Denial [ John 9 v25 ]

Many people are in denial, those who have addictions, will deny that they
have a problem, many of us will not acknowledge our short comings. The result is we continue on,and suffer, or make others suffer, because we are not willing to face reality. Better to face up to the truth, for its only as we do
will we hopefully begin to deal with those things ,that need dealt with. they say that honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to ourselves. Especially when it comes to knowing God, we can never know Him unless we are honest with Him. Until we realise that He demands and expects openness from everyone, nothing will change, and its change that we all need, if we are honest enough to admit it. Think about the most important thing that you need, your salvation, yes we all need to be saved.
Right away pride raises its ugly head and we are into denial, I have been there, we all start there. From the moment we are born we go astray, and we
will not acknowledge the truth ,that we are sinners. We  are on the run from
a holy God, yet denying that reality, Germany were never willing to face the
reality of Nazism, because under Hitler they had employment, and food on their tables, and we all know where that led to.

                                        A prayer.
Dear God open our minds, and help to see our lostness, our need of Christ,
Amen.

So thats it [John 11 v25 ]

I was watching a comedy program about a person trying to think of a place
to scatter his aunts ashes. Ashes, is that all its about? ,it is a fair question likewise as one who has taken funerals, be it at a grave or  crematorium ,the question is still the same. I attended a cousin,s funeral ,and when it came to the graveside there was nothing said ,prayed, or read, it gave the impression  that was that. The death of a person appears to me as being unreal, the persons is there one moment, then they are gone ,it is real but on the other hand it is hard to get ones head around what has happened. It appears that Queen Victoria, found it very hard to come to terms with the loss of Prince Albert. I suppose I am touching on something that is very sensitive, so what can I say?. I write as a Christian, and as Christian I know that when a Christian dies, there is hope, when our body dies we go to heaven,[ John 17v 24] Then there will be a moment when Jesus comes back again,[ 14 V 1-3], then something wonderful will happen, all those who died whatever way, will miraculously , be resurrected, with new new transformed bodies, and will forever be with the Lord.[ 1 Corinthians 15 v 35-49]
                                                
                                         A  prayer.
Dear God words fail us to adequately to praise You for the hope we have as Christians, that we hope that goes beyond our deaths ,because of Jesus.
Amen.

Lonliness [ Hebrews 13 v 5 ]

I do not have a twitter account, nor do I go on face book, this is not saying its wrong,but for me at this time it is not for me . Face book and twitter meet a need within our modern society, why is that? , it could be that many people are lonely and isolated. That is not good, the word of God tells us it is not good for man to be alone [Genesis 2 v18],God made us to be social
beings.It is a strange thing, as the population of the world has grown,there
are cities with populations of 20 million, many people are lonely and isolated. I myself at times have felt lonely, less than I used to, but it is not a nice feeling, yes even as a Christian one may feel lonely. And so we have
these web sites, that do help ,in some sense to meet a need, though they are not perfect, and can be used as channels of abuse. That's why we must show a degree of caution in what we put on these sites, everyone reading what you put on ,is not your friend. Can anything good come out of our times of loneliness?, well if we are a Christian, we are in a very favourable position
there is one with us ,who understands our need, for social contact, but He also wants us to develop a deep relationship with Him. I have come to realise that my Saviour seeks what is best for me, He has sent different friends into my life, will remove them as He sees fit, to remind me that the only relationship that is permanent is His.

                                           A  prayer.
Dear Lord ,you know just how we feel,when we are lonely, you know what
we need, and can supply our needs, help to see our greatest need is you, in
your name we ask this Amen.

Support the family. [John 13 v 34 ]

The term backslider is a term that I never hear these days, but where I come
from, it was a common expression, used of someone who had gone away from  the Lord.  I have met many professing Christians who have gone back from following the Lord, and there are those I pray for everyday. Because
I remember my backsliding days, yes I trusted the Lord, but it was an off and on relationship, it was not till a week before my 20th birthday, I finally came home again. I was fortunate  that I was supported by a dear Christian, and that helped a lot, in fact I am indebted to different Christians, who have supported me through my Christian life. We all need those Christians who will support us, and befriend us, on our journey to glory, Timothy had his Paul, David had his Jonathan. Some  Christians have only churches they go to, but have no fellowship, some Christian ministers rarely visit their folk.
Yet let me stress it is important for us all to support our family, for that's what the Christian church is, a family. One of my sons who is a leader in a fellowship, arranged a curry evening, for folk in his fellowship . A lady who did not like curry volunteered to babysit, for a young couple, so they could go.that young couple really enjoyed their evening out, it had been a long time since they had enjoyed such an occasion. We need to support our family of believers, lets not leave it to others, or to the Pastor.

                                Blest be the tie that binds
                                Our hearts in Christian love;
                                The fellowship of kindred minds
                                 is like to that above.

                                 We share our mutual woes,
                                 Our mutual burdens bear,
                                 And often for each other flows
                                 The sympathising tear.

                                 [Word by John Fawcett]
   [I will return to my Blog on Sunday, every blessing ]

Secure [Psalm 121 ]

My wife and I were returning from the supermarket, she was driving, when all of a sudden, a car swerved around the central reservation into our paths. Fortunately my wife swerved, and the car missed us, it could have been so serious, but God protected us. I have driven thousand and thousands of miles I am not a perfect driver, yet God has preserved me form all harm. We live in a potentially dangerous world, we could be the best driver in the world, but that will not stop us being in an accident, being injured, or even killed,now I am not wanting to put fear into you, but rather to encourage
you to look to God, who alone is able to keep us safe, in the battle field, or on the road. It was John Ryland who wrote the following

                                Plagues and deaths around me fly;
                                Till He bids, I cannot die;
                                Not a single shaft can hit,
                                Till the God of love sees fit.

Open hearts. [ Acts 16 v 14 ]

Lead me to people whose hearts are open, that is a prayer I pray continually, so many people, hearts are closed  to Gods word. So is He?, I believe He is.
Let me share something, we had to have our boiler serviced, so a man came,
appeared to do the job. But later we were concerned that there was  a problem so we phoned the gas company, they sent another man to look at it. The first thing about this young man he was very polite, and before he left,
he shared with me that his mother had died, and how it made him realise how short life is, this opened up the door that enabled me to speak to him.I
suggested he read a particular scripture, which he said he would. I really
felt that here was a man whose heart was open to Gods word. All my Christian life, the importance  of witnessing about Christ has stayed with me ,it is a challenge,
I leave the result with God, I can do no other.

                                 When Jesus has found you,
                                 Tell others the story.
                                 That my loving Saviour
                                 is your Saviour too;
                                 Then pray that your Saviour
                                 may bring them to glory,
                                 And prayer will be answered,
                                  was answered for you.
                               [Words, Samuel. O.M.Cluff.]
                                



                                           

Thine be the glory [ Jeremiah 9 v23-24 ]

We finish the Lords prayer with the following words,''Thine be the Glory for ever and ever, Amen ''in other words we want to give all the praise to God.There's a term which I have not heard for a long time, and its this, ''He was a self made man''. Right away we are attributing praise to that person, consider the following words,' 'No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great army[Psalm33 v16]. Wealth and honour come from you, you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now ,our God, we give you thanks and praise your Glorious name.[ 1 Chronicles 29 v12-13 ]Why is it ,God throughout the Bible, chooses the most unlikely people for His purposes?. Consider a few Jacob, the twister, Rehab a harlot, Samson a strong but weak man, Gideon's 300,David the shepherd boy, who defeated a giant , Ruth a Gentile, and so the list goes on. Why did He choose them?, so that He would get the glory, He choose you and me in order that He would get the glory, the thing is, let us give Him the Glory, which is His due
                                      A  prayer.
Dear God we give you all the glory, for you alone worthy,in Jesus name Amen