A reality check. [Luke 9 v 57-58]

In  Luke 9v57-62 ,we read of three people ,who are challenged as regards following Jesus, the first says to Jesus./I will follow Thee,whithersoever Thou goest/. We applaud his enthusiasm,but it is obvious that he did not appreciate what  that would mean.Enthusiasm can blind us to the reality,of what a commitment means,when a young couple stand before God on their wedding day,a wedding day that can be divorced from reality,they look at each other,all  made up in glorious technicolour,they do not think of the future realities,that he or she may snore,that the wedding has to be paid for,that she may have children,but she will have to keep working,look after the kids,and run a home. Shakespeare,wrote,/The course of true love,never did run smooth/.they take their vows,but when it comes to the reality to fulfil those vows,that's another story. The man said Lord ,I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest,then Jesus cuts in and says ,listen to what it means to follow Me,Jesus tells him how it is for Him,it is sacrificial,not many if any home comforts,and as it is for Him so it will be   for those who choose to follow Him. This challenges the so called prosperity gospel,and rightly so,it is the  way of the cross that leads the saint home,was this man willing to accept this ,and to follow Jesus,the question is, are we?.
A  prayer...../ Dear God help us to be willing,  to be willing,in our commitment to Thy son Jesus Amen /

It is agressive.[Hebrews 4 v 13-15 ]

One of the consequences of our Lord becoming a human being was ,we are given the assurance that He knows and understands how we feel when we suffer.We are told that He was tempted in all points like we are ,yet without sin[Hebrews 4v15],because of his personal knowledge of suffer,He knows how we feel when we go to him in all our need,and pain.Last night I phoned a friend who has endured a great deal of suffering,to be told by his wife,that he has a cancer that is aggressive,the dear lady was crying. It took me back to the time when my first wife was diagnosed as having cancer and being told those self same words,it was aggressive.Because of this I understand what that meant and understood the pain she was feeling,that is one the consequences of the suffering  we experience ,we no longer are spectators,but we become fellow companions of those who suffer.We who have walked the path of suffering and experienced Gods comfort,can help others who are suffering. Going beyond the comfort we can give, we can point people to Jesus who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities,in the words of a hymn no one understands like Jesus,again as the poet puts it , with every pang that rends the heart the man of sorrows has a part/
A  prayer..../ Dear Lord Jesus you who were no stranger to suffering, we bring our pain to You,and ask for mercy and grace. Amen /

Wisdom. [ 2 Timothy 3 v15-16]

Paul Getty said the formula for success,rise early.work hard,strike oil, such is the wisdom of this world,but in the Bible we read of wisdom,and how vital it is.Solomon was granted special wisdom by God[1 Kings 4v29],and in many ways he was a very wise person, but he did not always act in the most  wise manner.God will give us wisdom but there is no guarantee,that we will act with wisdom.There are two types of wisdom, the first one is described as ,earthly,sensual,demonic,self seeking, mean spirited,this wisdom was manifest by Hitler,Stalin,and ourselves.The other wisdom is described as from above,and is pure,peaceable,gentle,willing to yield,full of mercy,and good faith, without partiality,and without hypocrisy[ James 3 v 13-17]James reminds us that all we need to acquire the wisdom from above, is simply to ask and we will receive.Consider the words of James ,which is also the word of God [1 v5-6]/ If any of you lack wisdom,let him ask of God,/so that is the first thing we should do,ask and we shall receive,next he reminds us of the generosity of God,/who gives to all liberally,and without reproach,and it shall be given him/.The one stipulation is ,for all who seek God for wisdom, /Let him ask in faith/. The Christian life starts by faith, and continues by  faith, without faith nothing will happen, but with faith many things can happen. Do you want the wisdom that is from above? well it yours for the asking.
A   prayer...../Dear God grant us the wisdom from above in Jesus name Amen /

Trust Him wholly.[ Job 13 v 15]

Let us continue on thinking about the words of Peter to the Christians who were suffering all kinds of trials[1 Peter 1 v6]. Now we may not be suffering persecution for our faith,but it does not exclude us from trials,of all different kinds,you may be in a difficult marriages,have a difficult child,a difficult job,with a difficult boss,difficult neighbours,you may be suffering from a painful ongoing illness,that you are going to die off, loneliness. These are just some of the trials we can be suffering from,they are more than 57 varieties,but no matter how many there be ,not one of Gods children are forgotten about. There is general statement that we can use to explain trials,and its this they go with the territory,the Bible speaks of those trials that are common to man.[ 1 Corinthians 10 v13].All mankind suffer from trials of one sort or another,some  may think because they have money, they are safe,but they are not.The difference between the non Christian and the Christian is,their Sovereign God is watching over them ,the hymn writer wrote,/Every joy or trial falleth from above,traced upon our  dial, by the Son of love,/but she did not stop there, she went on to write,/we may trust Him fully,all for us to do.They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true/
A  prayer...../ Dear God grant us the grace we need in all out trials,to trust You wholly,and as we do we will find You wholly true, in Jesus name Amen /

Remember them.[Hebrews 13 v3]

There is a famous brand which most of have heard of,and it is known as having 57 varieties, it reminds me of the words written by Peter,to Christians who where suffering all kinds of trials[1 Peter 1v6]. Everyday I pray for dear Christians who are being persecuted for their faith,they are being murdered,beaten up,imprisoned,discriminated against.,Here in the west,it often appears that Christians feel guilty that they are not suffering in like manner. God is sovereign ,it is not by chance, that we are living where we are,The words of Hebrews 13v3 challenges us as to our response to those who are suffering,/Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners,and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering/.Let not our fellow Christians be forgotten by us who are free from persecution, we can write to them,we can financially support them,we can be a voice for them,an organisation I know of, declares itself to be a voice for the voiceless. So today lift up your voice to almighty God for those dear Christians who are suffering for their faith.
A  prayer..../ Dear God have mercy upon those Christians who are suffering for following  for their faith,we thank You that they re not forgotten by You,in Jesus name Amen/

Faith not emotions. [Hebrews 11]

I read these words ,/Faith is not an emotion, it is a decision to stand on Gods word/,these words reminded me,of the occasion many years ago,when with my wife's encouragement I booked  10 driving lessons. Of course we prayed much about it,and I believe God spoke to me ,that He would help me.I had completed a number of lessons,and put in for my driving test,my instructor did not think I would pass my test.The fact was I could only afford 10 lesson,so by faith I went ahead,on the day of the test my wife and children were praying,as was I,during the test my legs where actually shaking. The examiner was very reassuring ,and to my delight I passed,if I had went with my emotions or even my own understanding instead of faith,I would not have done my test. I believe God would undertake and He did. When I arrived home I went to my bedroom and knelt in prayer,and I opened my Bible and read the following words,/Said I not unto thee,that ,If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God[John 11v40]
A  prayer..../ Dear God help us to walk by faith,to not be ruled by our emotions, or even our own understanding in Jesus name Amen /

His presence [ Matthew 28 v20]

There are times in which we are reminded of Gods mercies,of His  power,protection,preserving,provision,and presence,think on those things today.Through His power we are saved,and set free from Hell,set free from sin, and Satans power. His protection ,there are dangers everywhere,God in His mercy has protected us,read Psalm91,written by Moses,a man who was protected and wonderfully preserved.Only the other day while driving  a lady with a child,not looking nearly stepped out unto the road,I could so easily have knocked her down,but I didn't, God preserves us being hurt,and hurting others. His provision,in about a months time my mortage will be paid off,and the house I live in will be mine,to God be the glory. Then we have the most important thing, His presence,Moses said to God,/If thy presence go not with me,carry us not up hence [Exodus 33v15].As we face life with all its uncertaines,as we step out into each new day,the one thing that encourages us, is the fact of our Saviours presence with us[Matthew 28 v 20].Wherever you are going ,remember you are not on your own, Jesus is with you, remember Jesus never fails.
A  prayer...../ Dear God we thank and praise You , for all the wonderful blessing you have granted us,we thank You that the greatest of these mercies is your presence being with us every moment of each day,we thank You in Jesus name Amen /