To speak or not to speak. ( James 1 v 26 )

To speak or not to speak that is the question ?, we read in James 1 v 19 that we are to be quick to listen ,and slow to speak. These are very important and instructive words,warning against a rashness in our speaking,in other words listen and consider before you let hastiness take over  . Here are a number of verses, I will leave with you ,'Sin is not ended by multiplying words,but the prudent hold their tongues'( Proverbs 10 v 19). 'Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues ( Prov 17 v 28 ). ' Do you see  someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them'( Prov 29 v 20 ) Think how much pain would have been avoided if these words  were heeded.

Trapped ( Romans 4 v 18 - 22 )

I wonder if you ever feel trapped?, something you cannot escape from,you pray and still nothing happens. My mind turned to Joseph a person unfairly imprisoned in ancient Egypt.We read about him in Genesis 37- 50, it is thought that his actual imprisonment lasted 10 years, in prison his feet was shackled and his neck was put in irons. Imagine such an imprisonment for something you did not do,trapped, yes those places , situations, that we find ourselves in, are not easy.But David had spoken to Joseph many years before this, CP Genesis 37 ,it foretold how he would reign over his brothers.This was Gods word to a young man but there he was trapped in prison how could it possible happen?. But it did happen,eventually, in a marvellous way God fulfilled His word. When God gives you a word, no matter how long it takes,no matter what your circumstances may be, it will happen, it will come to pass.

What Jesus said ( Acts 4 v 12 )

Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me  ( John 14 v 6 ), does that mean other religions are wrong, and without Christ you cannot get to heaven,and you will go to Hell?. The answer must be yes,because Jesus said ,no one can come unto the Father but by Him,so it does  include other religions,yes because Jesus said one cannot come unto the Father but by Him. Does that mean every single person who has never accepted Christ is lost,yes because Jesus said you cannot come unto the Father but by Him. I want to repeat what Jesus said, and I stress that point,that it is Jesus who has said this,here it is again, Jesus said,''I am the way the truth and the Life,no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me''

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Love ( 1 Corinthians 13 v 1 - 8 )

If I speak in the tongues of men or angels, but do not have love. I am only a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If  I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I  have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If  I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I  may boast, but do not have love,I gain nothing. Love is patient,love is kind,it does not envy, it does not boast,it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking ,it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always  perseveres. Love never fails.

Evolution the lie. ( John 3 v 16 )

H.G.Wells interpreted the past as an evolutionary march towards freedom and enlighten commenting  on this Philip Yancey said,'a view  of that century would do much to refute'. Many wonderful changes have taken place in so many areas of life,in medicine,in living standards { for many,myself included )Yet the nature of man has not changed, there always appears to be some threat hanging over mankind, wars are still raging,injustice in many areas of the world abound,sexual deviance has not gone away, addiction of one sort or another has not gone away,false religions are still around,causing so much pain to those in them,and to those who are not. Mankind is capable of much good,but also of so much evil,if God removed His restraining power from humankind, I can assure you life would be unlivable..God has not forsaken this world, with Him there is a future, there is hope, there is a way forward,and for sinful humanity ,the way starts at the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sugar ( John 8 v 34 - 36 )

One day a lady came to Gandhi with her son,and asked him to tell the child to stop eating sugar, because it was bad for him.She said the child would not listen to her, but would listen to Gandhi. Bring him back in a week ,and I will tell him. A week later the woman returned with her son,Gandhi  took the boy in his arms,and told him not to eat any more sugar,then bid them goodbye. Before they left the mother asked a question, why did you have us wait a week,could you not have told him last week, 'No',he replied. 'Last week I myself was eating sugar.'  Many years ago I used to smoke I know how hard it is to quit smoking, but  it can be done, tor me it was when I came back to the Lord, Let me tell you when Christ forgives He also empowers us and enables us to be free.

Two . ( James 1 v 17 )

I wonder what you think of this short prayer by G.K .Chesterton. ,'Here dies another day,during which I have had, eyes,ears,hands,and the great world around me;. And with tomorrow begins another. why am I allowed two'.?.  Why indeed, after all I am entitled ,to two eyes,two ears,two hands' or am I .Let us all stop and thank God for the two.or let us all praise God for all his blessing. Everything we have comes from God.We owe Him everything,everything,everything. 'Dear God ,thank you for every blessing,in Jesus Name Amen.'