God is present. ( Psalm 139 v 7 - 12)

 In Psalm 139, David the writer of the Psalm is amazed at the being of our all knowing God ,he declares,'Such knowledge is too wonderful for me , too great for me to understand',v 6, he can't take it in. No matter how great we think we know  God , He is greater than what we think,having said that,it could be that David is overwhelmed by what by God's omniscience ,but then his thoughts takes on another aspect of God's being, and he declares ,'Where can I go from your Spirit?,', and he came to the conclusion he couldn't escape God's presence that He is omnipresence in other words He is everywhere.Yet humanity from its beginning have been trying to escape from God,the first thing our  first parents did when they sinned, was hide from God.  (Genesis 3 v 8) . The fact is we cannot hide from God, it is impossible,we cannot escape from Him, for His presence is everywhere.A  heathen philosopher once asked, ''Where is God?'' The Christian answered, ''Let me first ask you, where is He not?''. For the Christian that should be a great comfort, the fact our their loving heavenly Father is always around, watching over us caring for , providing for us.Yes we need to be reminded of that,but it also brings a challenge to us, as to how we live, Spurgeon writes of a man called Linneus who wrote over the door of His library,'' Live innocently;  God is present''

Don't give up. ( 1 Kings 18 v 43 - 46.)

 There is so much in the world we can't do much about,someone you know has a life threatening illness,people who are suffering so much pain and loss.Children being murdered in a school by a wicked young man. A mother takes her life,by hanging herself,and is found by her 15yr old child,people you know who are old and have conditions that cannot be cured ,and their love ones equally aged,and having to be their carer.The unjust wars were so many are suffering,and we look on ,feeling for the situation.Yes there are so many things we can't do much about, but here is what we can do,maybe you know what I am going say next,and its very simple,pray.Remember prayer is not a useless  or pointless exercise,of course for some people it is just vain repetition. But genuine prayer if far from being useless or pointless, it is the greatest resource we have, for our God delights to hear us pray,and delights to answer our prayers.So keep praying and don't give up,God in his mercy ,may respond and answer your prayers,yes things can change, because you prayed .

                                                 ''Be careful for nothing; but in 

                                                  everything by prayer and supplication 

                                                  with thanksgiving let your requests

                                                  be made known unto God.

                                                            Philippians 4 v 6.''                                                                   

                                                

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)