shinewriter

My reading this morning was Psalm 42v1-11

As the deer pants for streams of water, begins the psalm. It then goes on to say, so my soul pants for you oh God.

In times of trouble it is He that we must turn to. God alone is our strength and hope. When going through a deep, dark valley this is what will get us to the other side.

In Isaiah 43v2 it has this to say. 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 ablaze.

The tough times we face in our lives are not necessarily from the devil. Rather a teaching time. Why not enquire as of the Lord what it is He wants you to learn.

If you are like me, a little bit of peace and quiet is all I need; to get my head around some of this stuff. Even Jesus liked to get away on his own at times. Why not follow the master’s advice today.

A man received a large envelope in the post. When he opened it, inside was a photo of him. Yes, a speed camera snapped him.

With the picture was a letter. Telling him, he had to pay some money. He wrote out a check, then took a photocopy of it and mailed the copy to the police station.

The police, who were not impressed with him took a photo of some handcuffs, police helmet and a cell; sending it to him. The speedster fronted up and paid his fine.

How many times have we been tempted to pull a similar stunt with God? We should be giving Him our best but all He gets are the leftovers and feeble excuses!

Let us change that.

Get going for God today.

One night in front of television the whole room went black. The power meter had run out of money.

Without a candle or torch I groped around in the dark to where the power board was. Usually there is a stack of coins for this kind of emergency. Not so tonight.

After some more groping and searching through a darkened house I finally found what I was looking for. When the coin fell down the slot, power was restored.

Our lives are like this. Without Jesus we are living in darkness. We wander around not really knowing anything; except wrong things.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No man comes to the father except through me.” John 14v6

A man was sitting in the gutter crying. One of my friends went to his aid and began to speak of positive things. When the man that was crying heard this he looked up. Imagine the surprise on my friend’s face when he saw it was the devil.

He looked into his tear sodden face and asked. “Why are you crying?”

“It’s the Christians,” he replied. “They blame me for all their problems”.

It’s true isn’t it? If we look at the situation honestly often it is our own stupid fault. So how do we get out of this rut?

Seeing as most of my problems are people, let’s deal with them. Forgiveness is a wonderful experience. It is humbling and it cleans the air. This is the way I think God intended it to be? Don’t you.

Let’s practice some forgiving today.

In my days of schooling, a cross would mean I’d got something wrong. It was incorrect and needed to be put right.

God has another meaning where crosses are concerned. To Him the cross has transforming power. Then there is the blood of Christ that washes us from all sin.

Back at the cross this instrument of torture represents not only death but the resurrection of Jesus. As Christ rose from the dead so can we to rise above our problems.

There is something that has been bugging me for along time now. I’m going to try and rise above it. Dear reader, please pray for me.

Likewise if you have a need drop me a line and I will pray also.

If I was going to speak to my children for the last time. What would I say? For starters, never take your eyes off the cross. Always read the Bible and pray everyday.

Then I would pray a blessing over each of their lives. Asking God to protect and guide them along the journey of life. Have 3 sons and a daughter. There are also 3 step-daughters and 4 step-sons. Then there are the grandchildren.

That’s quite a lot of people to pray for. Where would I start? Being a practical person I’d begin with the eldest and work my way along the line. But how would God want me to achieve this. Perhaps it may be better to pray a blessing as they arrive at my bedside.

Meanwhile I continue to enjoy life and all the Lord has to offer. I’m 54 years young and God willing intend to be around for awhile yet.

My wife likes to weave. She will often go down to the river or sometimes a vacant section. In these places she will find several flax bushes growing wild.

The leaves on the flax are long and slender and in most cases they are green. She will cut several and bring them home.

Next Hine will slit them long ways, getting about five or more strips from each leaf. Today she will dye half of them blue. Now she is ready. I watch in amazement as she weaves a basket. Hine calls it a kit.

The strips of flax are pulled this way and that. They are folded and pulled tight again. When finished there is a basket with an intricate pattern.

I think of the Lord and His dealing in our lives. How He holds us in His arms. Finally molding us into that wonderful shape He desires us to be.

Now I’m sure we can all agree what a hunter is and the same with the hunted. But what does God’s word say about this?

1Peter 5v8 goes like this. Our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Sounds like a good description of a hunter to me. Then there are the hunted. Those of us who because of weaknesses in our faith have become a dart board to Satan.

1Peter 5v9 Resist him standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

How can we resist him? A good relationship with God is what gives the strength to weather these attacks. A regular Bible reading followed up with prayer. Hanging out with true believers is another help.

Salvation
Baptism
Communion
Fellowship
Tithing
Ministry

Salvation: Jesus said, “unless you are born-again you cannot see the kingdom of heaven.

Baptism: To rise up out of the water symbolises the new life in Christ.

Communion: The bread represents Christ’s body, the drink His blood.

Fellowship: Being with other believers online or off. Especially going to church, this is where we really grow.

Tithing: It is a good thing to support the Lord’s work by giving money. This helps to meet overheads.

Ministry: Go on the door shaking hands and giving out your church newsletter. If you can sing or play a musical instrument join the music group. There are many ministries available. Ask the Lord He will point you in the right direction.

Read an article about cocoons and can’t seem to get it out of my mind. Keep thinking about how they wrap themselves up. Then when they break out the caterpillar has become this big bright butterfly.

I wonder what the insect would be thinking about as it sits in the cocoon? “Do I really want to go out into the world. “Where I am is so warm and oh the peace and quiet”.

A bit like some of us; isn’t it. We get saved. Jesus comes into our life and cleans out our soul. He gives us security, warmth, peace and quiet. Then after a time we get a calling to the mission field. Maybe a pulpit some place or a street corner downtown.

It’s time to get up out of our comfort zones. It is time to spread our wings and take that step of faith. May God bless us as we go forward together.