john blog

by John DoyleToday's devotional is a reminder of the key aspects of what *WE BELIEVE*The God of all creation is made up of Father, Son and Holy Spirit - 3 in ONE! Its a reminder to us that we are made up of BODY, SOUL and SPIRIT - 3 in ONE and when we choose to place our Faith in the TRIUNE GOD by trusting Christ as Lord and Saviour we become United in God and with one another Eternally. Can I ask you a question? When was the last time you had an extended, uninterrupted conversation with someone face-to-face? Without checking on your phone for text messages or taking a call? For many of us, we’d have to think for some time to come up with an answer. And even if you have enjoyed such a moment in recent days, you may still agree that there’s so much noise going on all around us and generally in the World today.It’s hard to stand still when we’re all so busy. It’s difficult to stay centered when we’re pulled in so many directions. The same can be said of our spiritual lives when so many forces push for our attention and our affection. When our lives spiral out of control and we can’t make sense of the circumstances we are in, we often find ourselves longing for a solid place to stand, to find rest and make sense of it all.In the song “We Believe,” we’re given a musical reminder of what it is that is essential to our Christian faith. When we find ourselves struggling with all that's happening in these days of COVID 19 and the Lockdown we will come across so many that seem to have no hope. But when we remind ourselves and center on the life and death and resurrection of Jesus it greatly helps us to find HOPE, knowing and believing in the TRIUNE God that so Loves us. When we find ourselves arguing about things that don’t matter, we can remember that we are all united as children of the same Heavenly Father.We believe in God the Father / We believe in Jesus ChristWe believe in the Holy Spirit / And He’s given us new lifeWe believe in the Crucifixion / We believe that He conquered deathWe believe in the resurrection / We believe He’s coming back againWE BELIEVEThese words to the song below provide us with the Focus we are to have in these difficult days and reminds us the Biblical Truths of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Placing these central truths in our hearts and minds will allow us to stand strong when the uncertainty of all that is going on attempts to move us away from what truly matters. The Holy Spirit at work within us will keep us strong, so its important for us to recall what is true about God and His work in each of our lives.The beautiful opening to the first Psalm gives us a picture of…

by John Doyle"He who has mercy on them will lead them … I will make each of My mountains a road, and My highways shall be elevated"Isaiah 49:10-11The problems of life we are facing in these days of Lockdown can seem so hurtful to so many especially those who have lost loved ones and close friends. We can feel so alone and powerless as we grapple with the decisions we need to make in these difficult days, To guard ourselves and families from this Pandemic is a daily task and it will not end soon from what we have been advised. How can we know God’s will in these situations?How can we make the right decisions and avoid mistakes?When faced with such crossroads, how do we know which path to take?As we face these choices, the Bible assures us that God wants us to Seek Him and Turn to Him for the guidance we need and then we do all need to trust Him to GUIDE us on this difficult journey.God promised Isaiah that He would guide His people “even by the springs of water” v. 10. They might have seen nothing but obstacles and mountains that seem impassable, but God promised to “make each of My mountains a road.” What a mighty God!His Word also tells us that He promises to GUIDE us by His Holy Spirit (read John 14:26). He will guide us through His peace (Please Read Philippians 4:7-9).As we seek Him and fill our hearts and minds with His Word, He will give us wisdom and understanding. As He promised David, He will “instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel" Psalm 32:8Lets all of us make a commitment to pray about every situation that we are all facing in these days and be guided by God’s Word and His Holy Spirit and TRUST the Lord to see us through for which we are to give Him all the Glory.Its time to sing that great Hymn of the Faith with me: Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,Pilgrim through this barren land;I am weak, but Thou art mighty,Hold me with Thy powerful hand.Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,Feed me now and evermore;Feed me now and evermore.Open now the crystal fountain,Whence the healing stream doth flow;Let the fire and cloudy pillarLead me all my journey through.Strong Deliv'rer, strong Deliv'rer,Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.When I tread the verge of Jordan,Bid my anxious fears subside;Death of death and hell's Destruction,Land me safe on Canaan's side.Songs of praises, songs of praises,I will ever give to Thee;I will ever give to Thee. In the Love of the Lord Jesus, John and Barbara

by John Doyle"Call unto me and I will answer there and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3It all began in a garden, a luxurious garden abounding with magnificent plants, trees, and flowers. The garden of Eden. Imagine being there and smelling the fragrances of the orchids, roses, and gardenias. Brilliantly colored leaves and blossoms surround you. Wondeful fruits and vegetables are your nourishment, always ripe and ready to eat, washed by the tumbling waterfall. Sweet birdsong mingles with the golden warmth from the Heavenly Father’s love. Absent of any diseases, destruction, and Covid. No disappointments, this garden was the place of perfection. Paradise, a place our hearts still long for and desire.This first garden, the dwelling place of God, is one reason gardening speaks so deeply to my heart. I love being outdoors in an open space with the warm glow of sunshine. The sound of the birds, the fresh smell of soil and compost , the beauty of colorful flowers, and the promise of growth that comes from feeding and watering and it all brings me a great joy.My garden is certainly not the Paradise of Heaven, but it is the special place I meet with my Heavenly Father, and sit on our daughter Kimmies memorial bench and have a precious quiet time with the Lord.In the Love of the Lord JesusJohn and Barbara

by John Doyle“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life”1 John 5:13The words of this precious hymn *Blessed Assurance* were written more than a century ago in 1873. The world has changed in staggering ways since that time. We now have Automobiles, Radio, Television, Computers, Cell phones and the Internet and these are just a few of the major inventions of the past century. Culture has changed too, and even churches have changed. But the one thing that has not changed and will never change is the security that we have as believers due to our Salvation in Christ.Many of us these days "Take out insurance" on our Homes, and Vehicles and many other things but we as believers can be assured there is no Insurance needed for our Faith, because we have a full Assurance of Life Eternal in Glory because of the Gift of God His son Jesus for us all.If you have been, as Fanny Crosby put it long ago in the song, “Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood,” you have the blessed assurance of salvation. No matter what happens, changes or comes against you, your place in God’s family is sure. It is not because of anything you have done, but because of what Jesus did for you through His Death, Burial and Resurrection.The Apostle John spent much of 1 John explaining to God’s people how they could have the assurance that the song writer Fanny Crosby later wrote and sang about. His desire was that they “know” they had eternal life. Notice he didn’t say think, or feel, or hope. He said, “Know.” But how can anyone really know we will go to Heaven when he dies until he actually dies?Many Christians have doubted their salvation at some point or another in their lives because they have strayed from their journey with Christ. Many times, this doubt arises not because we doubt God, but ourselves. We consider our lives, how we are living, the depth of our faith, and we wonder. Perhaps we compare our life to a former time of growth spiritually and wonder, “what happened?” “How did I get here from there?” Or, maybe we were taught that salvation could be lost which Biblically is not true.But God’s Word says we can know we have eternal life. We don’t have to worry or fear. This assurance is ours now. Notice that John is speaking to those, “who believe in the name of the Son of God.” He didn’t say, “believed.” Our assurance does not come from a past event or experience. Assurance comes from continual faith and perseverance that is growing and yielding the fruit of obedience. Salvation is past (what Jesus did), present (being changed into His image by the Holy Spirit), and future (living with Him in glory forever).When doubts arise, examine your heart. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Does that…