Consider the following [Philippians 2 v5-11]

I would like us to consider one of most meaningful passages of scripture one can read,it is from that little book of Philippians, chap 2 v 5.-11

                              Your attitude should be the same as
                               that of Christ Jesus;
                               Who ,being in the very nature God,
                                did not  consider equality with God
                                something to be grasped,
                                but made himself nothing,taking
                                the very nature of a servant,
                                being made in human likeness.
                                And being found in appearance
                                as a man,He humbled himself
                                and became obedient to death-
                                even death on a cross.
                                Therefore God exalted him to the
                                 highest place,and gave him the name
                                 that is above every name,
                                 That at the name of Jesus every knee
                                  should bow,in heaven,and on earth,
                                  and every tongue confess that Jesus
                                  Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
                                  Father.

                                 

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Attached. [ Galations 4 v1-11 ]

It is John Stott who writes the following on the results of being in Christ,'' they speak with powerful relevance to us today. For our generation is busy developing a philosophy of meaninglessness. It is fashionable nowadays to believe[ or to say you believe] that life has no meaning, no purpose. There are many who admit that they have nothing to live for. They do not feel that they belong anywhere ,or, if they belong, it is to the group known as 'the unattached'. They class themselves as' outsiders',' misfits. They are without anchor, security or home. In biblical language, they are 'lost'.'' I can identify with what JS writes, as a young away from God, I started questioning life as to why we exist, and it was only when I surrendered to Christ, did I find meaning. As JS writes '',I  the unattached became attached. I found my place in eternity[related first and foremost to God as His son], in society[ related to each other as brothers and sisters in the same family] and in history[related also to the succession of God's people down the ages''. Yes I am no longer unattached, no longer lost, no longer without purpose, no longer without hope,

                                       A  prayer.
Dear God we thank You that we can know hope, we can have a purpose, we can have a future that goes beyond time, when Jesus is our Saviour. Amen.

Priorities [ Matthew 6 v 33]

I am just in from my daily walk, I appreciate it is important to look after my body, I also try to watch what I eat, sometimes I transgress. Often it appears we have two extremes, the physical fanatic, and those who neglect their bodies well being. I am sure it is important to have balance in our lives . But what about our souls well being?, what about godliness?, what about holiness?, what about spiritual growth ?.Our physical well being is very so is our spiritual well being, in fact it is more important. 
1 Timothy 4 v8  reads ,''Physical training is of some value,but godliness has value for all things,holding promise for both the present life and the life
to come''. Yes there is a life to come, for those who know Christ as Saviour,
the apostle Paul writes further[1 Tim4 v9],of labouring and striving, J.Stott
puts it like this ,we exercise ourselves unto godliness, because it prepares
us for eternity. W. Barclay writes,'' The Christian is not the athlete of the
gymnasium , he is the athlete of God''.

                                              A  prayer
Dear God help us to get our priorities right , in a world obsessed with earthly values, help us to put our spiritual condition first, in Jesus name we ask this Amen.

Keep your gaurd up. [ Ephesians 6 v 10-18 ]

Keep your guard up shouted the trainer to his man in the boxing ring, even though it was the last round , but he didn't, and his opponent took advantage,and landed a knock out blow, that settled the match. Here is advice for all of us to day keep our guard up, if we don't, there will be consequences. We know the say' keep your eye on the ball', Peter said to our,''Lord ,what about him?'', our Lord replied what is that to you? You follow Me'' John 21 v21-22]. Stop looking at other people, when you do you let your guard down, and you give the enemy an advantage. Nehemiah did not let his guard, and he finished his God given task[CP chap 6]. Nehemiah did something very important ,he was a man of prayer, we have it mentioned that he prayed. When we neglect to pray we are letting down our guard, and should not be surprised if we fall. When we pray we are calling on God to help us,we are acknowledging that we need His help,we need to take to heart what our Saviour said,'' apart from Him we can do nothing[John15 v5]''.I pray because I need to pray, Jesus prayed, leaving us an example, He told us that we  should pray lest we fall into temptation[Mt 26 v41] ,He also told us another important truth, the spirit is willing but the body is weak[MT 26 v41]Consider those did let their guard down, great men of God, Moses with his temper, David in the area of sex, Peter in the area of courage.
                                           A prayer
Dear God help us to keep our guard up at all times lest we fall into sin,in Jesus name Amen.



Be thou my vision. [ Hebrews 12 v 2 ]

I was watching a program as regards the exposure of so called faith healers, the presenter commented that anyone can be duped, no matter how intelligent one is. While Jesus did perform many, many miracles, he played them down. At times He would tell those who were healed to tell no one. Matthew 8 v4 ] He wanted the people to look beyond, the miracle, to look
to Him as there Saviour, He made it clear that the path of discipleship had a cross attached to it.[Matthew 10v 38] ,that love for Him must be first [John 21 v15-22 ],yes even more than our nearest and dearest [Luke 14 v 26] The term prosperity Gospel, is a distortion of what it means to be a follower of Christ. God does bless His children, but we must hold lightly to them. The Christian life ,begins with faith in Jesus, and continues with faith in Him.
Thomas wanted to see before he believed, Christ granted that to him, but he went on to say,'' blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed'
[John 20v 29].

                               Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

                                Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise;
                               Be thou mine inheritance now and always;
                                Be thou and thou only the first in my heart;
                                O Sovereign of heaven ,my treasure thou art.
                                        [M. Byrne/E. Hull]

If. [ Matthew 26 v 39- 42 ]

I visited a Christian ministry a number of years ago, they had a book where they recorded prayer requests on one page, and on the other page the answers. Now contrary to what some people think it is not wrong to ask God for our needs or whatever. Jesus said ask and you shall receive, but let us always try and remember, that our requests if they are to be answered,
they should be in accordance with Gods will. Consider the following, ' This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will he hears us.'[ 1 John 5v14]Likewise we are told, 'If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.'[Psalm 66 v18].These are two important aspects in relation to prayer, that we need to remember, these words are not meant to discourage us in our asking. I spoke to a person recently who had experienced a disappointment, yes she had and others had prayed believing it was Gods will, but it did not happen.
I reminded the person how Gods no, is just as important as Gods yes. So it will always be, and instead of resentment building up, the proper response should be ,you will be done Lord.

                                      Ill that He blesses is our good
                                      And unblest good is ill;
                                      And all is right that seems most wrong,
                                      If it be His sweet will.
                                             [F,W.Faber]