The word was God. [ John 1 v 1]

The Jehovah Witness's are active in the area where I live,and so it happen that two called at my door.What does one do,talk to them?,now that is a challenging thing to do,for the enemy is strong.The important thing to remember ,because this is a stronghold of Satan ,it does not mean they are right.This organisation was borne out of a rejection of Biblical truth,what they do not understand ,what appears to their rational mind as irrational,they reject.Now that may sound reasonable,but it is not,they will reject the doctrines ,which the Bible clearly teaches,they have a translation,which has been changed to fit in with their beliefs.One simple but very important
scripture,illustrates this is John 1 v1,which reads,/In the beginning was the the word,and the word was with God,and the word was God./Now this is clear statement on the divinity of Christ,but because they have rejected that doctrine ,they have slipped in an a,to make it read ,/a  god/.We must appreciate the importance of this,instead of accepting what scripture says,
the JW's,have perverted the scripture.Paul Barnett states,/Christianity stood
or fell depending on one's view of the person and work of Jesus.False views
of Jesus have been promoted throughout history,including in these present
times.Such views must be firmly opposed in our generation as they were then by Paul if the true gospel is to have its power to mediate salvation.
                                           A  prayer.
Dear God help to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all
entrusted to the saints,in Jesus name Amen.

Is it I?. [ Psalm 51 ]

According to Pablo Picasso, a fascist officer barked at him,'Did you do that?,and pointed to a photo of the huge painting Guernica,which graphically depicts the bombing of civilians, 'No, you did',the artist replied.
Sometimes we are blind to the way we are behaving,and the trouble we are causing.King Ahab blamed Elijah for the trouble Israel was having,when in
fact,the king was to blame[  1 Kings 18 v17-18 ].When Nathan the prophet
told King David,of an rich man who was oppressing a poor man David,
became angry,and threatened to have that rich man put to death.Imagine  his surprise and horror when the story was turned on him,when Nathan said to
David, 'you are the man'.The point of all this is,that often we are into denial
as to where the blame really lies,we blame others,we blame circumstances,
we even blame God.As long as we keep doing this ,things will not change,
and whats most important we will never change.When our our Lord told his
disciples that one of them would betray him,they began to say to one another, is it I?. [Mark 14 v19]. Are you into some addiction that is causing
you trouble,but you are unwilling to admit it,not willing to take responsibility,for the mess your in.Is it not time to face your demons,to
acknowledge them,and to pray to Christ to forgive you,and for grace to
change whatever the price.Instead of asking ,is it I?,acknowledge ,that it is you.
                                         A  prayer.
Search me,O God,and know my heart,test me and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting. in Jesus name Amen.
                                              

A shelter in the time of Storm . [Psalm 61 ]

In Psalm 61v 1-2, we read,/Hear my prayer,O God,attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,when my heart is overwhelmed;lead me to the rock that is higher than I./As I write these words, a severe storm is raging,garden furniture has been blown over.It reminds me of many of Gods children who are facing severe storms,in so many countries, storms of persecution.There are all sorts of storms,I was asked to pray recently for a couple ,the husband is at the early stages of dementia. Are you in a storm?well what can you do?, you can pray that prayer,  David prayed. It commences,/Hear my cry,O God,listen to my prayer/,we are assured in Gods word that God listens to his childrens prayer,not only listens ,but answers,[Psalm 107]Next we  read,/From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed ,/When I'm far from anywhere,down to my last gasp [T M]/, in other words no matter where you are,and no matter how you feel,God will hear,he is no local diety,He the God of all the earth,and He is your God.Lastly he asks to be lead to the rock that was higher than I,/God is seen as a rock[Psalm 62v2].David was praying to God to keep him safe, and secure from the storm he was in.
                                           A  prayer.
                         O Rock Divine,O Refuge dear:
                         A shelter in the time of storm,
                         Be Thou our helper ever near,
                         A shelter in the time of storm.
                                     Amen.
                               [Words by F.R.Havergal]

Regrets. [ Romans 5 v 6-10 ]

 I attended a course in preparation for me eventually being part of the
chaplaincy team at a local hospice.I found it very helpful,for it dealt with such things,as death and dying,loss,grief bereavement care,dignity and respect,listening,responding and communication skills.They were all extremely helpful,I am sure many people would benefit from such a course.
Though I found some of it difficult emotionally to deal with,as it made me focus on the death of my first wife,and how I handled it,the regrets I have in relation to how I handled my boys.I wish I could say that I have no regrets
but the fact is I have many,I cannot join in the song,sung by the little sparrow,no regrets.I am a flawed human being,but this I know that  I am loved by my loving heavenly Father.He knows the best about me and the worst,and yet His love remains constant,there is nothing hidden from Him,
but everyday as I pray and thank Him for Jesus,He whispers, Billy that's how much I love you,and that will never change.
                             
                               How deep the Father's love for us,
                               How vast beyond all measure,
                               That He should give His only Son
                               To make a wretch His treasure.
                                How great the pain of  searing loss-
                               The Father turns His face away,
                               As wounds which mar the Chosen One,
                               Bring many sons to glory.
                                     [Words by Stuart Townend]
                                   

Attending church. [ Psalm 122v 1]

Peter Adams write of Jeremiah Burroughs one of the great preachers of the
seventeenth century.He wrote a book called Gospel Worship,a series of sermons on how to relate to God.He thought the most important thing we do each week is to go to church,to listen to the reading,and preaching of the
Bible.As you sit still to listen,he explains....you come to tender your homage to God, to sit at Gods feet and there to profess your submission to Him''. The fact is we need to meet with Gods people,to hear the ministry of Gods word,by the minister.As a minister I am continually studying Gods word,I pray for guidance,and Gods help,that the hungry sheep may be fed.That is my calling,I do it not for money,glory,but because I have been called by God to do it.When I go to preach I am not going to a debating
society,I am going to preach the word God has given me.Recently when I had finished preaching,a brother stood up,this brother is a difficult chap,he
wanted to say something,I asked him to sit down,he became angry and stomped out of the building.The point is ,it would have been better for him,and for those gathered, to just to take in the message that had been preached,in a submissive manner,as Jeremiah wrote.And for our own spiritual well being we really need to take seriously,the importance of attending church.
                                            A  prayer.
Dear God we thank you for being able to attend a church,where Gods word is preached,help us to not neglect this,help us to see its importance to our spiritual well being,in Jesus name Amen.

Are you afraid? [Isaiah 41 v10]

One of the characters in the peanut cartoon always carried a security blanket
,children often need reassurance,.I remember when I was very little,feeling scared ,so I ran to were my mother was. To some extent things don't change,even though we are now adults,there are still so many things can cause us to fear.I am sure every time I preach there will be someone who is feeling fear,I am certain that there is someone who is reading this ,is experiencing fear. If you are not experiencing fear ,because everything in the garden is rosy,I can assure you that life being what it is,you will in time come into something that will cause you to feel afraid. That is why continually God  seeks to reassure his children,to not be afraid.Here the word of Lord ,a word for us all,God  says to us all,/Fear not/,hear these words,/Fear not/,because he says,I am with you,whatever you may be facing you are not facing it alone,so be not dismayed.Next we are told ,I am your God,and I will strengthen you,we all need His strength,our strength will fail but his will not.Next He says, I will help you,though all human resources fail,though all human help fail us ,He will not fail us,he will help us.Next He says I will uphold you,you will not go under,the pressure, he will uphold you Isaiah41v10].This is the word of the Lord for you ,claim it ,believe it,and rest in it .
                                              A  prayer.
Dear God you know how prone we are to fear,you know,and so today,helps
by faith to trust your word, for us today ,in Jesus name Amen.

A sure and certain way. [John 14 v 6 ]

Philip Yancey wrote the following,/Towards the end of his life the artist,Paul Gauguin,painted a huge panelled triptych[a picture on three panels]he scrawled these words in French across a corner of the painting;
'Who are we?Why are we here?Where are we going.-questions he had learned in a Catholic catechism class for which he had still no answers./
When I was young I like many asked myself similar questions,that is ,until I came back to Christ,then things became clear.The question who we are is
absurdly answered by science we are ,just another animal,The Bible tells
us God made us,in His image,that is who we are.Why are we here?God put us here,but because of sin,we have lost sight of God ,and only until we trust Jesus,we will continue to wander lonely as cloud.Where are we going?,with Christ as my Saviour,I do know with absolutely certainty where I am going,heaven here I come.
                                             A  prayer.
Dear God we thank you that in Christ there is a way forward,out of the darkness and into the light,a sure and certain way. Amen.