Listen. [ Psalm 95 v8]

I read the following recently,/ It is easier to speak to God,than it is to listen to God/.I think on the whole that is true,although some people find it hard to
pray,but it is true that we may find it hard to listen to God, yet for all of us
it is of vital importance to listen to God.When Stephen preached to the
Sanhedrin, in Acts 7,there came a point when they covered their ears,they
didn't want to hear,what God was saying,through His servant Stephen.In the
book of Revelation,in chapters 2-3, we read the following,/He who has an ear,let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches/.Why was it necessary
for this to be said?,because the Lord was challenging, practises,attitudes,that were wrong.Why do you think the prophets were persecuted, and slain by those who professed to be the people of God.Jeremiah was warned by God,that his fellow Israelites would fight against him?.Ezekiel was told that
the people he was being sent to[Israel],were rebellious,obstinate, stubborn,
and so we could go.People often say what about those who have never heard the gospel,I think the difficulty is not that they have never heard,but
they are not listening.The challenge for all of us is to listen,to Gods voice, listen to his promises,to His words of challenge,to his rebukes ,to listen.
                                  A  prayer.
Dear God help us listen to your voice today,in Jesus name Amen.

Circumstances. [ 2 Kings 6 v 12- 17]

In a recent devotional I read the following,/This time look at your circumstances with the eyes of faith/[Anne Cates] This time which implies that the last we did not,look at our circumstances with the eye of faith. In
failing to do this we are no better than the unbelievers,who speak of bad luck,good luck.Consider if you are a Christian,that God your loving Heavenly Father is watching over you His child.nothing happens to His children that is outside his control.We can only appreciate this by faith,not
by our own understanding,our own understanding can so often be flawed,
and is only partial.Saul, Israels first king fell into the trap,of leaning on his own understanding by offering a sacrifice,which was against Gods word.[Deuteronomy12 v5-14]. Saul was under pressure,so he took matters into his own hands,later on, he again acted contrary to Gods word again  [1 Samuel 15],both times he violated Gods commands. He failed to trust and obey.Whatever pressure we be may be under,whatever our circumstances are,the way forward is always by faith.We do not ignore our circumstances
,they are what they are,in God providence,and that same providence,can change everything for good in a moment.
                               A  prayer.
Dear God help us by your grace to look at our circumstances by faith,
in Jesus name Amen.

Come down [Matthew 27v 39-44]

There was Christ hanging on the cross,nailed to that cross,his back in shreds
a crown of thorns on his head,not a pretty sight.It was not meant to be ,it was to say to the population if you break the law this is were you will end up. It was for criminals,and for those who would be involved in insurrection,Christ was guilty of none of these crimes,the governor had said so ,he tried to reason with his accusers,asking them ,why should he be crucified,he had done no evil[Matthew 27 v23].Nothing was going to change their minds,Absolutely nothing,as far as they were concerned this nobody,should die.The Governor knew why they wanted him dead,they were envious of him[Mark15v11],his popularity ,his power,his ministry,all were to bitter a pill for them to take.So the longer he lived ,the  more they hated him,and hate when it fills the heart can lead to murder.So there he was hanging on that cross of shame an innoncent victim,and they mocked him,there was no pity in their hearts for him,none.As they passed by they cried out,'He saved others;himself he cannot save. If he is the king of Israel,let him now come down from the cross,and we will believe him.[Matthew 27 42].But as General Booth once said,'It is precisely because He would not come down that we believe in Him'.
                                 There is a green hill far away,
                                 without a city wall,
                                 where the dear Lord was crucified,
                                 who died to save us all.

                                  He died that we might be forgiven,
                                  He died to make us good,
                                  that we might go at last to heaven,
                                  saved by His precious blood.
                                        [Words by Cecil Frances Alexander]

                                 

In understanding be men.[ Acts 8 v 30]

A lady from Japan said to a group of Christians,that the word we use for sinner,is the word they use for crime,so when we refer to people in Japan as
sinners,we are calling them criminals.I am sure there must be some other word that could be used to mean what the Bible calls sinners,I do not know.
Yet this highlights the importance of speaking Biblical truths in language that people can understand.Also here is a challenge as regards the Bible,and its this,to begin to understand the Bible,ourselves. It is very important to read the Bible daily ,to make as it as it were,our daily bread,and to try to
memorise it.Now it is important,but it should not stop there,we personally
need to understand the word of God. You may reply in different ways to what I am saying,you have not time,you are not one who likes studying,
or whatever,but it would be such a rewarding thing to do.You do not need to
overwhelmed by the thought,seek to get an overview,look at the background
of the books,historically,the reasons why the books were written.Make notes,buy good sound books,I am using a series of books called ,'The Bible speaks today/,I am finding them helpful,,some will be more helpful than others. Use the inter net,and let us remember we have the Holy Spirit who will guide us[John 16v13],ask Him to grant you discernment,always be discerning.We really do need to have a passion for Gods word,to read it ,to understand it,to live it,and in all things to Glorify Christ.
                                               A prayer.
Dear God thank you for your  word,that word that makes us wise unto
salvation,through faith in Christ,but also that we know Him more clearly,to love Him more dearly,and to follow Him more nearly.Amen.
[Part of a prayer by Richard of Chichester]

Angry. [ Revelation 21v 1ff]

I heard a dear Christian brother praying,he asked forgiveness for feeling angry,as to why people were suffering ,he did not understand,it sounded
like he felt it was unfair.Many people feel like that,and accuse God,they
say why does God not stop it,if He is God.Now the fact is we will all suffer,
without exception,for we will all die,why does he not stop it?.Two things
come to mind,Gods sovereignty,and  what appears a world that is out of control.The word of God tells that,all things changed,when our first parents sinned,humanity changed, the visible universe changed[Romans 8 v22]
It was mankinds decision to sin,so lets not blame a loving God,as I say the blame falls on us,no I am not trying to load you with guilt for a particular thing ,no  I am pointing out the awful consequences of what we call the fall,upon every human being.It appears God give humanity a choice,[ Genesis 2 v15-17]He told them the consquences of disobedience,which they understood,but they disobeyed,and whiter we realize it we were all involved in this,and we are all suffering the consequences. Now I cannot fully explain the sovereignty of God in all this,only God can explain it.But I believe He is sovereign,and inspite of suffering,He is in control,and through Jesus death on the cross,He offers us salvation,that deals with sin and its
consquences.Our sins can be forgiven ,instead of Hell we have an new heaven and earth,and in that realty there will be no sin.
                                       A prayer.
Dear God we confess our weakness in fully understanding many things,but we praise you that this we do know,that through Christ your son there is hope .Amen.

George and that hymn. [ Luke 15 v 11- 32]

George Matherson by all accounts must have been a wonderful preacher,
many people flocked to hear him.He lived in Scotland,died in 1906,the thing that made him different was he was blind. He had a very good memory,which was a great help,in  his preaching,he wrote a number of books which are still in publication,and a number of hymns,  one particular hymn is still very popular.It appears he may have had a disappointment in love,but he had a sister who helped him a great deal,and she got married.
On the day she got married, he had that evening when alone a tremendous
mental struggle,and it was then he wrote that well known and loved hymn,he said it only took him five minutes to write.
                              
                                O love that wilt not let me go,
                                I rest my weary soul in Thee;
                                I gave thee back the life I owe,
                                that in Thine ocean depths its flow
                                may richer, fuller be.
         
                                O light that followest all my way,
                                I yield my flickering torch to Thee,
                                my heart restores its borrowed ray,
                                that in thy sunshine's blaze its day
                                may brighter be.

                               O joy that seekest me through pain,
                               I cannot close my heart to Thee;
                               I trace the rainbow through the rain,
                               and feel the promise is not vain,
                               that morn shall tearless be.

                               O cross that liftest up my head,
                               I dare not ask to fly from Thee;
                               I lay in dust life's glory dead,
                               and from the ground there blossoms red,
                               life that shall endless be.
                               
                                

Mothers. [ Exodus 20 v 12 ]

Today is mothers day in our country,people send cards with words of appreciation to  their dear old mum's.Well Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem in
honour of his mother.
                          If I were hanged on the highest hill,
                          Mother O'mine,O'mother O'mine.
                          I know whose love would follow me still,
                          Mother O'mine, O'mother O'mine.
               
                          If  I were drowned in the deepest sea,
                          Mother O'mine, O'mother O'mine.
                          I  know whose tears would come,
                          down to me,
                          Mother O'mine, O'mother O'mine.

                          If I were dammed of body and soul,
                          Mother O'mine,O'mother O'mine,
                          I know whose prayers would make me whole,
                          Mother O'mine, O'mother O'mine.
                               
                                       A  prayer.
Dear loving heavenly Father,we thank you for mothers,for the love they
they poured out upon us,and the sacrifices they made for us,in Jesus name Amen.