112. REPENTANCE BRINGS BLESSINGS. Romans 2:4.

When you find yourself on the wrong side, re repentance (Saying Sorry) allows you to make a U-turn and head back in the right direction. And that’s a real Blessing. Now, saying sorry or repenting to God doesn’t increase His desire to be with you: It just increases your capacity to be with Him. Sometimes we think we need to repent because God is angry with us, and He needs time to “cool off”. Or we think of repenting as a way of punishing ourselves so that, perhaps God will be less severe with us. This sort of thinking is not true; or valid In God’s eyes. Because, that’s not repentance, it’s low self esteem, and low self esteem causes you to believe that you have so little worth or value that your response doesn’t matter. With real sorrow or repentance for what you have done however, you will understand that because you are valued and worth so much to God your response to Him means a great deal and is therefore very important to Him, Paul says in the above scripture, “God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance.” When you truly love God, your greatest concern should NOT be whether God will punish, hurt or stop loving you, but that your actions, verbals and behaviour may have hurt Him. That’s why your response is important. When David murdered Uriah after he had slept with his wife, he, went a whole year without repenting. During that time he had to force his mind not to think about what he had done. What a miserable year that must have been for him. That’s what “not repenting” does, it hangs around in your mind (Guilt) until it’s dealt with. In the end even Israel’s King couldn’t cope with his own guilt; not because of the sins or crimes themselves (which were bad enough) but because David knew he could not approach his God with a guilty conscience. It was that which kept him away from his God, and it’s the same guilt that will keep you and me away from our God as well, What he, David, couldn’t cope with You and I can’t either. If we truly love God...There is no sin, shame, disgrace or anything else we may encounter that we can’t talk to God about. And receive not only a sympathetic ear and forgiveness but also a solution to the problem. Almighty God cannot tolerate or acknowledge an unrepentant heart. So if you feel you are having trouble hearing from God, or making contact with Him, and you truly want to renew or resume your relationship with Him, come to the open arms of the Saviour like David did, ask Him to show you where you went wrong, and when He does, approach God with a repentant and sorrowful heart. David cried to God “My sin is always before me” and then with this prayer from (Psalm 51:3) he prayed “Cleanse me with Hyssop then I will be clean; Wash me and I will be whiter than snow…. Create in me a pure heart… Oh God...Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:7,10-12). As a result, God forgave Him, wiping his slate clean. And David went on to be Israel’s greatest King. You see, repentance isn’t for God’s benefit No! On the contrary, we need Him. it’s for yours and mine. God doesn’t need us, He just wants to love us with an everlasting love. So the contrary applies, we need Him: And so desperately that we cannot continue to live a Spirit-filled life without Him. Therefore, He is looking for repentant people to love Him. Understand this:- It is impossible to love God fully without a regular examination and reassessment of one’s conscience. Beware, Satan is always ready, willing and able to pounce, He hates “Repentant Christians”. But God’s Holy Spirit will, (If we allow Him to) take us along that long sometimes difficult road through a lifetime of full repentance to that place where we hold absolutely nothing back from Our God, and our lives can be an open book before Him. A Christian once wrote; Sometimes, people are afraid that if they don’t change fast enough, God will get impatient with them. They may not personally use those words, but, their wondering thoughts go like this, How many sins do I have to commit before I have to start worrying about them? Is there a level of sin that is acceptable for a Christian? And if you go beyond it your in danger? - eg. is there a limit to impurity, just as there is an expiry date on the food and drug administration? Is the standard high like it is for Homogenised milk or is it like the standard of purity required for hamburgers with lots of room for junk stuff? Is it possible for a Christian to just never grow and still be one?.. The issue is not whether God will get tired of forgiving our sins, His forgiving is always the right response to sincere repentance. God is not worried that He might be taken advantage of. The danger isn’t that God won’t respond to honest repentance. The danger is that we might become so trapped in the dangerous thoughts sin inevitably produces that we become callus, complacent and simply unable to repent it’s because of this that ALL sin must be dealt with and taken seriously. Also sin is sin, there is no small, medium or large sizes. It’s our consciousness or awareness of sin that God is concerned with and how long we take to recognise and deal with it. That is what shows God just how seriously we value our relationship with Him. Some of you will remember the Julie Andrews song from “My fair Lady” “If your In Love Show\Me”. We have to show God and the rest of the world, just how much we truly Love Him. And Repentance is our first step. The next steps come almost automatically and are much easier. If you were invited to a Royal Garden party at the Palace, How small a stain would you permit on your dress or jacket. Would it concern the Royal personage? I don’t think so, But I’m sure it would ruin your entire afternoon!! Missionary Frank Laubach preached the gospel to a tribe that had a long history of bloodshed. The chief was so moved, he repented and accepted Christ on the spot then he turned to Laubach in appreciation and said “That was wonderful Now, who do you want me to kill for you today?” That was his starting point. Only God knows what everyone’s beginning will be. What’s yours? Make a start. Thank you for reading these few words on repentance. Yes, it takes Courage, time and Humility; all are absolutely necessary when approaching the throne-room of God for forgiveness. Without a repentant heart. Forgiveness can’t flow, and without forgiveness neither can true love. And the apostle John tells us, without love we cannot please God. So, the best way to practise repentance is to use it with our family, friends, neighbours and workmates. The more we use these abilities, the easier it becomes. I know this from personal experience. ‘Nothing is impossible with God ’. God bless, Phaline. ----------------------------

111 Overcoming Discouragement. Jeremiah 12.17.

If you are wrestling with an issue, and feel discouraged, Here is what you can do; First take a short look at the problem. Someone once said, “To hatch despair, just brood over your troubles.”!! Many people who experience setbacks ask why, but they never move beyond the question to the answer. No one can solve their problems by ignoring them, and neither can they be solved by becoming fixated and immobilised by them. Once you recognise and analyse the problem, you need to focus on the solution. Secondly, take a good, long look at the possibilities. Sometimes the problem you face helps you to see possibilities you didn’t know existed. When Louis Waterman needed to sign a document to seal an agreement, The pen he was using wouldn’t write, As a result Waterman worked on producing the first “Fountain Pen” which made him a millionaire. A culture Alexander Fleming was working on in St Mary’s Hospital in London was altered when a mould was accidentally introduced into it. But the result gave berth to the miracle drug “Penicillin”, thereby saving millions of lives. It’s very likely that if you are facing something negative today, there is an opportunity contained in it somewhere or somehow. It may not be easy to find, and it may not lead to a major breakthrough like it did for Waterman and Fleming. But then again – it might!! – especially if it causes you to turn to God for answers. In the words of (Jeremiah 32:17) “Ah Sovereign Lord, You have made the Heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.” To overcome discouragement, you can do two things. (1) Speak the right words:- One of the main causes of discouragement is negative self-talk. In his book “Spiritual Depression” Heart surgeon Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones writes “Most of the unhappiness in your life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself.” by that he means, we allow negative messages from our past to affect our thinking, instead of actively telling ourselves good things that will help us think more positively As Paul tells us in (Philippians 4:8) “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honourable, and right and pure and lovely and admirable. And think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Don’t just think those thoughts, speak them out loud, words are powerful, they can reinforce your fears or strengthen your faith. The choice is yours. (2) Maintain the right expectations. Clergyman J. Wallace Hamilton once observed; “Every person’s life is a diary in which he or she means to write one story and is forced to write yet another.” Have you found that to be true in your own experience? So often life turns out so differently from what you planned. But here’s the good news; The story you write can actually be better than the one you imagined. - But you need to have the right expectations. Bill and Gloria Gather wrote the uplifting song lyrics “I anticipate the inevitable supernatural intervention of God, I expect a miracle” What are you anticipating from God today? Before you answer that question, Pick up your Bible and see what God has promised you and say “Oh Lord God, I humbly ask your favour to give me what I ask of you today, but only if it will, not in any way damage or weaken my relationship with you. In Jesus name I pray. To identify the source of your discouragement, it’s good to get insight and guidance. But you can talk so much and get nowhere. James (1:22 says “Be doers of the word, not just hearers only, thus deceiving yourselves.” So, (1|. Always do what is right. Few things increase discouragement like regret or a guilty conscience. Yes, It’s tough to apologise, admit you faults, forgive, restrain your temper, bear a deserved blame or start over again. But deciding to do so when they are appropriate always pays off. Be willing to view your life realistically, see yourself as you are, accept what you see and what is true. Only then will you be in a position to do something about it. (2) Remember, timing is important. Often we look for relief in the valley instead of waiting on the clarity that comes from standing on the mountaintop. That’s because it takes a lot of effort to get to the top of the mountain when we are experiencing the darkness of the valley. It’s tempting to make changes we hope will relieve our discomfort. But as Dr. Robert Schuller says “When you are on the top of the proverbial mountain… Is the time to make decisions. And here is why...You see your situation more clearly. You are moving to something, not just from something. You are deciding using positive data, not negative. Doing it this way, you are more likely to move from peak to peak rather than from valley to valley. On the other hand if you persevere while you are in the valley, you will make it to higher ground where you can make wiser decisions and develop your character which will serve you well through life. Thank you for reading these thoughts on “Overcoming Discouragement” I’m no professional... But... I know that our God is an encouraging God. And will come to our aid when we ask Him to. He wants us to succeed in life, in whatever area He has placed us. And as long as we put Him first in all our endeavours He will be right there with us in every venture.. So before starting any new projects or continuing existing ones, talk to the God who has all the answers and seek His advice and wisdom with diligence.. God Bless. Phaline. ----------------------

110. God Is On His Throne Psalm 11:4.

The Psalmist asks ; “When the foundations for good collapse, what can good people do?” He answered his own question this way, “The Lord sits on His throne in Heaven.” When sickness comes, When the marriage fails, When your children suffer, When death strikes. What are you to do? Remember that God is still on His throne and is watching over you. No detail escapes His notice or His care. He works according to a plan, one that’s usually hard to understand especially in difficult times. Only in looking back do we see Psalm 23;6 becoming a reality for us. “ that His goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our lives” And what could have happened to us if it hadn’t ? Joseph landed in prison. Moses spent forty years in the desert. Daniel ended up in chains. Who could possibly have seen any good in these situations. Who could have known that Joseph the prisoner was only a single promotion away from becoming Joseph the Prime Minister? Who would have thought God was providing Moses with forty years of wilderness training in the same desert through which he would lead the Jewish nation some years later? Who would have imagined that Daniel the captive would soon become the Kings Counsellor? That’s the way God carries out His plans. He did it for Joseph, Moses and Daniel, and He will do the same for you. So trust Him, He will give you the grace you need to get through the situation that you are facing right now, Big or small He will be there for you. When you ask “God where are you?” He answers, in ( Genesis 28:15) “I am with you, and I will stay and watch over you… I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” God said in (Isaiah 55:-8-9) My thoughts are not like your thoughts...Just as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my...thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Until we come to terms with the fact that God doesn’t think like us, we will continue to question His ways, and even start doubting His love for us. We try to avoid pain, but often God uses it to bring us peace. We want comfort, but He is more interested in character. We pursue stuff that doesn’t last, whereas He tells us to build our lives on that which endures for eternity. The fact is, God lives in a dimension we can’t begin to fathom. Solomon said, (2 Chronicles 2:6) “No one can really build a house for our God. Not even the highest heavens can hold Him.” You see, What controls you and me doesn’t control God, and what worries us doesn’t worry Him. Is an eagle agitated by traffic? No, he soars above it. Is a whale disturbed by a hurricane? No, he dives beneath the waves. Is a lion flustered by a mouse standing in its way? No, he walks over it. How much more is God able to soar above, dive beneath and step over the troubles of earth? (Matthew 19:26) Tells us “What is impossible for man is possible for God.” God can be everywhere at once, and He can hear and answer all the prayers that come to Him. Think about it; God works according to a plan and a purpose, He is on the throne and in control of everything – yet He watches over every detail of every life including yours and mine. Let that truth comfort you today. God’s focus is on us, every single moment of every single day. His creation is centred on us and our well-being. Sometimes that means He has to take us round the same mountain several times before we come to our senses and realise there are lessons to be learned. Very often, you will have noticed, that short term gains and remedies, or short-cuts and quick-fix ideas just don’t cut it. And usually it’s because they have come from a source other than God. So be careful where and who you go to for comfort and advice. It’s better to go round the mountain several times with Moses than try to fly over it once with a flightless bird and perhaps crash without having experienced the lesson and wisdom God is imparting to you. Think about it.!!! Thank you for reading these short but possibly relevant words on “Keeping God on His throne” It’s often not easy but, I’s the best place He can be to keep an eye on all of us at the same time, also, He has us in the best place we can be to feel eternally loved and secure. (The palm of His hand)!!! God Bless. Phaline.

109. THE JOY OF THE LORD How To Keep It.

What is “The Joy Of The Lord” It doesn’t mean you wont experience Pain, Sorrow, Misfortune or Tears, What it does mean is that God Himself will be with you as you go through these things, It’s only in recognising and accepting. His presence, eagerness and ability to help you through your problem; that you will get this insight. After all, He’s the only one who can truly know and understand your depth of sorrow and pain. Because He has not only been there himself, He has also been with you through all the circumstances leading up to this point. Therefore He alone can shower you with His Peace, His love and His Joy,Yes, even in those deep, dark times in life when you feel so isolated from every other human being on earth. He will “never leave you or forsake you.” Believe it, and pray it. The understanding, believing and accepting of that last statement is your very first step to obtaining and keeping ‘The Joy Of The Lord” that will last.’ “If The Lord Is For Me Who Can Be Against Me” His Joy comes from your knowledge of Him, not your circumstances, not your culture, or what everyone else is saying or doing, No! You will experience a peace beyond understanding, You will have a contentment you can’t explain, and deep down you will have the Joy of knowing a relationship with God that only those who have been through the fire with Jesus can experience. And those are the ones God counts worthy to carry the Cross with His Son. And if you allow it, that can be a Joy and Privilege you will cherish through your your entire life. The Joy of the Lord is another one of those gifts of God that must be cultivated. Yes, it’s like a muscle that needs exercising the more you develop it the stronger it becomes. Here are some exercises to help us to develop inner peace and Joy. Firstly, Show more gratitude, Paul tells us in (1Thessalonians 5:18) ‘Give thanks in all circumstances’ note, it doesn’t say be thankful for all circumstances, it says IN all circumstances. Frank Seyle, The Father of modern stress studies says “Gratitude produces more emotional energy than any other attitude.” So look for more ways to express gratitude. Call or email someone just to let them know you care about them. In (Psalm 28:7) we read ‘With my song I will Praise Him’ remember to express gratitude to God; Even though God is not dependent on us for anything, when He shows His affection for us by giving us a blessing, He really loves to receive our thanksgiving and praise Why? Because it shows Him we understand that the blessing wasn’t an accident, coincidental, good luck, just fortunate, or anything like that. But, that we acknowledge and appreciate from who that blessing came. Now, if your not naturally a joyful person, start singing praises to God and watch your attitude change. Secondly, Look for ways to give;- In (Acts 20:35) we read “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” What else does the Bible reveal in this area? (2 Corinthians 9:7) says “God loves a cheerful giver” why? Because you are most like God when you give, and he doesn’t give grudgingly. Do you realise your giving actually determines how much you receive from God. The Bible says in (Malachi 3:10) when you give Him the first of your income, He will “Throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Do you really understand it’s an impossibility to out-give God. As the old farmer once said, “I shovel it into God’s storehouse, and He shovels it into mine, but He has a bigger shovel.” The third way to increase your Joy level is by serving others: As long as we live with a sense of entitlement, believing that others should serve us, our Joy gauge will be reading empty. Jesus said in (Mark 8:35) “It’s in giving your life away in serving others that you will find abundant life.” In Ephesians 6:7-8) Paul reminds us “To serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lo not people, because you know that The Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do” The happiest people are typically too busy helping others to ask themselves “Am I happy” find a cause greater than self-interest and pour your life into it. If you do. your legacy will be greater than your life span. Finally, share your faith with someone. (Luke 15:10) tells us; “There is joy in the presence of God’s Angels even when one sinner repents” Your greatest joy in life will be the result of trusting in Christ as your Saviour. And your second greatest joy will come from introducing others to Him. Imagine sharing your faith with someone, they may not respond at the time, but you have still sewn the seed of God’s Word. Later, they commit their lives to Christ. Perhaps you didn’t know it. But imagine meeting them in Heaven and saying to you “I want to thank you for taking the time, I’m here because you cared enough to tell me about Jesus. When you think You are loosing or have lost your Joy, ask yourself this One question “When is the last time I shared my faith with someone or led them to Christ” That could answer a number of questions for you. Speak to those you meet about what Christ has done for you, How he ordered or changed circumstances to enable you to get out of sticky messes or problematic situations, How He removed people who were proving to be a stumbling block in your relationship with God. How He healed someone You were praying for. Or you got that Job, or flat, or car for the exact price you could afford and How everything in life has changed since you made the decision to give your life to Jesus. The experience of peace and joy you received that could only have come from Him. When you do those things, you will not only see your Joy return, but, you will experience the presence of The Holy Spirit and find yourself speaking God’s Word, because The Spirit will speak through you as Jesus said He would;-”Don’t worry about what you will say, on that day, because The Spirit will speak in your heart”. Thank you for reading these thoughts on Getting and Keeping “The Joy of The Lord” I can tell you from personal experience, JOY is one of the loveliest gifts God has made available to us. So keep it topped up in your heart, use it as often as you can and let it be your trademark as a Christian, telling the world you belong to Jesus Christ who died and rose again to bring you a New Life of Peace and Joy..So Be Happy!! God loves you!! God Bless. Phaline.

108. BLESSED AT YOUR WORK. Proverbs 22:29

The above Scripture is from Solomon he writes, “If you do your job well, you will work for a ruler and never be a slave.” But doing your job well is not genetic; you have to work at it. Sometimes this might mean burning the midnight oil, stretching to your limits and refusing to settle for less. As you watch true artisans working, you notice their attention to detail, their refusal to cut corners, their patience, dedication and the pride they take in their work. They inspire confidence and respect. There is not a more practical demonstration of true Christianity to be found anywhere. When they speak, people listen. If you doubt that, try sharing your faith with someone who sees you being dishonest, shoddy and careless with your responsibilities at home or at your work. It would be better to remain silent until you earn the right to be heard. In Colossians (3:17) we read: whatever your work “do it in the name of the Lord Jesus” Why? Because you represent Christ and His Spirit lives within you. You should set the industry standard for excellence at the company you work for. Your employees and customers should have confidence that they will get nothing but the best from you. Daniel, Shadrach, Mechachh, and Abednego , started out as slaves in Babylon, but ended up as the kings closest advisors. Why was that? Daniel (1:20) tells us;- Whenever the king asked for advice, he found that their advice was always ten times better than his own advisors could give him. God promises that excellent work will inevitably attract the attention of people who will promote and reward them. (Proverbs 22:29) says they may start at the bottom, but like cream they will rise to the top,” Cream doesn’t only rise to the top, but in the separation process it gets richer, smoother and tastier. Think about it! Hard work is another key to succeeding on the job. Hard work will reward you with more than enough. Any employer will tell you, their biggest challenge is finding and retaining good staff. Samuel again tells us in (Proverbs 10:4) Diligence makes rich and diligence means being self disciplined, motivated, alert, dependable also following through with things you start. Solomon tells us those qualities are priceless, because they are so hard to come by in an employee, so work on fostering those attributes and one day you will hit the top. The Bible teaches that your boss is responsible to pay you a fair days wage, and you are responsible to give him/her a fair days work. It makes sense to think if you want to prosper, make sure your employer prospers. Hard work is the way forward. “Work hard and you will be a leader, be lazy and you will end up a slave.” Instead of looking for ways to improve themselves, lazy employees sometimes try to find fault with their bosses, or with the systems they have to use, or even with their more diligent colleagues. These people want the privileges others get to enjoy, but are not willing to work for them. In (Proverbs 13:4) we read “The desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” They get it all; The satisfaction of a job well done, a sense of self worth, a reputation for integrity, the trust of others, job security, profit, promotion and best of all the knowledge that they did it God’s way. “Well done good and faithful servant,” Here is another important key to being blessed on the Job, Thoughtfulness. This is true whether you are the Manager, foreman or the grounds caretaker. The name plate on your door may imply that you deserve respect, but you have to earn that respect everyday, through your work ethic and your attitude towards customers as well as other members of staff. In The Old Testament, most people earned their living by farming and raising cattle, sheep and Goats, So Solomon offered this advice; (Proverbs 27:23) “Know well the condition of your flock, and give attention to your herds” Good leaders make it their business to know the needs, strengths, weaknesses, potential and motivational levels of those who work with them. As a result, employees sick-time is reduced, morale is improved, quality and productivity soar. Believe it or not, a pay increase is not always the only answer or motivator. Sometimes, your thoughtfulness, understanding and interest in an employee can also be a powerful motivator. When you truly care about people, you will bring out the best in them. And if you are an employee, God promises, in ( Proverbs 27:18) “He who guards his master will be honoured” If you keep criticizing those above you, those around you will begin to distrust you. As long as you resent your position as a follower, you will never become qualified to be a leader. The Bible relates in (Titus 3;1-2 We are supposed to speak well of those who are in authority over us. And if you can’t do that, say nothing and look for another job. I’m sorry if that all sounds a bit harsh, but that’s the way to be blessed at your work. One more thing. Honesty;- in order to be blessed on the job Remember this: :(Proverbs 10:2) “Treasures gained dishonestly, profits no one” We must all practise honesty, it’s unwise to steal, even if you are never caught and nobody ever sees you, God Does “Ill gotten gains profit no one” When you do wrong, not only will you have trouble, but you will bring trouble on those who love you and depend on you. The Word of God says:”(Proverbs 15:27) Whoever is greedy for unjust gain, troubles his own household” Think about it!! You could lose your job, damage your reputation, be humiliated, face costs and legal consequences which your whole family pays for, and end up in shame, all of which will negatively effect your children. Your spouse deserves an honest partner. Your children deserve an honest role model, confident that the path you walk is safe for them to follow. Radio commentator Paul Harvey stated that 40 per cent of American workers admitted to stealing on the job, and 25 percent of them felt justified in doing so. From what I’ve seen and heard New Zealand is on a par with the U S. They rationalise it by saying ‘Everybody does it, why shouldn’t I...The Boss can afford it..., They won’t miss it...It’s only small stuff, It wont make any difference...The company owes me, so I’m just taking what is mine...I deserve it, I’ve worked hard and never been acknowledged. Now, What does God have to say about this? (Proverbs 11:18) “The wicked person earns deceptive wages” When you deceive your employer the Lord says you are a wicked person. Who would you call or consider “A Wicked Person,” A car thief, A child molester, A drunk or druggy, or a murderer; if you don’t want to join the ranks of wicked persons, stop stealing now, before the problem gets too big for you to handle. Keep your hands off what doesn’t belong to you. Of all people, Employers and Customers should be able to trust a follower of Christ, to be honest, to earn their wages, and provide quality service. Thank you for reading this word on one of the most under-preached or taught of God’s Commandments. There will be no excuses on that day when we stand before God. We wont be able to say “I didn’t understand, or It was just a little thing, or Everybody was doing it. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL it couldn’t be any clearer. Pray; OH God give us the strength to keep our hands off what doesn’t belong to us and to overcome this problem by the power of Your Holy Spirit. God bless. Phaline.

107.Handling Disappointments. Proverbs 24:16.

We all have to deal with disappointments at some stage in our lives, that’s just a fact of life. So we need to learn how to handle them, and more importantly, teach our children to do the same. Firstly instead of getting into a tizzy about it, talk to God about your disappointment, and get His perspective on the matter, asking God Why? Seldom gets an answer, so just accept what has happened and ask God to point you in the right direction to see and accomplish His Will in the process of it. Even in little things God has a perspective, and He will lead you to see it and understand. Try this with small matters, and as you grow to rely more on God, so will your faith and trust in Him increase. I am going to show you five different kinds of “Disappointments” which we all have to deal with from time to time, and hopefully, you, as a Bible-believing Christian may learn how to handle them.. (1) Disappointment in yourself.- This is the most debilitating kind of disappointment because it can put you into a downward spiral that’s hard to recover from. Reading from (Matthew 26:33) Peter experienced it. He swore loyalty to Christ saying,’Everyone else may abandon you, but not me. I’m yours until death’ Yet he denied Christ three times. Later he remembered Christ’s words (v34) ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times’ Peter, heartbroken by his failure, according to (Luke 22;62) went outside and wept bitterly. Maybe you’re thinking ‘Lord, how could you use someone like me?’ Jesus wasn’t shocked, He was aware of Peter’s flaws when He called him. But he was also aware of His outspoken disciple’s tender heart, so He chose to extend grace, rather than cast him aside. (In Mark 16:7) When Christ gave His post-resurrection orders to; ‘Tell His disciples and Peter’ to meet Him in Galilee. He reaffirmed His choice of this failed disciple; The remainder of Peter’s story is one of victory. So when you sin, or fail and disappoint yourself, (1) Humble yourself and repent, confess your sin, don’t excuse, rationalise or blame circumstances or somebody else. (2) receive God’s forgiveness and grace by faith not feelings. Don’t let Satan convince you that you are beyond God’s reach and grace, you are not. (3) Don’t add insult to injury by letting disappointment mire you in hopelessness and despair. (4) Get the help you need to get back on track, sooner rather than later (2) Disappointment in Leadership. It would be reasonable to assume you could trust Eli Israel’s High Priest. That’s what Samuel’s mother thought when she entrusted her son to him. Confident Eli would mentor him for God’s service. But that High Priest had a serious character flaw. He was a weak parent one who stood by while his sons abused their priestly privileges. Who would have blamed young Samuel for taking a nosedive when the man he looked up to failed so badly? But no! He fielded his disappointment and kept his eyes on God (1Samuel 3:19) tells us ‘Samuel grew and The Lord was with him’ As a result he became one of Israel’s greatest prophets. So, how do you handle disappointments in your leadership? By keeping your eyes on the Lord. We need to be very careful when we observe faults in our leadership. First of all you probably don’t have all the facts or understand all the circumstances and secondly, keep in mind Satan is intent on breaking down what God is building up and thirdly don’t use a hammer to crack an egg, Be Gentle in confrontation. (3) Disappointment in your family: Look at Joseph. When God gave him a vision of future success, his brothers responded with resentment and bitterness; selling him into slavery, far from friends and home. He languished in prison for years for a crime he didn’t commit, what an invitation to rehash the wrongs done to you while plotting your revenge!. But if Joseph had done that, he would have died an unknown convict in a foreign prison. Instead, he allowed God to vindicate him. And God will do that for you too.(Isaiah 54:17)) says ‘No weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up against you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord, Their vindication will come from me, I The Lord have spoken.” (4) Disappointment With whom you Work:- When the people you count on fail you, it’s painful imagine Moses’ disappointment, he leaves his brother Aaron in charge while he spends forty days up mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. When he returns, what does he find? Israel worshipping a golden calf – Made by his brother Aaron. When Moses needs him most, Aaron fails him miserably. But true leadership shines in disappointment Moses confronts Aaron, takes the mess to God and prays for the forgiveness of Israel. God responds, then reminds Moses of his assignment. (Exodus 32-34) “Go lead the People...my angel will go before you” Disappointment doesn’t cancel your assignment – or God’s presence.. So do what God has told you to do. (5) Disappointment in those you’ve poured your life into:-Let’s check in again with Moses, ‘Founding pastor of the church in the wilderness.’ His congregations is made up of former slaves who have been delivered and blessed, and who are en route to the Promised Land. But without a shred of loyalty or gratitude for the man who has laid everything on the line to make it possible. Fresh out of Egypt, they turn on Moses accusing, blaming and berating him (see Exodus 14) Was Moses disappointed and hurt? Yes, but each time he wanted to give up, he discussed it with God, prayed for his complaining flock, got fresh orders from Headquarters and returned to work. Now, That’s what God-called men and women to do when they are disappointed and feel like giving up and that’s what you and I must do too. Thank you for reading these thoughts on handling disappointments, life would be much better without them, but unfortunately they are ’par for the course’ and we all don’t think alike; what a boring world it would be if we did!. I’m sure our spiritual training is enhanced when and how we respond to disappointment; Our God has broad shoulders, He has no problem with us crying on them as we receive the comfort His Holy Spirit so freely brings with Him as He points us in to Jesus. Worth a thought or two. God Bless. Phaline.

106. THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

The above Scripture reads “When you received God’s Word from us, you realised it was not human words...you accepted it for what it really is – “God’s Word.” The seriousness of those two words should send us into a spin, why? What makes you or I think we are worthy enough to be recipients of a word from Almighty God? Answer, His Gracious, all encompassing love for us. Yes he loves you and me so much that He wants to have regular conversations with us. You may ask “How can I do that?”Just find a quiet place and time, (just as you would if you are going to send someone an email) And the first thing to do is to put in your password. (Jesus) (That’s my pass word, and it can be yours too. I take seriously what Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” And that’s why “Jesus” is my Password. Now everything I think and say passes through Jesus And I can be sure, all I pray for will be heard by The Father. Now I am going to give you four Scriptures you must believe about God’s Word, for that very reason. They are in The Bible and the Bible is, “God’s Word.” (1) It is life changing:- In the parable of the sewer, Jesus said, (Luke 8:11) “The seed is the Word of God.” you may not understand the power within a seed, but you know that when you sow it in receptive soil, it will spring to life:; it wont just sit there and do nothing, it will produce fruit. Likewise your Bible contains the Word (seed) of God, which also effectively works in you when you are (receptive soil) (those who believe.) (2) It Works.:- (Isaiah 55:11) “My Word... will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and will achieve the purpose for which I sent it” Note the word ‘sent’ Every word God speaks is on a mission and is guaranteed to accomplish that mission in accordance with His Will, His strategy and His Timing. (3) It’s A Creative Word;- 2 Peter 3:5) “By God’s Word the Heavens came into being and the earth was formed.” God’s Word was powerful enough to create all that exists; He didn’t strive or sweat, He just spoke and it came into being.. So Speak God’s Word. Learn it, trust it, use it. (4) It’s A Word of Authority;- “Luke 4:32,36. “They were astonished at His teachings, for His Word was with authority...they were all amazed… saying ’What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” The Forces of darkness around you today must recognise and submit to God’s Word, so stand firmly on it. You have the authority and the Power. In Psalm (119”89) We read, “your word is settled in heaven.” Therefore it should be a settled issue in your life. In (Mark 13:31) Jesus said;- “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away”. The Bible which contains God’s Word, never needs updating, it’s perfect and can never be improved upon: That’s why in (John 15:7) Jesus instructed you and me “Let My Word remain in you” in other words, programme your mind with the Scriptures.. How do you do that? (1) give it permanent residence, not visitor status. (Colossians 3:16) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” Take it in richly meaning copiously and abundantly. Call it “Operation Saturation”. Read the Bible meditate on it, speak it out loud. Yes, and even sing its words: “Teach them to each other and even sing them out in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual songs” (2) Keep it before you at all times. (Joshua 1:8) “Keep the book of the law always on your lips: meditate on it day and night...do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Talk it out, think it out, walk it out. “But” you say “my memory doesn’t retain things too well.” That wont be a problem. Why? Because Jesus Himself said (John.14:26) “The Advocate, The Holy Spirit, whom The Father will send in my name… will remind you of everything I have said to you. “As you meditate on God’s Word The Holy Spirit will come to the aid of your less-than-perfect memory. If you want progress in your Christian walk, Your mind must be governed by The Word of God, not by your impulses, your thoughts or your opinion. Jesus said in (Matthew 7:24) “Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine and DOES them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” This builder’s foundation withstood life’s storms Now go down to verses (26-27 ) On the other hand, Jesus said “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does NOT do them is foolish and the storms of life will sweep them away”Jesus didn’t condemn the second man, for building an inadequate shelter, or failing to hear, understand and believe His words, but failing to ACT on them. James writes (James 1:22-25) “Obey God’s message, don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it… God will bless you in everything you do if you LISTEN and OBEY and don’t just hear and forget.” If you think, reading, knowing and even believing God’s Word fulfils your obligation to it, you are mistaken. Because it’s God’s Word, and His instructions must be obeyed, that requires not just believing it, but behaving according to it. James didn’t say you will be blessed because of what you believe, but because of what you DO. (Exodus 24:7) When Moses read God’s Word to the Israelites they said “All that The Lord has said we will DO and be OBEDIENT.” And that must be our rule too. Thank you for reading these thoughts on The Word of God. In the world today, there are not too many people whose word we can truly believe, trust and rely on, but to have the privilege of knowing Jesus Christ The Son of God, who said “I am THE WAY, I am THE TRUTH, I am THE LIFE” brings a tremendous blessing. So hang on to Him and follow His footsteps wherever they may take you to know, understand and DO His Word. God Bless us all as we follow His footsteps and Word. Phaline.