The people in the Bible no matter who they are,are people who felt fear,
who worried,about this and that.So it is continually,we have words of
encouragement,this especially applies to worry. In that message our Saviour gave called the sermon on the mountain,He tells us about ,the danger of living with a wordly mindset,laying up treasures on earth,the danger of setting our hearts on our treasures,when all the time our hearts should be fixed on God.Remember what Jesus said to Peter,'' Do you truly love me more than these ?,[John 21 v15]Jesus asks all of us to face these challenging words.He speaks of laying up treasure in heaven.[Matthew 6 v20] .Now lets be honest having money in our bank account gives us a feeling of security.There is nothing wrong with having money as long as money does not have a hold on us. The laying up of treasure in heaven challenges us to be generous,to gave to those in need,and to trust God instead of our money.There were times in my life when to give was a challenge,because I had so little,but God provided, it still is a challenge ,but Jesus said don't worry,you have a heavenly Father who will provide for you.
A prayer.
Dear heavenly Father we thank you ,for assuring us that you will provide
help us to be generous,help us be like you the giving God,in Jesus name Amen.
Friday, 15 April 2016
Thursday, 14 April 2016
Worry [ Psalm 23 ]
Let me ask you a question ,do you worry?,well join the club,for everyone
worries.The very nature of life,will always bring uncertainties into our lives,
no matter if you are billionaire,even if you are famous,and idolised.No one
escapes those things which can cause us to worry.Our Lord did not worry,not because everything in the garden was rosey,but he had a perfect trust in his heavenly Father.Consider the story of the disciples crossing the
sea in a storm in,[Mark 4v 35ff],everyone was in danger of drowning,but Jesus was fast asleep,everyone else was fearful.Is it possible to reach that
degree of freedom from a lack of worry,to smile at the storm,to know
a totality of peace.?.It is a challenge,to aim at,that in a world of full of
uncertainties, we may enter into the peace of God that transcends all
understanding. The first thing we must focus on is what scripture has to say,for it has so much to say ,that can help us.I want you read something
,but not just to read it,but think about it,pray about it as you read it,it is Psalm 23.Tomorrow we will think more about worry and how we can overcome it.
A prayer.
Dear loving Heavenly Father, you know that we worry,we bring those things that are causing us fretful,and fearful thoughts,and ask that like our Saviour Jesus we may your peace.Amen
worries.The very nature of life,will always bring uncertainties into our lives,
no matter if you are billionaire,even if you are famous,and idolised.No one
escapes those things which can cause us to worry.Our Lord did not worry,not because everything in the garden was rosey,but he had a perfect trust in his heavenly Father.Consider the story of the disciples crossing the
sea in a storm in,[Mark 4v 35ff],everyone was in danger of drowning,but Jesus was fast asleep,everyone else was fearful.Is it possible to reach that
degree of freedom from a lack of worry,to smile at the storm,to know
a totality of peace.?.It is a challenge,to aim at,that in a world of full of
uncertainties, we may enter into the peace of God that transcends all
understanding. The first thing we must focus on is what scripture has to say,for it has so much to say ,that can help us.I want you read something
,but not just to read it,but think about it,pray about it as you read it,it is Psalm 23.Tomorrow we will think more about worry and how we can overcome it.
A prayer.
Dear loving Heavenly Father, you know that we worry,we bring those things that are causing us fretful,and fearful thoughts,and ask that like our Saviour Jesus we may your peace.Amen
Wednesday, 13 April 2016
The church not perfect. [Ephesians 5 v26-27]
As I finish my study on 2 Corinthians,one can come away with a negative
impression of local church ,but we must get balance.In Philip Yancey's book ,Vanishing Grace,he deals with the church,and there is much one can see that is far from what it should be.On the other hand there are many in Gods church who are making a difference for the better in this needy world.
Philip quotes Eugene Peterson,,''When Christians believers gather in churches,everything that can go wrong sooner or later does.Outsiders,on observing this,conclude that there is nothing in this religion business except,perhaps business- and dishonest business at that. Insiders see it differently. Just as a hospital collects the sick under one roof and labels them as such, the church collects sinners.Many people outside the hospital
are every bit as sick as the ones inside,but their illnesses are either undiagnosed or disguised.It's similar with sinners outside the church.So Christian churches are not,as a rule,model communities of good behaviour. They are,rather ,places where human behaviour is brought out in the open and dealt with.''
The church is like us as individuals,a work in progress,but the Lord of the church will one day present her to himself, as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle,or any other blemish,but holy and blameless.[Ephesians 5 v27]
A prayer.
Dear Lord perfect your church that it may more reflect you ,help us to love
your church,as you love it Amen.
impression of local church ,but we must get balance.In Philip Yancey's book ,Vanishing Grace,he deals with the church,and there is much one can see that is far from what it should be.On the other hand there are many in Gods church who are making a difference for the better in this needy world.
Philip quotes Eugene Peterson,,''When Christians believers gather in churches,everything that can go wrong sooner or later does.Outsiders,on observing this,conclude that there is nothing in this religion business except,perhaps business- and dishonest business at that. Insiders see it differently. Just as a hospital collects the sick under one roof and labels them as such, the church collects sinners.Many people outside the hospital
are every bit as sick as the ones inside,but their illnesses are either undiagnosed or disguised.It's similar with sinners outside the church.So Christian churches are not,as a rule,model communities of good behaviour. They are,rather ,places where human behaviour is brought out in the open and dealt with.''
The church is like us as individuals,a work in progress,but the Lord of the church will one day present her to himself, as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle,or any other blemish,but holy and blameless.[Ephesians 5 v27]
A prayer.
Dear Lord perfect your church that it may more reflect you ,help us to love
your church,as you love it Amen.
Tuesday, 12 April 2016
Free at last. [ 1 Corinthians 6 v 9-11]
''The Achilles heel of man is his mind, since he is so prone to intellectual pride, especially in matters to do with religion.It was with unerring judgement about human vulnerability,therefore, that Satan blinded, not the
emotions,or the will,but the mind of man''[Paul Barnett][1 Corinthians 8 v1-2] One of the great and wonderful changes that come into our lives when we come to Christ,we begin to think different.No longer do we believe the lies of Satan,or society,we begin to have a new mind set.We begin to evaluate things differently,we see wonders of creation,we see the danger of riches,we who were once blind, now can see. Before we became a Christian our minds were full of sinful imaginations,these imaginations are strongholds.[2 Corinthians10 v5]In Romans 1 v16, we read that the gospel
of Christ is the power of God unto salvation,to everyone that believeth.
Writing to Christians at Corinth,Paul declares'' that the wicked shall not
inherit the Kingdom of God. Do not be deceived; Neither the sexually
immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers,nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves nor the greedy, nor drunkards nor slanders ,nor swindlers ''But he goes on to write that they had ceased from these things,when they trusted Christ[1 Corinthians 6 v9-11]Whatever bondage
we are in,Christ can deliver us from mind sets,that are destroying us.
A prayer.
Dear God we thank for Jesus your son,who died to forgive us,and to set us free,Amen.
emotions,or the will,but the mind of man''[Paul Barnett][1 Corinthians 8 v1-2] One of the great and wonderful changes that come into our lives when we come to Christ,we begin to think different.No longer do we believe the lies of Satan,or society,we begin to have a new mind set.We begin to evaluate things differently,we see wonders of creation,we see the danger of riches,we who were once blind, now can see. Before we became a Christian our minds were full of sinful imaginations,these imaginations are strongholds.[2 Corinthians10 v5]In Romans 1 v16, we read that the gospel
of Christ is the power of God unto salvation,to everyone that believeth.
Writing to Christians at Corinth,Paul declares'' that the wicked shall not
inherit the Kingdom of God. Do not be deceived; Neither the sexually
immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers,nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves nor the greedy, nor drunkards nor slanders ,nor swindlers ''But he goes on to write that they had ceased from these things,when they trusted Christ[1 Corinthians 6 v9-11]Whatever bondage
we are in,Christ can deliver us from mind sets,that are destroying us.
A prayer.
Dear God we thank for Jesus your son,who died to forgive us,and to set us free,Amen.
Monday, 11 April 2016
A difficult church. [John 15 v17 ]
The apostle Paul had worked hard with the Corinthian Church,visiting it[in total according to Paul Barnett 7years],he also wrote a number of letters to
them,we have just two of his letters.The church were difficult beyond degree,but it was obvious that he loved that church.Paul Barnett ,''Sacrifice is at the heart of the gospel,and also at the heart of ministry-whether it is in evangelising unbelievers or providing pastoral care for the flock of Christ. service of God,where it is true to him,is never easy and frequently is painful''. the church I attend, was not so long ago a battlefield,and in the end
the Pastor resigned,both he and the church had their faults.People often think,that the early church was wonderful,not so ,as the Church of Corinth
proves.[P B]''Despite this Paul did not disown them as Christians or repudiate their profession of church membership.Subsequent Christians have not always been so charitable as Paul.'' Sinless perfection in believers
will never happen,of course all churches are not like Corinth ,but they do still exist.To all of us echoing down through the years are the words of our Saviour,to His church,this is my command; love each other[[John 15 v17 ].
There is no get out clause in this,no ignoring it,no running away from it,no
self justifying,for whatever reason,for not loving our Christian family.
A prayer.
Dear Saviour we thank you for your church,help us to love those in our local church,in obedience to your word Amen.
them,we have just two of his letters.The church were difficult beyond degree,but it was obvious that he loved that church.Paul Barnett ,''Sacrifice is at the heart of the gospel,and also at the heart of ministry-whether it is in evangelising unbelievers or providing pastoral care for the flock of Christ. service of God,where it is true to him,is never easy and frequently is painful''. the church I attend, was not so long ago a battlefield,and in the end
the Pastor resigned,both he and the church had their faults.People often think,that the early church was wonderful,not so ,as the Church of Corinth
proves.[P B]''Despite this Paul did not disown them as Christians or repudiate their profession of church membership.Subsequent Christians have not always been so charitable as Paul.'' Sinless perfection in believers
will never happen,of course all churches are not like Corinth ,but they do still exist.To all of us echoing down through the years are the words of our Saviour,to His church,this is my command; love each other[[John 15 v17 ].
There is no get out clause in this,no ignoring it,no running away from it,no
self justifying,for whatever reason,for not loving our Christian family.
A prayer.
Dear Saviour we thank you for your church,help us to love those in our local church,in obedience to your word Amen.
Sunday, 10 April 2016
A light for the journey[Psalm 119 v105 ]
While travelling to a friend recently,using my navigational device, I was suddenly faced with a road sign,informing that the road ahead was closed.
I must confess I depend on the navigational device,years ago one used a map book.Faced with the road closed signed I turned around ,but the device kept telling me to turn around.It took me awhile before I got back on track, but thankfully I did,and was able to reach my destination.As a Christian
I am on a journey,and on that journey,I will meet many obstacles,I will be faced with deviations,unexpected signs that tell me the way ahead is blocked.We have no navigational device for life's journey,but we do have
a wonderful resource,its called the word of God,hear is the word for us all today,/Your word is a lamp to my feet,and a light to my path.[Psalm119 v105]/Dependence on Gods word is vital on our journey home,years ago a man was travelling by night,was given a torch of light wood,or ''pitch pine''.
He raised objections,it was too small,it will light you home.He then said,the
wind will blow it out,again he was told,''It will light you home'',then he said,
''but what if it rains ?'',he received the same answer,It will light you home'',
and it did.The word of God will be a lamp to our feet,and a lamp to our path
,it will light our way home.
A prayer.
Lead ,kindly light,amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on.
The night is dark,and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on.
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
[Words by John Henry Newman.]
I must confess I depend on the navigational device,years ago one used a map book.Faced with the road closed signed I turned around ,but the device kept telling me to turn around.It took me awhile before I got back on track, but thankfully I did,and was able to reach my destination.As a Christian
I am on a journey,and on that journey,I will meet many obstacles,I will be faced with deviations,unexpected signs that tell me the way ahead is blocked.We have no navigational device for life's journey,but we do have
a wonderful resource,its called the word of God,hear is the word for us all today,/Your word is a lamp to my feet,and a light to my path.[Psalm119 v105]/Dependence on Gods word is vital on our journey home,years ago a man was travelling by night,was given a torch of light wood,or ''pitch pine''.
He raised objections,it was too small,it will light you home.He then said,the
wind will blow it out,again he was told,''It will light you home'',then he said,
''but what if it rains ?'',he received the same answer,It will light you home'',
and it did.The word of God will be a lamp to our feet,and a lamp to our path
,it will light our way home.
A prayer.
Lead ,kindly light,amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on.
The night is dark,and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on.
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
[Words by John Henry Newman.]
Saturday, 9 April 2016
Unchanging one.[ Malachi 3 v6]
Paul Barnett wrote,/ The God of the Bible,of yesterday,is the God of today,
powerful and active to comfort his people/.Yes the God of the Bible,that means the Old Testament and the New Testament,there is only one God.The
fact is we change, He changeth not ,in the Old God ,spoke through the prophets,at many times and in various ways.[Hebrews 1 v1]And then the writer goes unto say,/But in these last days he has spoken to us by his son/.
Jesus has not replaced God,no He was God manifested in the flesh,we read
in 1Timothy 3v16 ,the mystery of godliness is great,He appeared in a body/.Again in Colossians 2 v9,we read,'For in Christ all the fullness of the
Deity lives in bodily form'.It is our Saviour who said,'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me/[Matthew 28 v 18]So when we pray,in Jesus name we can rest assured that Gods power is available to work on our behalf,to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think,according to the power that worketh in us[Ephesians 3 v20.] And He is also able to comfort all his children who mourn, so let us lift up the eyes of faith,to an all sufficient Saviour.
A prayer.
Dear God we thank and praise you ,that you never change,and that we can,
experience ,your wonderful power,and comfort ,through Jesus,Amen.
powerful and active to comfort his people/.Yes the God of the Bible,that means the Old Testament and the New Testament,there is only one God.The
fact is we change, He changeth not ,in the Old God ,spoke through the prophets,at many times and in various ways.[Hebrews 1 v1]And then the writer goes unto say,/But in these last days he has spoken to us by his son/.
Jesus has not replaced God,no He was God manifested in the flesh,we read
in 1Timothy 3v16 ,the mystery of godliness is great,He appeared in a body/.Again in Colossians 2 v9,we read,'For in Christ all the fullness of the
Deity lives in bodily form'.It is our Saviour who said,'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me/[Matthew 28 v 18]So when we pray,in Jesus name we can rest assured that Gods power is available to work on our behalf,to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think,according to the power that worketh in us[Ephesians 3 v20.] And He is also able to comfort all his children who mourn, so let us lift up the eyes of faith,to an all sufficient Saviour.
A prayer.
Dear God we thank and praise you ,that you never change,and that we can,
experience ,your wonderful power,and comfort ,through Jesus,Amen.
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