An abundance of rain.[ James 5 v 16[b]-18 ]

A minister I know who for a number of years had a settled ministry, is now exercising an itinerant one, now he is returning to churches,that he preached in 20years ago.He made this sad but telling observation,when he ministered
there 20yrs ago he was the youngest person there,now 20 yrs later he is still the youngest person there,which is a clear indication that there has been no growth.If there is no growth then eventually the church fellowship will no longer exist,the building will be left dormant,and will ether be knocked down,and new houses built on it.In the last church in which I was a joint leader we were not growing,so we let someone else take over,and there have been signs of growth.I am sure that there are many reasons why there is no growth,society has changed,people do not see the need of God,and the need is there of course.Wales experienced a revival many years ago,but there has like the rest of the UK a steady decline,all we are left with is memories.Yet just recently I have heard reports of God moving and saving.it reminds me of the time  when Elijah prayer for rain,after a great drought,initially nothing, but as he prayed,a small cloud appeared the size of a mans hand,so he continued to pray,then there was an abundance of rain.
                                         A prayer.
Dear almighty God,hear the prayers of your people,send a mighty movement of your Spirit and save the lost,in Jesus name Amen.

Turn the other cheek. [ Matthew 5 v38- 39 ]

In Psalm 59v 4,we read David praying,''I have done no wrong yet are they ready to attack me''.Hitler made the Jews a special target,accusing them of so much evil,and out of that belief he not only attacked them,but sought to destroy them.But the fact is they did not do him, or the German nation any wrong.History is full of people being attacked,who did no wrong,in my time as leader of a church there was one lady who attacked ,not physically,but
by gossipping and telling untruths about me.It is not very nice,one can be the nicest person who ever lived and it will not shield them from attack.
Such was the experience of Jesus,what did He do to deserve the pain people
caused Him.When He was arrested ,neither Pilate nor Herod found no fault
in Him,but that did not stop the crowds crying out for His blood,that blood
would be on their hands for ever.Consider His response,''Father forgive them,for they do not know what they are doing[Luke 23 v34].Writing to slaves who had no rights,and could suffer all sorts of unfair abuse,Peter wrote the following.''Christ suffered for you ,leaving you an example,that you should follow in His steps .He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.When they hurled their insults at Him,He did not
retaliate ; He made no threats.Instead He entrusted himself to Him who judges justly.''
                                       A prayer
Dear Lord forgive us for retaliating,help us to be more like You Amen

We are not a club. [ John 15 v17 ]

I have noticed recently a couple who usually attend church,have been missing,that caused me concern,so I phoned and spoke to the wife,I did not
judge them but simple enquired after their well being,assuring them of my prayers.In Hebrews 10 v25,we read,''Let us not give up meeting together as
some are in the habit of doing,but let us encourage one another-and all the more so as you see the day approaching''.I know that it is important to attend a local fellowship,the fact is we need that mutual fellowship,Hebrews 10v25 was written to those who were falling into neglect,of not meeting with their fellow believers. Raymond Brown commenting on this writes the following ''In frightened isolation they might fall,but in supportive companionship they would stand''.He goes on to write,''Not all are destined for a preaching role,[mercifully],but in the local church all must accept a pastoral role''.We are not a club we are a family of believers who should care for each other.Again RB comments are helpful and challenging. ''Every Christian ought to be able to count on the cheering encouragement of his fellow believers.To make that possible,every member of the body of Christ should grasp opportunities in every day to speak the uplifting word and do the supportive thing for his Christian partners in Christ''.
                                            A  prayer.
Dear God help those who are putting themselves in danger by neglecting
the fellowship of believers,and help us all to see the importance of not just
leaving the care of others in our fellowship to the leaders,in Jesus name we ask this Amen.

Why are you sleeping. [ Luke 22 v46 ]

I read this from that old devotional by ,C.H.Spurgeon,'Morning and Evening,' the reading has these words spoken by our Saviour,''Why sleep ye? ,rise and pray,lest ye enter temptation.''
 ''When is the Christian most liable to sleep?Is it not when his temporal circumstances are prosperous?Have you not found it so?When you had daily troubles to take to the throne of grace,were you not more wakeful than you are now?.Easy roads make sleepy travellers.........depend upon it,it is in easy places that men shut their eyes and wander into the dreamy land of forgetfulness.Old Erskine wisely remarked,''I like a roaring devil than a sleeping devil.''There is no temptation as not being tempted.The distressed soul does not sleep;it is when we enter into peaceful confidence and full assurance that we are in danger of slumbering.Take heed,joyous Christian,good frames are near neighbours  to temptations; be as happy as
you will,only be watchful.''
                            
                      '' The greatest danger was victory''
                               [Eric Liddell ]

Reflecting a perfect likeness.[ Romans 7 ]

Often what we do,does not shew what we are,there are evil people who work with children,but are child abusers.We think of people in high office who are doing such responsible jobs,but are adulators,and money grabbers.The fact is what we do, can so often be a cover up,and behind that cover up is what we really are.Judas posed as a disciple but was a thief,and we know where that led him.Stalin was thought of as uncle Joe,but he in fact was a brutal sadistic person,who had countless people murdered and tortured,and yet he loved roses,if only he had loved people.The challenge for all who follow Christ is to be a Christian,     Christlike, and not hide behind a mask. So that Christ likeness will be reflected in all we do,in our homes, jobs,and in all things,this should be our aim.Oh yes I know we will always be imperfect,that is a fact,but our aim should at all times be one of striving to be a perfect reflection of Christ,in what we are ,and what we do.
                                           A prayer.
Dear God we are so conscious that we need your help to be Christlike
so that in everything we may reflect a perfect likeness of your dear Son
Jesus,in mercy help us, in His name we ask this Amen

He will make it plain. [ 1 Peter 1 v 6-9 ]

In  Isaiah 42v 18ff ,the Lord rebukes Israel,they were described as deaf and blind, of paying no attention,it wasn't that they could not hear,they just refused to listen.The result was, God dealt with them ,in severe ways,but as you move into chapter 43,God speaks comforting words of assurance,He reminds them that in spite of everything they have done and gone through
they were precious and honoured in His sight,and that He loved them.there is so much in that chapter that is positive.v2 reads,''When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire,you will not be
burned; the flames will not set you abaze'' Yes God loved them but they would still experience trials,but they would be preserved.So why the trials?
well as we read on in that chapter there was much in Israel that needed refined,such will always be the case.Not only for Israel of old but we who
now the Israel of God, children of the new covenant.
                                 
                             Just trust Me when through paths unknown,
                                             I lead-perchance with pain.
                              Lean hard,my child,take thou My hand;
                                      Someday I'll make it plain.
                                                   [Anon]

Our greatest need. [ John 6 v 66 - 69 ]

In Madagascar the majority of people are very poor,it is described as
desperate poverty and misery,so  reports  the Barnabas aid agency,a Christian organisation.They report, that many people are turning to Islam,
Muslim missionaries hand out portions of the Quran,with bank notes slipped between the pages.They tell the people many of them professing Christians,''When you go to church you are asked to give money,when you
come to our mosque,you will be given money''.When our Lord performed the miracle of feeding five thousand [John 6 ],many followed Him because they felt that Jesus would be like Moses whom they credited with feeding the Israelites in the wilderness.There are no guarantees if one becomes a Christian that one will not experience poverty,sickness,and whatever. There
are many Christian organisations,working in poor countries,helping people, but they are not in the business of bribing people in order for them to become Christians.They are helping, simple out of love,yes we hope and pray that what we do will be a testimony to Gods glory,To seek to bribe people to become Christians,can never be right,nor should never be practised,when people fix their eyes totally on physical needs,we point them
beyond their limited vision ,to Christ.
                                           A  prayer.
Dear Lord Jesus help us in whatever difficulties we are facing,to see that our deepest need is you Amen.