to use us,in your great rescuing of the deaf and dead,in Jesus name Amen/[

A boy called Messiah [ Matthew 16v 13-16]

A couple in USA wanted to call their son Messiah,but a judged ruled against it,saying it was a title,and it belonged to one person Jesus,she has ruled that boy should be called Martin.Seemingly in 2012 Messiah was the 387th most popular name in USA. The Jew's and Christians both hold views on Messiah,for the Jew He has yet to come,for the Christian He has come. The Jews believe Messiah will set up an earthly kingdom, Christians  believe He came to establish an eternal kingdom.The title Messiah means one who saves and liberates,and of course that is what Jesus does ,He saves and He sets free,he saves from the consequences of sin and its judgement by a Holy God,He sets free from sin and satans power.The wonderful thing is,it includes everyone,Gods purposes is for the whosoever,a free offer of Salvation is offered to all..One day a Jew called Andrew declared ,/we have found Messiah,which being interpreted means the Christ[John 1 v41],and having found Him,he brought his brother to him. Dear Christian what about your brother ,your sister,your parents,have you sought to bring then to Jesus the Messiah?.
A prayer...../ Dear God thank that Messiah in the person of Your son Jesus has come,help us to bring others to Him,in His name we ask this. Amen /