Christian Helps

“The daughter of Pharaoh came down to the river to bathe.”

Every one of us has a set number of days to live here in this world, and nobody knows how many. Therefore every day is precious, and we can never know what we may achieve in this day.

The text above is from Exodus Ch 1.v22. and Hebrews Ch 11 v23 and tells us that a young woman went to have a bath in the river, could there be anything of less importance, yet that one act was to effect the lives of millions. And to alter the whole of history.

Pharaoh, King of Egypt, had made God’s people (called Hebrews) to be slaves in Egypt, with taskmasters to whip them and ill treat them; But he saw that their numbers still grew and he feared they might revolt and rise up against Egypt, so he made a new law that all boys born to the Hebrews should be cast into the river.

A baby boy was born to one couple, and they kept him alive for three months, but they knew that once he was discovered, the soldiers of Egypt would drown him. So the parents had a plan; they made a basket big enough to put the baby in, covered it with pitch to keep the water out, and launched the basket into the river with the baby inside. The baby’s sister kept watch from the bank to see what would happen to it.

“The daughter of Pharaoh came down to the river to bathe”. She found the basket, took the baby out and made it her own, calling him Moses. But God’s miracle did not stop there. The baby’s sister went to Pharaoh’s daughter and said that she knew of a woman who would nurse the baby for her, and the baby’s own mother became the one who nursed Moses, and got paid for doing it!

When Moses grew up he knew everything about the people who ruled Egypt and could be the best person to deliver his own Hebrew Nation out of their slavery, for God had made him just for such a task. God’s Word tells us that before God made the universe He planned it so perfectly that every person He made would have a planned life to fit the talents and abilities He placed within them, so that if they obeyed His rules they would live a life pleasing to Him (the maker) and be able to live with Him after this testing period of life was over.

Later in the story of Moses we say that he did not want to do what God had planned for him to do. He made excuses, which show how God gives people free will. But God said “Just trust Me for I will be with you” and Moses was persuaded.

Moses never found the job easy, and it took longer than he thought; But the day came when Moses headed the whole nation of God’s people out of Egypt and slavery, and toward a new land.

I have spent my whole long life obeying and serving God. There have been times when I did not want to do what He was telling me to do, but like Moses I did it trusting that God knew what He was doing and I trusted Him. I have to say that He has never failed me. I learned to tackle each task believing that He knew where He was leading, and all I had to do was to follow. It has been a though life, but a great and wonderful one.

Each day that you live you will be like a broadcasting station, constantly giving out signals. People know the kind of person you are, they hear what you say, they see your smile, you leave an impression on those you contact. Even in very ordinary things. Like the daughter of Pharaoh, God can work His purpose out through you. Every Day can be one Of Priceless Value.

Remember what Jesus said “I am with you always, even unto the end.”

“Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world”.    (Romans 12 v2)

Those who make money their god, bank on everybody breaking this rule.

The fashion world and the cosmetic industry believe that what they create will be ‘the done fashion’ that everyone will want to copy. It is known as the herd instinct.and it relies on people wanting to have what is the latest. and what everyone else has.

Here is where I put my foot in it, but I don’t mean to be rude, or what the modern world calls ‘sexist’. But I believe that the ladies are more inclined to be pushed toward buying items because it is the fashion, more than men. This is because catalogues have two- thirds or more of their pages devoted to clothing cosmetics, and home items and that interests women, The television adverts are mostly aimed at women. I have yet to see men walking the fashion cat walk !

One day the makers of men’s-ware will wake up to the fact that men are only allowed blue, brown, and grey, and kept from buying nice bright clothing, then perhaps the male will join the ladies ! (remember the men of the eighteenth century ! How would I look in silks and a powdered wig ?) No thank you ! but a red, orange or yellow suit ? Being fair, if men see a new tool, or electrical piece of equipment they will be just as interested as the lady discussing the length of skirt, or latest shoes.

I recon that there will be more houses with outside colored lights displayed next Christmas than ever before in this country, Why? The Americans do it and we have seen them on t/v, and irrespective of the waste of power, money, and having nothing to do with the celebration of Christ’s birth, many will try to outdo their neighbor with Walt Disney type illuminated items.

I look forward to celebrations with all their fun, and I always like to dress neatly, but I won’t follow the crowd, I am ME not someone else, so I won’t copy the behaviour of the world around me. Let the person we are be the attraction.

I have given myself over to the most wonderful person there is, My Lord Jesus, But I am not required to dress as He did. But I do want my character to be like His – shining through to others.

How can I ignore the world and it’s demands to do what seems the done thing ? How can I be what God wants me to be ? The Bible says “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. Think differently !

Train your mind to be what God made you to be. That will be different from everyone else, the wonderful real you. Approved by God and living in His perfect will.

Don’t try to copy others, or go with the crowd, be ” in the world but not of it”

Look to Jesus and let Him make you the great person you really are.

Love from Gerald Gossage.

Some young people are not at all sure what they should do with their life. Some older ones are facing being redundant and wonder just what they can do in future. It is useful to remember that God did not just make you and leave you to your own devises. And I offer a bit of advise, to help, based on what has worked for others; and a story that may inspire you.

Ask yourself what you are good at doing, and also what you enjoy doing. God has given all of us talents, even though we might not have ever used some of them. Where do your interests lie ? Some folk would just hate to do some things which others would think just wonderful. So don’t start with a list of jobs, start with You and what are your delights; if you are happy at doing, or trying something you may find this your road to success.

And now the story. A twenty-one year old man was keen to start a new, and to him, a wonderful new work . He moved to Chicago with only 65 dollars in his pocket. (under £25.) For three years he worked hard, but he sat down one day, deeply in debt and ready to give up his dream. He cried out “Why am I a failure ?”. and to his amazement, he heard a voice, as in his head say “You have not brought God into your business”.

For the rest of his life he believed it was God speaking to him that day, and he resolved that if God wanted to be in his cheese business he would always think of him as the major partner and consult God for the rest of his days. That man was J.L.Kraft, the eventual head of the biggest cheese business in the world

He became a Deacon at North Shore Baptist Church, and Sunday School Superintendent. And the vast wealth he made, was given to help many through his charitable works. As a popular speaker, especially to business conferences , always he would tell his listeners that the way to success in any work was to bring Jesus Christ into life and work.

You either trust in God to work with you, or you work on your own. To take your Lord with you all day, every day becomes the greatest delight of life, and is the true road to happiness in life.

“I Can do All things through Christ who strengths me .” (Philippians Ch4 v13)

May God Bless you. Gerald Gossage.

It was one of those glorious summer days, and morning worship started with the hymn “Summer suns are glowing over land and sea.” Which has such lines as “Every thing rejoices in the mellow rays, all earth’s thousand voices swell the psalm of praise”.

The first time I noticed something wrong was during the prayer. Not everyone was silent in prayer. I opened my eyes to see two of the congregation waving their arms about “Strange I thought” but continued to lead in prayer.

Following the notices and offertory a not too experienced reader came to the lectern and announced the passage to be read. But she had not got far before she too started waving her hands, then faltered over her words. She continued a few words, then said “get out of it” with a further wave. It was then that I saw it, a big blue-bottle was flying persistently around her, and every time she settled down to read the scripture, it came back to put her off. She managed to hit it after a while, and it disappeared.

I heard it buzzing around once or twice, then it spotted a lady in a lovely floral dress, and made straight for it. There started a battle between five people and the fly; It was determined to settle on one of those flowers printed on the material, and the lady, her husband, two people in the pew behind and one in front became determined to shoot it down. Five people cannot do that quietly !

After one of them managed to score a hit, it flew off and peace returned. Until that is, the sermon time. Do blue-bottles like after shave ? I think this one did ! Have you ever tried to preach, or to concentrate on listening to a sermon, when an attack of dive bombing is taking place? I don’t remember what I did during the attacks but I did get a few titters from various parts of the church. I must have looked funny !

I have always thought highly of organists, and ours happily ended the story with a well aimed piece of music – Handle’s Largo. WACK ! Here endeth the fly !

Now here is the thought for the day. Not many of the congregation visit the church gallery, but I have often. On the window sill of each gallery window you will see them. Flies, of all shapes and sizes, blue-bottles, wasps, and sometimes a bee or two, all with their feet in the air… dead. They got in somehow, flew around, and tried to get out again by bashing their heads against the glass, until exhausted or starving they died with all the others.

Very occasionally you might fine a person in church who is like my blue­bottle, they distract others and don’t seem to be there for the right reason,

There are many people who just do not know the purpose of their being here in this world. They know nothing of the loving God who made them, or His wonderful plans for their life. So they waste all their life like flies buzzing on a window, trying to achieve by their own efforts that which can never give them the Blessings of the Christian life and happiness. What can one do ? Well When I see a fly buzzing on my window I get a tumbler and piece of card. I Capture the fly in the glass, and let it go, outside the house. FREEDOM ! How many lost people have you shown The Way, The Truth, and The Life ?

People are more important than flies! Don’t leave them to die Show them the way to freedom now.

Your Friend Gerald Gossage.