It is our choice . ( 1 Samuel 18 v 21 )

When Hitler came to power, one of the things he brought into being, and oath by the army of absolute obedience to him.That oath was very influential and many soldiers found themselves involved in acts of cruelty,they otherwise would not have done. I believe we should never take an oath of absolute obedience to any earthly power, or person. Of course obedience is vital to any society ,or household ,we cannot have anarchy,without obedience ,things will fall apart.We read how Christ became obedient unto death even death on a cross,without this obedience we would have no salvation.Israel 's history is one of continual disobedience,and they paid a price for it,but when they obeyed what a difference that made,God caused them to prosper,obedience to God will always make not only a difference, but it will bring blessings.When Israel disobeyed they suffered, when they obeyed God  and honoured Him,their enemies were defeated, the country never looked back. We will never lose out by obeying God, disobedience will cause us to loose out in so many things,Jonah disobeyed his call from God and he found Himself in dire straits.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               To obey God is always                                                                                                                                          Better                                                                                                                                                          Safer                                                                                                                                                          Rewarding,                                                                                                                                     To disobey God is always                                                                                                                                       Dangerous                                                                                                                                                 Foolhardy                                                                                                                                                   Sinful                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

She said I do not sin. ( Revelation 5 v 1 - 10 )

Having heard Joyce Meyer saying she did not sin ,as she was righteous,I must confess as a person who professes to being Christian, I wonder in amazement,that she could say such a thing.I know how easily it is to think  wrong thoughts, to speak wrong words,and to act in a wrong way. The great prophet Isaiah when he had a vision of  God ,cried out ,''Woe to me ,I am ruined. For I am a man of unclean lips,and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord almighty''. (Isa 6 v 5 ) Solomon in his prayer at the dedication of the Temple says,''For there is no one who does not sin ''  ( 1 Kings 8 v 46 ).John the baptist the greatest of the prophets, speaking of Jesus, he said,  he was not fit to carry His sandals.Paul the greatest of the apostles declared,'' I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature'' ( Romans 7 v 18 ). Jesus knew that we his disciples would sin,so he taught us to pray ,''forgave us our sins'' (Luke 11 v 4 ) John writing to believers ,wrote,''If we claim to be without  sin,we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us'', ( 1 John 1 v 8 ) The fact is we seek to be righteous, but while on planet earth,we can never say we do not sin,only when as it where, are feet stand on heavens shore can we say we don't sin,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 To say that one is righteous,                                                                                                                        and does not sin,is to declare                                                                                                                      ourselves, to be self righteous.

Mercy. ( Romans 5 v 1 - 11 )

Ancient Assyria became a world power ,they conquered many lands, they were not known for showing mercy.When they captured a ruler, their practice was to humiliate him, by pulling him with ropes attached by rings through lips and jaws. Mercy was absent toward  the people they conquered, they were considered their enemies.In Romans 5 v 10 reads , when we were God's  enemies, we  were reconciled to Him through the death of his Son , now that's mercy . .In Ephesians 2 v 1 ff,we are reminded of our former condition ,''Dead in transgressions in sin, followed the ways of the world, and the ruler of this world,gratifying the cravings of  our sinful nature, following its desires and thoughts,  ,objects of wrath..'' Then we read ,''But because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions ''                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Mercy there was great, and grace was free                                                                                               Pardon there was multiplied to me                                                                                                             There my burdened soul found liberty,                                                                                                                    At  Calvary.                                                                                                                                               ( Wm. R. Newell )                                                                                                                                   NOW THAT'S MERCY.

Christ the solid Rock. ( Daniel 2 v 24 - 45 )

Let me remind you again that the Bible continually speaks of God as a rock, I will give you some Bible references , Deuteronomy 32 v 4 /2 Samuel 2 v 2 /  Psalm 28 v 1 / 42 v 9/. Now I want to go forward to Matthew 16 v 13 ff ,here Jesus asks the  question ,''Who do people say the Son of Man is?'' the disciples reply,John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah,or one of the prophets''. Then He asks the disciples ,''Who do you say that I am?'',Peter replies ,'' You are the Christ the Son of the living God''.Our Saviour commends Peter, then He says, you are Peter, and on this Rock I will build my Church.'' Who is the church built on ?, Peter a  man, or Christ the Son of the living God,who is called a Rock,?. In 1 Corinthians  10 v 4, Romans 9 v  33 / 1 Peter 2 v 8.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                On Christ the solid Rock I stand,                                                                                                              All other ground is sinking sand.                                                                                                                        ( Edward Mote )

Thou blest Rock of Ages. ( Psalm 61 )

In so many places God is seen by his people as a rock,to go to ,in times of distress and weariness , in Psalm 61 we have King David declaring that no matter where he is, and no matter how he feels he will cry unto God,and then he makes a request,''Lead me to the rock that is higher than I '',v 2.  He needed a place that God will lead him to,a place of safety and security,and indeed salvation,only God can be the one who can guarantee this.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            O safe to the rock ,that is higher than I,                                                                                                    My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly,                                                                                        So sinful, so weary,Thine, Tine, Thine would I be,                                                                                  Thou blest Rock of Ages, I'm hiding in Thee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow's lone hour,                                                                                   In times when the tempter casts o'er me his power,                                                                                   In the tempest of life, on its wide heaving sea,                                                                                         Thou blest Rock of Ages, I'm hiding in Thee                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,                                                                                     I have fled to my refuge, and breathed out my woe,                                                                                 How often,when trials, like sea billows roll,                                                                                             Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Hiding in Thee, Hiding in Thee,                                                                                                               Thou blest Rock of Ages, I'm hiding in Thee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ( W. O. Cushing )                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Standing in a storm. ( Matthew 7 v 24 - 27 )

Through out scripture God is referred to as a rock, what does that mean?,it simply means that God is the foundation on which we build our lives.,and also our faith.In Matthew 7 v 24 - 27, Jesus  told the story of two men who built houses,one built his house on sand,the other built his house on a rock. When the storms came the house on the sand collapsed ,but the house on the rock stood firm. Jesus said the man who built his house on the rock ,were like those who hear his words and keep them.The history of Israel shows a people that heard the word of God,but failed to keep it,and they brought upon themselves great harm.We must not only be hearers of  the Word of God if we are to stand, when we are battered by the storms of life,it is not enough to say it was nice sermon ,if we don't do what it says,we will not stand when the storm comes ,the words of  Mary are appropriate to all of us in John 2 v 5, ''Do whatever He (Jesus ) tells you.''.                                                                                                                                 Lets take    Sundays                                                                                                                                      affirmations into                                                                                                                                          Monday.                                                                                                                                                    (J.W.Olley )

True riches. ( Matthew 19 v 17 - 26 )

John W.Olley   writes the following,'' A feature of all societies is the myriad of people,groups, organisations who promise to give 'life' and provisions, including peace and security. Today's bomb-   ardment of claims is persuasively presented in a variety of media. With political or religious leaders, economic or lifestyle gurus, medical cures, 'get rich schemes' or diverse spiritual  options, promises abound of success, prosperity. health, long life; 'make your dreams come true'. The dominant picture is often of material prosperity as the way to happiness.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     By faith Moses,when he had grown up, refused                                                                                        to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter.                                                                                          He chose to be mistreated  along with the people                                                                                      of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin                                                                                        for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake                                                                                    of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of                                                                                      Egypt, because he was looking forward to his reward.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ( Hebrews 11 v 24 - 26 )