Rescue the perishing. [ Isaiah 61 v 1-3 ]

I attended a meeting recently,the speaker was telling us about the work of a mission in the Philippians.The work they are involved with is with children, who live on a massive city dump ,were thousands of people live.Many dear children have no one to look after them,so they survive as best they can.All this is very sad,but one thing in particular ,was a photo he showed of little girls under ten ,selling themselves for sex.When things are bad in this world
they are very bad,but thankfully the Christian mission is making a difference.The fact of the matter is,all who are Christians are meant to make a difference,in this needy world.Jesus said we are to be light [to shine in the darkness],and salt[to stop the corruption].It was William Booth who raised an army of people,who went into the slums,and made a difference,to thousands of people. We cannot solve all the worlds problems,but we can help to a degree by our giving,praying,going,remember Christ will reward even the smallest act of kindness[Matthew 10v42].Our deeds will speak
[Matthew 5v16],but not only our deeds,but also our words,for as awful as mans physical needs are,their spiritual needs are also great,they need to hear about Jesus,if we neglect to tell them ?,who will?

                                       Rescue the perishing,
                                       Care for the dying.
                                       Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
                                       Weep o'er the erring one,
                                        Lift up the fallen,
                                        Tell them of Jesus the Mighty to save.
                                           [Words by Fanny J. Crosby]
                                        

Being resonsible [1 Thessalonians 4 v11]

John Stott wrote the following,''God's sovereignty never diminishes our responsibility''.We are always challenged in the Bible to act in a responsible
manner,while God will provide,we are expected to work.While God will
protect we are not to be irresponsible,and put ourselves in danger. Success does not come without effort,the farmer ploughs the field,plants the seed.
There is little point in praying to God to lead us not into temptation,if we
put ourselves in a place where we are vulnerable.We are responsible to work at our marriage,a good marriage does not happen automatically.As regards money,we cannot borrow,barrow,borrow,spend,spend,spend,and not reap the consequences.We cannot flirt with that work colleague,and expect God to keep us from ,its consequences.We cannot continually ignor the speed limit,without being stopped for speeding.You may be a five point Calvinist,but you are still called to be responsible.Salvation is of Lord,but we are still told to go into all the world and preach the Gospel.I hope you have got the picture,I hope I have got the picture.
                                           A  prayer.
Dear God help us all to grasp this truth that we are called to act in a responsible manner,in Jesus name we ask this Amen.

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]