Integrity ( John 1 v 47. NLT)

I was listening to Chuck Swindoll on You Tube, speaking on integrity, to me it is a must for all Christians especially for those in Christian ministry, to hear what this godly man had to say on this subject.Integrity can be understood as someone who is honest, one who has principals, who is not corrupt, a person of soundness.In the last church were I was a joint leader we had  someone sent to us  from the domination we where part of.We were a small church ,not much growth ,this person we thought he was going to help us, but instead he wanted to take over the church,assuring us that the Lord had blessed his ministry.So we decided to let him take over the church, and we would step down and leave,which we did. It was only a number of years I learned that he was teaching things contrary to God's word . I know of another church were congregation money set aside for a new building,the Pastor on his own initiative used that money for something else. It goes without saying that none of us are perfect,but we are called to aim at that , at all times,we are called to be people of integrity. People who can be trusted to keep their word,to be faithful to ones spouse,faithful in all things. 

A thing of beauty. ( James 1 v 12 - 15 )

 I was viewing BBC home page and it showed a picture of a mosquito, and had this heading ,'Is not this the worlds most beautiful mosquito?',the fact is it was.There are 3,000 species of mosquito in the world, and they are the cause of about 1 million deaths a year.There are many beautiful creatures in this world,we can admire them from afar,otherwise they will kill us.We can admire beauty but beware , because that beautiful thing  whatever it may be, can bring us grief. Remember the devil knows how to press the right button, knows our weakness'es and he can dangle them before our eyes. A  married man see's a beautiful woman ,and the devil  works on his lustful desires,entices him to sin in thought, and in deed.In Lord of the Rings there is a character called Gollum, he fell in love with a ring,even killing his friend for it,he called it 'My Precious'. He turned from being  a Hobbit,into a deformed and twisted being,that love for that thing of beauty, finally destroyed him. In the garden of Eden, Eve was tempted by Satan to eat the forbidden fruit,she listened,and then she looked,and she saw that the tree was beautiful, and its fruit delicious,and the rest is history. May God enable us not to yield to temptation,to not be blinded as to were it may lead us, and what it may do to us, and what it may cost us.

                                                   

We will see. ( 1 Corinthians 13 )

 In 1 Corinthians 3 v 10 - 17, the apostle Paul  writes about judgement day ,and how it affects the believer,  he reminds them , as one writer says,that the foundation that believer stands on is Jesus Christ,His work saves and that alone.Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.The scriptures clearly teaches,that we are not saved by our works,no matter how wonderful they are, CP  Ephesians 2 v 8 - 9. The passage in 1 Corinthians 3 deals with the rewards for the service we have rendered Christ, our works will entered be burnt up as rubbish or they will remain, and God will honour and reward us.As we move into 1 Cor, 4, we are told ,that we are not to make judgements before the time, on people or their service,only Christ is qualified to do that, one writer puts it like this.'When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never dreamed of- inner motives,and purposes and prayers. Only then will anyone of us will get to hear the''Well done! ''of God'

                                                        'Teach me, my God and King,

                                                         In all things Thee to see;

                                                        And what I do in anything,

                                                        To do it as for Thee.

                                                              Words . G. Herbert.

War and Peace. ( Revelation 21 v 1 - 4 )

Arthur Wellesley otherwise known as the Duke of Wellington, was one of England's greatest generals,said, 'War is a terrible evil'. As one writer wrote of him,'Military genus though he was, he had no illusions about the human cost of a battle,even when it was won.' After his most famous victory ,the battle of Waterloo, as he surveyed the awful carnage,he declared,' Next to a battle lost, the greatest misery is a battle gained'.Again one has said, 'that after Cain slew his brother Abel the world has been a slaughter house ', such is the sad history of humanity.There has never been a time in history when this world has been at peace,one of the most delusional statements ever made was after the first world war  someone said,'It was the war to end all wars'. As a Christian I believe Jesus is coming again,I look forward to this great event,for it mean the end of wars,of killing ,of violence. Murder is not a mystery,it comes out of our sinful human nature,the driven necessity of humanity to kill continues unabated, and will do , until the Prince of peace comes back.The question is, will you be ready for that great day?, I hope so.

Are you burdened ?.( Matthew 11 v 28 )

At times problems come into our lives,it may be to with family, friends,illness ,and the burdens lay heavy on our hearts.One of my sons is having difficulties, and its lying heavy on my heart. This morning I took my wife's breakfast up to her,and  as I entered the bread room , I was met with a Christian song  playing on TV,an old song I am familiar with it, the title is ,'Burdens are lifted at Calvary', it ministered to my heart,it was a God sent reassuring message for me, I will share it with you, and pray it will be a blessing to you, words are by, John.M. Moore.

                                                Days are filled with sorrow and care,

                                                Hearts are lonely and drear;

                                                Burdens are lifted at Calvary,

                                               Jesus is very near.

                                               Cast your care on Jesus today,

                                               Leave your worry and fear;

                                               Burdens are lifted at Calvary, 

                                               Jesus is very near.

                                               Troubled soul,the Saviour can see,

                                               Every heartache and tear;

                                               Burdens are lifted at Calvary,

                                              Jesus is very near.

Basic things. ( Psalm 100 )

 Dale Ralph Davis  writes about small mercies,this is what he wrote,' I like Luther's 'Small  ' because it keeps me from  escaping this 'basic level' of thanksgiving. When he deals with the (' I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of  heaven and earth'), he asks, 'What does this mean?' His answer is couched in terms of a male householder in Reformation times;.....So here is what the creed means;

I believe that God has created me and all that exists, that he has given and still preserves to me body and soul,eyes, ears, and all my limbs, my reason and all my senses; and also clothing and shoes, food and drink,house and home,wife and child, land,cattle, and all my property; that he provides me richly and daily with all  the necessaries of life, protects me from all danger, and preserves and guards me against all evil; and all  this out of pure paternal divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness of mine; for all which  I am bound to thank, praise,serve, and obey him. This is most certainly true.' 

Let us not forget the basic things, like like a glass of water,a cup tea or coffee,a bar of soap, toothpaste, and so on, and lets give thanks for them.

The Messiah. ( John 18 v 36/ 20 v 28)

 Our Saviour had many confrontations with the leaders of his day,one of the most significant took place when our Saviour  asked the Pharisees ,'What do you think about the Messiah?Whose son is he?. 'The son of David ',they replied.He said to them,' How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ''Lord''? For he says,'' The Lord says to my Lord; 'Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet''. If  then David calls him ''Lord'', how can he be his son?' Matthew 22 v 41- 45.William  Hendriksen points out a number of important things about this passage of scripture, Jesus made no objections to being called ,''Son of David'' C P Matthew 9 v27 /15 v 22/ 20v 30/ Mark 10 v 47- 48/ Luke 18 v 38-39. Son of David was acknowledged to be the title used for the Messiah, of course the Jews understanding of Messiah related to this  world, he would destroy their enemies,and set up a Millennial Kingdom,and they with him, would rule over the kingdoms of this world. WH writes,' The earthly ideas attached to the concept'' Son of David'' or ''Messiah'' must be removed, CP, John 18 v36. The time has arrived to prepare the audience for the idea that the title''Son of David'' means more than was generally realized.The Pharisees  must learn that David's Son is also David's Lord. Not only is he a man; he is also God!'.One writer says this,'Those who listened had the awed and uncomfortable feeling that they had heard the voice of God, and for a moment, in this man Jesus, they glimpsed the very face of God'