My Friend God

Made Me Glad

I will bless the Lord forever

And I will trust Him at all times

He has delivered me from all fear

And he has set my feet upon a rock

And I will not be moved

And I'll say of the Lord....

You are my shield

My strength

My portion

Deliverer

My shelter

Strong tower

My very present help in time of need

Whom have I in Heaven but you?

There's none I desire beside you

You have made me glad

And I'll say of the Lord....

You are my shield

My strength

My portion

Deliverer

My shelter

Strong tower

My very present help in time of need

You have me glad

And I'll say of the Lord....

You are my shield

My strength

My portion

Deliverer

My shelter

Strong tower

My very present help in time of need

In times of strggle and difficulty, who do you turn to? Your husband/wife, partner, parent, friend? What about if the person you usually turn to for support is not there, if your struggle is about situation that person finds themself in?


To me God is...
What more could I ask of a friend?

God is the best friend you can ever have. He's helped me through some difficult times, and continues to help me through some difficult times. He can do that for you too...all you need to do is trust God.

My shield
My strength
My portion
Deliverer
My shelter
Strong tower
My very present help in time of need

The Christ In Christmas

Everywhere we turn at the moment we're remind that it'll soon be Christmas - There's Christmas decorations going up in people's houses and in the street. Then there's all the pre-Christmas sales urging us to spend our money on "fantastic bargains" or "huge reductions".

Phew! It's exhausting just thinking about it all!

Well I've just spend today Christmas shopping with my Mum, buying the remainder of my presents. I quickly remembered when I got to the shops why Christmas is not my favourite time of year...I hate the shops being so busy and having to join endless queues to pay for one item. Bah Humbug I hear you say, but please be assured I like buying my family and friends presents, I simply dislike the commercialism that has overtaken all things Christmas.

Do you think the people in your community actually know and understand why we celebrate Christmas, and what it's really all about? I would be very surprised if many know what Christmas is really about. The standard answers would probably be "giving and receiving presents", "spending time with family" or "Santa". In other words they have taken Christ out of Christmas!

We as Christians have a great responsibility, particularly at this time of year, to make sure we tell the world about Jesus.

We must remind everyone that without Christ there would be no Christmas!

What Child Is This by Michael W Smith...

Checkout Michael W Smith's website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com

P.S. I just about managed to finish all my Christmas shopping today, I hope your Christmas shopping expeditions are as successful.

Longing for God

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.

Psalm 42:1

As the deer pants for the water,
So my soul longs after You.
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You.

You alone are my strength, my shield,
To You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You.

I want You more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy-giver
And the apple of my eye.

You're my Friend and You are my Brother,
Even though You are a King.
I love You more than any other,
So much more than anything.

Do you long for someone to help you find what you're looking for in this world: peace, happiness, love? If you are, turn to God, he is the one and only person who can help you achieve all you can, he can help you find peace and happiness. Invite God into your life today and let Him be your closest friend.

Keeping Joyful

"Joy is the infallible evidence of the presence of God!" - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Wow, what a statement, but what a true statement! The joy of the presence of God is a joy that lasts, not just for a few moments, but forever. It's easy to get happiness and joy mixed up, I know I do at times, but they are in fact very different things.

Happiness depends on happenings while joy does not. Happiness doesn't last well and often relies on "pressure feelings" to fuel it. The pleasures of this world and the pleasures of sin only last for a few moments. Sin wants us to believe that it's flowers and sunshine, but while sin might be fun, it's always fleeting.

Psalm 16:11 (King James Version)
In they presence is fullness of joy: at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Real joy can only be found in the presence of God. Our God is a God of joy, so we need to find and acknowledge God as our friend and get to know Him. Keeping our joy means realising that the pleasures of sin are only temporary and that true joy is only available through God.

Choose to side with the people of God today, rather than those who enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. We may have to become very different people from who we are just now if we are to be able to turn away from certain activities and obey God. We may find we lose some of our friends in doing this, but we we'll certainly keep our joy!

Visit the Newsboys website: http://newsboys.com/

Friends Are Forever

We all need (and want) good friends in our life. What a blessing and support they can be to us. There above song is a beautiful song by one of my favourite Christian singers, Michael W Smith, which is all about the love of our friends.

To me there is one phrase in this song which always jumps out at me "And friends are friends forever If the lords the lord of them" - In other words, your friends will be good friends to you forever when God is at the centre of your relationship.

Good friends are very hard to find so don't take your friendships for granted, tell your friends regularly just how much they mean to you and how much you need them in your life.

Friends
Words: deborah d. smith
Music: michael w. smith

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Cant believe the hopes hes granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But well keep you close as always
It wont even seem you've gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the lords the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the fathers hands we know
That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.

With the faith and love gods given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show

But well keep you close as always
It wont even seem you've gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the lords the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the fathers hands we know
That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.

Checkout Michael W Smith's website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

With All I Am

Today's blog follows on from my post yesterday - Never Let Go. Yesterday I spoke of how Jesus has promised never to leave our side no matter what is going on in our life.

So today I want to speak about how we repay God for being our "best friend". Well when you have experienced God's unfailing and unquestioning love in yourlife, you will find it difficult not to say to God, "I trust you completely, so I am yours forever".

Maybe you're not at that stage yet in your relationship with God, but I can assure you that you have nothing to fear, God is always there for you. Not only that, but He will make you feel so very safe in the knowledge that He loves you and is looking out for you, forever!

With All I Am
into your hand
i commit again
with all I am
for you Lord

you hold my world
in the palm of your hand
and I'm yours forever

Jesus I believe in you
Jesus I belong to you
you're the reason that I live
the reason that I sing
with all I am

I'll walk with you
wherever you go
through tears and joy
I'll trust in you

and I will live
in all of your ways and
your promises forever

Jesus I believe in you
Jesus I belong to you
you're the reason that I live
the reason that I sing
with all I am

I will worship I will worship you forever

Jesus I believe in you
Jesus I belong to you
you're the reason that I live
the reason that I sing
with all I am

Never Let Go

We have times in our life when we face difficult situations or have to make difficult choices. It's at times like these we find out who our real friends are. You may have many people in your life that you consider to be good friends, however when you're struggling with what life has thrown your way, you may find some of these "friends" are no where to be found!

So when you are struggling who do you turn to?

I hope it is Jesus you turn to, after all he is the only one you can always rely on. Jesus has promised never to leave us, but always stay by our side to help and support us through thick and thin.

Trust Jesus no matter what you face, He will never let you down.

You Never Let Go by Matt Redman
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me



Visit Matt Redman's website: http://www.mattredman.com/

King of Kings

Yesterday in our morning worship we sang "King of Kings, Majesty" which is a song I hadn't heard or sung for a while. It's a beautiful song and one which reaffirms our desire to serve God while reminding us that God is our "closest friend".

Please review the words of this song. Do you believe that God is your "closest friend"? If not, I'd urge you to kneel before God today and give Him your all.

King of Kings, Majesty,
God of heaven, living in me
Gentle Savior, closest friend,
Strong Deliverer, Beginning and End
All within me falls at Your throne

Your Majesty, I can but bow
I lay my all before You now
In royal robes I don't deserve
I live to serve Your Majesty

Earth and heaven worship You,
God Eternal, Faithful and True
Who bought the nations,
ransomed souls
Brought this sinner
near to Your throne
All within me cries out in praise

Harvest

Today at our services at Bellshill Salvation Army we celebrated harvest time. What images does that conjure up for you?

Here's the dictionary definition of "harvest":
1. the gathering of a ripened crop
2. the crop itself
3. the season for gathering crops
4. the product of an effort or action

Traditionally we always think of farmers, crops and food when we think about harvest.

This harvest I'd ask you to pray for those who are starving...not just in foreign lands but here in this country. We all can be very guilty at time of taking our food, possessions and our family and friends for granted, so I'd also ask you to thank God for all you have, all He has given you.

But harvest need not just be all about the crops and the food being harvested, it's also a time for us to think about bringing others into a knowledge and understanding of God's love...to "harvest" others lives into God's will.

We must all be examples for Christ, after all something we say or do may be the thing which brings someone into a relationship with God. We may not always see any results of what we do/say, but if we a simply word or action may be the seed that lands in someone's heart and develops into a heart full of love for God.

2 Corinthians 9:10
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

In conclusion, pray today that God might use you to plant a seed in someone's heart so that they might come to know God as their friend and saviour.

Knowing You

Knowing You

All I once held dear built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this

Knowing you, Jesus knowing you
There is no greater thing
You're my all you're the best
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love you ,lord

Now my heart's desire is to know you more
To be found in you, and known as yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All surpassing gift of righteousness

Knowing you, Jesus knowing you
There is no greater thing
You're my all you're the best
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love you ,lord

Oh to know the power of your risen life
And to know you in your suffering
To become like you in your death my Lord
So with You to live
And never die

Knowing you, Jesus knowing you
There is no greater thing
You're my all you're the best
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love you ,lord

Do you know Christ as your personal friend and saviour?
Is Christ your all in all?

Make a decision today to get to know Jesus better. I promise you you will never experience anything better. You will never meet anyone you will love you more or give you more joy.

There is no greater thing than knowing Jesus!

Thank You God

Saying thank you is something we all get taught to say at a very early age. We're taught to say thank you whenever someone gives us something or does something for us. But how often do we stop and say thank you to God?

God knows that saying thank you doesn't always come easily or naturally to us. However he does command us to be thankful.

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving: go into his courts with praise.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

We often bring our sins and guilt offerings to God, but still forget to say thank you to Him. You might wonder, "what have I to thank God for?". Even when you feel you have nothing to thank God for, you must still try to be thankful, even if that just means thanking God for allowing us the ability to thank him!

Spend a few minutes thinking about the things you can thank God for today. here are a few suggestions:

• Thank him for knowing you and caring about you
• Thank him for your family
• Thank him for your friends

Remember to thank God regularly for all he does, no matter how you are feeling or what you're experiencing.

Thank you God.

Last Day On Earth

Matthew 25:21 (NIV)

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

If today was the last day you spent on this earth, would you be confident that when you come face to face with Jesus He will say "Well done"?

Last Day on Earth - Steven Curtin Chapman

I pull over the side of the road and I
Watch the cars pass me by
The headlights and the black limousines tell me
Someone is saying goodbye
I bow my head and I whisper a prayer, "Father,
Comfort their broken hearts"
And as I drive away there's a thought that I
I cannot escape, no I, I cannot escape this thought
I can't get away

Oh, if this should be my last day on this earth
How then shall I live
Oh, if this should be the last day that I have
Before I breathe the air of Heaven
Let me live it with abandon to
The only thing that remains
After my last day here on earth

If this should be my last day here on earth
If this should be my last day here on earth
If this should be my last, last day here on earth

And if tomorrow comes to find me
Looking in the face of Jesus
Will I hear Him say the words "well done" ?

If this should be my last day here on earth
If this should be my last, my last day here on earth
'Cause this could be my last, this could be my last
This could be my last day

Live everyday as it it were your last day on earth. Don't put of until tomorrow what you could do today, as you may not have a tomorrow. A bit of a morbid thought I know, but like my post yesterday ("His Provision"), I just want you to consider your life, how you are leading your life and whether it is acceptable and pleasing to God.

If God is asking you to do something, say "Yes" today - If He didn't want you to do it until tomorrow He would have asked you today!

Treat everyone as if it's the last time you'll see/speak to them, tell your friends and family how much you love them, you may not get another chance.

James 4:14 (NIV)

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

I Will Be There

For my family and friends...when you need me, I will be there for you...

Love your family and friends, God gave them to you, so repay Him by loving them with all your heart. Rememeber that God is always with you, so that whenever you need Him he will be there for you.

Be there for your friends and family just as Jesus is there for you.

Checkout the Steven Curtis Chapman website: http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

Thank You

Today I'd like to say thank you to all my family and all my friends for their love and understanding they've given to me over the years.

I know I for one can often take my family and friends for granted, so that's why today I want to say thank you to each of you. Don't put off saying "thank you" or "I love you" to someone close to you, as you never know when might be the last time you see them!

Sorry, I didn't mean to go all morbid there! All I'm trying to say is, don't take your family and friends for granted, so many people have no one and would be so grateful for just one friend.

The most important friend we can have in our life though, is of course Jesus. He like every other friend, should not be taken for granted, so when you pray, say thank you to God for all He does for you, and tell Him you love Him.

What A Friend I've Found (Martin Smith)
What a friend I've found
Closer than a brother
I have felt your touch
More intimate than lovers

Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, friend forever

What a hope I've found
More faithful than a mother
It would break my heart
To ever lose each other

Checkout the Delirious website: http://www.delirious.co.uk/html/

All I Want

If you only had one thing in this world, what would you want it to be?

Money, home, family, friends, possessions are all things we often thank God for, or wish we had more of. But do we ever really acknowledge that God is all we need? My own answer would probably have to be a no. What about you?

We should not ever take God's presence in our life for granted, not because He will ever leave us, but simply because we must never forget the amazing and wonderful things God has done and continues to do in our lives.

Today I acknowledge and thank God for being "all I need in this world". I urge you to do the same.

All I Want (Michael W Smith)

All I have in this world
Is fire from above
All I have in this world
Is you
And all the journeys I have walked
I know you've walked them too
All I want is to be faithful
All I want is you

All I have is a love
That set my world on fire
Let it fall, let it burn in me
And oh to be a friend of God is all that I desire
All I want is to be faithful
All I want is you

All I want is you
All I want is you
All I want is you
Is you

All I have in this world
Is fire from above
All I have in this world
Is you
And all the journeys I have walked
I know you've walked them too
All I want is to be faithful
All I want is you

All I want is you
All I want is you
Da...oh oh oh
All I want is you
Is you

Checkout Michael W Smith's website:

http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

Past Times

Yesterday, I met up with a good friend of mine that I went to university with, but who now lives in England. As usual we spent the afternoon shopping...mostly window shopping but we did make a few purchases! We then enjoyed a lovely meal together, during which we had a good old natter about the things that are currently going on in our lives, as well as reminiscing about our university days!


The scary thing about all this was that we realised that this time 20 years ago we were just graduating from university. Now that is scary! Where have these last 20 years gone? In some ways my uni days seem like yesterday and in others they seem a lifetime ago. We reminisced about some of the things that happened while we were at uni, as well as some of more forgettable things we did! But generally they were good days, when we had no great responsibilities and our whole life ahead of us.


So 20 years on, am I still the same person? Of course I am, but so much has happened over the last 20 years, some good, some not so good, but these are the life experiences that have moulded me into the person I am today.

As far as my Christian journey is concerned, I have to say I feel far more secure in my journey now that I did 20 years ago. So much of what's happened over the years has made me a stronger person and reinforced my belief in Christ - Many of the difficult times in my life have shown me that without God by my side I would not have got through these difficult times.


How about you, how has your relationship with God developed over the past 20 years?

Has it developed, or is your relationship with God no different than it was 20 years ago?

I thank God for staying by my side over these last 20 years, through some very happy times as well as some very very dark times. My faith would not be what is is today without God putting me through all these life experiences, so I thank God for keeping me faithful to Him.

I pray that whether you are at the start of your Christian journey or have been on your journey for many years, that your relationship with God will continue to grow every day.

The following song from The Lion King is not the best recording, but please listen to words, as they remind us that God IS the Giver of Life!

Life...and Death

In the last couple of days the news headlines have been dominated by the deaths of two celebrities. First of all yesterday it was the Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett and then of course last last night the news that music legend Michael Jackson had died, started to come through on the news and has subsequently dominated tv and radio stations for much of today.



Before I go any further I want to say at that I do not intend to say anymore about either of these celebrities in this blog, as there are there are countless other sites that contain information about these people lives, so if you're looking for information about them, this is not the site you want.

So onto what I do want to talk about...

Throughout the world this week, there are many people who have suffered bereavements. In fact, I personally know of a number of people who have been bereaved in this last week.

Death is one of life's certainties - we all know we will die at some time, some sooner that others. Even so, although we know death will come to us all, it does not make it any easier for family and friends to cope when their relative or friend passes away.


Many tears are often shed when someone dies. Tears of sadness that they will never see their loved one again, and sometimes even tears of happiness when they reminisce about past times spent with their loved one.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life

Well known words, but words which mean the world to Christians worldwide - if we believe in God, we can live forever simply because God loves us, every single one of us, so much that he let his son die on a cross at Calvary. Wow! How amazing and wonderful is that!?

Death is not the end, it is simply the beginning of eternal life with God. For that we must rejoice. When our friends/love ones pass away, try to remember that they are at peace, their struggles on earth are at at end and they are now at rest with our heavenly Father.

Here is Michael W Smith's great song called Live Forever. Hope you enjoy it!

Please pray today for those who have suffered bereavements in this last week. I'd ask you to pray particularly for their family and friends - that they may understand and accept that their loved one/friend is now at peace, and is peace in God's presence.

Finally I'd like to leave some other well known words of scripture with you - but maybe a slightly different version from you're used to hearing

Psalm 23 (Contemporary English Version)
You, LORD, are my shepherd.
I will never be in need.
You let me rest in fields of green grass.
You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life.
You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.
I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid.
You are with me, and your shepherd's rod [a] makes me feel safe.
You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows.
Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, LORD

Brothers and Sisters

Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Do you consider your Christian friends to be brothers and sisters in Christ?

If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?
And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters. (1 John 4:20-21)

It is always harder to understand, to trust something or someone we've never seen, than it is with who/what we can see. However we cannot and must not use this as an excuse to not love God to the extent that He desires.

Likewise, if we truly believe in God who we cannot see, we cannot and must not make up any reasons why we cannot love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

However we are only human, so we must ask God to give us understanding and patience in all our relationship so that we can be the kind of person He wants and needs us to be.

True Friend

"You're my friend" - words we often say to people without really thinking about what that really means. Words that can mean the world to the person we say them to.

What qualities do you expect to find in a friend? Here's a few suggestions:

• friendship
• support
• encouragement
• confidant
• trust
• loyalty
• caring
• love
• understanding

How many of your friends possess all the qualities you'd want to find in a friend?

We are so fortunate when we find a true friend, one we can talk to about anything, one who will support and encourage us, one who will comfort us when we're upset. Those friendship do not happen very often, so when we find one like that say thank you to God for allowing us the opportunity to have these kind of friends.

Never take your friends for granted. Tell them often how much they mean to you, as you never know when it might be too late.

Michael W Smith's song I'll Be Your Friend expresses how even through the difficult times in our lives, our true friends will stick by us.

So many memories and so many miles

The road that stretches behind us

We've had some laughter and our share

Of tears

But all these moments unite us

Ill be your friend for a lifetime

Against the wind and the rain of every season

Wont walk away in the hard times

I will be your friend

I'm saying I will be your friend

Sure as the river runs to the sea

High as the mountain that reaches

You were there by my side till the end

(and) helped me on my feet again

So in the valley walk on

Don't have to face it alone

Cause in the hard times

We keep growing strong

As we learn, as we live

That we live when we give

Thank you God for your friends and what they mean to us.

Thank you Jesus for being the best friend we could ever wish to have.

Friends

Friends, how much do you rely on them?

Our closest friends can be a great comfort to us during our lowest times, but can be also be a great joy to us during our brightest days.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
The above are well known words from John 15:12-15. Although they are well know, do not underestimate the truth and the power in these words.

Linking in with my previous post entitled Everlasting, no matter how many close friends we have, and no matter how much they help and support us, we must always remember that it's only through God's help and guidance that they have are there for us.

Pray for your friends.

Pray for the friendship you give to others.

Pray that your friends can always rely on you to be faithful.

Pray that God will use you to inspire and encourage your friends.

Faithful Friend (by Twila Paris)

Everyone knows you as a man of honor

I am glad to know you simply as a friend

You have always taken time to be my brother

And I'll be standing by you in the end

But I will never put you on a pedestal

I thank the Lord for everything you do

I'll be there to pray for you and for the ones you love

I believe that He will finish all He started in you

I will be an open door that you can count on

Anywhere you are, anywhere you've been

I will be an honest heart you can depend on

I will be a Faithful Friend

I am one of many whose path has been made clearer

By the light you've carried faithfully as a warrior and a child

God has used you greatly to encourage and inspire

And you've remained a true friend all the while

So I will never put you on a pedestal

Cause we both know all the glory is the Lord's

And I'll be there to pray that He will keep you by His grace

And I always will remind you to be seeking His face

I will be an open door that you can count on
Anywhere you are, anywhere you've been
I will be an honest heart you can depend on
I will be a Faithful Friend

Find out more about Twila Paris at: http://www.twilaparis.com/

Find out more about Steven Curtis Chapman at: http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/