Our need [ 1 Timothy 6 v 8 ]

.We live in a very discontented world,and we as Christians must be careful not to be sucked into worldly discontentment. We have been thinking on Philippians 4 v19, which assures us that God will meet our need through His son Jesus. Consider that word need ,as I look back on my life, especially when one was living by faith,God met our needs,my children never went hungry,sometimes we came near to it,but God always met our need.People would pass on second hand clothes,we did not have a car,but God met our need.Someone said to me that I was poor,poor in his eyes but God still met out need.So often I claimed that promise Philippians 4 v19,and proved it to be true, I am very grateful for all Gods provision,in meeting my need.This morning as I went to meet make my breakfast,,I usually have porridge ,and as I looked in the container where we keep the porridge oats, there was just enough for my breakfast  ,and I again remembered that story of the widow woman and Elijah [1 Kings 17 ], All she had was a little meal and some oil,but she had more ,she had a promise from God that her need would be met,and it was.
A  prayer.... /Dear God save us from being ungrateful,because You have just supplied our need,let us be content and grateful for Your faithfulness,
in Jesus name. Amen /

Our needs [ Psalm 23 v1 ]

Yesterday we considered the words of Philippians 4 v19,/My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus,/We sought to apply this to mans greatest need ,forgiveness,that God will delight
to grant mercy,for he is a God who delights in shewing mercy[ Micah 7 v18 ] Now while that is true He will also meet our need materially.C H Spurgeon wrote,I have a great need for Christ,and I have a great Christ for my need./ So let us apply it now to our present need.One day many years ago when my then wife and I were living by faith,then we had three children,A  man called at our home with a large box of groceries,he had been asked to deliver them, he would not say who they were from , but it was the Lords provision.I love the words that the prophet spoke to a poor widow in relation to her need being met,/Fot thus saith the Lord God of Israel,the barrel of meal shall not waste,neither shall the cruise of oil fail,until the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth/  [Read about this in 1 Kings 17] A wonderful example of God meeting the need of three people.
A prayer.
Dear God thank You for Your faithfulness at all times in supplying all our
needs by Christ Jesus our Lord.Amen.

Our greates need. [Psalm 40 v 1- 3 ]

In Philippians 4 v19 ,we read,/But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus./The first and greatest need we all have is spiritual,and that need can only be met by Christ.Jesus of course met peoples physical,and material needs before He met their spiritual needs.Yet the fact remains that our greatest need is spiritual,we need our sins forgiven,our sin separates us from a holy God,and if unforgiven will separate us from Him eternally,death does not mean that our beign ceases,no the fact is we will always exist,for all eternity.If our sin remains unforgiven we will be eternally separated from God,sin is the great divider from a holy God. Sin cannot be forgiven in eternity it must be forgiven while we live here on planet earth.All things including us,are polluted,we need to be cleansed from the pollution caused by sin,Gods answer,is Christ ,His son Jesus,who died on the cross,by His death we can be forgiven and cleansed from the pollution, and that which causes the pollution sin.Today God invites you to come to him by accepting Jesus as your Saviour,and in accepting Him your greatest need will be met.
A  prayer...../Dear God we praise You that You can meet our deepest need through Jesus Your Son. Amen/

Translations. [ Psalm 119 v89-96]

There is one issue that can cause Christians to be upset with each other,the subject of Bible translations,some churches forbid the use of any translation other than the AV.The late Mr Paisley was a strong AV man,I personally love the AV,but not being an expert on translation, I cannot say it is the most accurate,I just do not know.I don't believe in a conspiracy theory,that modern translators are in any way trying to under mind the word of God.Having used different  translations,I have not observed any  real problems.It is D. Kidner who writes, that God saw to the preservation and
completion of His word.As much as you and are concerned about God word,so is God,let us have confidence in our sovereign God to
preserve His word.Now of course there are false translations,the JWs translation is inaccurate,translated in such a way as to booster their false beliefs.So in all things be discerning as to the written word of God, all true Christians love Gods word,so try to be tolerant when they use a different translation than you use.
 A  prayer...../Dear God we thank for Your word, we ask for those who translate Your word may truly be controlled and guided by Your Spirit in Jesus name Amen /

Help is available. [ James 4 v1-3]

Sometimes we read the words,help is available,though that may be true,people don't always seek help,for different reasons.Old people want to maintain their independence,they also don't always claim the benefits they are entitled to.Others will be reluctant to accept help,because of pride,I remember thinking ,how hard it is to help some people.When it comes to prayer,some people do not feel they can ask God for help,and yet we can,we are told by Jesus to ask ,and it shall be given you,seek,and ye shall find, knock,and it shall be opened unto you.[Matthew 7 v7 ]The people whom the apostle James wrote to  ,when it came to asking God,fell into extremes,
wrote attitudes,wrong desires,as Mayor points out they prayed without the
spirit of prayer.Yes help is available,but will not be given if we hold
unforgiveness in our hearts[Matthew 6 v14-15/ Psalm 66 v18] Wrong desires ,as W. Barclay points out,/The craving for pleasure in the end shuts
the door of prayer......when are prayers are essentially ....it is not possible for God to answer our prayers./ Yes help is available ,only we can block that help.
A prayer....../Dear God we thank You for the many,many prayers You have answered,we thank You that help is available from You,help us not to block Your willingness to help us by wrong attitudes and wrong desires,in Jesus name Amen /

Cold efficiency [1 Corinthians 13 ]

Some one I know took a needy person to see the doctor,the person was examined by the doctor,and was told that they would need what would be
considered major surgery.The doctor acted in a somewhat inpatient manner
ushering his patient out quickly. The person who had accompanied the person,felt angry as to how this doctor had dealt with his patient.No
reassurance was given,he was coldly efficient, lacking in empathy.It reminds me of what we read in 1 Corinthians 13,that we can speak wonderfully,give sacrificially,and so on,but if love is missing,in Gods eyes,
it counts for nothing.God is not pleased with cold efficiency. Remember God always acts out of a heart of love,He is patient,and caring,not indulgent
but always acting out of a heart of love,for our highest good.
A  prayer....../Dear God forgive us for speaking or acting in an unloving manner,help us to be more like You our loving heavenly Father ,in Jesus
name Amen/






 

With Gods help .[ 2 Corinthians 3 v5 ]

Recently God resolved a problem for me,for which I am glad,and thankful,I was struggling to get something sorted out,and God did it.It reassures me that especially in relation to my Job he is helping me to cope,remember I am seventy and still working.Unlike Moses who although he was 120 years,he appeared in the best of health,of course then he died,but it was Gods time to take him home.It was not his choice,it was Gods,have you heard the story of the man who was given the choice of how he was going to die,and he replied,in my sleep. Now where was I? oh yes contrasting my physical condition with Moses,well I do struggle,a sore back,feeling tired,loose teeth,poor me,sometimes just for a moment a wave of inadequacy flows over me,but then I remember what God says,that His strength is made perfect in our weakness[ 2 Corinthians 12 v9],and that as our days so shall be our strength [Deuteronomy 33 v25],and the very important thing to remember,it is one day at a time,borrow not from tomorrows troubles.[Matthew 6 v34] The poet wrote ,/I'll bear the sorrow that comes tomorrow,but i'll borrow none today/ A prayer....../Dear God of the weak,the inadequate ,we praise You for Your continual help,day by day, in Jesus name Amen /