November 19 -

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” - Isaiah 1:18 KJV

I ended the blog yesterday by saying, “Talk your plans through with the Lord, and you won't go far wrong.” The response of some people to a comment like that however, is a confused frown and a comment such as, “Oh,yeah, and how do you propose I do that!”. “How can I talk to someone I can't see?” “How do I know there's really someone there?” “How do I know there's a God in the first place, let alone one who cares about what happens to me – let alone being able to listen to the millions of people in the world at the same time?” “What would I say?”

There's real confusion and dilemma in the mind of some people about a living, existing God, and prayer. There are so many opinions bandid around about prayer, and the correct/incorrect way to approach the Almighty, it's no wonder there's scepticism and individuals keep their problems and concerns bottled up inside to the detriment of their mental and physical health. How tragic when God is just waiting to listen, and take all the bags of troubles and problems we haul around with us day and night, in exchange for peace of heart, mind, and soul.

Jesus offers a personal invitation to each and every one of us. He says, “Come to Me, all those toiling and being burdened, and I will give you rest” - Matthew 11:28, and “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” - 1Peter 5:7 NLT. “....rend your heart and not your garments " Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil” - Joel 2:13, for, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” - Matthew 10:29-31

Someone may be thinking, 'That's all ok, but what do I do? How do I even start?'

Jesus is our Friend. What do you do when a friend calls to see you? - yes, we put the kettle on, make a drink, then kick off our shoes and settle down on a comfy seat to exchange all our news, or offer a word of advice, and maybe even, comfort. Just speak to Him as you would to them. He is inviting you by asking:

Are there any people you want to pray for? Say their names to me and ask me as much as you like. I'm generous, but trust me to do what is best.... Tell me aout your pride, your touchiness, self-centredness, meaness and laziness. I still love you in spite of these. Don't be ashamed, there will be many saints in heaven who had the same faults as you; they prayed to me, and little by little, their faults were corrected.

Don't hesitate to ask me for blessings for the body, and mind, for health, memory, success. I can give anything....

Tell me about your failures, and I'll show you the cause of them. What are your worries? Who has caused you pain? Tell me about it. Forgive them, and I will bless you.

Are you afraid of anything? Have you any tormenting, unreasonable fears? Trust yourself to me. I am here. I will not leave you.

Have you no joys to tell me about? Why do you not share your happiness with me? Tell me what has happened since yesterday to cheer and comfort you. Whatever it was, however big, however small, I prepared it. Show me your gratitude and thank me. What about your plans and hopes for the future? What are the children doing at school? Your frustrations at work and at home? Tell me about your life. Don't bottle up the anxieties and problems that occur as your family develops.  Each day, place them in my hands – they are my own too, I will watch over them.

Are temptations bearing heavily upon you....the overpowering urge to tell that neighbour once and for all exactly what you think of them – to tell your boss what to do with his job and unreasonable demands? Yielding to temptations always disturbs the peace of your soul. Ask me, and I'll help you overcome them. “Come to Me, all those toiling and being burdened, and I will give you rest” - Matthew 11:28. Who is there to condemn you? I am Christ Jesus, your Saviour and Redeemer who died, and more than that was raised to life. I am at the right hand of God--and interceding for you (Romans 8:34).

God has so many blessings, words of wisdom, and guidance through the minefields of our lives. He is just waiting for us to make time for HIM....time to TALK....time to LISTEN....peace of heart and mind for YOU.

“ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” - Romans 8:38-39

Music today is, "I Just Came to Talk with you Lord", and "The Farmer and the Lord"