Author: Kenneth

Hearing the Message

Romans 10 New International Version

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of alland richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]Image result for Sermons

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[g]

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[h] 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.”[i]

19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,

“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
    I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”[j]

20 And Isaiah boldly says,

“I was found by those who did not seek me;
    I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”[k]

21 But concerning Israel he says,

“All day long I have held out my hands
    to a disobedient and obstinate people.”[

Guest post Olympic dreams # 2

Photo by Patrick Case on Pexels.com

Following on from my dreams of what sport I could take part in at the olympics, I decided the one I would like least is rugby. A tough, brutal sport, where you have to be supremely fit and take all the knocks and bruises that come with the sport. 

I was most impressed by the rugby 7’s team from Fiji. The entire team, led by their captain, went down on one knee and offered a sincere prayer of thanks. Wow. What an example of faith shown by the whole team. Not sure if I would be quite so willing to do the same. Ok, again, age means that getting down on one knee is not really a problem, it’s the getting up again that causes the struggle.  Am I any less sincere in praying in a sitting or standing position? No. Prayer made sincerely and from the heart will never go unheard. 

Do you have something in your life? Do you have a friend, do you know of a situation, that right now needs prayers. Than when you have read this post, take a few moments and offer that sincere word of prayer for the situation. 

Reaching Out

Matthew 14:22-33 New International Version – UK (NIVUK)

Jesus walks on the water

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’

28 ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’

29 ‘Come,’ he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

Speaking with God / Hearing with God

Celia Hales's avatarPRAYERS TO THE DIVINE COSMOS

Dear God,

This evening I feel very close to you. My life has seemed almost magical in the last few days, and especially today. Are you preparing me for something? Or is this wonderful experience just more evidence of Your loving care?

Guide me to know Your mind. I ask You to visit in my night dreams, as a way that I can come to know what You are asking of me. The blessing of these days surely portends something more in my life with You.

Thank You for sharing Your thoughts with me. I know that what I “hear” in the silence may be my imagination, but then too that is how You speak to us.

Amen.

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Let’s Agree to Disagree, Please?

Leigh's avatarAll You Need is Jesus

I shared a couple of thoughts in a previous post but I would like to share some more……

What does it feel like to “have the whole world” on your shoulders.

I have no idea…..

I can’t even imagine….

This whole situation of people bashing the Olympic gymnast for withdrawing is infuriating.

As a suffer of mental illness I know what it’s like to not have it all together, to feel pressure to “snap out of it.” (which by the way is the WORST thing you can say to someone with mental health issues.

I can’t say I know what is going through Biles’ head but if she feels she needs to take a rest mentally then LET HER TAKE IT!

Sure, people all over are complaining that she “let our country down” and that she’s “selfish” (are you kidding me with that??) is SO. VERY. MUCH. INFURIATING!

Maybe she…

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Poignant Farewell

Daldowie Crematorium

It was a poignant day yesterday as I attended the funeral of my father’s cousin. Sadly, he was a relatively young man when he died due to heart problems. With the lifting of restrictions quite a number of family members were able to say their final farewell to Alistair as we gathered at the Crematorium near Glasgow. The Rev Smith spoke briefly about him based on information from the family. He spoke about Alistair leaving school for the merchant navy and his travels, after his term in the navy he then joined the police where he served at a few stations before retiring. His final job was as a Taxi driver. His son and daughter also spoke well of their father, and both mentioned the fact that my mother and father took him in as a young man and looked upon him as an extra member of the family. He was also well known in the area through his work at the Masonic lodge.

Although we could not sing (due to Covid 19 guidelines) one of the hymns were Eternal Father Strong to Save

On the back of the order of service is the following by Robert Burns

An honest man here lies at rest,

The friend of man, the friend of truth,

The friend of age, and guide of youth:

Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,

Few hands with knowleddge so inform’d;

If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;

R.I.P Alistair.

God’s Equips Us ~

Deborah Ann Belka's avatarCHRISTian poetry ~ by deborah ann

God equips His vessels,
according to His will
all He wants them to do
is to wait and be still.

He has a purpose,
for each vessels use
and until He is done
He’ll not set them loose.

God shapes His vessels,
as He sees fit
He molds each one
of them bit by bit.

He has a plan,
for forming each one
as He works into them
the image of His Son.

God equips His vessels,
with all things pleasing
as the power of Jesus
He begins releasing!

~~~~~~

Hebrews 13:21

Make you perfect in every
good work to do his will,
working in you that which is
well pleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ; to whom
be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2021
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

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