My goal is. ( Job 1 v 21 )

 In  Psalm 144 v 15 we read,' Blessed is the people whose God is the Lord', as you may know the word blessed can mean happy. Herbert Lockyer writes,'Do not harbor a false view of  happiness if we think that it consists only in outward prosperity?  In Psalm 145-6 we are told,'' Happy is he that hath the God of  Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.'' Spiritual happiness then , is not in a case , but in Him from whom all blessings flow.' He  goes unto write,' The truth as to where true happiness is alone to be found not in blessings  but the Blesser Himself'. Each day I thank God for the blessing he bestows upon me,I come from a poor background so I value those blessings that I have received from my loving heavenly father. But what if  like Job  all those blessing were taken from me? what would my attitude be ?. would I give up believing in God,? or would I be like Job who declared, 'Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him'. (Job 13 v 15 )

                                               My goal is God Himself, not joy,nor peace,

                                               Nor even blessing,but Himself, my God;

                                               'Tis His to lead me there- not mine,but His,

                                                At any cost, dear Lord, by any road'

                                                           Words Frances Brook.

I thought I was. ( Romans 10 v 9 )

Recently I phoned my car insurance people,to clarify as regards  breakdown cover,I have been insured with this company for 3 yrs.When I spoke to them to my surprise I was told that my car insurance only covered me as regards an accident, just as well I didn't break down. I wasn't covered even though I  thought I was.Lets apply this in relation to our spiritual  standing,there are multitudes of people who think  that they are going to heaven,and yet they are not covered.You see the only thing that will take one to heaven is, good works,no,being religious, no,being sincere,no,and so  I could go on .To get to heaven one must have the right cover, you cannot buy it, no, but you must have it.The word of God tells us the gift of God is eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 6 v36,you don't pay for a gift ,you simple receive it. Let me also add, you do not work for it,no the work has all been done through Jesus death on the cross. Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord,we told, shall be saved . ( Romans 10 v13 )

                                                  Be sure that you are covered.

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Others.( Acts 10 v 38 )

 Consider why our Saviour came, the answer was for others,and that truly cost him everything,He wept for others,He was loving and kind to others,and on the cross He died for others.I heard an old hymn that stressed the importance of living for others, it was written by Charles D. Meigs. here are some of the words from it.

                                                     'Lord, help me live from day to day,

                                                      In such a self - forgetful way.

                                                      That even when I kneel to pray,

                                                      My prayer shall be for others,

                                                       Yes,others,Lord,yes ,others,

                                                        Let this my motto be;

                                                        Help me live for others,

                                                        Help me live for others,

                                                        That I may live like Thee,

                                                        That I may live like Thee.'

                                                I would just add ,for the glory of God.

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?'