Even in time of Trouble.

  Even in time of trouble.

The apostle Paul writes,

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

Experience is the best way to help people. Here Paul speaks about God being there to comfort us in times of trouble. But he doesn’t stop there. He tell us that as we experience Gods comfort in times of trouble, we can assure others that God will be there to comfort them in times of trouble.

Are you going through times of trouble? Be assured that God is there for you.

The apostle Paul wrote,

"And we know all things work together for good 

to those who love God 

to those who are called according to His purpose." 

                                                                                     Romans 8:28.

God has a purpose for you even in your times of trouble.

Please think about it. 

I Pledge

 I Pledge 

"Whoever does not love does not know God, 

because God is love." 

                                       1 John 4:8

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:17,18.

In my nearly seventy years on this earth never have I seen so much hate exhibited. Sadly even men and women calling themselves Christians are exhibiting hate. Love seems to be lacking in everywhere in 2022. 

If we consider ourselves to be true followers of Christ Jesus we need to make a pledge to God to shun evil and hate. It is of paramount importance that all Christians living today wherever they live need to Pledge to Love, God, Family, Friends and Foe alike.

To that end I have written this. The Believers Pledge. It is my hope that anyone reading it will pass it on to others.

As a believer in Christ Jesus,

I pledge...

To Love.

I Pledge...

As far as it depends on me...

To live at peace with all people.

I Pledge...

Never, Never, Never! To attack anyone...

Physically, or verbally.

Even if I vehemently disagree with them in any way.

I Pledge...

Never to demean anyone.

No matter their race, their ethnicity, their religion, or their lifestyle.

I Pledge...

As far as humanly possible,

To uphold the dignity of all whom I come in contact with.

I Pledge...

To obey the words of Christ Jesus who said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have others do to you 

for this sums up the law and the prophets." 

                                                                 Matthew 7:12.

   Please don’t just think about it. Do it.

Do you

  Do you

The Psalmist writes,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4.

The other day I read a true story of a young man who was beaten by a family member for his belief in Jesus. The young man lived in a country where being a Christian can get you killed. 

What impressed me about this young man and others who love Jesus around the world who live in similar situations to him is their courage. They take Psalm 23:4 to heart.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world." 

By one estimate over 500,000,000 believers in Christ Jesus live in countries where to quote a friend, “believing in Jesus can and is hazardous to your health”.

To anyone who is reading this today and claims to be a true believer in Christ Jesus I would ask if you even give a thought to those Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith? Do you pray for them? Do you pray for their persecutors that they would come to know Christ as their Lord and Savour? 

Secondly I would ask do you believe, truly believe, the words of the Psalmist when he says,

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4.

Please think about it.

Our Journey

Our Journey
The Psalmist writes,

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

                                                                                      Psalm 23.

Life is never smooth sailing over calm waters. Life is more like a journey to a distant land. To get there we must walk not only through green pastures on pleasant sunny days, but  through storms and dark valleys.
The end however for anyone who believes in Christ Jesus, is entering into the house of the LORD. Where we will dwell forever.
Please think about it.

In Adversity

In Adversity

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

 I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

 You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and 

I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

                                                                                                                Psalm 23

The twenty-third Psalm reminds us that God is with us through all our troubles. He knows what we are going through and what we are in need of.
One pastor I had suggested every now and then we should examine the twenty-third psalm and see how it relates to us.
Isaac Watts wrote,

"My shepherd is the living Lord,

Now shall my wants be well supplied,

His providence and holy word

Becomes my Safety and my guide.

In pastures where salvation grows,

He makes me food - he makes me rest -

There living water gently flows,

And all the food divinely blessed...

Through I walk through the gloomy vale,

Where death and all its terrors are,

My heart and hope shall never fail;

For God, my Shepherd’s with me there."

                                                                                                    Isaac Watts
Having Jesus as our Lord and Saviour is to my mind as important as the air we breath.
He is their in the good times and in the bad.
I was told a long time ago that I should become so close to the Lord that when the dark times come. When trouble comes God is the first person we turn to.
I’ve found that to be true.
I live with Bipolar affective disorder. When I had that first break down that led to my diagnosis I was travelling along a major highway. Out of the blue an overwhelming fear of dread came upon me tears welled up in my eyes and I had to pull over to the side of the road.
I remember asking God what was happening.
When I regained my equilibrium I went to the next rest stop pulled into a far corner of the parking lot and cried for half an hour.
During that time I cried out to God. I did so seemingly automatically.
I strongly believe that it was he who answered my prayers. He that got me in touch with the right doctors and psychiatrists and has helped me through the darkest days of my life.
Jesse Jai McNeil wrote,
“In the midst of sorrow or joy, sickness or health, adversity or prosperity, we beseech Thee, that we may never lose sight of Thee. 
And when the storms of confusion and uncertainty overtake us, speak peace to my soul, O blessed LORD, and enlighten our mind with Thy Holy spirit.  Lighten our burdens by strengthening our spirit.  Keep us strong and give us courage.
                                                                                         Jesse Jai McNeil 
As Christians we are as close as a prayer to God.
Dear Christian how close are you to God?
Is He the first person you turn to in times of trouble?
Think about it.