I shall not fear,if. [ Matthew 28 v 20 ]

Moses had gone up Mount Sinai,to meet with God ,he was there a long time
and the people complained, they where in the wilderness,he was no longer around.So they acted sinfully,by having Aaron,make an idol,which they declared to be their god.When Moses came down from the mount,things had deteriorated ,and severe action had to be taken.It was then God spoke to Moses,as regards the people moving forward to the promise land, he promised that an angel would go before them,to drive out His enemies.He tells Moses that He will not go with them,because of their tendency to sin,the result might be,their destruction. Moses reasoned with God,and He assured him that he would be with him personally,but Moses wanted more he wanted Gods presence to be with his people.God  granted him that request.[Exodus 32-33]The point I am coming to is this,Gods presence with us is vital,without that we cannot,go forward,but with His presence with us, we can confidently go forward.Although Jesus is in Heaven He is also with us by His Spirit,as we face whatever this day has for us,we are not alone,here the words of Jesus,''I am with you always''.
                          
                                     O Jesus I have promised
                                     to serve Thee to the end;
                                     be Thou for ever near me,
                                     my Master and my friend.
                                     I shall not fear the battle
                                     if Thou art by my side,
                                     nor wander from the pathway
                                     if Thou wilt be my Guide.
                                             [Words by J.E.Bode]
          [ I will return to my blog on Saturday,every blessing  ]

Remember who you are.[ 1 John 3 v 1-3 ]

It is John Stott who writes the following,''On 28May 1972 the Duke of Windsor,the uncrowned King Edward 8th,died in Paris.The same evening a TV programme rehearsed the main events of his life.Extracts from earlier films were shown,in which he answered questions about his upbringing, brief reign and abdication.Recalling his boyhood as Prince of Wales,he said; 'My father[ King George V] was a strict disciplinarian. Sometimes when I  had done something wrong, he would admonish me saying,'' My dear boy,
you must always remember who you are''.John Stott goes unto to write, 'It is
my conviction that our heavenly Father says the same to us every day; 'My
dear child,you must always remember who you are'
                                           A prayer.
Dear loving heavenly Father,help us to remember that we are your children,
so that we may not bring dishonour to your name,in Jesus name we ask this Amen.

Happy birthday, Sir David Attenborough. [ Psalm 19 v 1-6 ]

Sir David Attenborough has just turned ninety,in case you do not know he is a world famous naturalist.He has made many program's for TV,which have
been shown over all the world.He is much loved and appreciated,and to celebrate his birthday he appeared on a special TV programme,with a studio audience,a number of people appeared on the programme,others from around the world were shown,one being Prince William,all spoke highly
of Sir David.I enjoyed the programme,but when it was over,I thought that the one who should have been honoured,never got a mention.No it was all
about Sir David,the creature,not the creator,it's like He does not exist.Of course for many people,including Sir David ,He doesn't.Now of course I am not as educated as him,he was educated at Cambridge University,I am not a qualified naturalist.I suppose I am a silly Billy,who cannot accept the just happened theory,but then this is nothing new, CP, Romans 1 v19ff.I suppose I agree with old Paul Robeson song,which went, ''Only God can make a tree''.It appears to me that Sir David,and his follows reject that God created all things, as not being rational,and yet go on to accept the totally
irrational,of a god called evolution.
                                  
                        I think that I shall never see,
                        A poem lovely as a tree.

                        A tree whose hungry mouth is prest,
                        Against the earth's sweet flowing breast.

                        A tree that looks out God all day,
                        And lifts his leafy arms to pray.

                        A tree that may in summer wear,
                        A nest of robins in her hair.

                        Upon whose boson snow has lain,
                        Who intimately lives with rain.

                        Poem's are made by fools like me,
                        But only God can make a tree.
                           [Words by Joyce Kilmer ]

Well do you?. [ Philippians 3 v 8 ]

Jesus asked Peter, these challenging words, ' do you truly love me more than these?'.We like Peter have many things that we love,today Jesus asks us all the question,'do you love me more than these?',what will our answer be?.I cannot go ,I cannot give,why should I?,I am to old,what about my wife and children?,my marriage is to difficult,I have no time,why me?why not
,that other person?.It will only mean heartache and pain,who wants that,my
plans have already been made,I would be a fool,or seen as fool.I did not work and sacrifice to give it all up,for that which I cannot see.So it goes on,and on,our protesting,our reasoning,our resentment,but still the words of
Jesus come,words we would rather not hear,'do you truly love me more than
these?.'
                                When I survey the wondrous cross
                                On which the Prince of glory died,
                                 My richest gain I count but loss,
                                And pour contempt on all my pride.
                     
                                 Forbid it, Lord,that I should boast
                                 Save in the cross of Christ my God;
                                 All the vain things that charm me most,
                                 I sacrifice them to His blood.

                                 See from His head, His hands,His feet,
                                 Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
                                 Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
                                 Or thorns compose so rich a crown?.

                                 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
                                 That were an offering far to small;
                                 Love so amazing, so divine,
                                 Demands my soul, my life ,my all.
                                    [ Words by Isaac Watts]
                                     

                               
                   

Not just the God of history. [ Psalm 46 ]

I read today that the Christian life is like a marathon,I agree with that,but I also see it as an obstacle race.Reflecting on my past I see the many obstacles I have had to face,but I also reflect on how God has sustained me,
and helped me.Consider the following words by John Flavel,''How is it that
you have survived so many dangers,sicknesses,accidents,designs of enemies to ruin you?.It is,I presume,beyond question with you that the very finger of
God has been in these things,and that by His care alone you have been preserved''.As I look back on my whole life ,I would say an Amen to that, how many scrapes and difficulties God has brought me through,I highlight one,as a child when I was  saved from drowning,and I declare with the hymn writer to God be the glory great things He has done.Are you experiencing difficulties now dear child of God,are you tempted to despair?
look back on past deliverance's,and take encouragement  from them in your present situation,His mercy has not been withdrawn from you.As in the past so in the present,He can bring deliverance,meet that need,heal that sickness,open up a door of service,a door of opportunity,He is not only the
God of  history,but the God of the present,take encouragement from the
following words.
                                Begone,unbelief,
                                My Saviour is near
                                And for my relief
                                Will surely appear;
                                By prayer let me wrestle
                                And He will perform;
                                With Christ in the vessel
                                 I smile at the storm.

                                His love in times past
                                Forbids me to think
                                He'll leave me at last
                                In trouble to sink;
                                Each sweet Ebenezer
                                I have in review
                                Confirms His good pleasure
                                To help me quite through.
                                   [ Words by John Newton]

Be discerning. [ John 16 v 13 ]

If you read my thought for the day,you will observe,that I quote from different writers,but a note of caution,I do not agree necessary with all their views.No more that the apostle Paul agreed with those poets he mentioned in [Acts17 v28],the point I am making is,be a prayerful discerning person,as
to what you read, or for that matter what you hear preached. In Acts 16 we read of the apostle Paul ministering at a place called Berea,he had a difficult
time in Thessalonica,the Jews as usual had,rejected the message,blinded by
envy,they never really took time to look into what Paul was saying.So he
moved on to Berea,where we read,'These were more noble than those in
Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind,and searched the scriptures daily,whether these things were so.'Two things that are important,be willing to receive what is according to scripture,and reject  what is not in accordance with scripture.
                                                 A  prayer.
Dear God grant unto us willing hearts to receive your truth,but also to be discerning ,so that we are not lead astray,in Jesus name we ask this Amen.

Evidence.. [ Matthew 5 v16 ]

I found myself singing an old gospel song this morning,I cannot remember
who wrote it,it goes .
                                   ''Each day I'll do a golden deed .
                                   By helping those who are in need,
                                   My life on earth is but a span,
                                   And  so I'll do the best I can''
The story is told of soldiers who broke into a monastery,demanding of the Abbott to give up their money and jewels,the Abbott took them to a room wherein lay the sick.The Abbott pointed to them and said these are our riches,these are our jewels.We rejoice that we are not saved by our good works,but the evidence that we are saved is shown by those good works we do,[James 2 v18].We often pray for the Lord to guide us as to what we should do,well we read in Ephesians 2 v10. ''For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them''.
                                           A prayer.
Dear God we thank and praise you that we are not saved by what we do,but
what you did through Jesus your son.We ask that you will help us to show by good works,the reality of our relationship with you,in Jesus name we ask this Amen