God's unexpected ways. ( Jeremiah 32 v 17 )

 In 2 Kings 4 we read of a woman who was in dire straits,her husband had died,that was bad enough,but she had nothing to live on, she was also in debt. The debt had to be paid,one way or the other,so the creditors were coming to take her two sons,who would become their slaves.Her situation was desperate,  she was in danger of losing everything,what could she do?.We are inclined to judge people who get into debt, people now days, get into debt to buy a car,furniture,but this lady more than likely borrowed money to survive.A dark,dark cloud hung over her. So this dear lady went to the prophet Elisha,God's representative, and asked him for help,let us remember that like Elisha,we are God's representatives.Let us remember we are not saved by works,but we are called to help those in need,not just to stand in judgement on them.So what did the prophet do ?,he questioned her as to what she had in her home?,all she had was a  small jar of oil.He told her to borrow as many containers as possible,remember God can use the little we have. The containers were taken into her home,she was to shut the door,and pour the oil into them, in the  first miracle Jesus performed,Mary told those at the wedding ,to do whatever he tells them,the result ,water was turned into wine.Now a little oil would multiply and fill many containers.The oil was then sold and the dear ladies need was met,The word of God assures us that he will meet our needs (Phil 4 v 19 ),even in an unexpected way.

Equality ( Galatians 3 v 26 - 28 )

 She said it was the culture,these were the words the young  Hindu girl spoke,when I spoke about the cast system in India,that's like putting the cart before  the horse.The cast system is part of the Hindu religion ,within that system there are 5 levels ,the 5th level is were we have the untouchables,these people live with discrimination of the most serious type,that includes  little children,to say the least it is absolutely awful. Any system or religion that gives credence to discrimination, and treating people as if they are inferior ,must be seen as wrong.In some Islamic women are despised,and if one is a Christian woman ,you are doubly despised.And so we could on highlighting humanities sinful tendencies towards others ,they think are inferior.The Christian Church have not not always manifested what Gods word teaches,it is clear that in the word of God,  when God created humanity,he did not create one inferior to another..But what it does tell us that we are all sinners,but when we trust Christ as our Saviour,we all become Children of God, and that God has no favourites,and no one is considered inferior ,and all are equally loved.

Tempting God. ( Matthew 4 v 5 - 7 )

 The question one may be asking ,how does one act during this pandemic,so I looked on the internet and read what Martin Luther had to say.He wrote about people who acted rashly,and recklessly,at a time of a plague.How they tempted God, refused to take any precautions ,they did not avoid places and people infected by the plague.They would have said they were trusting God,but Luther said,'that they were not trusting God ,but tempting Him.' Luther himself did not flee the plague,feeling he should stay and minister to the sick and needy,he took precaution not to put himself in danger,praying God's protection,he was aware that he might die.He said if my neighbour needed me, I shall not avoid place or person ,but will go freely to help them. He commented,''See, this is  neither brash or foolhardy, and does not tempt God'' Many years ago a group of Christians refused to have their children  immunize ,trusting  God to keep them safe,the result was ,children died,these people were sincere ,but they were sincerely wrong,and in real sense they were tempting God,by not availing themselves to the means that God had provided to keep their children safe.

613 Laws ( Galatians 3 v 7 - 14 )

On the Jewish Sabbath or holy day, certain food is eaten,bread that is in the shape of a circle ,symbolising  the circle of life,and the end of the year.There might also be a pomegranate on the table, because there is a tradition that they contain 613 seeds. These represent one for each of the commandments a Jewish person is supposed to keep.There are many laws relating to the Sabbath,also the food laws,and other laws,the Jewish religion is a religion of laws,indeed most religions are governed by laws,the cults are the same.In  Deuteronomy 27 v 26 / 28 v 15.  we read that a curse would fall upon those who disobeyed,these commandments. The apostle James reminds us ,that', whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of  breaking all of it (James 2 v 10) When we read in Romans 3 v 23,that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,,it is stressing ,that no one can keep the law, and in fact all have broken it.So that leaves us all under a curse,that means that we are all  standing under judgement, before a holy God, so how can we be saved?.God's answer,and only God's answer can suffice,what is God's answer? Christ Jesus,that was his sole purpose in coming into this world,on the  cross .he would die ,the just one,for the unjust . In Galatians 3 v 13 we read,'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by   becoming a curse for us'.So when we trust Christ to be our Saviour,the curse is removed from us,we are no longer under God's judgement and wrath,and we can sing, 'O happy day ,that fixed my choice,on Thee, my Saviour and my God' (Words by Philip Doddridge)

Leaving a Legacy. ( Revelation 14 v 13 )

 When Angola received its independence, a civil war broke out,which lasted on and off for 27 years,the suffering was immense over 500,000 people died,one of the legacies of that conflict is that of  land-mines,about 1,000,000,about a 100,000 have been dealt with. What a terrible legacy,war leaves,as an Ulster man I know only to well the legacy left by the battle of the Boyne in 1690.There will come when you and I will die,what sort of legacy will we leave?.You may not have heard of Stuart King,he died recently aged 98,he was the founder of the,'  Missionary Aviation Fellowship'. a wonderful organization.They work around the world with many humanitarian organisations,helping so many needy people, it also promotes the gospel.  What a wonderful legacy,started by that one man,which many hungry ,sick poor people ,will thank God for.Now let us return to ourselves ,what sort of legacy will we leave,how many poor people have we helped?how many people have we pointed to Christ?.Remember we are not Stuart King,but we can leave   a legacy,that will   touch others even after we die,a legacy of love,of faithfulness,of holiness,of kindness.

My world ( Hebrews 11 v 24 - 26 )

He came from a rich family,he excelled in his studies,his father was so proud of his son,and this is what he said,''Son the world is your oyster''.This saying means 'You can achieve anything you wish in your life and go anywhere you want.The world is there for the taking ,that saying was first penned by the one and only William Shakespeare.What  is your world ?,on holiday recently I spoke to a number of people and their world is fishing.Fishing, it can be sport,art,family stamp collecting,sex,drugs,gambling,what is your world? It was Alexander the great who said,no more worlds to conqueror, it reminds me of a title of a movie,'This world is not enough'.God made us for a greater purpose,that is to glorify Him ,if we choose anything less than that ,we are missing the mark,and will be losers, not just in time but for eternity  Eric Liddell,said this,''Many are missing something in life,because they are after the second best''.I see so many wasted lives,and I say to myself ,if only they knew my Saviour If you are a Christian,enjoy your fishing or whatever,but don't let it become your world let your Saviour become your world.

Don't be fooled ( Exodus 20 v 1 - 6 )

The  rooster was a proud animal ,when I crow, he said , the sun comes up,all the animals believed him,for it appeared to them ,that this  was true,for as the rooster said,,every time the he crowed the sun came up. So the rooster became a creature to be feared,and even to be worshipped,and so the rooster exercised great power,and he began to believe that he was god.He started to bring in rules and regulations,some were very oppressive,he also did not like the pigs,so he started a hate campaign against them.So the animals joined in ,the horse would kick the pigs,and the cows would poke them with their horns,cruelty became the order of the day.There was only one thing to do  said the rooster ,we must find a way of getting rid of those filthy animals,so things became worse and worse,for the poor pigs.Then it happened,the rooster,who had been up the night before,partying fell ill,and could not get up out of his bed. Now this caused the animals to panic,the sun is not going to come up,but to their relief it did,and then it happened,the rooster died,but the sun kept coming up everyday,and then the penny dropped,and gradually the animals realised that the rooster was not a god,he was but a rooster. Let us remember, none of us are god's,and that there is only one God,and He alone is to be worshipped and obeyed.