trustworthy

All the instructions of the Lord are perfect reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

I am currently studying Egyptian hieroplyphs, written thousands of years ago. The above table gives some meanings of the symbols. Now, to take for gospel that these symbols are 100% accurate requires faith. Yet, most would accept that they are. However, many dispute the accuracy of scripture. I am sure a sin-based attitude refutes the truth without reason and accepts the foolish without reason. In other words sin is unreasonable.

As I know the One who orchestrated the writing of scripture I can say I see Him everywhere within it. Jesus is the golden tread all throughout the Old Testament and presented bodily in the New.

The scripture is my food and drink. I need it more than food. It challenges me, comforts me, revives me, heals me. My God's promises enthrall me. He is so good! Amen!

fixed eyes

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3 NLT

I remember being told, when learning to ride a motorbike, 'do not fix your eyes on the trees or you will hit them.' This is the same in all of life. What we fix our eyes on, good or bad, we will achieve.Some think by watching the mark they wish to avoid, they will miss it, not so, they will hit it.

Many things scream for our attention.  Anxieties trouble us, stomp and shriek.  However, centering ourselves on Jesus gets us through.  He is steadfast, He is the rock. 

Jesus gave us the communion celebration as a means of reminding us of His sacrifice, His redemption, He faced the worst for us. His word teaches us, He is steadfast and good, He is our anchor. Amen!

instructions

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalms 19:7 NLT

Are you one of those people who refuses to read instructions unless your attempt to use an item or construct an item fails? There are many of you if you are one. Why does this happen? Because people are more self-willed and determined than obedient and compliant.

If we take this approach to the word of God we are in trouble. God's ways are His and perfect, we are not. 'I can't be bothered,' is often heard. Yet if we be bothered we will succeed.

I remember well my son's sons construction of Lego. Two of the boys followed the Instructions patiently,  two didn't.  The two that did constructed some beautiful creations, two were frustrated. One of those who didn't was dyslexic and could not read properly, one was autistic, he did not have the emotional balance to be slow and methodical.

God instructed His people to know His word. If we know His word we are safer than if we act ignorantly. When we act ignorantly we mess up and cause grief to ourselves and others. It, therefore, behoves us to know the word of God. Amen!

All of God

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalms 19:7 NLT

If only we trusted God's words instead of our own understanding! There is life in the words of God, nowhere else. No food or drink or entertainment or holiday can revive the soul like God's word. His words are true and just.

As Christians we can be partakers in only His salvation and not His holiness, His divine character. It is the whole parcel that changes us not our knowledge of the good. If we live out of the knowledge of Him we are still living out of the worng source, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

We are powerless when we source our life in knowledge,there is only self-gratification there. The whole counsel of God is what we need and we find that in relationship.  Amen!

not tired

Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due time we will receive a harvest of blessing if we do not give up. Gal 6:9

Today was interesting. I took time to meet with a lot of non-church people in various ways. Whilst I had been invited to a nice, safe afternoon with church people I chose the harder option  as it was the best option. I needed to light up the dark places.

I prefer adventure to safety and I pray I always will. Jesus left a safe environment and occupation to a dangerous one that was way more fulfilling. So did the apostles, so will I.

May Your kingdom come Lord, may your will be done! Amen!

getting tired?

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Galatians 6:9 NLT

It is when we become tired that we stop trying to complete a degree, a simple sewing project, an exercise program, being faithful. Faithfulness requires endurance, endurance produces character, character empowers endurance.

Therefore when we are tired we need to rest and give ourselves space to recover, without dropping the ball. Last night I went with family to a circus. To be a member of this particular circus you had to be very committed as you multitasked. You were required to be a juggler, a very precise motorbike rider, and in one case a clown it after the show attend the crowd leaving the venue with games and selling or showbags. They were a lean team, however the stress was showing as one young performer was bitterly complaining in our view as we exoted the venue. For him the challenge would be to be being committed. 

For the Christian we might face a lot of turmoil and defeat. The apostles were experienced with this. However, some did not perform well, all the time. John Mark caused Paul grief, so much so that Paul disputed with Barnabas in taking him on further missions. Fprtunately, later, he returned and Paul forgave him.

We must discover what the cause of tiredness is,  and deal with it accordingly. If we have need of stronger focus, remove all distractions. Limit the drain and stay refreshed in the Lord.  Amen!

the food we need

Give us today the food we need,

Matthew 6:11 NLT

One of the temptations Jesus faced was after a 40 day fast was to create food. He was hungry. Satan tempted Him to turn rocks into bread. Jesus refused saying: man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the Father(Matt 4:4). Jesus knew ew the important food,  the word of God.

Today I attended a high tea. A lot of small sandwiches along with cakes and pastries. We do not need all the pastries, in fact these are what kill us, too much sugar and fat. So what do we need?

Many stories throughout the Old Testament show that mankind can survive on bread and water. It it not very nutritional by today's standards, however, it appears we can survive. We cannot survive without the word of God, not really survive. We are walking skeletons without a soul, that is all. God's word gives us life. Amen!