The gift of reading. ( Psalm 119 v 105)

 In that murder camp  Auschwitz there was a library, I say a library,but it was very small,for it only had 8 books in it.You see books were banned in that horror camp for as one person said,''Books are extremely  dangerous''.Dictatorships and oppressive regimes don't just want control of what you do, but also of what you think. So if one was found  having a book in Auschwitz it would have cost you your life. So even though it was a small library it was to those in that dark place a window of escape from the grim realities that they endured day after day. One of the most precious gifts I possess is being able to read, that opened so much to me,for it gave me pleasure,educated me,and indeed helped me in so many ways.I love books, I remember a lady in a church I once attended,could only read the bible.I know a little lad who at this stage can't read he is autistic,and he gets very frustrated.I know people who can read,and they don't read books ,I know Christian and they don't even read their bibles. To have the gift of being able to read,and not use it, is very sad, let us rejoice and praise God for the gift of reading, especially in being able to read God's word.

                                                 'The best book to read is the bible'

He got off. ( Luke 13 v 3 )

  I have just started reading a book called,'The  Librarian of Auschwitz', based on the true story of  Dita Kraus, Auschwitz,that awful death camp,were people were put to death,or worked to death. Many children lived in that death camp,most of them would die,but in that camp there was a so called doctor called Mengele.  He was the wicked of the most wicked people for he performed many horrendous experiments on children, cruel beyond belief. When the war ended he escaped human justice,he may have ended up in a South American country, we don't know.So he got off,where was the justice in that?, humanly speaking none.Like Mengele many very wicked have escaped  human justice,but  here is the most important thing, Mengele and all those wicked people have not escaped judgement from our just God, at this very moment in time they are in hell for  ever and ever,with no reprieve .We rightly would cry in praise that for they they are in hell.But would what you say if I told you that all who do not accept Christ will likewise end up with Mengele, and all  those other wicked people.Yes those nice little people we know who would not hurt a fly,will be judged for their sin,because all have sinned,all without exception,hell awaits all those who have rejected God's salvation . Mengele's never got off,no one with get off,all will be judged  by  Jesus .

                                                      'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ

                                                       and you will be saved'.

                                                                   Acts 16 v 31.  

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.