A new year( Psalm 23 )

Yes we have as you know, entered into a new year,how do you feel about that?,fearful,confused ,not another one,how am I going to cope?.I could say one day at a time,yes that's good advice,but for me its not enough,I need more,and you need more,there is an old gospel hymn, with the words ,'I must have the Saviour with me'. He is that sure and certain hope in the midst of hopelessness ,He is the one who will safely guide us through all that lies ahead .He will provide all our needs,He will give strength to each of us no matter  what that day will bring forth,in the midst of our fears, he will whisper ,be not afraid for I am with you.He reaches out to all of us and says trust me,and let Me lead you through another year one day at a time.

Children ( Matthew 19 v 13 - 15 )

Renewed Hope Children's Village, is a work among vulnerable children in Zambia,its motto would be.'Education for life and eternity'.The problem with  social work in the secular west, it is not holistic, they omit the spiritual,but the children's work in Zambia does not.The result is children are helped spiritually and in many other ways..The children there have a favourite song that they sing here it is.                                                                                                                                                                                                           'Yahweh ,you have brought me from afar,                                                                                                  that I can't comprehend;                                                                                                                            I was left for dead,                                                                                                                                      despised, rejected,insulted, and abused;                                                                                                    but you raised me up,                                                                                                                                bathed, cleansed and clothed me,                                                                                                              Hallelujah.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Jesus rescues,free's,cares,and bless'es all who turn to Him                                                                      even children.

Don't let the grass grow under you feet. ( Luke 18 v 1 )

During the last century's East African revival,  Christians living in narrowly confined homes made their way each day to their own small clearing in the surrounding bush, gradually wearing a path to the place where they met with God. If anyone neglected this daily meeting, it would soon become evident,a fellow believer would lovingly say, 'There is grass on your path, my brother'.

I wonder why?. ( Luke 22 v 39 - 46 )

I know a Christian couple ,the man prays a lot,always  has,to him it seemed the most important thing to .He said to me,' prayer is not a competition' ,its not about who prays the most ,in fact our Saviour stressed that it is private thing.But of course there is collective pray, when one meets with others,again in those occasions it is not to impress man or God.We may impress man but we can never impress God,nor should we try.That man who prayed a lot asked his wife ,did she pray for him?the way she answered it appeared she didn't .The fact is, people who pray ,even a  lot,need our prayers also,the great apostle Paul  surely a man who prayed a lot,had this simple request ,''Pray also for me''. remember we are in this as Christians  together. It was sad that that mans wife does not appear to pray for him, I wonder why?

Stick together. ( 1 John 1 v 7 )

I met someone I know who suffers from mental illness, he attends once a week a garden group run by a local charity. He said how he enjoyed it,and that they were all in the same boat. There's a saying that birds of a feather flock together,for good reason they are all in the same boat,they have a mutual understanding,and that's important. especially if one is suffering from mental illness.It is said that Christianity  is not just about the individual ,but of belonging to a family,the church is one place where Christians should be  supported.Looking back on my Christian I thank God for the fellowship and friendship of my fellow Christians .The fact is we need each other,yes to mutually encourage each other,and be upheld by prayer,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Hebrews 10 v 25.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Let us not give up meeting together, as some                                                                                            are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage                                                                                          one another- and all the more as you see the                                                                                              Day approaching.

Done. ( John 11 v 40)

One of the first  Christian books I read was the early life of Hudson Taylor,he was a doctor and was the founder of what was known as the 'China Inland Mission'.Most of the missions work in those days was  carried out in the coast line,not many missionaries had ventured into the itinerary of China,but God gave Hudson the call to go were others had not gone. He spent 51 years in China died 1905, he accomplished a great deal,God used him wonderfully. He was a man of faith,he once said this to his missionary colleagues that the Christians response to daunting situations was best  expressed in a terse phrase;'Impossible ? Difficult, Done'Often the Christian is faced with difficulties ,whatever they be,it is then we must pray and believe , that although what we are facing is difficult ,our God is all powerful,and is able to do exceeding abundantly more that we can ask or think. (Ephesians 3 v 20 )

Peace ( Philippians 4 v 7 )

'The Lord turn His face towards you,and give you peace'( Num 6 v 26 ),the opposite of turning  His face towards us  would be turning His face away from us,denoting his displeasure with us.So here we have a prayer that God would look kindly on us,and give us His peace.He will not look on us if we are sinning, being disobedient,but.If we confess our sins then He will forgive, and the way will be open for Him to bless us.And bless us with that most precious of gifts His peace, the word for peace is' Salom',which means wholeness, a totality of well being.Many have material benefits, financial security,but they lack 'Salom'. Peace with God through Christ is wonderful,and to know the peace of God is one of the great blessing that can be ours .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 We bless Thee for Thy peace,O God                                                                                                           Deep as the unfathomed sea,                                                                                                                     Which fall's like sunshine on the road                                                                                                       Of  those who trust in Thee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           We ask not,Father , for repose                                                                                                                   Which comes from outward rest,                                                                                                               If we may have through all life's woes                                                                                                       Thy peace within our  breast.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         That peace that suffers and is strong,                                                                                                         Trusts where it cannot see                                                                                                                         Deems not the trial way too long,                                                                                                             But leaves the end with Thee                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        That peace that flows serene and deep,                                                                                                      A river in the soul.                                                                                                                                      Whose  banks a living verdure keep,                                                                                                        God's sunshine o'er the whole.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      O Father, give  our hearts this peace,                                                                                                        Whate'er the outward be,                                                                                                                            Till all life's discipline shall cease,                                                                                                            As we go home to thee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ( Christian Melodies )