40 Days & 40 Nights

For 40 days I've done no post
It's not something in which I boast
But since last time God's been so good
I could be dead, I know I should

His mercy doesn't seem to cease
Every day He gives His peace
Why does He love a man like me?
Why did He die to set me free?

His awesome love that I have felt
Simply makes my heart to melt
And like the rain clouds in the sky
Eventually I have to cry

At times I doubt, I really do
I only have a little view
Some things I just don't understand
Yet God has got my future planned

I'll say no more, I've said enough
I know it's short, I know it's rough
One final thing I want to say
Through everything God makes a way

It's a Dark World

Recently I went through a frustrating experience. As I went through this dark stage the lights were dim. Everything around me was unfamiliar but I continued on in faith until I lost sight of where I was going. When I realised that I was heading for trouble I tried to stop but it was too late. My momentum in this fast paced world caused me to slide uncontrollably in this wrong direction. My joy and defence were shattered as my life flashed before my eyes. My heart and soul plummeted as I was forced down against the ground. But, as everything around me came to a halt, the saints continued to praise God. My body ached as I tried to free myself from the mess I was in. I managed to clamber back to the safety of the place from which I strayed. My ordeal in this dark valley had left me torn apart but throughout this experience I couldn’t reach those who I loved. Strangers did however see my distress and they lovingly supported me in my time of need. God was watching the whole time and He spared my life. I am once again grateful for His unfailing mercy which I still cannot fully understand.

We all go through dark times at various stages of life. We think that we can make it through these valleys with a small amount of light. We become satisfied with the light (revelation) that we have and we don’t seek to get more. But we must realise that we are putting ourselves in danger. We should be seeking more and more light. Jesus (the Word of God - John 1:1) declares in John 12:46; “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 8:12; “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus, our Saviour and light, is the one in whom we must be seeking to know more. The closer we get to Jesus, the more we will see as our vision and understanding become clearer, and our faith increases. An unclear vision will cause us confusion and misunderstanding but by becoming familiar with the Word of God (Bible) our eyes will see and understand more clearly the things around about us. Psalm 119:130; “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:105; “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

John 3:19; “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” Let us not be one of those who love darkness but let us seek to live in the glorious light of our Saviour.

Questions

My motives show by what I do, my actions speak the truth,
My heart is shown by what I do, my words are living proof.

I really need to ask myself, “Who am I trying to please?
Do I try to look the part to everyone that sees?

Is it from this sinful world, I seek to gain my love?
Do I trust with all my heart my Saviour up above?

Who is it that I really fear, who causes me to move?
For when I look at all I do, what am I trying to prove?

Do I live in my own world, full of selfish pride?
Have I given Christ my life, have I really died?

For I will one day give account for everything I’ve done.
To my Lord, my closest friend, Jesus Christ God’s Son.

And when I stand before my Lord on that Judgment Day,
And look into Saviour’s eyes, what will Jesus say?”

Light of the World

Although the sun rises,
I can’t always see.
My vision gets blocked,
Life’s clouds cover me.

The Son, he has risen,
Salvation is here.
The “Light of the World,”
With warmth and with care.

This Son never fades,
Or sinks in the night.
Forever he shines,
His glorious light.

He is so faithful,
So kind and so true.
Above me he watches,
The things that I do.

Because of this Son,
I know I will live,
To him, all I have,
I humbly give.

Mercy

O LORD You've searched me
You know my every thought
My God You've freed me
I need all You've taught

I know I am nothing
But by Your love
You're why I'm breathing
Your breath from above

At that time I was falling
I was surely Hell bound
But You LORD came looking
By You I was found

Your mercy so great
That You loved one like me
And caused this vile sinner
To fall on his knees

My heart I have poured
Out freely to You
Help me O LORD
In all that I do

Isaiah 61

The Year of the LORD's Favour

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

6 And you will be called priests of the LORD,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

7 Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their%2

Psalm A

1My soul cries out to you my God,
listen to me in my time of uncertainty.
2Where can I go but to you, O Lord;
life without you is meaningless.
3Why do I not know you?
Why do I not hear your voice?

4My body has become lifeless;
there is no joy in me.
5My heart is filled with bitterness;
anger saturates my soul.
6My mind is full of confusion;
blurred are my thoughts.

7My entire being is downcast;
it is fully weighed down.
8My eyes struggle to stay open,
my mind wanders aimlessly.
9My body does not want to rise;
it aches under the weight of my burden.

10In you, O Lord, can I put my trust;
I can depend on no other.
11I gain no benefit from man's concern for me,
his best intentions cause more pain.
12The encouragement of friends is like insults to my ears;
the kind words of companions are offensive when I hear them.

13I call to you like a child in great need,
I cry out for direction like a lost sheep in trouble.
14Leave not your child to die,
let not one from your flock perish.
15Listen to my call like a loving father;
hear my cry like a concerned shepherd.

I6I have despised your word, O Lord,
surely I have turned from you.
17From you my eyes have drifted;
sin has defiled my soul.
I8I have fought against you like a rebellious son;
I have resisted you like a defiant servant.

19Look upon your repentant son with mercy;
view your remorseful servant through your eyes of grace.
20Do not give up on me, my Lord;
do not abandon me now.
21Have compassion on your prodigal son;
receive him back with gladness.

22Let not the sin within me take me to the pit,
do not let it drag me down.
23Clean the sin from my heart,
wash the iniquities from my soul.
24Do not count my sin against me;
remember it no more.

25How thoroughly you know me, O God,
but you, I do not know.
26Reveal yourself to me my Lord;
my soul longs to know you.
27Breathe your life into me;
revive my heart.

28Lead me on the paths of life, my Lord;
show me your righteous ways.
29Fill my heart with gladness,
my soul with joy.
30Order my steps, O Lord,
and I will serve you all the days of my life.

4 June 2003