Temptation [ Matthew 6 v13]

When our Saviour was tempted by the Devil,[ Luke 4 v1ff],the first temptation was to turn stones into bread.If you are the Son of God,said the Devil,turn this stone into bread, as if Jesus needed evidence who He was,He always knew who He was[ cp 2 v41ff].Let us remember who Jesus was ,
truly God and truly man,this is  something that the word of God clearly teaches.We cannot prove this truth by our rational minds,it is only entered into by faith,as is the doctrine of the sovereignty of God,as is the doctrine of hell and heaven.Remember the devil who is a liar [John 8 v44],will always seek to undermine faith, Consider how vulnerable Jesus was,he had not eaten for 40 days,he was starving,again remember the devil is waiting to catch us out when we are most vulnerable.The devil we are told goes about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour  [1 Peter 5 v8 ],but he also comes to us as a serpent,like he did with our first parents[Genesis 3].The fact is whatever way he comes ,we must stand firm,and resist him,how?,
the Bible tells us,/standing firm in the faith/,faith in God and His word,if we do we are assured,he will flee from us[James 4 v7],
                                      A  prayer.
Dear God grant us grace to overcome Satan in Jesus name Amen .

Man the inventer.[ Psalm 106 ]

In the book ,'A  History of Christianity', Diarmond McCullough,he writes
about the Greek gods,'that they were often fickle,petty,partisan,passionate, competitive-in other words,rather like Greeks themselves'.God forbid the making of graven images,of any likeness.but mankind find it hard to break the habit.One of the things that took place at reformation was,images were cleared out of places of worship,I was struck with this when I visited the cathedral in Malta's capital,which was filled with so much,in contrast with the cathedrals in England.The reformers sought to remove all the rubbish that had accumulated over centuries,statues of saints,of Mary,and relics.The places of worship became bare plain buildings,and the emphasise was on Gods word.But men like the Greeks of old still invent gods in their own image,still harp after so much rubbish,and reject the truth of Gods word,because it challenges  then to a relationship of faith in Him who is
invisible.The cry of so many is what must I do to be saved,and when they are told the uncomplicated truth,simply to believe on the Lord Jesus,they turn away.Because like the Gods that the Greeks of old they would prefer
a god ,and a way of salvation ,that  they have invented.
                                         A prayer.
Dear God we thank you that we have your word,and in that word,you have revealed yourself,and how we can be saved ,and how we can be kept from straying from your word,and your dear son Jesus Amen.

Amazing [Ephesians 2 1-8]

The other evening I attended a show at a local theator,called Celtic Women,
as you may guess it had an Irish flavour to it.I admire the wonderful gifts that  the performers manifested.One young woman amazed me as she danced around while playing the fiddle.The highlight of the show for me,was when a lone piper walked up the isle,and unto the stage,playing 'Amazing grace,'he was joined by other performers,who sang the words to that wonderful,hymn ,and as I listened,tears started to flow from my eyes. I was reminded of a  woman in Luke 7v37-50,who came to were Jesus was,and washed his feet with her tears.Why ?,because she experienced the forgiveness of all her sins.Like that dear person,I shed tears for the Christ who touched my life with his amazing saving grace, forgiving me all my sins.
                           Amazing grace ,how sweet the sound,
                            that saved a wretch like me.
                            I once was lost ,but now am found,
                            was blind ,but now I see.
                              [Words by John Newton.]

All will be well. [John 14 v1 ]

Recently I touched on the subject as to when the end will come, that before that happens there will be wars and rumours of wars,that nation will rise against nation,there will be famine and earthquakes in various places[Matthew 24v6-7] The history of mankind in relation to violence is frightening,and last week we were reminded afresh of its awfulness,when
gun men murdered over a hundred people.The fact of the matter is we cannot be given a guarantee that where we live will escape such violence.
A famous Prime minister,held up a piece of paper,and uttered those famous words ,/Peace in our time/.Shortly after that a world war commenced resulting in million upon millions of lives being destroyed.People would suffer untold misery and pain,such is the reality on planet earth,and make no mistake it will not change.Now as I listened to the reports of the violence in
Paris,my heart was so sad,at the suffering being caused,but I also felt my heart becoming a little bit fearful,but then I remembered what our Saviour
said,'but see to it that you are not alarmed'[Matthew24 v 6]A little chorus
comes to mind,/God is still on the throne, and He will remember His own./
Dear child of God panic not nor be afraid ,our sovereign God still rules and reigns over all things.He wants to assure all his children that they are under
his care,so whatever we may witness and whatever we may be going through,all,all ,will be well.
                                             A prayer.
Dear God and Father we thank you that you are in control,that our Saviour
has all power ,and in spite of wars and rumours of war,and so many other
things,you would say fear not,to us your dear children,in Jesus name we pray this Amen.

Soften my heart. [John 11 v 35 ]

I am often amazed how those who report on news event,do it in a cold detachment manner,or so it appears.But recently a crack of light broke though as a reporter who was covering the events in Paris ,broke down while giving his report.It reminded me of a similar incident many years ago,when I lived in Belfast,that day became known as bloody Friday,when the IRA planted a number of bombs,that injured and killed a number of people.When the BBC reporter was given his report,he broke down also. Instead of complaining about those two reporters, we applaud them,for showing a quality in their lives that of empathy,and compassion.We can watch the news day after day,hearing and witnessing awful things,and it sometimes feels we have become desensitised,to the suffering of others. I am sure it would be profitable to pray that God would grant us a heart that feels for others suffering.not only their physical,mental,or whatever , but
for the multitudes who are lost,and going to a lost eternity,who desperately need Christ.
                                          A  prayer.
                            Soften my heart Lord,soften my ,
                             From all indifference set me apart,
                             To feel Your compassion,
                             To weep with Your tears.
                             Come soften my heart,O  Lord,
                             Soften my heart.
                             [ Words by G. Kendrick ]

                  

Empty hands. [Luke 18 v 10 ff.]

Jesus said that not everyone who called Him Lord would enter into the kingdom of heaven,many will say ,we have prophesied in your name,and in your name had cast out devils,and in your name done many wonderful works, and He will say to them, I never knew you.depart from me,ye that work iniquity[Matthew 7 v 21-23 ]It would appear their profession,was but empty words,and they appear to not appreciate, that our Lord wants genuine followers.Also when we stand before Him we we must remember that it is not what we do that saves us.There was great Christian scholar who wrote the following,'So you allow me good faith,I have never conceded myself good faith. And when once day comes when I have to appear before my Lord,then I will not come with my deeds,with the volumes of my Dogmatics in the basket upon my back. All the angels there would have to laugh. But then I shall also not say,I have always meant well,I had good faith, No, then I will only say one thing,Lord be merciful to me a poor sinner.'
                                          A prayer.
Dear God forgive us for looking beyond what Christ your son has done,
in your mercy save us in His name . Amen.

Heaven rejoices [Luke 15 ]

 I do love hearing or reading something that makes me laugh.I even try to make jokes up,though I think I better keep my day job,even though I am retired.Do we have any jokes in the Bible?,I cannot think of any,yet the Bible speaks of joy,and happiness,of rejoicing,I wonder what are the things that gave you joy, happiness, or what causes you to rejoice?.Well in Luke 15 ,we read how our Saviour was surrounded by people whom the society at that time considered sinners.Watching were the strict religious people a called  Pharisees ,who would not be seen dead talking to those sort of people. Their reaction was, they muttered,among themselves,saying this man welcomes sinners,and eats with them.Now to eat with such people was consider an act of acceptance,and that would never do for the Pharisees.So Jesus very patiently tells three stories short stories,about a sheep ,a coin,and wayward son,that  got lost,and then was found. Jesus explained that when the worst in society be they a family member ,or whoever turns to God for forgiveness,then heaven itself rejoices.The fact is this ,Jesus died for sinners,and when one turns to Him for salvation,heaven itself rejoices,it makes heaven happy.
                                            A  prayer.
Dear God we thank you for sending Jesus to seek and to save the lost,
and when  they are saved heaven itself rejoices ,Amen .