Category: Posts

Fill up the heavenly bowls!

This morning I had to go to the local Co-op to buy some potatoes and, due to the coronavirus, had to queue for some time outside the shop. The queue had about twenty people in it and I was about 6th in line. Whenever someone came out another was allowed in.  As slowly the queue started to move forward a few steps at a time a song came into my mind- ‘We wanna see Jesus lifted high’ by Doug Horley, particularly the line

 ‘Step by step we’re moving forward,

little by little taking ground.

I though it a bit humourous, to relieve the boredom of waiting, but then the next line came to mind…

Every prayer a powerful weapon

Strongholds come tumbling down and down and down and down.’

Through these words the Lord reminded me of the need to keep praying for family and friends who do not know Him yet. Is there someone for whom you have been praying for a long time and seen no apparent progress?  Maybe you think it is pointless and nothing is happening. I know I think this way at times. But take heart! Every prayer is a powerful weapon, each prayer counts and gradually the enemy’s hold is being weakened. Remember, the prayers of the saints are filling those bowls in heaven and are a sweet- smelling fragrance to the Lord:

Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.  The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. (Revelation 8:3-5)

 He is working even though we can’t see or feel it, and much activity is taking place in the spiritual realm because of your prayers. Don’t give up!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6: 9 )

Lost and Found

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 4-10)

Have you lost anything of great value, or something very precious to you? The sense of relief you feel when you find it again is immense. But worse, have you ever lost a child? I recall one occasion when my son was about fifteen years of age he was lost, after a football match. I couldn’t find him anywhere and no one had seen him leave. I made phone calls, and drove all around the area to look in different places where he could be. I still remember the panic I felt when after an hour I still hadn’t found him. When I did eventually find him standing in an alleyway just outside the field, my relief cannot be described.

God gave me a picture of a father searching for His children in a thick forest. He would not give up searching until each one was found. Then I saw a river flowing in all directions, through streets, alleyways, buildings, fields, valleys, towns. Over it all stood the cross. The river represented the love of God flowing full and free, compelling, irresistible and overwhelming.  If you are already a believer, then pray that you would be able to do your part in spreading the message of His love. Let us all ask God to show us what our unique assignment is to bring His love and truth to our hurting world.

If you do not yet know God then let the river of His love carry you along. Don’t try to resist it; be caught up in His love and embrace it.

Father God is longing to find you, His precious child. He is desperate for all His lost children to come to Him, not remain separated. He is searching constantly and calling your name, to come to Him and be safe with Him. The Bible is really one long story about how God our Father is searching for His lost children. Won’t you respond to His call today and run into His loving arms? How amazing it is to be totally overwhelmed by His love as He welcomes and accepts us as we are, unconditionally. We can accept and receive this amazing love through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross.

There will be a huge celebration in heaven when you are found!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)

The Moving Walkway

You may have heard the old hymn ‘O God, our help in ages past’. Verse 5 says:

Time, like an everlasting stream

Bears all its sons away.

They fly forgotten as a dream

Dies at the opening day

(Isaac Watts)

While I was praying, I had a ‘picture’ in my mind.   It was a moving walkway in an airport, with many people moving along it, all day. People stepping on, moving to the end, then stepping off before disappearing as they go on their way. Thousands of people travel along this short track every day but no one knows or cares about the individuals who walk along it, or where they are headed. It is just a continuous flow of people.

Yet God sees and knows each one. So it is with life. Throughout time, billions are born, live and die, yet each life has purpose and value; each one is unique and precious to God. It grieves Him to see so many reach the end of their life and not having met Him- a precious life passed into eternity without Him.

If you are reading this and do not yet know Jesus, why not receive Him now as your Saviour?

Or, if you already know Him, ask God to help you share the message of His love and salvation with others, as He leads you

Oh, Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?  Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.”  

(Psalm 144.4)

A Message of Hope

Is there a God and does He know or care?

I have been a Christian for many years and throughout my life God has given me hope, strength and peace, whether my circumstances have been easy or hard.

Chaos all around

At this time the world is in a state of crisis caused by the Coronavirus and fear is rampant. Many people are worried about the uncertainty and insecurity we face as all we depend on is being shaken. What will happen if our human resources run out? Is there a God and does He know or care? Will this end and is there hope for us?

There is hope!

I believe YES! There is a God who loves and cares for us.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

(John 3: 16)

We can experience peace and security

It is possible to experience God’s peace even when we are facing difficulties and uncertainties. If we choose to acknowledge Him, accept His Son Jesus Christ who died for us, and receive forgiveness, then we will enter into a personal relationship with Him. This will enable us to live in a place of peace, love and security.

No fear of death

Of course, we hope and pray that the present crisis will end, but whatever happens, the only truly safe place to be, I believe, is in a place of trust and hope in God. We need not be afraid of death because He has promised that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.

Be ready!

I believe that we are getting close to the time of Jesus’ return and what we are seeing are signs that this event is near. Let’s make sure that we are ready by turning to Him.

Jesus said, “In me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

(John 16:33)