Why did Christ come? ( Colossians 1 v 13 )

Why did Christ come?,because nothing was right,death happens to everyone,everyone has to die,everyone will experience pain,loss ,are bodies wear out .Relationships break up,people hurt others ,hurt themselves ,the Putin's of this world are not new,many are even worse.For those type of people the loss of life,of thousands ,millions,and millions,who suffer and die, they do not even shed a tear.Yes nothing is right, that is why Christ had to come ,without His coming we would have no hope at all,none whatsoever.Christ is not just the hope of this world ,He is the only hope. The only hope for this painful world,He is not a false hope,none who trust will never be disappointed,never.In this dark world ,He is light,we read in Matthew 4 v 16, 'The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land  of the shadow of death a light has dawned'.That light is Jesus,He has come to bring us out of darkness,open your heart to him,and ask Him into your life,and then you can say,'I once was blind but now I see', I no longer walk in the  darkness for the Lord is my light and my salvation,and I have hope.

Balance ( Revelation 3 v 19 - 20)

 I was watering the plants,and I reached up to water a hanging basket,I suddenly felt myself falling , I had lost my balance but I managed  to get to garden seat , so saving me from being seriously injured.I have  seen my GP who diagnosed the problem,it was related to my ear. Balance is so important,not only as regards walking, but also in our walk with the Lord. Alas sometimes we get out of balance and we don't forgive,don't witness,so many things can affect  our relationship with the Lord., and so we suffer spiritually.There are 7 church'es mentioned in the book of Revelation,most of them were out of balance in their relation with the Lord Jesus.  Ephesus,had left its first love, Pergamum had fallen into wrong teaching, Thyatira tolerated immorality, Sardis were as good as dead spiritually, Philadelphia  had shut the Lord out in the cold. Plenty of serious imbalance there,the Lord spoke to these churches ,repent ,or there fall would become permanent. I have visited the ancient city of  Ephesus, all there is left is ruins,if we like those churches become imbalanced there will be severe consequences,beware heed the warnings.

Only memories .( Hebrews 11 v 13 - 16 )

 England's women's football team have just recently won a major trophy ,by beating the German team. For many years I followed a famous men's football team,they were very successful, not so now,but the  memories remain.In the end that'a all one gets of this worlds glories,just memories, that's all just memories.The apostle Paul wrote about the athletes of his day,' They do it to win a prize that will pass away, but we do it for an eternal prize .' 1 Corinthians 9 v 25.Someone spoke about the glories that  shine afar,we all need to be reminded of the the greatness of what we will inherit in our eternal home. The apostle also wrote the following,'Since you have been raised to a new life with Christ,set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven,not the things of earth' Colossians 3 v 1-2 ,

                                                 'Swift to its close ebbs out  life's  little day

                                                 Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

                                                 Change and decay in all around I see;

                                                 O Thou who changes not abide with me'

                                                                 Henry F. Lyte

The Providence of God. (Romans 8 v 28)

 My wife and I heard a loud thud,I went to investigate, and the lamp fitting had fallen down from the ceiling,it was a heavy glass fitting, it fell unto a bathroom rug,so it didn't smash into pieces.As l lifted it up I realized that if it had fallen on anyone ,it could have caused serious injury.I wonder how many times God has preserved us in life,from physical and spiritual dangers?.It is worth considering , we can put it under the Providence of God, an aspect of life that is not given much thought to. Consider those times you have been held up when out driving,caught in a traffic jam,or caught behind a slow driver,and you are not able to overtake.May not God be holding you back ,from some danger ahead,what about that job you didn't get?,the one you set your heart on.What about that promotion you didn't get, you were overlooked, it seems so unfair,John  Flavel writes,'Providence is wiser than you', God may not have wanted you in that position.Be well satisfied in that station and employment in which Providence has placed you, and do not so much as wish yourself in another', Consider daily in all the affairs of your life,the Providence  of God.

                                               'With mercy and with judgement ,

                                                My web of time He wove,

                                               And aye the dews of sorrow

                                               Were lustred by His love;

                                                I'll bless the hand that guided,

                                                I'll bless the heart that planned,

                                                When throned where glory dwelleth

                                                 In Immanuel's land.'

                                                    A.R.Cousin.

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Heavenly minded. ( Acts 9 v 36 - 43 )

 Philip Yancy writes,'Rousseau said the church set up an irresolvable dilemma. How can Christians be good citizens of this world?' Philip mentions the many people he has met ,who disprove his argument. C.S.Lewis has noted , those most conscious of another have made the most effective Christians in this one'. I was speaking to a person who is in charge of a Christian mission that supports at least 50 causes, hospitals,orphanages, schools,etc.I could name another that works with children in 8 countries, they do a wonderful work.It is a very wrong saying ',that persons whose minds that  are on heaven are of no earthly  good'.It seems to me that it is the opposite of that, it is vital to realise how important loving good works are, they are the evidence of our faith,they do not save us,but they are evidence that we are saved.Jesus said by our fruits we are known.

                                                   'We are God's handiwork, created in Christ

                                                    Jesus to do good works ,which God pre-

                                                    pared in advance for us to do.'

                                                                  Ephesians 2 v 10.

Witnessing. ( Isaiah 55 v 10 -11 )

Often I have witnessed to those in the cults,J Ws, Mormons,it is very challenging ,often I became  frustrated with them,as they twisted the truth , and so often they were obviously not listening to what I had to say.On reflection it all seems to have been a waste of time, who knows ,my witness may bear in a coming day. I have also witnessed to many people again very little response, again I ask myself was it a waste of time?.  Yes it may have appeared to have been a waste of time,but I will still witness to people,I am not a prophet ,but as I read about those who were prophets ,they had a thankless task. Take one of the greatest of the prophets,Isaiah ,we read of his call to his ministry in Isa 6 , where he responded to God asking the question.'Whom shall I stand?,'And who will go for us?' Isaiah replied ,''Here am I ,Send me!'. God answers, 'Go and tell this people'. And what follows appears that they would not respond, and in fact they were going to be judged,so it was to be a very challenging task that Isaiah was called to take on.Tradition has it he was put to death probably under wicked King Manasseh's rule.Jesus said we are to be his witness'es Acts 1 v 8,so we must be faithful to that,yes all God requires of us is faithfulness,even if people don't respond, even if we have to suffer,yes even death.

A promise. ( 2 Peter 1 v 3- 4 )

 The precious promises are many in the bible ,and in all the years I have followed Christ, they have given me hope when I had no hope.They include promises for healing,for meeting our needs,for guidance,for protection,for strength,for power,and so on.They are promises from God, He does not lie,He will always keep his word, he never breaks a promise.Consider these words from Philippians 4 v 6-7,'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present  your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus'. Remember faith is important ,without it we will receive nothing Hebrews 11 v 6, with it, we will be rewarded for it pleases God. We are told that we are not to be anxious about anything. what are you anxious about?,what's your anything?. next we are told,'that in every situation,',stop and consider those words ,a pause and thoughtful moment. Don't look about in despair,for here's the next thing we have to do,'By prayer and petition ,with thanksgiving.present your requests to God'.Then we are told,  '  God's peace,which transcends  all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus'.