Earthly power verus spiritual power. [Daniel 2v44/ John 18v 36]

I wrote the following recently, /earthly power versus spiritual power/,so many only see the earthly power, Earthly power takes many forms, political,
financial,sexual abuse,military,possible you can think of other aspects,of
earthly power.Because we live in a fallen world,earthly power can be cruel,
 corrupt,and oppressive.The New testament was written when a mighty power ruled,Rome,an empire that lasted for about 500years.In Palestine the
people were ruled also by their religion ,we see this in so many place now,
and it is not a happy situation for many people.The religious power,looked
with anticipation for a Messiah who would,break the yoke of their slavery,
take from them the burden of their oppressors. And so a child was born, born in obscurity,the long awaited Messiah had come,but He represented not earthly power but a spiritual kingdom.He was Gods gracious gift ,He loved this sinful world,and his purpose and plan would be at total odds with the earthly power,of Rome,and earthly religion.His power would be a spiritual power,that would bring in an eternal kingdom.this Messiah ,would defeat and conquer,death ,the Devil,and sin,these forces no earthly power can conquer,or defeat. To all who accept Him as Saviour they alone would be free, and would be part of a kingdom of unlimited power.of course the name of that Messiah would be Jesus.
                                         A prayer.
Dear God help us to look beyond earthly power,to our Saviour to whom all
power and authority has been given Amen

Becoming a child [Philippians 2 v 5-11]

About seven hundred years before Christ Isaiah the prophet,gave a wonderful prophecy,/Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign.
Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,and shall call his name Immanuel/.Those words were spoken to a unbelieving king called Ahaz,
it is interesting that when our Saviour spoke about those who would enter
the kingdom of heaven,must become as a little child,[Matthew 18v3]Christ was rejected by Herod the king,and by the educated religious leaders.I believe in child evangelism,for it was as a child I trusted Jesus,of course
salvation is not just for children.The words were spoken to His disciples,
who had been discussing who would be the greatest in Gods kingdom,they were thinking of a kingdom where they would rule over mankind,an earthly Kingdom[Acts 1v6]It took a  long time for then  to grasp,that Christs kingdom was not of this world[John 18v36].Not a kingdom with earthly values,but of spiritual values,the disciples did not grasp  what that meant,it was ,A.Lukyn Caffin, who wrote,/a kingdom in which earthly pride,and ambition,find no place/.
                           Make me,O Lord,a child again,
                           So tender,frail,and small,
                           In self possessing nothing,and
                           In thee possessing all.
                       
                          O Savior, make me small once more,
                          That downward I may grow,
                           And in this heart of mine restore,
                           The faith of long ago.
                               [Dutch poem]

Hope. [ 1 Timothy 1 v1]

When Germany invaded Poland,Britain and France declared war on Germany,this created hope,many Poles breathed a sigh of relief. Yet there hopes were soon dashed to the ground these two nations did not do anything.The result was, poor Poland,was conquered and so began a period of terrible suffering for the Polish people.For the Jewish population it was a death sentence,but the whole population suffered,under the Nazi's and under Communism.The hope they had when Britain and France declared war on Germany,had been a false hope.The message of Christmas is one of
hope,because it comes from God,all who place their trust in Christ will not be disappointed.Mankind's condition is terminal,we are all sinners and the wages of sin is death.When we trust in Christ we come from a place of no hope to a place of hope.The coming of Christ means lives can be changed,
sins forgiven,and deliverance from its power.Yes death will continue to happen, but it has not the final say,no,when Christ died he rose again,He defeated death,so that all who trust in Him,would likewise be resurrected.
                                 O little town of Bethlehem,
                                 How still we see thee lie,
                                 Above your deep and dreamless sleep
                                 the silent stars go by;
                                 yet in your dark streets shining
                                  is everlasting Light
                                 the hopes and fears of all the years
                                 are met in you tonight.

                                  How silently,how silently,
                                  the wondrous gift is given
                                 So God imparts to human hearts,
                                  the blessings of His heaven.
                                  No ear may hear His coming;
                                  But in this world of sin,
                                  where meek souls will receive Him,still
                                   the dear Christ enters in.
                                    [Words by Philips Brooks]

Good bye. [ Colossians 1 v 27]

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,

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.

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 .

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 ]