The Choice To Love

We often hear people saying that we can choose our friends but we can't choose our relatives, and that is true. However with God's help we can choose to love the ones you haven't chosen!

It can be very difficult at times to love some people, especially those who are bitter and disillusioned because it is definitely easier to love happy people, chosen friends or our own flesh and blood.

Sometimes the circumstances which we face in life make it very difficult for us to love and can often turn us from God. But these are the times when it is most important for us to turn to God as He will make us stronger people and help us to love those we find most difficult to love.

1 Corinthians 13:7
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

We don't have it within ourselves to love everyone we come across. However God will give us His love with which to love those we find difficult to love.

Do you get discouraged when you try to love some people and they react as if they don't want to know you? I know I certainly do - it's difficult in these circumstances not to get discouraged. However God understands we are different people and we have our differences and loves the unlovable.

Don't forget that God loves all of us! This love is ours for the asking, the taking and the loving.

A Feeling of Love?

Is love a feeling or is it more than that?

I believe love is more than just a feeling. Jesus said:
I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you - John 15:12.
So love is obviously more than just a feeling.

God requires us to love him and other people is the highest form of love, agape love - love like His. It is a love of the head rather than a love from the heart. A love that is determined to be be concerned first and foremost for the loved ones' well-being in every part of their lives, no matter what the cost is to ourselves or indeed whether that love is returned.

God needs us to love Him and His son. God commands us to love whether we feel like it or not, because we need to demonstrate our love of God. When we serve God our love of God grows.

It is challenging to follow God's command to love one another, but at the end of the day, it's our decision whether we obey God's command or not.

So how do we know that we love God? We know it by being obedient to His will and His commandments.
Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me - John 14:21
This verse is very reassuring as it's sometime difficult to know whether we truly do love God or not, but these words offer the reassurance that as long as we do God will, we are demonstrating our love for Him.

God love me. God love you.
Love God and others in the same way He loves you.

Peterborough Weekend

I'm in His hands, I'm in His hands,
Whatever the future holds
I'm in His hands.
The days I cannot see
Have all been planned for me;
His way is best you see;
I'm in His hands.

I shared those words with you last week, when I told you of some difficult days ahead for me. Well I've survived those days! It's certainly not been plain sailing but God has certainly held me in His hand during the last few day. I certainly wouldn't have got through them as well as I have without Him!

Our weekend visit to Peterborough Salvation Army was absolutely fantastic, and I'm delighted to say a number of people even knelt at the Mercy Seat during the Sunday morning service which was led by David Kendall. There was great atmosphere in the meeting - God was most certainly there, and working!

Well it was such an emotional meeting for me with Olwyn Mathie singing "Written In Red" which as always she sang so beautifully and with so much feeling, and the congregational song "The Power of Your Love" that both always really touched me, that I fell apart during the meeting and found myself kneeling at the Mercy Seat! I'm still not quite sure how I got myself there!

It was an emotional day for me not just because of the morning service, but during the afternoon service I didn't feel too well again so had to stop playing with band. I really had hoped I'd have managed to get through the weekend pain free, but at least it was the last meeting of the weekend before it happened I suppose.

Thank you God for holding me close these last few days, they've been tough but through your strength I've made it through.

Thank you to all of you who have prayed for me particularly over these last few days - I really do appreciate your prayers and your support.

I'd also like to thank those in Bellshill Band and Peterborough corps who offered their support during the weekend, I was much appreciated.

Thank you all.

God Knows You

Have you found yourself doubting God recently?
Have you found yourself in difficult situations and found that the last person you turn to is God?

You're not alone in these feelings. I think we all have those thoughts and feelings at times. We often find that when we struggle we completely forget about God because we wonder why he can let these things happen to us. But he hasn't forgot you, he knows everything about you because he made you in his own image.

One song in our Salvation Army songbook which I've always turned to when I feel I'm not giving everything to God, or not turning to Him in times of need:

Knowing my failings, knowing my fears,
Seeing my sorrow, drying my tears,
Jesus recall me, me re-ordain;
You know I love you, use me again.

I have no secrets unknown to you,
No special graces, talents are few;
Yet your intention I would fulfil;
You know I love you, ask what you will.

For the far future I cannot see,
Promise your presence, travel with me;
Sunshine or shadows? I cannot tell;
You know I love you, all will be well.

Love God and put your trust in Him, he will be with you every step of the way.

He Sought Me

Psalm 34:4 NIV
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Today's post follows on from my previous one (Rain Down) as I simply want to remind you that God looks out for each one of us, no matter what we've done in our past. Maybe you're at a time in your life when you're facing many choices and don't know which way to turn - Talk to God about it, he will direct you along the right path.

If you're struggling with things of life getting on top of you, again I'd urge you to place them in God's hands, as he will lighten your load.

Find God today, he is waiting for you to reach out to Him.

The International Staff Songsters of the Salvation Army - He Sought Me

The Saviour sought and found me,
Far from the narrow way;
He made my blinded eyes to see
On that wonderful, wonderful day.

He sought me, he sought me,
When I was wandering far away;
He found me, he found me,
O what a wonderful day!

He lifted sin's great burden,
He saw my deep dismay,
And graciously he pardoned me
On that wonderful, wonderful day.

He sought me, he sought me,
When I was wandering far away;
He found me, he found me,
O what a wonderful day!

My son was red like crimson,
He washed it all away;
He filled my heart with melody
On that wonderful, wonderful day.

He sought me, he sought me,
When I was wandering far away;
He found me, he found me,
O what a wonderful day!

Rain Down

Deuteronomy 32:2 (NIV)
Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.

Let God's word rain down on you today. Let Him enter into your life and take control. He is willing and ready to do so today.

Delirious? - Rain Down


Looks like tonight, the sky is heavy
Feels like the winds are gonna change
Beneath my feet, the earth is ready
I know its time for heaven's rain, it's gonna rain

Cos it's living water we desire
To flood our hearts with holy fire

Rain down all around the world we're singing
Rain down can you hear the earth is singing
Rain down my heart is dry but still I'm singing
Rain down rain it down on me.

Back to the start, my heart is heavy
Feels like it's time, to dream again
I see the clouds, and yes I'm ready
To dance upon this barren land
Hope in my hands

Do not shut, Do not shut, Do not shut the heavens
But open up, open up, open up our hearts

Give me strength to cross the water
Keep my heart upon Your altar
Give me strength to cross this water
Keep my feet don’t let me falter

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

A Simple Message

The other week I was reminded of the the words of the following song, and they have stuck with me since then. Two lines in particular have stuck in my mind:

For those who seek him are sure to find him, and none who seek him Christ ignores.

Though you have failed him, God loves you.

What fantastic words of reassurance - no matter who we are and what we've done, God loves us and will not ignore us. I can add no more to that!

There is a message a simple message,
There is a message for us all,
And it's a message for us all;
There is a Saviour, and what a Saviour!
There is a Saviour for us all.

Let's look at Jesus for he's the Saviour,
And he will answer when we call;
Let's look at Jesus for he's the Saviour,
Yes, he's the Saviour for us all.

If you want pardon, then ask for pardon,
And God's own pardon shall be yours;
For those who seek him are sure to find him,
And none who seek him Christ ignores.

Let's look at Jesus for he's the Saviour,
And he will answer when we call;
Let's look at Jesus for he's the Saviour,
Yes, he's the Saviour for us all.

Though you have failed him, and how you've failed him!
Though you have failed him, God loves you;
The proof is Jesus, so look at Jesus,
And learn from Jesus God loves you.

Let's look at Jesus for he's the Saviour,
And he will answer when we call;
Let's look at Jesus for he's the Saviour,
Yes, he's the Saviour for us all.

(by John Gowans)