Your way. ( Psalm 119 v 1 - 8 )

Lets think about being,' led by the Spirit,' ( Galatians 5 v 18) and,'walking in the Spirit', ( v 16),,John Stott puts it like this, ''It is the Spirit who does the leading, but we do the walking''.Consider the Spirit and the word of God, will always work in harmony, they will never contradict each other. The believers in Galatians were being fooled to walk contrary to Gods revealed word,it was not the Spirit that was leading them.Let us remember there is only one word of God, never forget this, do not be fooled to think otherwise,and to act contrary to Gods word,if you do you will regret it.In Psalm 119 v 105, we read, 'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path'. Make no mistake if we forsake Gods word we will stumble in the dark, we will loose our way. There must  be an obedience to the word of God at all times,when the prophet disobeyed Gods word ,he was slain by a lion (  1 Kings 13 )When Lots wife disobeyed Gods word she was turned into a pillar of  salt (Genesis 19) ,when Jonah disobeyed Gods word he was swallowed by a great fish  (Jonah 1 )The Christian life is not a passive life, it is ,each day, a walk, in the Spirits, according to Gods  will ,as revealed in His word.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 '' The Christian can never say or                                                                                                                  sing ,I done it my way.''

With Him we can. ( Ephesians 6 v 10 )

In  Galatians 5 v 25 ,we read ,'If we live by the Spirit, let us walk by the Spirit',Paul the apostle is stressing the challenges that we face ,the conflict that every Christian has because of the 'Flesh', which J.B.Phillips calls our lower nature ,he gives a list,that is not exhaustive ,5 v 19 -21 , we all need this reminder that we have to contend with the evil within,we cannot know victory  in ourselves ,we must receive the Holy Spirits enabling. With His help we can manifest the fruit of the Spirit , they are, ,Love, Joy, Peace,Patience,kindness, goodness, Faithfulness, gentleness, self -control.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A prayer                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Dear God and Father grant us your Spirits power                                                                                     to overcome the evil within all of us,and enable                                                                                       us by that same Spirit to manifest  godly qualities                                                                                     this day.                                                                                                                                                                     In Jesus name Amen.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

It just happened. ( Hebrews 11 v 3 )

Two men were out walking in the country,one was an  atheist ,the other a Christian, they were both admiring the scenery,it began to get dark and they both stopped and looked up at the stars.The Christian asked his friend, how he thought it all came about?.well he said I believe it just happened. His friend invited him home for a meal,it was lovely, and his friend asked him do you believe that a cook made that meal or did it just happen?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                In the beginning God created the heavens                                                                                                and the earth.                                                                                                                                                     ( Genesis 1 v 1 )

Things can happen suddenly. ( Job 1 - 2 )

I know someone who suddenly and unexpectedly has lost his job,he is a Christian,which is good news,because he has a loving heavenly Father who cannot be surprised.He is sovereign.He is in control, and what he requires of His children is trust,whatever you may be going through at this time,He calls us to trust,knowing our times are in His hands.Think of the saints in the Bible,Joseph who  had more than his share of trials,likewise  David hated and hounded by King Saul. Think how suddenly Jobs life fell apart, but his faith remained intake,consider the disciples crossing  the sea of Galilee (Mark 4 v 35 - 41 ).Fear kicked in even though Jesus was with them,,but the good news is He came to their aid,and with that He brought a challenge as to why they were afraid, their lack of faith.The scripture tells us, ''As a father has compassion on His Children ,so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.For He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust'' (Psalm 103 v 15 - 16 ) That does not mean that we are insignificant,it means He knows we are weak, we do not always have faith, we will panic and even question God,but in it all ,He cares for us His children.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Be still, my soul ,thy God doth undertake,                                                                                                To guide the future as He has the past,                                                                                                      Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;                                                                                             All now mysterious shall be bright at last,                                                                                                 Be still , my soul, the waves  and winds still know                                                                                   His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.                                                                                           (Katrina .A. D. Von Schlegel )                                                                                                           ( I will taking a break, I will return ,shortly, every blessing.)                                                                                                 

You have to have heart. ( Psalm 86 v 12 )

It is recorded that David Livingstone died praying on his knees , Daniel prayed three times a day on his knees , and was condemned to death because of it. I usually pray  sitting down, many years ago I always prayed on my knees,but my knees began to hurt,so I sit when I pray, there are times I still pray on my knees,but during my daily walk I pray. Prayer demands a right attitude ,of reverence,whither we kneel ,walk,or sit, it goes without saying, that for the Christian prayer is vital,we need to pray, pray , pray.Our relationship with God is vital,and prayer is a vital part of it, John Burton wrote                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I often say my prayers,                                                                                                                               But do I ever pray?                                                                                                                                     And do the wishes of my heart,                                                                                                                 Go with the words I say?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               For words without the heart,                                                                                                                     The Lord will never hear;                                                                                                                           Nor will He to those lips attend                                                                                                                 Whose prayers are not sincere.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Lord teach me what I need                                                                                                                         And teach me how to pray;                                                                                                                         And do not let me seek Thy grace                                                                                                             Not meaning what I say.

Inward assurance. ( Philippians 3 v 4 - 11 )

John Stott writing on John Wesley says he was an example of many religious people who are in bondage to their religion.He became a member of what was know as the Holy Club,he was the son of a clergyman ,like his father he became a clergyman.He was orthodox in belief,religious in practice,upright in conduct and full of good works . He and his friends visited the inmates of a local prison, and work-house at Oxford. They took pity on the slum children, providing them with food, clothing and education.They observed Saturday as the Sabbath as well as Sunday.They went to church and to Holy Communion. They gave to the poor,searched the scriptures,fasted and prayed. But they were bound in the fetters of their own religion, fot they were trusting in themselves that they were righteous,instead of putting their trust in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Later on he did in his own words, came to 'trust in Christ',in Christ only for salvation' and was given an inward                     assurance that his sins had been taken away.He later wrote of  his pre- conversion experience' I had even then the faith of a servant, though not that of a son'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             John Stott                                                                                                                                Christianity is a religion of sons, not slaves.

Weakness. ( 2 Corinthians 12 v 9 )

I have a friend who is a very bright Christian, he is practically house bound,but he suffers from mental illness, he has a friend who works, who is very capable yet he suffers from mental illness, he also is a very bright Christian. I was listening to a man ministering on You Tube, he told of a man he visited,who was paralysed from the neck down for the last nine years.he was a minister, and although he is paralysed,he spoke of the wonderful fellowship he had with the Lord,in spite of his disability, he has prepared Bible courses for many churches.In spite of these people having difficulties,God has sustained and blessed them. Being a Christian does not mean one will not suffer ,Job that very godly man suffered  tremendously ,Paul one of the greatest of the apostles ,wrote of his infirmities ,of his thorn in the flesh,and Timothy suffered stomach trouble , and frequent illnesses. Irrespective of the difficulties we have ,and restrictions they may bring, God can enable us to still shine for Him,and  glorify Him.Annie J.Flint experienced many difficulties in her life, she was wheel chair bound owning to severe arthritis as she grew older,yet out of suffering,she wrote poetry,a favourite one is called, 'He giveth more grace                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                He giveth more grace,when the burdens grow greater,                                                                              He sendeth more strength more  ,when the labours increase                                                                    To addeth afflictions, He addeth His mercy,                                                                                              To multiplied trials,, His multiplied peace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    When we have exhausted our stores of endurance,                                                                                    When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,                                                                              When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,                                                                                     Our Father's full giving is only begun.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,                                                                                       His power no boundary known unto men,                                                                                                 For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,                                                                                                       He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.