Your Fathers good pleasure

On Sunday Morning I preached from Luke 12 v 32. Fear Not little Flock-it is the fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
This verse comes in an exhortation not to be anxious about the supply of our earthly needs. - your father knoweth you have need of these things (v30). Rather we are encouraged to get our priority right and seek the kingdom of God. It is to encourage in our seeking further that Jesus reassures us that God will give us the kingdom.More than this it is our heavenly fathers pleasure to do so.There is no grudging no necessity just his holy pleasure - a good pleasure. As an aged preacher commented recently God wants you in heaven infinitely more than you want to be there And if he gives us this ultimate gift so willingly and lovingly so he will do with lesser gifts. What a wounderful God we have.

Psalm  115:3  But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased

Election 2010 Observation 6

The result of the election and the subsequent fall out have been described as historic, new politics and progressive. There was the time of uncertainty before the government was formed, and there is a nervous anticipation of the future.

My final election observation is we should seek the peace of the land.

Jeremiah wrote to the captives in Babylon as follows.

  And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. Jeremiah 29v7

Election 2010 - Observation 5

Across the UK millions of people have been voting in schools halls and other venues. The system is not perfect, and is open to abuses. Many of those who win will be atheists, antichrists, immoral, and proud of it, and will use their position to oppose christianity.

My fifth observation is that is a privilege to be able to vote which has been fought for and defended with blood, and is of the grace of God.

Let us remember those who risk their lives for such freedoms. Let us remember those who have no say in the selection of their governments. There may come a time when we lose this freedom.

Election 2010 - Observation 4

Nobody can doubt the energy and resolve that most candidates have put into this election campaign, even when they have very little chance of winning. They do very little else, devote all their time, and devote huge resources to persuade us to chose them

Peter tells us to "give diligence make our calling and election sure".

What effort and priority do we give to our eternal destiny?

Election 2010 - Observation 3

What ever moral climate is set by the next parliament we should maintain the standards set out in the Bible. Through the last 2000 years many Christians have had to live in hostile and persecuting climates.

Ephesians 4 vs 17 -20

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ;

Election 2010 - Observation 2

Less than 72 hours to go until the polls open - this is my second observation

Prayer is a must before during and after the election
1 Timothy 2 vs 1-3


I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Notice the scope of these prayers both in their content and in those prayed for. There is no qualification of good or evil, moral or immoral. Do we intercede for those in authority over us?

The final game

Sadly this was my eldest daughters last league match with the boys, as the FA rules mean that next season she will be too old to play with them. Again she played her heart out, and she had quite a few good touches and passes too. She hit the post late on, which was a real shame as a goal would be deserved.
She will really miss them next season, and they will miss her. She has improved immensely, and we and her coaches are extremely proud of her.
The game was a 3-1 loss, but it was a good game and a fair result.