The mystery of Godliness. ( 1 Timothy 3 v 16 )

             A.W.Tozer, wrote a wonderful little book called,' The knowledge
             of the Holy,.In   it he wrote , ''What is God like?', if by that
             question ,''What is God like Himself''  ? there is no answer.  If
             we mean'' What has God disclosed about Himself ?'', there is an
              answer  both full and satisfying, For while   the name of God is
              secret and  His  essential nature incomprehensible, He in .....
              condescending  love has  by revelation declared certain  things
              to be true of  Himself. These we call attributes.''
              Yes there is and always will be a mystery about God ,as to His
               essential nature, and also as to His ways ,our relationship with
               God is brought about by faith ,a faith in a God who is .............
                incomprehensible , in His fullness, whose ways are past finding
               out. It was Job that wonderful man of God, who suffered so
               much , declared ,'' Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him''
               That is a man of faith talking.

                                    Jesus these eyes have never seen
                                    That radiant form of Thine;
                                    The veil of sense hangs between   
                                     Thy blessed face and mine.

                                     I  see Thee not, I hear Thee not,
                                     Yet art Thou oft with me;
                                     And earth hath ne'er so dear a spot
                                     As where I meet with Thee.

                                     Yet though  I have not seen and still
                                      Must rest in faith alone,
                                      I love Thee, dearest Lord and will,
                                      Unseen , but not unknown.

                                      When death  these mortal eyes shall  seal
                                      And still this throbbing heart,
                                      The rending veil shall Thee reveal,
                                      All glorious as Thou art.

                                               ( Words Ray Palmer )

Get understanding. ( Luke 24 v13- 27 )

                   John W. Olley writing about  Satan's  use of scripture 
                   when tempting Jesus,  writes,  ''The mere  quoting of
                   Scripture  does not guarantee correct application, ''I was
                   talking to a friend ,who said he found it hard to retain
                   scripture ,even though he had memorized it. memorizing s
                   scripture is beneficial, the Bible tells about hiding Gods
                   word in our heart  ,that we may not sin against  Him. ( Psalm-
                   119 v 11) It is like buried treasure that will enrich our lives,
                   and when shared can enrich other peoples lives. It may be
                   hidden in our hearts that does not mean that we should hoard
                   it, we are meant to share the word of God. But it is important
                   that we grow in our understanding of Gods word. The
                   Psalmist prays ,''give me discernment that I may understand
                   your statutes''( Psalm 119 v 125)

                                                    A prayer

                        Dear God help us treat your word as the most precious
                        thing we have, to not neglect it, but to treasure it, that we
                        may be blessed, and we may bless others.in Jesus name
                        Amen.









                   .

William Carey. ( John 3 v 27 - 30 )

           It is many years since I read the life of William Carey, so I
           looked briefly at his life on Internet. I would encourage you
           to read his life, his achievements were extraordinary,
                        
                          Translated the Bible into 34 Asian language
                           Started a College,
                           Compiled dictionaries in different  languages.
                           Started first  Indian newspaper.                           
                           Started 100 rural schools. 
                           Encouraged the education of girls.
            He established many Christian churches ,and mission stations.
            During his final illness, he had a visit from a young Scottish
            missionary. He said this to him, Mr. Duff, you have been
            speaking about Dr . Carey. When I am gone, say nothing about
            Dr. Carey- speak about Dr. Carey's  Saviour.
          
                      
                         
                          
                               

Perseverance ( 2 Corinthians 4 v 7 - 18 )

                     William Carey  served God in India ( 1793 - 1834 ) ,his
                      wonderful challenging motto which reads, ''Expect great
                      things from God, attempt great things for God''. He was a
                      godly man, during his time in India he translated the
                      scriptures ,he had just about finished a translation when a
                      fire destroyed it, this was a great disappointment, but he
                      did not give up .In spite of difficulties he persevered, this
                      must be characteristic of every child of God .

                                        O for a faith that will not shrink,    
                                        Though pressed by many a foe;
                                        That will not tremble on the brink,
                                        Of poverty and woe.

                                        That will not murmur or complain
                                        Beneath the chastening rod;
                                        But in the hour of  grief or pain
                                        Can  lean upon its God.

                                        A faith that shines more bright
                                        and clear
                                        When tempests rage without 
                                        That when in danger knows no fear,
                                        in darkness feels no doubt;

                                        A faith that keeps the narrow way
                                        Till life's  last spark is fled
                                        And with a  pure and heavenly ray
                                        lights up the dying bed.

                                        Lord give me such a faith as this
                                        And  then, whate'er may come,
                                        I taste even now the hallowed  bliss
                                        Of an eternal home.
                                          
                                               (  Words by W H. Bathurst )

                                        
                                     

                                       
                                       

                                    
                                        
              

Choose . ( John 14 v6 )

               It was Elijah the prophet, who challenged the backsliding
               nation of Israel with the following words, ''How long will you
               waver between two opinions? If  the Lord is God follow Him,
               but if Baal is God, follow him''. God demands an exclusive
               relationship,  Jesus stressed that He was only way
               to God (John 14v 6]. We cannot serve to masters, the people
               of Israel where trying to give their allegiance to a Canaanite
               god called Baal and the Lord, so they were challenged to make
               a choice. A lady said to me recently that no one would convert
               her, she had made a choice, unfortunately the wrong choice ,
               There is a verse in Revelation 3 v20 which reads .

                        Here I am , I stand at the door and knock
                        if anyone hears my voice and opens the
                        door, I will come in.


                      

Remorse is not enough. ( Luke 15 v 7 )

                     A friend of mine  who used to be a justice of the peace was
                     sitting on the bench, before a young man, who had broke
                     the law. The solicitor representing the young man was asked
                     by my friend as to the young man's attitude ,the solicitor
                     said that he was filled with remorse.  My friend said this,     
                     '' but is he repentant,? '' the solicitor  was not sure what he
                     meant. My friend explained to him that repentance means
                     a change in his behaviour. Now there is much to be said
                     about repentance, John  Colquhoun's book on repentance
                     covers it  well, the drunken wife beater may  be filled with
                     remorse promising that he will not do it again, but unless  
                    there is repentance there will be no change. Repentance unto
                     salvation involves sorrow for sin, and a firm resolution
                     to hate and forsake  it.When we trust Jesus as our Saviour
                     the evidence that it is genuine is a changed life.

                   
       
                   

Sovereign but Kind. ( 1 John 4 v 16 )

                         John W. Olley in his book , 'The message of Kings '
                         writes ,''History is not just a mishmash of human actions''.
                         That applies to history  , but also to  our own personal
                         history. The fact is our God reigns in all the affairs of
                         nations, no matter how hidden that appears to be. To
                         the natural eye all may appear confusion and uncertain,
                         but to the person of faith, their eye is on the one who is
                         in control , a Sovereign God. For those who follow Him.
                         they have His presence with them ,and that's enough.

                                           God shall alone the refuge be
                                           And comfort of my mind
                                           Too wise to be mistaken, He
                                           Too good to be unkind

                                           In all His holy, sovereign ,will
                                           He is , I daily find.
                                           Too wise to be  mistaken, still,
                                            Too good to be unkind .

                                           When I the tempter's rage endure,
                                            tis God supports my mind
                                            Too wise to be mistaken , sure,
                                            Too  good to be unkind.

                                             Though I  cannot His goings see,
                                             Nor all His footsteps find ;
                                              Too wise to be mistaken, He,
                                              Too good to be unkind.

                                              Hereafter He will make me know
                                              And I will surely find,
                                              He was too wise to err, and O
                                              Too good to be unkind.

                                                   ( Words  S. Medley )