In Ecclesiastes 11v1-5 ,my study Bible writes, /Solomon summarises ,that
life involves both risk and opportunity. Because life has no guarantees,yet we need a spirit of trust and adventure, facing life's risks and opportunities
with God-directed enthusiasm and faith/.When I was young man ,my wife and I felt called to serve the Lord,we went into Bible college,with no savings,and no guaranteed income.We could have given up,we could have
said it was to risky,after all we had three young children,but we made it through college.There was another young couple who because of no finance
did give up.it is true there are no guarantees. I was talking to a fellow Christian recently,he has a grown up son,whom he and his wife ,brought up in the things of the Lord.But for many years he has went his own way,but just recently ,because he is experiencing mental difficulties,and now it seems,he is seeking the Lord.It has been a long time coming,Ecclesiastes 11v1 ,reads,/Cast thy bread upon the waters;for after many days you will find it again/.All our witnessing,giving,serving,are acts of faith,like seed sown,like bread cast upon the water,I will believe that which we sow is never lost or pointless,one sows there will be a reaping, and that applies
to those children we have sought to bring up in the ways of God.Those kind
deeds we have done,though long forgotten are not forgotten by God,we shall reap,because the word of God says that our work is never in vain in the Lord.[1 Corinthians 15 v58 ]
A prayer.
Dear God help us to be people of faith,to move out of out safety zone,and help us to be faithful in all we do,trusting you to bless, in Jesus name Amen.
Friday, 15 January 2016
Thursday, 14 January 2016
Do not despai. [ Jude v24-25 ]
I attended a funeral recently of a dear Christian,she was loved greatly by many,the minister who took the funeral service,give a short account of her life.As I listened to what was being said about this dear sister,I must confess
I felt such a feeling of inadequacy as to my own life,I did feel a bit overwhelmed.I read something by Dick Lucus,/No Christian can ever claim to have arrived as a model believer,indeed one of the hallmarks of Christian maturity is a growing dissatisfaction with our level of godliness.That should
not produce despair but make us aim to possess a grater degree of godliness,
such as,faith,knowledge[as regards Christ and what pleases Him],self control,perseverance,godliness,brotherly kindness,and love.[2 Peter 1 v6-7]/
Yes it is very obvious to me that I am not the man I should be,but by Gods
grace,I will attempt to pursue the goal,of being more Christ like.
A prayer.
More purity give me,more strength to overcome;
More freedom from earth-stains,more longings for home;
More fit for the kingdom,more used would I be;
More blessed and holy,more Saviour, like Thee.
[Words by Philip Bliss ]
I felt such a feeling of inadequacy as to my own life,I did feel a bit overwhelmed.I read something by Dick Lucus,/No Christian can ever claim to have arrived as a model believer,indeed one of the hallmarks of Christian maturity is a growing dissatisfaction with our level of godliness.That should
not produce despair but make us aim to possess a grater degree of godliness,
such as,faith,knowledge[as regards Christ and what pleases Him],self control,perseverance,godliness,brotherly kindness,and love.[2 Peter 1 v6-7]/
Yes it is very obvious to me that I am not the man I should be,but by Gods
grace,I will attempt to pursue the goal,of being more Christ like.
A prayer.
More purity give me,more strength to overcome;
More freedom from earth-stains,more longings for home;
More fit for the kingdom,more used would I be;
More blessed and holy,more Saviour, like Thee.
[Words by Philip Bliss ]
Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Am I ,of no worth? [John 3 v16]
A very popular TV show is the ,Antiques Roadshow, it is very interesting,
many people bring their wares along .Often there is a interesting history
attached to the given object on display.But of course the one thing everyone
is interested in ,what is the worth of the thing on display.Some objects are not worth very much,and there are object that are worth a lot.I read an article about a recent movie,of an astronaut who found himself ,trapped on a planet,on his own.I have not seen this movie so I do not know the full story,but someone calculated the financial cost of rescuing him,it would cost billions. Billions ,is one human being worth billions?,as I read history
of the wars that have taken place,it often appears that life is worthless.What do think you are worth?,maybe you feel worthless, some people have had very bad childhoods ,abused,deserted,yes there are many reasons why we may feel worthless,but they are all lies,do not take on board the lie that you are worthless.Listen to these words,God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life[John 3 v16].
A Prayer.
Dear God help us to reject the lie,that we are of no worth,in Jesus name Amen.
many people bring their wares along .Often there is a interesting history
attached to the given object on display.But of course the one thing everyone
is interested in ,what is the worth of the thing on display.Some objects are not worth very much,and there are object that are worth a lot.I read an article about a recent movie,of an astronaut who found himself ,trapped on a planet,on his own.I have not seen this movie so I do not know the full story,but someone calculated the financial cost of rescuing him,it would cost billions. Billions ,is one human being worth billions?,as I read history
of the wars that have taken place,it often appears that life is worthless.What do think you are worth?,maybe you feel worthless, some people have had very bad childhoods ,abused,deserted,yes there are many reasons why we may feel worthless,but they are all lies,do not take on board the lie that you are worthless.Listen to these words,God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life[John 3 v16].
A Prayer.
Dear God help us to reject the lie,that we are of no worth,in Jesus name Amen.
Tuesday, 12 January 2016
Giving. [ Psalm 116 v12]
When I worked,we had drug rep's come in to inform us about some new drugs,but they would also provide us with a free lunch,plus free pens,and other goodies.The lunch and the goodies were the main attraction for many of us,let us face it we all like something for nothing.Yet we often wonder is there a catch,in the movies of the godfather,the godfather would do a favour
but it wasn't free,there would come a time when that favour would be called
in. Jesus said,give and it shall be given unto you [Luke 6 v 38],and there is nothing wrong with that ,continually in the word of God we are challenge to give, But unfortunately some preachers use this as an emotional blackmail. I believe God will honour our giving,but like our giving God, we should give freely to those in need,even if it is someone who dislikes you.[Luke 6 v34-36].The word of God reminds us that freely we have received,so freely we should give.[ Matthew 10 v8]An Bill Gather song comes to mind,which goes,/we can never out give the Lord/,so if we give, God will bless, and in a coming day we will have a reward. But let us be clear about this,our giving will never save us,for we are not redeemed with corruptible things,as silver and gold........But with the precious blood of Christ.[ 1 Peter 1 v18-19]
A prayer.
Dear God for all you have given us we thank you,you are very, very kind,we acknowledge your goodness,especially that unspeakable gift of your dear son Jesus. Amen.
but it wasn't free,there would come a time when that favour would be called
in. Jesus said,give and it shall be given unto you [Luke 6 v 38],and there is nothing wrong with that ,continually in the word of God we are challenge to give, But unfortunately some preachers use this as an emotional blackmail. I believe God will honour our giving,but like our giving God, we should give freely to those in need,even if it is someone who dislikes you.[Luke 6 v34-36].The word of God reminds us that freely we have received,so freely we should give.[ Matthew 10 v8]An Bill Gather song comes to mind,which goes,/we can never out give the Lord/,so if we give, God will bless, and in a coming day we will have a reward. But let us be clear about this,our giving will never save us,for we are not redeemed with corruptible things,as silver and gold........But with the precious blood of Christ.[ 1 Peter 1 v18-19]
A prayer.
Dear God for all you have given us we thank you,you are very, very kind,we acknowledge your goodness,especially that unspeakable gift of your dear son Jesus. Amen.
Monday, 11 January 2016
Who is this Jesus? [2 Pter 1 v1-3]
Who is this Jesus?,well let me briefly tell you who he is,in the book of 2 Peter 1 v2-3, we read,/ To those who through the righteousness of our God
and Saviour Jesus Christ,have received a faith as precious as ours.Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.First we note that Jesus is clearly taught as being God.this is what Peter is saying,in other words,as Dick Lucas comments,/Peter attributes deity to Jesus,/ yet he is not all there is to God,for in the biblical
view of God ,we have God the Father and God the Holy Spirit,yet they are one.Next Peter calls him, Christ[ the anointed one] That means he was, and is ,that long awaited one ,who the many thought would rescue Israel,instead he came to rescue all mankind.Thirdly he calls Him Saviour, as it was foretold,this meant He would save them from their sins.[Matthew 1 v21].
Fourthly he calls Him Lord,Lord one who rules,again it is Dick Lucas who points out that the word Lord [kyrios] was the standard translation in the
Septuagent[the Greek version of the Old testament] for the Hebrew name
of God./Yet as Lord we are stressing the importance of obedience.
A prayer.
Dear God help us to hold fast to the truths in your word ,concerning Jesus.
in His name we ask this. Amen.
and Saviour Jesus Christ,have received a faith as precious as ours.Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.First we note that Jesus is clearly taught as being God.this is what Peter is saying,in other words,as Dick Lucas comments,/Peter attributes deity to Jesus,/ yet he is not all there is to God,for in the biblical
view of God ,we have God the Father and God the Holy Spirit,yet they are one.Next Peter calls him, Christ[ the anointed one] That means he was, and is ,that long awaited one ,who the many thought would rescue Israel,instead he came to rescue all mankind.Thirdly he calls Him Saviour, as it was foretold,this meant He would save them from their sins.[Matthew 1 v21].
Fourthly he calls Him Lord,Lord one who rules,again it is Dick Lucas who points out that the word Lord [kyrios] was the standard translation in the
Septuagent[the Greek version of the Old testament] for the Hebrew name
of God./Yet as Lord we are stressing the importance of obedience.
A prayer.
Dear God help us to hold fast to the truths in your word ,concerning Jesus.
in His name we ask this. Amen.
Sunday, 10 January 2016
To God be the glory [ 1 Samuel 30 v 6ff ]
I cannot stress enough the importance of praying about everything, it is vital that we acknowledge God in all our ways[Proverbs 3 v6 ].The Israelites made a pact with the inhabitants of Gibeon,and never asked counsel of the Lord[Joshua 9 v 14] , that scripture is a reminder to us of the importance of praying before we make decisions,Now of course we are at times forgetful, God understands,he is not a tyrant,consider the words of Psalm 103v13-14,Like as a father pitieth his children,so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.Yes understands our weaknesses,as every parent ,but even more so.But because have to some degree the spirit of the prodigal in us,in that we desire our independence,if we run with that spirit,we like Israel of old will run into
trouble ,CP.Joshua 9 v14.What was their failure as why they never sought the Lord,was it because of their former victories,but their victories came through the Lord. As a person who has been following the Lord,for over 51 years,I realise more than ever,the importance of continually praying to God.
When we pray we are acknowledging our dependence upon God and Saviour Jesus Christ,to guide us,to protect us,to provide for us,to keep a keep a hold on us.We are acknowledging that it is not our resilience or toughness, that will bring us through.
A prayer.
Dear God and Father, forgive us our foolish attempts at being independent ,
from you,help us by your grace,to acknowledge you in all our ways,in Jesus name Amen.
trouble ,CP.Joshua 9 v14.What was their failure as why they never sought the Lord,was it because of their former victories,but their victories came through the Lord. As a person who has been following the Lord,for over 51 years,I realise more than ever,the importance of continually praying to God.
When we pray we are acknowledging our dependence upon God and Saviour Jesus Christ,to guide us,to protect us,to provide for us,to keep a keep a hold on us.We are acknowledging that it is not our resilience or toughness, that will bring us through.
A prayer.
Dear God and Father, forgive us our foolish attempts at being independent ,
from you,help us by your grace,to acknowledge you in all our ways,in Jesus name Amen.
Saturday, 9 January 2016
He cares.[ 1 Peter 5 v7 ]
It is not often we see people in high office crying,but it was refreshing to see President Obama shedding a tear.His concern is caused by the gun crime in his country,he desperately wants to bring greater control into a situation that is out of control, I hope and pray that he succeeds.The President appears to be man who cares,we need leaders who care, but the
important truth is, we all need to be caring people.One of the great truth about our Saviour is that He cares,when he walked on earth,he cared,in so
many ways. Of course His coming into the world ,was based on the fact that he cared,not just about people physical needs,or material needs,but their spiritual needs.To meet that need, it would take all the love he had,it would mean him dying on a cross,and on that cross,to suffer for our sins.He knew that if he did not suffer for our sins,then we would have to suffer. It is hard for us to take in the reality of sin and its eternal consequences,because we
lean upon our own understanding.The word of God clearly teaches that we sin ,and are capable of the committing awful things,that we are not only flawed,but fallen human beings.So Jesus came to rescue us, he is known as a man of sorrows,that sorrow was borne out of a heart that cared. He still cares,still seeks to save that which is lost.
A prayer.
Dear Lord Jesus we thank you that cared so very much for us that you died
for us on Calvary Amen.
important truth is, we all need to be caring people.One of the great truth about our Saviour is that He cares,when he walked on earth,he cared,in so
many ways. Of course His coming into the world ,was based on the fact that he cared,not just about people physical needs,or material needs,but their spiritual needs.To meet that need, it would take all the love he had,it would mean him dying on a cross,and on that cross,to suffer for our sins.He knew that if he did not suffer for our sins,then we would have to suffer. It is hard for us to take in the reality of sin and its eternal consequences,because we
lean upon our own understanding.The word of God clearly teaches that we sin ,and are capable of the committing awful things,that we are not only flawed,but fallen human beings.So Jesus came to rescue us, he is known as a man of sorrows,that sorrow was borne out of a heart that cared. He still cares,still seeks to save that which is lost.
A prayer.
Dear Lord Jesus we thank you that cared so very much for us that you died
for us on Calvary Amen.
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