Bad language. [Proverbs 12 v17-19]

While in a local park with some of my family, I observed a dispute, between
two mothers ,over what one of their children had done to another child,
when it was over, one the ladies began leaving the park. As she left, she
began swearing in the most awful manner at her child, the child responded
by swearing back, which caused the child's mother, to tell the child off. We used to call such profane words as ,''bad language'', it was seen as wrong, not everyone thinks that it is. Ephesians  4 v29, in the Message reads'' Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps ''.Our words should be a blessing, the words of that mother did not bless  anyone, It is in James  3 we read of the importance of
controlling the tongue, he is writing to Christians,yes  Christians, yes no gossip, lies, taking the Lords name in vain, hurtful or unkind words,should
pass from our lips. It was to that woman's shame that she spoke that way to her child, and it is to  our shame when as Christians we follow her example
in any way.

                                         A  prayer.
Dear God forgive us for speaking as the world speaks, help us to see that our words matter, to those around us and to you, in Jesus name Amen.

Spluttering prayer. [ Romans 8 v 27-28]

Our prayers do not always flow, sometimes they splutter along, our minds
finds it hard to focus, but we do not give up. Prayer is not a performance, it
is a  weak human being communicating with almighty God.  He is perfect, we are not, so do not be discouraged when praying is not easy, He may be perfect, but He rejoices over our feeblest cry unto Him. Our words may be limited, our mind inclined to wander, but it makes no difference to Him.
I have a friend whose grandchild is autistic, his speech is not great, but she listens to him and loves him. Every parent rejoices when their child begins
to speak, to hear those first words, is never criticised, We can learn from others about prayer but God will teach us, we are not to compare ourselves with others, for prayer is not a comparison web site. Prayer is not about how we feel, it is pressing on regardless of feelings, it is an act of faith. Prayer is on the whole is personal, even when we pray in public. Prayer will make a difference to us, and others, we may not see how effective our prayers are.
I am convinced that prayer will make a difference, to our world, to our country,to our neighbourhood, to our friends and families, and to ourselves, so pray

                                               A  prayer.
Dear God help us to pray, help us not to give up praying, and like the disciples of old we ask that you will teach us how to pray, in Jesus name,
Amen.

Disposable. [ John 3 v16 ]

About a year ago we purchase a kettle, I choose it, I like it, one of the things I liked about it was, one could see clearly the level one filled it up to, I also liked the design, It has a flip lid, and that's were the trouble began, I managed to put it together, but then it came  away altogether, and I cannot fix it. What can I do?, depose it, and replace it with a new one, yes we live in, the disposable generation. That is the way it is, things are disposed off, but it seems that for the religious fanatics ,human beings are disposable,and
likewise for many other groups, dictators ,war mongers, the uncaring, and self obsessed. We all remember what a certain lady said about the poor let them eat cake, let us remember that this is not Gods way, He sees no one as a thing that should be disposed of, like my kettle. Every human being is loved by God, let me repeat this every human being is loved by God. His
heart towards humanity, is to bless them, as regards going to heaven, well we read that He wants all men to be saved,[1 Timothy 2 v4 ]And He has provided the perfect answer, Jesus ,the choice is yours, you are not a disposable kettle, you are dear , and precious to a loving God, who has done everything to enable you to be saved.

                                                 A prayer.

Dear God we thank you that you love humanity so much that you gave Jesus to die that all can be saved,Amen.

The challenge. [ Matthew 28 v16-20]

Donald  English wrote,'' The idea that if the church got her act right, society
would embrace her, may be  illusory. Persecution and opposition might be  
more likely and  we must be ready for that'' Consider that the Lord went about good, the crowds flocked to  him, but in the end they crucified Him. Yet I know that a godly life can speak volumes, so there must be balance in our lives, a faith that manifests the reality of Christ, in good works, for faith without works is dead, the scripture tells us we are to show our faith[James 2 v18]Yes a godly life will speak, many years ago a band of soldiers broke into an abbey, and demanded of those in charge, their jewels, they were taken and shown a room full of sick and poor people ,the soldiers were told these are, our jewels. I always feel that I must stress that our good works do not save us, they are the evidence, of our salvation.[Ephesians 2 v8-9]All this I mention is part of the whole, but if I was to stop there, what I have written, if I left it there, it would be like an unfinished jig-saw. We must
be prepared to speak about Christ, for it is by hearing the word of God. people come to faith we must speak the word.
                                      A prayer.
Dear God help by our lives to show Christ, and help us by our words to proclaim Christ Amen.

Jesus its me again. [ Matthew 11 v 28 ]

A gospel song has the following words,
                                      
                                      ''Jesus its me again,
                                       Down on my knees again
                                       Asking you please again
                                       Reach out your hand''
                                  
                                       Lately Lord, I almost feel like dying,
                                       Wake up like a child crying
                                        Sometimes Lord, I just can't keep from crying
                                        Jesus its me again.

                                        Time to time I try to find a reason
                                        To talk to you, from time to time before,
                                        But this time. your will is my command
                                        And  I know I just can't take it anymore.

As we read the gospels we note that the spiritual intellectuals missed out in
receiving a blessing, but the desperate and needy did not. The question is what category do we fall into?.

Unworthy [ Matthew 7 v 7-12]

I was talking to one of my sons, he is a Christian, he said there was a time his feelings of unworthiness effected his prayer life, that he could not bring things to God because he felt unworthy. Many people feel because they are unworthy, Christianity is not for them, not realising the simple truth that everyone is born unworthy, But that God loves us all, and because of Jesus we can be accepted by a holy God when we accept Jesus as our Saviour. Even though this is true some Christians still feel that their unworthiness is a hindrance ,a reason why God will not answer our prayers ,or that we cannot partake of the Lords table. The fact is when we know Christ as our Saviour God becomes our Father, who loves His children, imperfect though we are.all are welcome . None of my children are perfect, but I love them all and will help them if they ask me, How much more will our loving heavenly Father respond to His children when they call upon Him.

                             Ask and it be given to you,
                             Seek and you will find,
                             Knock and the door will be opened to.
                             For everyone who asks receives;
                             He who seeks finds,
                             and to him who knocks,
                             the door will be opened
                              [Matthew 7 v 7-8 ]

                               

Is He the God.....? [ 1 Kings 20 v 28 ]

                Life is easy, when you're on the mountain.
                And you've got peace of mind, like you never known
                But things change, when you're down in the valley
                Don't loose faith ,for your never alone.

                For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley
                When things go wrong, he'll make them right
                And the God of the good times ,is still God in the bad times.
                The God of the day, is still God in the night.
                We talk of faith way up on the mountain,
                 And talk come easy when life is at its best,
                 Now its down in the valley, trials and temptations,
                 That's where your faith is really put to the test.

                 For the God on the mountains is still God in the valley,
                 When things go wrong, He'll make them right,
                 And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times
                 The God of the day, is still God in the night,
                 The God of the day, is still God in the night.

                         [ Words by Lynda Randle ]