It was just recently that I discovered ,that the original meaning for,good bye
is ,God be with you.Of course it has taken on a different meaning,but I must
confess I like the original meaning.It reminded me of the words of the prophet Isaiah ,a word spoken as to the coming Messiah,/Behold a virgin
shall be with child,and shall bring forth a son,and they shall call his name Emmanuel,which being interpreted is ,God with us,/[Isaiah7v14/Matthew 1 v23] In other words ,that little child in the manger was none other than God manifest in the flesh,truly God and truly man.This truth should take our breath away,it is absolutely mind blowing,something beyond our comprehension,I cannot explain the fullness of this,no one can. That is why
many people reject this truth,but not understanding something ,is no reason
to reject it.Why did God the Father send God the Son into this world?,well because He loves this world,yes love came down at Christmas.His love
caused Him to want to rescue us,from the power,and consequences of our sin.This meant that this child would have to die,and bear the punishment
for our sins,our part for this to happen,is to believe in Him,and then God
would be in us and with us.
Good bye,
Thursday, 24 December 2015
Wednesday, 23 December 2015
Stop talking and start praying.[ Jeremiah 29 v12 ]
Recently while visiting certain people I got drawn into conversation about others,later as I thought on this conversation,I felt a bit uneasy.Should I not have guided the conversation in a more positive way,stressing the need to pray for those situations and people we had been talking about.The most important thing we can do is to pray,the thing is, there are so many people
with imperfections and only prayer can bring a change into their lives and for that matter,our own lives.I can think of circumstances in peoples lives that are beyond any help that I could can give . The main thing we can do is pray to God ,who alone can change people,who alone work in situations,that are beyond us. Pray and do not stop praying to our sovereign God ,is He not the only one that causes wars to cease to the ends of the earth.He is one who
spoke and all things came into being,is He not the one who saved the demon possessed,those no one could help.Is he not the one who changed David,when he was acting like a tyrant[2 Samuel 11-12].Talking about situations and people in a negative way is not helpful to any of us,we need to talk to God,first and foremost.
A prayer.
Dear God forgive our foolish negative talking,help us to talk to you ,who alone can bring change in Jesus name Amen.
with imperfections and only prayer can bring a change into their lives and for that matter,our own lives.I can think of circumstances in peoples lives that are beyond any help that I could can give . The main thing we can do is pray to God ,who alone can change people,who alone work in situations,that are beyond us. Pray and do not stop praying to our sovereign God ,is He not the only one that causes wars to cease to the ends of the earth.He is one who
spoke and all things came into being,is He not the one who saved the demon possessed,those no one could help.Is he not the one who changed David,when he was acting like a tyrant[2 Samuel 11-12].Talking about situations and people in a negative way is not helpful to any of us,we need to talk to God,first and foremost.
A prayer.
Dear God forgive our foolish negative talking,help us to talk to you ,who alone can bring change in Jesus name Amen.
Tuesday, 22 December 2015
Guidance assured. [ Psalm 48 v14]
The Christmas story involves different things,when I think of the wise men,
I am reminded of a God who guides . He may use different things and circumstances,but the important thing in the story of the wise men,that the word of God shone into their lives.[CP Matthew2 v4-6]. When I am seeking Gods will ,I always look for scripture to speak to me,to bring that note of assurance to my heart,as to His will.God used a star,the religious leaders to
guide those wise men and confirmed by His word..It was when God spoke to Abraham did he act,[CP Hebrews 11v8]when I travelled to England to take up my appointment as a minister,God spoke to me ,and said,/Behold, I send my angel before thee,to keep thee in the way,and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.[Exodus 23v20].What a wonderful word of assurance and comfort as we travelled to our destination.As I am retired I have been much in prayer as to what God would have me do,looking for a words of guidance .Surely I should put my feet up,and not be to concerned about doing this and doing that,the word that came to me was,/Son go work today in my vineyard /[Matthew 21v28].The scriptures tells us,/For this God is our God forever,He will be our guide even until death/ [Psalm 48 v14]
A prayer.
Dear God we thank that you are leading your children ,just as sure as you led the children of Israel in the wilderness,and just as sure as you guided the wise men,we thank you in Jesus name Amen .
I am reminded of a God who guides . He may use different things and circumstances,but the important thing in the story of the wise men,that the word of God shone into their lives.[CP Matthew2 v4-6]. When I am seeking Gods will ,I always look for scripture to speak to me,to bring that note of assurance to my heart,as to His will.God used a star,the religious leaders to
guide those wise men and confirmed by His word..It was when God spoke to Abraham did he act,[CP Hebrews 11v8]when I travelled to England to take up my appointment as a minister,God spoke to me ,and said,/Behold, I send my angel before thee,to keep thee in the way,and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.[Exodus 23v20].What a wonderful word of assurance and comfort as we travelled to our destination.As I am retired I have been much in prayer as to what God would have me do,looking for a words of guidance .Surely I should put my feet up,and not be to concerned about doing this and doing that,the word that came to me was,/Son go work today in my vineyard /[Matthew 21v28].The scriptures tells us,/For this God is our God forever,He will be our guide even until death/ [Psalm 48 v14]
A prayer.
Dear God we thank that you are leading your children ,just as sure as you led the children of Israel in the wilderness,and just as sure as you guided the wise men,we thank you in Jesus name Amen .
Monday, 21 December 2015
Blessed unity [ Psalm 133 ]
I like the church I attend,they appear to be caring,and friendly,and are trying their best to influence their community,Now of course it is not a perfect church,I have my concerns,but I do thank God for his people,and pray for
many of them each day,and for the church in general.I would say it is the church that I have been most happy in,my sincere prayer is that I may not be a hindrance but a help to this church.It is a church in the past that has known conflict and division,but thankfully that has passed.The local church should be a place of refuge,not of conflict,a place of love,not hate ,a place of healing,not a place of wounding.In Psalm 133 we are told the blessing that are a result of unity,there the Lord commands the blessing.W Plummer,
writes, /Study to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ, who was meek and lowly,
who did not strive nor cry,nor lift up his voice in the streets,and never opened his blessed lips but in love/. Remember the words of our Saviour
that we should love one another,and that love will be an witness to the world [ John 13 v14],and as John the beloved disciple wrote that love is a very clear evidence that we are Gods children,if it is missing then we are deceiving ourselves,as to our relationship with God who is love.[CP 1 John 4]
Where unity is found,
The sweet anointing grace,
Extends to all around,
And consecrates the place.
To every waiting soul it comes,
The grace on one descends on all.
[Words by Charles Wesley ]
many of them each day,and for the church in general.I would say it is the church that I have been most happy in,my sincere prayer is that I may not be a hindrance but a help to this church.It is a church in the past that has known conflict and division,but thankfully that has passed.The local church should be a place of refuge,not of conflict,a place of love,not hate ,a place of healing,not a place of wounding.In Psalm 133 we are told the blessing that are a result of unity,there the Lord commands the blessing.W Plummer,
writes, /Study to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ, who was meek and lowly,
who did not strive nor cry,nor lift up his voice in the streets,and never opened his blessed lips but in love/. Remember the words of our Saviour
that we should love one another,and that love will be an witness to the world [ John 13 v14],and as John the beloved disciple wrote that love is a very clear evidence that we are Gods children,if it is missing then we are deceiving ourselves,as to our relationship with God who is love.[CP 1 John 4]
Where unity is found,
The sweet anointing grace,
Extends to all around,
And consecrates the place.
To every waiting soul it comes,
The grace on one descends on all.
[Words by Charles Wesley ]
Sunday, 20 December 2015
Old age [ 1 Kings 11 v 4 ]
The challenge of the Christian life,is just that,it is for life,one does not retire
from the challenges and the trials,that life brings us.It is a lifetime commitment,think not, that just because you are old that you will not face temptations.In 1 Kings 11v4,we read the following,/And it came to pass,when Solomon was old,that his wives turned away his heart after gods.
/Yes when he was old,as long as we are in this body of flesh,we can be assured that we still be capable of sinning in gross ways.If it happened to a godly man like Solomon,it can happen to any of us whatever our age.
There is no early retirement from being a Christian,we have to keep vigilant
to the very gates of death.Many a race horse has fallen at the last hurdle,and many a Christian has fallen in their old age,bringing shame on themselves,
and there loved ones,and on their Lord.Satan takes no pity on any one,be it
a child or old person,the flesh is not dead until we are dead,old age may bring limitations,but it will not limit our ability to sin.Solomons heart was turned away from his God,remember the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked,time and old age will not change this.So today let us old ones be on our guard,to remain vigilant,alert,and continually reliant upon our God.
A prayer.
Dear God and Father,help us who are old,to not act like old fools,in Jesus name Amen.
from the challenges and the trials,that life brings us.It is a lifetime commitment,think not, that just because you are old that you will not face temptations.In 1 Kings 11v4,we read the following,/And it came to pass,when Solomon was old,that his wives turned away his heart after gods.
/Yes when he was old,as long as we are in this body of flesh,we can be assured that we still be capable of sinning in gross ways.If it happened to a godly man like Solomon,it can happen to any of us whatever our age.
There is no early retirement from being a Christian,we have to keep vigilant
to the very gates of death.Many a race horse has fallen at the last hurdle,and many a Christian has fallen in their old age,bringing shame on themselves,
and there loved ones,and on their Lord.Satan takes no pity on any one,be it
a child or old person,the flesh is not dead until we are dead,old age may bring limitations,but it will not limit our ability to sin.Solomons heart was turned away from his God,remember the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked,time and old age will not change this.So today let us old ones be on our guard,to remain vigilant,alert,and continually reliant upon our God.
A prayer.
Dear God and Father,help us who are old,to not act like old fools,in Jesus name Amen.
Saturday, 19 December 2015
Venial or mortal. [ Isaiah 53]
Isaiah is the prophet,who under the Spirits power, was granted wonderful visions of the coming Messiah.He lived over 700 years before the Messiah
would come,and yet the visions are so clear,amazingly so,chapter 53,shows clearly the Messiahs death,it is as if he stood at the foot of the cross.Yet he
prophesied not just about the physical suffering,but the significance of his suffering. To appreciate the significance of the sufferings of Christ on that
cross,we must look beyond our human understanding,and focus on a three letter word.sin.Oh I hear you say,not sin again,yes we must not forget the truly awfulness of sin,in relation to a holy God. The consequence of sin is beyond our mind to grasp,the universal reality of sin,it is something that we are all involved in,sin.We are told clearly in Gods word that all have sinned
and come short of the glory of God.[Romans 3 v23 ]The Roman Catholic Church,have two classes of sin,mortal and venial,they see such things such
as those sins that are not so grave,as venial,such sins are seen as comparatively light affairs.Mortal sins are very serious ,like murder,sexual
offences,the so called seven deadly sins.Now lets not judge the poor RC's
are we not all like them,Hitler,Stalin,deserves Gods judgement,but not me
,like the RC's we see ourselves,as only committing venial sins,nothing to much to worry about.So I am as good as the next person,yes you possible are, maybe there are more RC's in the world ,than we realise.We think this way, because it comforts us, and because we do not want to face the gravity of our condition in the eyes of a holy God.The fact is in Gods eyes all sin is mortal,for if it is not forgiven,will take us to a lost eternity.
A prayer.
Dear God although all sin is abhorrent to You,and separates us from you,
and can take us to a lost eternity,you have provided the perfect remedy,
through Jesus death on the cross,as the prophet foretold,He would be
pierced for our rebellion, and crushed for our sin, help us to see our true condition,and save us by your grace , though Jesus your Son .Amen.
would come,and yet the visions are so clear,amazingly so,chapter 53,shows clearly the Messiahs death,it is as if he stood at the foot of the cross.Yet he
prophesied not just about the physical suffering,but the significance of his suffering. To appreciate the significance of the sufferings of Christ on that
cross,we must look beyond our human understanding,and focus on a three letter word.sin.Oh I hear you say,not sin again,yes we must not forget the truly awfulness of sin,in relation to a holy God. The consequence of sin is beyond our mind to grasp,the universal reality of sin,it is something that we are all involved in,sin.We are told clearly in Gods word that all have sinned
and come short of the glory of God.[Romans 3 v23 ]The Roman Catholic Church,have two classes of sin,mortal and venial,they see such things such
as those sins that are not so grave,as venial,such sins are seen as comparatively light affairs.Mortal sins are very serious ,like murder,sexual
offences,the so called seven deadly sins.Now lets not judge the poor RC's
are we not all like them,Hitler,Stalin,deserves Gods judgement,but not me
,like the RC's we see ourselves,as only committing venial sins,nothing to much to worry about.So I am as good as the next person,yes you possible are, maybe there are more RC's in the world ,than we realise.We think this way, because it comforts us, and because we do not want to face the gravity of our condition in the eyes of a holy God.The fact is in Gods eyes all sin is mortal,for if it is not forgiven,will take us to a lost eternity.
A prayer.
Dear God although all sin is abhorrent to You,and separates us from you,
and can take us to a lost eternity,you have provided the perfect remedy,
through Jesus death on the cross,as the prophet foretold,He would be
pierced for our rebellion, and crushed for our sin, help us to see our true condition,and save us by your grace , though Jesus your Son .Amen.
Friday, 18 December 2015
A new song [Psalm 40 v3]
In Luke 2v 13,we read how the angels praised God,at the birth of Jesus,it is called ,'the angels song of adoration.W Hendriksen,/If the word song is used in its broadest meaning,not necessarily being a description set to music
....but rather of words which because of the parallelistic structure can be adapted to music, then we may speak of the angels song of adoration/ the birth of Jesus before and after is filled with song,the song of Mary[Luke 1v46-56].the song of Zachariah [LK 1 v67-80],the song of Simeon [LK 2 V25-32]. In the OT we have the Psalms which were sung in the temple,by a choir.It is in Psalm 40v3, we read,/And He hath put a new song in my mouth,even praise unto our God/. He was praising God for his deliverance,
ever since God delivered me I have had a song in my heart.For most of my Christian life I have had a song,a song of deliverance,a song of praise,most of the songs I have sung have been written by godly people. They have become my song,I remember my wife telling me how a well known Gospel
singer,sang to his dying sister. I remember a young Christian being critical
of a certain Christian songs,he did not see much difference between that and
a non Christian song,as to the music.He had point,as regards the music,but he missed the point,its the words, that are important.The words transport us to the eternal realms,reminding us of eternal truths and eternal values,yes God has placed a new song in the Christians heart,and on their lips,even praise unto our God.
A prayer.
Dear God we thank you for the song you put in our hearts,and upon our lips,in Jesus name Amen.
....but rather of words which because of the parallelistic structure can be adapted to music, then we may speak of the angels song of adoration/ the birth of Jesus before and after is filled with song,the song of Mary[Luke 1v46-56].the song of Zachariah [LK 1 v67-80],the song of Simeon [LK 2 V25-32]. In the OT we have the Psalms which were sung in the temple,by a choir.It is in Psalm 40v3, we read,/And He hath put a new song in my mouth,even praise unto our God/. He was praising God for his deliverance,
ever since God delivered me I have had a song in my heart.For most of my Christian life I have had a song,a song of deliverance,a song of praise,most of the songs I have sung have been written by godly people. They have become my song,I remember my wife telling me how a well known Gospel
singer,sang to his dying sister. I remember a young Christian being critical
of a certain Christian songs,he did not see much difference between that and
a non Christian song,as to the music.He had point,as regards the music,but he missed the point,its the words, that are important.The words transport us to the eternal realms,reminding us of eternal truths and eternal values,yes God has placed a new song in the Christians heart,and on their lips,even praise unto our God.
A prayer.
Dear God we thank you for the song you put in our hearts,and upon our lips,in Jesus name Amen.
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