What about now? [ Revelation 2 v1-7 ]

I read these words recently. that the secret of England's greatness, was the Bible. Greatness it seems is what most nations want. President Trump wants to make his country great, it is though that Mr Putin want to restore Russia to be once again a great power. As to that saying about the secret of England's greatness,I will leave that for God judgement.Yet there is no doubt that the Christian influence had an effect on England,  Yet like many countries, many people did not believe  in Christ, many people did attend church, mighty movements by Gods Spirit had an effect upon the United Kingdom. Wales experienced revival, likewise Ulster, there where movements in Scotland.In England God raised up great ministries, and great ministers, but it is all past history as with many western countries there has been a sharp decline in the Church of Christ. I cannot say that the scriptures have any real place in England now, although Bishops take there place in our parliamentary system, there voice is rarely heard. England is still a great country but that former greatness is gone. What it was and what it is now is sadly different,it does raise a question for all of us who are Christian, can it be said, that our testimony relates only to the past?, that what we once where, and what we are now ,are sadly different?.
                                
                                             A  prayer.
Dear Lord help us to manifest the reality of You in our lives now, in your name we ask this Amen

Loneliness . [ 2 Timothy 4 v 16-18 ]

Is it wrong to admit our weakness, our feelings of loneliness?, we are all part of humanity, and we all have our weaknesses. Even though I have been a Christian for a long time ,I still feel at times lonely, the Beatles sang, about all the lonely people. I believe many, many people suffer from loneliness. of course that is one reason God gave Adam a wife [Genesis 2v18].One aspect of  bereavement is loneliness, and that is why some people marry soon after the death of that loved one. Dating agencies are popular as ever, because people are lonely, modern life has brought us many benefits, but it has destroyed a sense of community. Our prosperity has caused us to be more independent, less dependent on others.We all live in little boxes ,little boxes in a row, we do not ,nor even consider going to our next door neighbour to borrow something like the well known  cup of sugar. The church I attend is a very friendly church, but it is so sad when we hear of churches that are not welcoming. I remember attending a certain church, which was well attended, the people I felt were alright, but as I was leaving, the minister, seemed to look at me as if I was an intruder. So is there an answer as regards loneliness, yes there are partial answer, try and connect socially, attend a friendly church, be friendly,ask God to help you.
I believe that as long as we live on planet earth, there will always be a degree of loneliness, until that day when we enter the eternal glories.

                                          A  prayer.
Dear God help us in our lonely times to not give into despair, grant unto us
the grace to bear with life, and all that is thrown at us, and most of all, fill our heart and lives with your wonderful presence in Jesus name Amen.

An everlasting Kingdom. [ Daniel 2 v 44 ]

I read something our government did that was a cause of concern, yet lets face it the government's of this world, do not represent the Kingdom of God. Consider those words spoken to a political ruler in John18v36, by Jesus,'' My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my Kingdom is from another place'' no political system represents the Kingdom of God ,they pass laws that are often contrary to Gods will, and even are sinful. Consider those words of our blessed Saviour as regards His kingdom. Islam would want to set up what they believe to be their gods kingdom, where all would follow
and submit. Some Christians believe that Christ one day will set up a kingdom on earth, where He will rule with a rod of iron, for a thousand years, and the temple worship will be reintroduced again, and all the nations will come and worship. God is not in the business of building again that which He has destroyed[Gal 2 v18] The Jews had an expectation that the Messiah would come set his throne up and rule from an earthly throne [ John 6 v15],it did not happen and will never happen, for His Kingdom is not of this world, it is different, its a spiritual kingdom, where Christ rules in the hearts of all who accept Him as Lord and Saviour, a kingdom that will have no end.in the words of Daniel 2 v 44,''A Kingdom that will never be destroyed'', and will ''Endure for ever''.
                                           A prayer.
    Dear Lord we pray that your kingdom will come into the hearts of all men. Amen.
                          
                            

                               

Lucky charms. [ 2 Corinthians 10 v 4- 5]

Do you believe in lucky charms, many people do, recently a man told how he picked up a penny, this coincided with him doing the Lottery, and to his surprise, yes you've guessed, he won over a million pounds. So that penny
became his lucky penny,yet how a penny really had anything to do with it, does not make sense. Are you superstitious?, well the dictionary defines  superstition as having an irrational belief in supernatural events, that certain objects, actions,  or events bring good or bad luck. Some religious people have been noted as being superstitious, throughout history, some so called Christians, have believed in relics, that would bring them good fortune, it was thought the more relics one had the better. Most of it was absurd ,and utter nonsense in fact it all was. there will be those who will strongly disagree with what I am writing. There is nothing in Gods word to support a belief in relics or lucky charms, people who hold to such beliefs, are far removed from God. I remember making a wish, on a so called wishing chair.and I felt so convicted by the Holy Spirit that what I had done was wrong. I am not holding unto any trinkets, relics, or whatever, but in God and His word. I believe in the power of prayer to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that beats a so called lucky penny.

                                             A  prayer.
Dear God open the eyes of all who hold to those things that are contrary to
your word, in Jesus name Amen

His will or mine? [ Matthew 26 v 39]

It is lovely to see God moving in situation's, in things one is concerned with, our part is to pray. Yes I stress again the importance of continuing in
prayer, it is so easy to give up, that is a mistake.Jesus tells us to keep on asking, seeking, and knocking.  [Matthew 7v7] I am not talking about vain repetition, but a legitimate spiritual exercise, where in faith we seek God.
If what we seek is Gods will, we will have what we seek, if not , then we are better not to receive it. In Psalm 106v15 we read how God granted to Israel their request ,but sent leanness into their souls. 1 John 5 v14-15,tells us,
''And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that ,if we ask anything
according to His will, He heareth us; And if we know that He hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of
Him''
Consider your parents, would they gave you anything, you ask for, if it was not good for you?. Our parents had rules, that they believed was  for our good, when we are little children, our parents, do not give into our pleading for they know what is best for us, in a very real sense their will is best. God knows what is best for us, His will, is always  best, and it is best for us to realise this, and to not rebel against it.

                      Let us learn this most important lesson,
                      Gods will is always best.
  
       [I will return to my blog Monday, every blessing Bill]

Immanuel Kant [ 1 Corinthians 1 v26 - 31]

My son showed me a quote by Immanuel Kant ,the question is who was Immanuel Kant?. Well I look looked at a web site , he was a Prussian, born 1724 died 1804,and had a religious background. He turned out to be one of the major Philosophers of all time,now philosophy is a study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence.I must confess I have a very limited knowledge of Kant, but he appears to not to be tied to any limitations in his thoughts. And so as to his concept of God and humanity, he will form his own opinions, he wrote many books one was called,'' The Christian religion is a natural religion''. well as  a Christian I do not accept that, was he a Christian?, what I do believe that a Christian is one who only accepts what God has revealed in his word, and it appears to me that Kant was not willing to do that. He said many interesting things one thing for sure, one would not find salvation in his writings, please bear that in mind.I come back to that quote my son showed me, it reads,''The existence of the Bible is a book for the people, it is the greatest benefit which the human race has ever experienced. Every attempt to belittle it, is a crime against humanity''. What Kant meant, I am not sure, as with much that he wrote. but I know what its meaning is to me. The Bible is Gods word to man, it reveals our origin, our condition, our need of God, and the only one that can meet that need ,Jesus, the Son of God, and Saviour of mankind.

                     For the message of the cross is foolishness
                     to those who are perishing, but for us who
                     us who are being saved it is the power of
                     God. For it is written,'' I will destroy the
                     wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of
                     the intelligent, I will frustrate. Where is
                     the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where
                     is the philosopher of this age? Has not God
                     made foolish the wisdom of the world?. for since
                     in the wisdom of God the world through its
                     wisdom did not know him,God was  pleased
                     through the foolishness of what was preached
                     to save those who believe. Jews demand
                     miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
                     but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling
                     block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.
                   
                             [1 Corinthians 1 v18-23 ]

Does God answer prayer?. [ Hebrews 11 v 6 ]

Following on from yesterday as regards superstition, I read the following from a book by Leonard Merrick, two men, one called Conrad, the other called Mr.  Irquetson,''Do you think prayers are ever answered?,inquired
Conrad'', well do you believe that?, Mr Conrad was not sure  though he prayed often, Mr Irquetson went on to say,'' Once he said,'' I was passing with a friend through Grosvenor Street. ......we came to a ladder leaning against a house, my friend passed around it, and raised his hat to it. You may know the superstition. He was a university man....I said to him, is it possible you believe that nonsense? He said, N-no, I don't exactly believe in it, but I never throw away a chance.'' Suddenly the vicar's inflexion changed,his utterance was solemn, stirring, devout.'' I think, sir, that most people pray on my friends principle- they don't believe in it, but they never throw away a chance.'' William Barclay comments,'' For many people prayer is either a pious ritual or a forlorn hope. It should be a thing of burning expectation. Maybe our trouble is that what we want from God is our answer, and we do not recognize His answer when it comes.
  [Taken from W. Barclay's daily notes on Marks Gospel]

                           Lord teach us how to pray. Amen.