Love. ( 1 Corinthians 13 )

 The word of God says ,'Love never fails', (1Cor 13 v 8) but it will be tested, it is interesting that the commandments are fulfilled in one word, love. ( Matthew 22 v 37 - 40) It sounds so simple and yet as a Christian I know that it is the biggest challenge in my life.It involves loving God, and loving others,it is  required by God, in our relationships,with God and people. Marriage is one place that love will be tested, marriage brings two people together with different personalities,and so there will  be clashes over all sorts of things,I know I am married, have been married for over 40 years. There are times that one may  have considered  giving up, walking out, I am not just talking about me, but also my wife.The challenge is to say sorry,when you have had a disagreement,sometimes that's the hardest thing to say.It takes compromise ,yielding , giving in, its not about you winning the argument, we are not out for an unconditional surrender,defeating an enemy. And of course its about being faithful, yes faithful,the grass is not always greener on the other side, far from it. Marriage involves two people,both must love each other. by being kind,humble ,honouring each other, not selfish,not easily angered,not keeping a record of wrongs.

                                                           'Love never fails'

God our helper. ( Psalm 121 )

There are many proverbs that people  have been handed down from generation to generation ,like,' to many cooks spoil the broth', or a 'stitch in time saves nine'. Here is another,'God helps those that help themselves', there is a degree of truth in those words,but it is Herbert Lockyer who comments,' The proverb that,''God helps those that help themselves,'' dose not bear the light of David's affirmation that , ''God shall deliver the needy when he crieth ; the poor also, and him that hath no helper,''  Psalm 72v 13 -14,. It is more true to say that God helps those who cannot help themselves, nor find help in others. I think of the many times I stood in need, and it was God who came to my help,when one had no food in the home,God provided. To the helpless God says,' Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness''.  For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not;I will help thee.  ( Isaiah 41 v10 v 13)

A quick answer. ( 1 Kings 18 v 37 - 39 )

 We look further at Psalm 138 at the words of v 3 ,' As soon as I pray you answer me; you encourage me by giving strength'. One writer puts it like this,'The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength'. Here we see an instant answer to Davids prayers.  There is another verse in Isaiah 65 v 24,which reads ,'Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear'.Often we pray and we have to wait for answer,until God's timing is right,Psalm 40 v1 speaks of patiently waiting for the Lord,all that's part of praying,But  here in Ps 138 v3 we have no waiting for an answer ,it happens right away,that should encourage you for although waiting is often necessary, God if it is will, answers prayer at once.But do not forget the sovereign God is in control as to when  He answers our prayers, also it is His will that must prevail at all times even though His answer may be no. Remember God is not playing a game with us,He loves us to much for that, so trust Him at all times.

I will. ( Luke 10 v 38 - 42)

 Psalm 138 was written by David it commences with 3 ,'I wills' there is a certain determination in these words,a determination to put God first.There are so many things crowding in upon us each day, we are driven by things we feel we have to do, so we rush on in our business. There are many very reasons we may have for not reading the word of God, not praying,not regularly attending a local fellowship of believers,and even not giving to God's work. They are the things that are very important and to neglect them is not beneficial to our spiritual well being,oh yes you are still a Christian, but not an obedient Christian .Remember when Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, Martha was so busy doing yes ,legitimate things,but Jesus gentle rebuked her.He pointed her to her sister Mary ,who had sat at the feet of  Jesus, while he ministered to her. Our Saviour said this to Martha,and indeed to us all,  'My dear Martha ,you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it,and it will not be taken away from her'.

                                                       'Have you discovered it?'

Conversion. ( 2 Corinthians 5 v 17 )

 I am reading a book on John  Wesley,a man that was used wonderfully in spreading the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.Its not easy to know how many people came unto the Lord during his ministry, but it was considerable.The writer says,'Very few people went to church, and those who did so were usually careless, irreverent or sleepy.On the other hand ,people flocked in vast numbers to listen  attentively to Methodist preacher in the open fields. This was frowned upon, as some thought  the saving of souls almost a sin if it had not been done in a church'. There was a great deal of criticism as to how  people reacted to his preaching, Some cried out, dropped as though dead, and then loudly proclaimed their salvation.Many also were suspicious of sudden conversions,Wesley's appealed to his ,'' living arguments''- the lion became a lamb, the drunkard sober, the whoremonger detesting the very lusts of the flesh''The writer sums it in the words of Wesley,'He was willing to believe, as the Christian must believe, that God  does not always  go about His work in the same manner. And he concluded, wisely, that  because a thing can be simulated, it does not mean that it is never real'.

Our great God. ( Ephesians 3 v 20- 21 )

I want to leave you a prayer we could all pray, I was especially struck by its ending ,it is from the ,'The Valley of Vision'.                        O Holy Trinity,three Persons and one God,

                                                                    Let angels sing for

                                                                    sinners repenting,

                                                                    prodigals restored,

                                                                    backsliders reclaimed,

                                                                    blind eyes opened,

                                                                    broken hearts bound up,

                                                                    the despondent cheered,

                                                                    the self righteous stripped,

                                                                    the formalist driven from  refuge of lies,

                                                                    and saints built up in their holy faith.

                                                                    I ask great things of a great God,

                                                                                     Amen.

                                                                     

Give thanks. ( 2 Corinthians 12 v 9- 10 )

 Here is a challenge for all of us, ' In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you' (1 Thessalonians 5 v18 ) Now this is what it doesn't say,' give thanks for every thing'.`` Paul and Silas experienced being severely flogged,and then thrown into prison,Acts 16 v 23,I am sure that they didn't give thanks for what was done to them.If you have suffered sexual violence, you wouldn't thank God for that.We cant give thank for evil things,and evil things do happen to Christians,awful things.It is John Stott who writes ,' We cannot of course thank God' for all circumstances',including those which are evil and displeasing to Him;  but we can  and should thank God in all circumstances or ' whatever happens ' This giving thanks in every circumstances is not a trivial thing, it may even appear  an impossible thing,but in doing so we are fulfilling God's will for our lives.God knows how hard it is for us to do this,so for all his children  he has made available his all sufficient and wonderful grace. Hubert Mitchell wrote a lovely hymn here are some of the words from it.

                                               ' He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,

                                                 He sendeth  more strength when the labours increase;

                                                 To added affliction He added His mercy,

                                                 To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

                                                  His love has no limit, His grace has medsure,

                                                  His power has no boundary known unto men;

                                                  For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

                                                  He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again'.