I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. Jeremiah 29:11

Direct debts can save you both time and money, if used correctly. If you purchase anything which will involve payments over a period of time, then you are usually advised to set up. It is a method where on a given date the company, let’s say the phone company, will take an agreed amount. This will save you the time it would take to get to the bank, queue up and pay. As convenient as it is for you, the retailer also gets a set amount which keeps their account healthy on a month by month basis, and let’s not forget the interest they are accumulating!

If you don’t set up a direct debit, then you will just have to rely on your memory and either go to the bank as I have said before or do a direct payment through internet banking. As long as the agreed amount gets to the correct account by the set date then all is well. If not then late charges kick in, brown letters land on your doorstep, phone calls at inconvenient times and the stress of knowing you gave away money you could have put to better use.

So what is a direct debit guarantee?

The Direct Debit Guarantee (or the “Direct Debit Indemnity”) is the Direct Debit scheme's customer protection and one of the main reasons the scheme is so popular. As a customer, the Direct Debit Guarantee protects you against payments made in error or fraudulently, making Direct Debit the UK's safest payment method.

Have you considered setting up a direct debt guarantee with Jesus? Agreeing a set amount of either time, effort, money and then making a prayer promise to seal it? You will be surprised by the amount of blessings it yields.

Why not give it a try?

‘Lord, For the years’ is our music today. Click here to listen.

Pray without ceasing. I Thessalonians 5:17

For all the evils of technology, for which there are many, the internet in it’s purest form is a good thing. It was built to communicate and that is what is does, it communicates information and connects people. Without it I would not be writing, and you would not be reading, this blog.

In order to access the internet you need some sort of data plan. This is the currency telecom companies use to transfer information (data – in computer language!) When the internet began in1969 it was what we call fixed network. This meant that you had to be in one place to either end or receive it. Nowadays this method is called ‘broadband’. It is where access to the internet is through your landline or fixed line phone. It in same way that you can only receive calls to you home telephone, you can only use broadband internet if you are at home.  In 1990 when Tim Berners-Lee created the first web the world could not have envisaged a time when devices small enough to go into your pocket would be able to access the web ‘on the go’. Mobile internet made all of that possible.

Do you take Jesus with you wherever you go, like mobile internet, or do you attach him to you house, your church or a place of work like a fixed network broadband provider?

Do you think about Jesus as many times as you check your phone?

Do you love Jesus more than your phone, TV or preferred technological device? It may draw a smile but isn’t it easier to talk about your technology than it is to talk about Jesus to someone?

Food for thought.

‘Will you love Jesus more?’ is the song for today. Click on the picture to listen.

February 10- 11 – Hubble Bubble

“When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or
an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee” - Deuteronomy 18:9-12

Doom. He feels it moving toward him though he cannot see it, snarly and bristling with malice. No matter how quickly he moves, pivoting to check his back, he can’t seem to get out of its way. He can feel the hair standing up on his neck like hackles on a dog. It’s been like that for some time.(Two friends had this same experience one evening as they made their prayer walk).

Though Saul has men to guard him, he is afraid to close his eyes at night. Some days are worse than others. Today is the worst. He was desperate to discover whether he will prevail against the Philistines who have gathered in great numbers to attack him. But then he remembers that he has already murdered the high priest and many other priests as well. He fears they are in league with David, who has himself gone over to the Philistines.

Perhaps he should summon an interpreter to read his dreams, but these days he has no dreams because he sleeps so little. If only he could ask Samuel for a word, but the old man has already been gathered to his fathers and buried in Ramah.

Now there is only silence. No word from God. So Saul decided to visit the witch of Endor and ask her to summon up the spirit of Samuel from the grave – and in 2017 things continue the same.

Recently we had a Friday the 13th and I found out something I didn't know. There is actually a name for those who have a fear of it: paraskevidekatriaphobia. I can't pronounce it but it seems that there are multitudes plagued by it.

Can you recall how many times you have watched as, the first thing some people do when they open a magazine or newspaper, is to read their horoscope for the day? For many people, Ffriday 13 and their daily 'fortune telling' fix, affects decisions such as whether or not to leave the house, whether to schedule surgery or buy and sell stocks. In the article I read, a doctor commented that as long as people are not incapacitated by the phobia, there is no harm in it. I disagree with that. I think there is much harm.

Fear of Friday the 13th is only one small example of a whole parcel of superstitions entrapping millions of people all over the world. What is at the root of superstition? Ultimately, isn't it lack of trust in God? After all, who is really in charge? Almighty God who sits on the throne or: a black cat, a broken mirror, a date and day, a stone or charm, a certain ritual, a knock on wood, or a faker?

Superstitions replace the true God with false ones and the Bible says: "Let there be no strange god among you; nor shall you worship any foreign god." (Psalm 81:9) Rather than embrace strange gods remember; "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a joke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

If by any chance you have fallen for superstitions of any kind, discard them and trust in God only – don't be fooled - “For there shall arise false christs and false prophets and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24). The devil is at the root of all evil.

Next time the 13th of the month falls on a Friday think this way: thirteen is the number after twelve and Friday is the day after Thursday and God is on his throne, and this is the day we prepare for the Sabbath – the day we praise and worship God..

Count on it

Acknowledgements Jonathon Peterson and Barbara Lardinais.

Michael W Smith - “Keep Your Eyes on Jesus” is our music. Click in the picture to listen and join in.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. – Revelation 3:20

I am sure you all have them – boxes, stowed away in the depths of a cupboard, containing items that have been passed down to you, or left behind by your parents. In addition to the usual pottery, glassware, and linen, I have an old vinyl record case full of family photographs going back many years....sister, brothers, aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents – you name them – they're there. Sadly, all have now gone to their rest, awaiting Christ's return.

As I look through the photo's my mind travels back to the times my sister and brothers visited my parents. In my mindseye I can still picture my father waiting by the door for them to arrive – just as he did each weekend when I returned home from college in Leeds....huge smile on his face and arms open wide. No matter how frenetic the journey had been for all of us, the welcome made it all worth while. 

Unlike William Holman Hunt's painting “The Light of the World,” (painted 1851-1853), we didn't have to knock on the door and wait for it to be opened.

Depicting Revelation 3:20 – “behold I stand at the door and knock.” Hunt’s painting shows Jesus, complete with crown on his head, standing at a door with his right hand raised to knock. The light from the lamp Jesus is carrying illuminates the door, but leaves much of the background in darkness. The door itself is overgrown with weeds. There is no evidence that anyone has used the door recently. Hunt said the door represents “the obstinately shut mind.” This mind has ignored the knocking at the door for a long period of time, but Jesus has just kept on knocking. The other significant feature of the painting is that there is no door handle on the side of the door where Jesus is standing. Jesus can’t open it. It can only be opened from pur side.

(Acknowledgements Garry Mullen)

Will we welcome Him with a huge smile on our faces, and our arms open wide?

"I Believe, Help Thou My Unbelief" By Bill Gaither, Marshall Hall, & Guy Penrod (2008) is music today. Click on the picture to listen.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

A thought came to me yesterday; I wonder what Ben Carson must be thinking now? For those of you who do no know who Ben Caron is, Dr Ben Carson was professor and director of paediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and the best selling author of Think Big, Gifted Hands and The Big Picture. He has had a film a made about him, as he is the neurosurgeon responsible for the first successful operation to separate Siamese twins joined at the back of the head. From difficult beginnings this African American man had built a career and CV second to none. Of and did I forget to mention, he is a Seventh-day Adventist. If there is ever such a thing as good publicity, Dr Ben Carson was that. Until in June 2016 after retiring from medicine he decided to try politics and run as a republican candidate.

He lost out to a certain Donald Trump who is now the 45^th president of America. As a result of running for the same office Dr Carson endorsed Mr Trump, who when he took office offered him an admin role, as director for hosuing and urban development which he has accepted even though he has no expertise in this area. Politicians do not do their job to become popular, but this current president is not making many friends.

It has been said that for all the stellar career Dr Carson had, this choice of public office would leave a stain on his character where there should not be one. All for what, a chance to 'make America great again' or to feather his own cap?

The same could have been said about Simon Peter. Once a beloved disciple who, in a moment of self preservation, denied his Saviour 3 times. Yet, Jesus chose to build His church upon the foundation of his character.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

You see, it is not about your choices that will ultimately define your character, it is how you respond when Jesus calls your name. A reputation here on earth is nothing unless it is endorsed by the King of kings.

Who will you choose to serve?

Sandi Patty sings ‘Upon this rock.’ Click here to listen.

In the beginning God… Genesis 1:1 first part

These are at least two bible verses every Christian should commit to memory. Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1. Here are my reasons why.

Genesis 1:1 ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.’ Look again at the first four words; ‘In the beginning God…’ So, that tells us before there was anything, right at the start of existence, there was God. Mark 13:19 concurs ‘for in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.’

Now John 1:1 ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God.’ Note the capital letter for the word Word denoting a pronoun, meaning a name of a person. If we quickly jump down to verse 14 of the same chapter we will see who that person is. Verse 14 ‘And the Word was made flesh. And dwelt among us, (and we behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.’

One of the most well known verse in the bible is John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world, that he sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’

This verse tells us that God sent his son, the Word then became flesh as the scriptures foretold. The flesh, Jesus Christ, is available to us through the teachings written down and left for us in the bible. So each time you pick up and read the bible, you are being connected, at source, to Jesus. Isn’t that a wonderful thought?

I pray that today Jesus may become even more real to you than he already is.

Kirk Franklin sings ‘Wanna be happy?’ Click on the picture to listen.

February 3-4 - In the beginning

“Praise him, you highest heaven and the water above the sky. Let them praise the name of the Lord because they were created by his command. He set them in their places forever and ever. He made it a law that no one can break” (Psalm 148:4-6 GW).

Now this is a feat of memory! I was attending a country school and had just moved up from junior school into “big” school – all of eleven years old. Brought up to believe in Creationism, God spoke and it happened, I was amazed to hear the science teacher promoting the view that the earth had dropped off from the sun. That day we were required, as part of the lesson, to draw a diagram of this 'sun/earth' teaching. I just could not do it, so instead of a diagram, my effort was a picture of God in heaven creating the world etc. You can imagine the furore this caused. Told to stand on the teacher's desk and asked if I thought I knew better than the scientists, the teacher left the classroom to bring the headmaster to hear the outrage for himself. Undeterred by my audience I proceded to give them a Bible study on how the earth, animals, and humans were created by God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D-C4_7x9Rw, to the science teacher' amusement.  The headmaster?   He left saying it had given him food for thought. In later years at university reading Psychology, I was to come across this 'science only' theory once again.

Someone may have told you at one time that the Bible isn’t scientifically accurate. That person is wrong. He or she has either never studied the Bible or never studied science.

God set up the laws of science; he made sure that his Word doesn’t contradict those laws.

Rick Warren writes that Johannes Kepler, the famous mathematician and astronomer, once said, “Science is simply thinking God’s thoughts after him.” In other words, God established the laws of physics, and then we discover them.

The Bible wasn’t meant to be a scientific textbook. You don’t study the Bible to build a rocket. And the Bible doesn’t use scientific language. But the Bible never gives bad science! Not once during the 1,600 years in which the Bible was written does it give bad science. In fact, it’s always ahead of science.

For example:

• For thousands of years, people believed that the earth was flat. But God said 2,600 years ago in Isaiah 40:22 that God is enthroned above the sphere of the earth.

• For thousands of years, people believed something held the earth up. Hindus believed huge elephants did it. The Greeks believed Atlas did it. The Egyptians believed five columns held the earth up. The Bible never says that anything is holding the planet up.

• For thousands of years, people believed that the number of stars were finite. But Jeremiah 33:22 says the number of stars can’t be counted.

In 1861 a very famous book came out called “Fifty-one Incontrovertible Proofs that the Bible is Scientifically Inaccurate.” Today, you can’t find a single scientist on the planet who would agree with any one of those “incontrovertible facts.” They’ve all been disproved by science.

The Bible says, “Praise him, you highest heaven and the water above the sky. Let them praise the name of the Lord because they were created by his command. He set them in their places forever and ever. He made it a law that no one can break” (Psalm 146:4-6 GW).

You can’t say that the second law of thermodynamics works today but not tomorrow. It always works because it is true and made by God.

Have the courage to stand on God's Word, and you will never go wrong....maybe even convict someone else of the Truth.

Music? The Singing Cookes - “Designed by a King.” Click on the picture to listen and sing along.

February 2 – Talk it over

“And even the very hairs of your head are all remembered. So don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows” - Matthew 10:30

Bring up the subject of prayer in a group of people and it never ceases to amaze me how many of them will come out with a long list of do's and don'ts. Follow this by asking if there are any problems, worries, dilemmas that are unsuitable topics for prayer, and a surprising number will respond with, “Of course. God has bigger problems to take care of than being expected to 'major on the minor.'”

Really? But what evidence can they find in the Bible to sustain that view? None I could find!

Turn to Exodus 21:27 and there you'll find that God is concerned about missing teeth. In Exodus 22:5 He is passing an opinion on grazing rights. Move on to Exodus 22:6 and there He is issuing a warning to potential pyromaniacs that they could be liable for any damages caused as a result of their dangerous obsession. From here God goes on to the topic of wounded livestock, borrowing from neighbours, and missing clothes. There are many more examples in the New Testament. The one that immediately comes to my mind is the Marriage in Cana (John 2:1-11). Jesus cared enough about the quality and supply of the drink, that at His mother's request He turned the water into wine....how minor is that!

All the way through the Bible we read of everyday people taking their everyday concerns, fears, anxieties and discussing them with the Lord. Where better to go when we need advice and guidance?....”Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord....”

As Dave Dravecky writes: 'Believing that God doesn't care about our every burden is like a parent saying to a child, “Only come to me when your injuries require hospitalisation. I don't do slivers, nightmares, or missing dolls.” If God isn't interested in every detail of my life, why else would He number every hair on my head?'

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Music today is by Dottie Rambo , singing shortly before her death, “I Just Came to Talk With you Lord.”  Click on the picture to listen.

Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. Romans 12:2

Recently I brought something from my local shop. As I went to insert my debit card the casher said,” You don’t need to do that, just pay using contactless.” When I replied that I didn’t have it, he questioned me and asked to see my card. After he had examined it and found that, indeed, it did not have the symbol he offered me this piece of advice. “If I were you I would go the bank and ask them to exchange it for a new card as everyone has one nowadays, you don’t want to be left behind”

The phrase ‘keeping up with the …’ can be translated into all cultures I believe. It is when a person feels, usually through social pressure, that they have to do whatever it takes to be seen to be on par with the ‘movers and the shakers’. Credit cards are maxed out, relationships are put under strain and work becomes the third person in the marriage. Children are constantly unhappy that they don’t look the same as their friends and so nag their already stressed parents into money submission. Even if you don’t have children, or are not in a relationship, I am sure that you can relate to the premise.

The world is rapidly moving into areas of thought, technology and reason that could have not been imagined even 10 years ago. Some areas like health, where advances are being made to prolong and save lives, are good. Whereas other areas, like sexuality and gender, where unless you adopt the conformist attitude put forward by a more hedonistic and deviant society, leaving many feeling pressured to accept what the government says as the norm, are not so good.

One of the challenges for Christians is to let God continue to be the King of their minds, not the populist views of social media. If we are living in an age, indeed the last days, where every opinion has weight, why not Gods?

Quite frankly, if I have to conform to be accepted by the world, I would rather be ‘left behind’ wouldn’t you? Think about it. Share it.

Take 6 sing ‘This is another day.’ Click on the picture to listen.

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Matthew 6:26

Something kept me awake last night. No it wasn’t money worries, I have learned to trust like the sparrows. Nor was it thinking about what President Trump was plotting to do next whilst he slowly builds his New World order. It was something far more simple but nonetheless sleep sapping. It was a cough, to be accurate, a dry tickly cough. Have you ever experienced one before? I am sure you can testify to that slow inhalation whilst you are drying not to disturb the tickle spot.

I don’t know when I fell asleep, but when I woke up it felt as if my head had just touched the pillow. As I knelt to say good morning Lord, this thought struck me. Does our spiritual life or lack of it keep us awake at night? Do the genuine problems of my church send me to my knees?

Food for thought, digest it lovingly.

Jaci Velasquez sings ‘Down on my knees’. Click on the picture to listen.