Hope

The LORD reigns; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad! Psalm 97:1

 

Standing on the eve of a brand new year is always a time of wondering.  What will happen this year? Will it be better, or worse than last year? Will the world economy stand or fall? Is my employment secure?  Will my kids find work?  What do you want me to do this year Lord?

 

Psalm 97:1 answers the last question.  Rejoice.......because the Lord reigns!   As we review our own year past, the news we've watched that is often so depressing, perhaps the doctor's prognosis for ourselves or dear ones, it is so easy to become discouraged and depressed.  Yet the good news is, and always is, THE LORD REIGNS.  Therefore we can rejoice, no, we must rejoice, for we have HOPE.

 

Hope is the foundation of our faith; that God is faithful to keep His promises, that He is in control no matter what our circumstances look like. No matter what is happening in the world, God will have the final say.  He still reigns in the heavens and will reign on the earth.  We wait with hope; that is the challenge for this year.

 

Our world is a world in need of hope and if we Christians are hopeless we have nothing to offer our world. No matter what your circumstances are as we enter into this new year I challenge you to be be filled afresh with hope, for our God is the God of hope. In Romans 15:13 Paul prays that "the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the  Holy Spirit."  Believing in what? 

 

We are believing that He reigns, that He is our Saviour, that He will rescue us, that He will lead and guide us through this coming year as we invite him to do so. We believe that His word is true and He will do all that He has promised to do.We believe that the trials that come will make us stronger as we walk through them with Him beside us. 

 

And how do we become strong in believing?  By reading His word.  Romans 10:17 says, "Faith comes by hearing the word of God."  Let's fill our hearts and minds with God's word so that we are filled with hope to offer to our world. 

 

Prayer:  Faithful God, help me this year to be filled with hope that can be shared with our needy world.  Help me to journey with you and be found faithful and faith-filled.  Amen

Gifts I am Thankful For

....in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This is the time of year when gifts come into focus in a big way.  Sadly for many the real Gift is overlooked, unknown or just plain ignored.  Jesus is the greatest Gift in all the world.  He is the Gift that encompasses so many other gifts, not the least of which are peace with God, unconditional love and joy.  I thank God for this priceless Gift.

Some gifts don't come in fancy wrapping and they don't cost us money, they are, nevertheless, very real and precious gifts.  As I look back on this year there have been highlights and lowlights, and that is normal.  We were never promised a life without challenge.  Just to live in this world and in our broken down society with broken people is challenging for sure. Add to that relationship challenges, disappointments, health issues, financial pressures, loss of dear ones and everything in between and we have LIFE.  That's just how it is.  I find that having faith in a God who is inately good and loving, One who wants the best for my life, is such a great anchor and I thank Him for the gift of faith that gives me assurance of His goodness and love.

This week I decided to think through the things that I am thankful for this year and I came up with a list which I want to share with you.  I'm sure I will think of many more things once I hit the 'publish' button but my aim is mainly to spur you to thankfulness.  We are to 'consider one another in order to stir up love and good works'  (Hebrews 10:24), and giving thanks, having a thankful heart or an attitude of gratitude is, I believe, a good work that pleases God and does us great good.  So here it is!

Gifts I am thankful for in 2012
The gift of Jesus, my Saviour, on whom I need to lean constantly

The gift of His righteousness, my own is sadly lacking

The gift of my husband, friend, lover, travelling companion and constant supporter, what a gift!

The gift of family, they bring us great pleasure and joy, we love them
The gift of good health, money can't buy it
The gift of friends and neighbours, old and new, they are precious
The gift of fellowship, church family, Bible study, CWCI friends and others worldwide, I love it
The gift of communication at lightning speed to stay connected, I need it
The gift of ministry opportunities in various places, a privilege indeed
The gift of travel to many places through the year and safety in it all, I'm blessed
The gift of provision of all we need, He is faithful
The gift of trials, they teach me, stretch me, grow me. I need them to mature.
The gift of answered prayer, it confirms my faith.
The gift of unanswered prayer, it teaches me patience and perseverance, and tests my faith.
The gift of hope.....for all that 2013 has in store for me - He will be with me no matter what comes.

Prayer:Heavenly Father, I give you thanks and celebrate your goodness and faithfulness this year.  Help me to maintain an attitude of gratitude always because I know that it pleases your heart.  Amen

The Long Haul

And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest. Luke 8:15

On our outback trip earlier this year we drove some long days, but they were not nearly as long as some of the road trains (extra long trucks) that passed us. The roads out there were flat and often boring, especially when the road stretched for mile after mile with trees either side blocking what may have been an interesting vista beyond.

As we travelled nearer the coast we crossed the Great Dividing Range. Our vehicle slowed with the load of the caravan we pulled and we needed patience.  However, we needed much more patience during the times we followed slower drivers when there was nowhere to overtake.  Have you noticed that the Christian life can be much like this?

Growth takes time, in fact we need to remember that when we 'sign up' for the Christian life, we have signed up for the long haul.  Sometimes we feel boxed in on a boring road and sometimes we can become impatient with what we consider to be our slow progress.  It's very easy to become discouraged and despondant when we 'lose it' and feel like we'll never 'get there'.  Sometimes we get impatient with others who do not meet our expectations.  Those are the times we need to remember that we often disappoint God too.  Not one of us has it altogether.  We are all a work in progress.  (I don't know how many times I have said or written this.  I feel like a cracked record.... or should I say a sticky CD!)

Learning to lighten up and laugh at our failures will help us keep humble before the Lord.  I learned a long time ago that it is pride rising up when I beat up on myself.  Humility is not being surprised when I fail, but getting up again and settling in for the long haul.That's how we patiently produce a huge harvest.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord that you are never surprised and you never give up on me when I fail.
Help me to have a heart that's set for the long haul with you, the author and finisher of my faith. Amen

Understanding

For as yet they did not know the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. John 20:9

This picture of the Canadian woods highlights something to me that is interesting reagarding our understanding of spiritual things.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "For now we see through a glass darkly, but then, face to face." (1 Corinthians 13:12).  Just as there is light and shadow in this picture, our understanding in life is like that.

Most of the disciples had walked with Jesus for 3 years.  Some had had more intimate interraction with him that others.  John, who wrote the verse above, was one of the inner circle.  He would have heard most, if not all of Jesus' teaching.  The disciples must have been miserable and confused on that first "Easter" morning.  Their Saviour - dead. They didn't understand that he was a Saviour for the whole world, past, present and future, not just their world of Israel at that time; and in order to accomplish that he was to be a sacrifice through death and then would rise again. Finding the tomb empty added to their confusion.

I found it interesting that John should write "For as yet they did not know the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead", because it is recorded in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, that Jesus had told them plainly that he would suffer at the hands of men, be scourged killed and then on the third day, he would rise again. John, however, says that they did not know the scripture.  He refers to Psalm 16:10 which alludes to Jesus rising from death when it says, "You will not leave my soul in (hell), nor will you allow your Holy One to see corruption." 

Sometimes when we are told scriptural truths or we read the word and yet we still don't understand.  It is like our understanding is darkened for a time.  But when the sun shines through the trees, as it were, and the Holy Spirit gives us understanding, it is the most wonderful thing.  Suddenly things make sense.

I am sure that you, like me, sometimes feel like your Bible reading has just gone right over your head, or in one ear and out the other.  You get up and forget what you read 2 minutes before.  If we can go just a little bit further and spend time really thinking about something that caught our attention, we will allow the Holy Spirit time to give us light on what we are reading.  It doesn't have to be a whole chapter, or even a number of verses, just one verse will do.  You will be surprised what will stay with you as you journey through your day.  I know that far too often I hurry away from my morning time the Lord and into my day without first really digesting my spiritual food.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I run from my quiet time with you and into my day without allowing you to speak to my heart and give me understanding of what I have read.  Please help me to linger with you to receive understanding of your word and so enrich my own life and be equipped to enrich others on the way.  Amen

Fame

 

 

And they said to themselves "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves....... Genesis 11:4

It seems that one of the main desires of many young people today is to be famous.  It is probably easier to do these days with opportunities abounding in music and media circles.  It's possible to become 'famous' almost overnight by posting yourself on Youtube doing something that attracts attention even if, or especially if, it's downright stupid or dangerous.

I find that I have mixed feelings when someone comes onto the world stage and steps into fame.  The ones I'm thinking of at this moment are singing sensations like Susan Boyle or our own Australian winner of The Voice, Karise Eden.  I am thrilled for their success and frightened for their future. Why frightened?  Because I know there will be pressures that will now surround them in a world that has changed almost overnight. It's like they no longer have control over their lives and destiny, it is in the hands of another, and who knows what is the purpose of their new master.

Why do people want fame?  I can think of a number of reasons; power, prosperity, prestige would be a few.  I believe that the two singers I have mentioned probably wanted none of these things, but I prefer to think that they wanted to prove to themselves and to others the value of the gift that had been given them.  Their fame was the result of courage and a lot of hard work, plus taking the risk of failing. I'm glad they did well.

After the great flood recorded in Genesis, the descendants of Noah and his family combined forces to make a name for themselves.  They wanted fame.  Because they were united in their cause and all spoke one language God looked down from heaven and saw that anything was possible for them to achieve.  For his own reasons and purpose he chose to confuse their language and scatter them far and wide.

Abraham, on the other hand, was minding his own business, worshipping God in a pagan nation when God chose him for fame (Genesis 12).  The price was to leave his homeland and all his relatives and travel to a land that God would show him. He had no idea of his destination, he had to go out in faith. God's purpose in this was to make him a blessing to all the families of the earth.  Through the line of Abraham, who had no family then, or for many years to come, was to come the Saviour, Jesus Christ.  It was much later the promise of a son came, but then another 25 years to fulfilment of that promise.  The name of Abraham is famous to this day, for his fatherhood and his faithfulness.

The people building the tower of Babel wanted to created their own fame and were foiled by God.  It is far safer to commit our future to God and allow him to do with us what He has purposed for our life. Our purpose should be to live for "the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:11-12).  To desire to bring Him fame will keep us grounded. He is a Master whose love for us is beyond understanding and His desire is always to do us good. To serve the One before whom, one day, every knee shall bow, (Philippians 2:10) will be to glory in His fame, and that will be more than enough.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus Christ, help me to desire your approval above all else and to stay grounded in seeking always your purpose for my life.  Amen

Refreshing

.......so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

Recently we have had some much needed rain, albeit it came on a weekend we were away in the caravan for a fly-in. However, Paul and Dan and friends did managed to fly into the valley through the patchy showers and happily, the second day was fine.  This morning when Colin opened the blinds on a beautiful morning he commented that it was so nice to see the garden looking fresh and green instead of tired and dry. So it is.

It caused me to think about the times we run on empty in the busyness of life.  Too often I am guilty of this.  The tasks on my agenda cry out to me and I plunge into the day with a quick prayer and Bible reading which sadly, too often, is soon forgotten.

If we want real refreshing we have to be willing to change our method and give ourselves time in God's presence just soaking up his love, getting our tank filled.  We will need to do as Peter told his listeners "Repent and be converted" in other words, change the way we do things. Repent of our sin of rushing into our day without drawing near to Him who loves us unconditionally, the One who has our best interests always on His mind.  He wants to restore our soul, refresh and revitalise us so that we go out with joy in the confidence that we are loved, encouraged, strengthened and empowered for whatever the day may bring.  It doesn't have to be a long time but it must be quality time where we allow our heart to touch His heart.  He is like a lover waiting for his beloved to come into his arms.

Will you take time today in His presence, coming boldly to His throne of grace to find mercy and refreshing? Just let Him love on you, and love Him right back.  It will be worth it!  You will then go into your day all fuelled up and ready for the journey and the challenges that may come.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Lover of my soul, please help me to give myself the gift of time in your presence at the start of each day so that refreshing may come to me. Amen

Finding Freedom

I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!" So the Israelites camped there as they were told. Exodus 14:4

For some people (that would be me!), walking across a wobbly suspension bridge can be very unnerving.  I have only been on one a fraction of this length and that was enough.  Sometimes in life we find ourselves in 'wobbly' circumstances and some of them are orchestrated by God for the purpose of bringing us to a higher level of trust in Him, and to display His glory, goodness and faithfulness to us His people. Such times are generally uncomfortable and often we find ourselves floundering and faithless.  The Israelites are a good example of this.

Moses had delivered them from their captivity in Egypt; from a miserable life of bondage which had caused them to cry out to God for deliverance.  Now they were delivered but not completely.  They were in the wilderness camped beside the Red Sea - trapped really.  No way forward and the road behind led back into bondage.  They were in God's hands well and truly, and to be fair to them, sometimes that seems to be a very scary place.  But God had a plan for them and it was all good.  Their reaction though was to accuse, murmur and complain against their deliverer and want to turn and run back to the 'safe' place, the place that they were familiar with even though it was a place of misery and bondage. 

If we are to move into more freedom in our lives, we will have to go through times that stretch us and times that feel very uncomfortable for awhile.  We will have to change the old and familiar places in our hearts and minds, even in our behaviour, for the new places that feel strange and make us feel insecure for a time.  The wilderness is a time of transition from one place to another; this is our adjustment time, a time of testing through which we must pass to find a greater level of freedom and faith.  A time when, after we have passed through to the other side, we will have seen God's glory and maybe others will have seen it too.  Miracles don't happen unless we are in a place where we need one. 

If you find yourself in such a place right now will you look at it as a transition place from 'one degree of glory to another', a time for His purposes? This is not your final resting place! Remember that God allows us to come into difficult places, not to abandon us, but to show himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9).  Will you acknowledge that He loves you and has a purpose for you (Jeremiah 29:11)?  Don't choose to run back to the old familiar place, choose to come out into greater freedom and faith than you've know before. It's scary but it's safe if you keep your eyes on Jesus.

Prayer:  Lord  Jesus, my Great Deliverer, I choose today to trust you in my uncomfortable place, knowing that you have allowed me to be here and that you will bring me out into a broad place in due time.  Thank you for your great love for me and your promises which are true and faithful.  Amen

Second Chance

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV

In cleaning house the other day I was in the process of changing attachments on the vacuum cleaner when behind me there was a crash.  Looking down I saw my favourite ornament, the dancing couple, lying in four pieces at my feet. It was broken in the leg area and both heads had departed their bodies.  To say I was sad would be an understatement. I picked up the pieces and looked at the breaks.  They seemed clean and there were no small pieces on the floor so I put them to one side in the hope that my clever husband would be able to mend it.  He did, as you can see from this picture.

To me this ornament symbolises the joy of marriage; yes, it can be quite a 'dance' sometimes, full of tricky and challenging steps. Sometimes we 'lose our heads' for awhile and at times some marriages literally fall apart.  For every married couple the challenge is to stay in step which, like dancing, is often easier said than done.

The main challenge of marriage is learning to live in harmony with another person who may have had a very different background, even a different culture from your own.  Added to that we bring our different personalities and our own values and ideas of how a marriage should work.  Then there are the challenges that children bring into a relationship. All these things can cause problems that can lead, sometimes slowly, other times like a bomb blast, to breaking point.

Sometimes things fall apart and even get very broken in the process but, with God in the equation it is possible to put things back together again.  It does take care and a willingness to work it all out.  One needs to look back to find where the weak areas were that may have caused the marriage to break so as not to fall into the same traps again.

With the right 'glue' of hope, love, forgiveness, humility and prayer a marriage can move from brokenness to wholeness again.  The weak places can become the strongest.  Joseph's words come to mind as I write, "What you (the enemy) meant for evil, God meant for good." (Genesis 50:20). It may be that God will use your experience to later help others in their own brokenness move from hopelessness to healing. He is so good at taking the things that seem like disasters and turning them to good use.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you that you can cause all things to work together for good.  Help me to keep my eyes on you in my most difficult situations and allow you to use them for good purposes; to bring hope and healing to others and glory to You.  Amen

Small Things

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11

As I was getting dressed this morning I was musing over an email I received from a friend in England this week.  She commented on my last Daydrops "Pushing Through" saying that she had laughed out loud when she read it because she thought I could be writing about her.  At 80 she still goes to the gym twice a week and pushes through on the cycle.  This made me smile and then I realised that I don't get to stop my workouts for a few more years yet!!  But what am I saying?  Didn't I recently write about staying in for the long haul?!!

Anyway, today I was also thinking about the small things of life.  I hate it when people find out that I don't go out to work because then they ask me what I do all day.  It's very hard to define really but this morning I realised that a good part of my day can be taken up with communication.  It seems such a small insignificant thing really yet it is an important part of my life.  I love to keep in touch with friends near and far and it all takes time.

As the years have passed I find that friends become more precious.  Often a word of encouragement is needed, or assurance of prayer support for those going through difficult times.  To spend an afternoon with a friend is not wasting time, it's building relationship and making memories. 

A word here and there can be reassuring and encouraging, even to people we don't know.  I was out shopping this afternoon, and where we wait to turn onto the freeway there have been extensive roadworks underway for some weeks now to improve the traffic flow.  Two workmen where heaving a road barrier into place and as I turned to drive past them I wound the window down and smiled at them shouting, "Thanks for making a difference."  It was great to see them laugh back.  It was a small thing but I hope it made their day better.

Such a small thing as a word can make such a difference to someone. The little bee in our picture is one of millions, yet his little contribution is so important in the whole scheme of things. His honey may be on my toast one day! Don't underestimate the many small things you do each day.  Hopefully they are making someone's life better.  Look for opportunities to 'make a little honey' along the way.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank you for the reminder that I don't have to rich and famous to be a world-changer.  I can change someone's life with just a small encouraging word or act of love. Help me to look for opportunities to do so.  Amen

Pushing Through

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13b-14

When I got 2 minutes into my 20 minute workout on the cardiogym this morning I wondered how I could ever get to 20 minutes today.  My energy level was not as good as usual and this was going to be a challenge.  What am I saying?  Exercise is always a challenge for me!  I might like it more if I could see that it was making a difference to my shape, but I can't.  However, I know that it has to be making a difference to me inside; heart, lungs and vascular system.  Shame we can't see that, it would certainly be an inducement to keep it up in the hard times!  I just have to trust that it's doing me good even though the result is invisible.

It's like the Christian life really.  We all come to times when we think, "What's the use of these prayers and reading the Bible, I can't see it making any difference at all."  Sometimes we just feel like we are not making any progress, but rather we are going through some useless motions.  Is it really worth it? ( Sometimes I wonder that when I'm writing, especially when I see how few people read this blog,  yet I know that even if one person is touched by each devotion I write, then it has been worth it. My part is to be faithful and push on.)

Yes, it is, and you are just going to have to take my word for it..... and the Bible's.  In writing to the Philippians Paul spoke about forgetting the past (our failures) and pressing on to gain the prize that is promised us.  That's the secret.  We do fail, we have times where our spiritual fervour dims, there are days when we just want to jump into our day and not take time to give Jesus any attention, let alone read His word.  Those are the times to push through our lethargy and allow God's word to seep into our soul and set us up for the day.  We need to have fresh 'bread' every day to feed our spirit and allow us to refresh any weary or needy ones we'll meet in our day.  It really is worth it and it does do something even though we can't feel it or see it.

To gain our salvation Christ had to push through many barriers and obstacles including His own lack of strength in those final hours.  Yet, for the joy that was set before Him he endured the cross... Heb 12:2.  His joy was freeing us from Satan's grip.  Our joy is in being free to live for him in loving obedience to His admonition to Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly....Colossians 3:16.

My strategy for pushing through on the workout (and especially this morning) is to become mindful of and thankful for the health and strength I have to actually do it.  Then I begin to pray for all those who I know are sick or not able physically to use their bodies in the way I can.  This brings energy to me as I do my workout in the strength that He gives me day by day... and soon I'm done and feeling pleased with myself.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for health and strength to do a physical workout even when it's the last thing I want to do.  Thank you that it is making a difference in my body even though I can't see it.  Help me to be faithful in my spiritual 'workout' each morning as I study your word and pray, knowing that it too is achieving eternal results.  Amen

Carried

Praise the Lord, God our Saviour, who carries us in His arms. Psalm 68:19 (NLT)

Having recently flown for over 30 hours to and from Vancouver, Canada , this verse caused me to connect the thought of God carrying us in his arms with flying in those big jets.  Once I step inside that aircraft I put my life into the hands of the crew.  I put my faith in them and trust them to bring me safely to my destination.  I stow my belongings in the crowded overhead lockers, (I can never believe the size of the bags that are allowed on board), then settle down with my water bottle, iPad, earphones and blanket for the journey. (It used to be books and notebooks but my iPad has it all! Thank you dear husband for my wonderful birthday gift.)  I am set for the journey. I read a little, watch a movie or two, I even sleep.  I relax and am carried along.

That is the way we should view our journey with God; the one who carries us in His arms.  We do not get in the aircraft and expect to have to somehow help get that machine off the ground and stay up there.  When we came to Christ we put our trust in Him and were thrilled at the difference our faith made to our lives.  Sadly later, as we 'grow up', we seem to think that so much depends upon us. 

Now we have to be careful with my analogy here, because the Christian life does depend upon a certain amount of energy on our part, e.g. reading the Bible, talking to God, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us etc.  BUT remember Paul's words, "That's why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ's mighty power that works within me."(Coloss 1:29 NLT).  We do have to press on and press through to make progress in our journey but we should always remember that it is HIS energy and HIS grace that we are working with that enables us to change and grow.

In the times when difficulties come and we feel we can't go on, we need to remember that he carries us in His arms and our friends lift us up with their prayers.  What a great thought!  Don't try to do it alone.

Prayer:  Precious Lord, thank you for your everlasting arms which are underneath me in those tough times and thank you for the faithful prayers of friends who lift me up.  Help me to rest in your love and power.  Amen

Changed

This same Good News.......is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace.  Colossians 1:6

There is a great market in today's world for motivational speakers; people who are gifted in speech and have the ability to inspire and motivate people to change their lives in significant ways.  To attend one of their conferences usually costs hundreds of dollars for just a day or two of teaching. When people leave those meetings they are armed with a manual that will guide them into making the changes they want in their lives and businesses, but their motivator is gone, moving onto his next meetings.

Believers have a manual for changing lives and it's called the Bible; Paul refers to it as the Good News, and good news it certainly is.  It is the word of God's wonderful grace and it has the power to change our life as we read and digest what it says, so long as we make the appropriate changes in our lives.  However, there is a great difference between the motivator's manual and the Bible.  The Bible is the word of the One who created us, the One who knows how we are wired for life.  Not only that, our manual comes with the best Motivator in the world, the Holy Spirit.  He stays, he never moves onto another meeting.  He's around to guide, teach and encourage us every step of the way.

Colossians 1:6 speaks of hearing and understanding the truth.  Sometimes we don't fully grasp with understanding all that we have when we come to Christ.  The great gift of grace is available freely but often we think that we have to go home and do it all ourselves.  We forget to call on the grace of God which is available for all our needs.  It is the grace of God which changes us, not our own trying.  We don't need to 'get it all together'.  The best thing we can learn is to daily come to God's throne of grace where we can find gace and mercy for every need. Let's do life with His help, it takes all the stress away as we lean into Him and stop trying to 'go it alone'.  He loves us to be dependant on Him.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy and grace and thank you for the Holy Spirit who guides me into all truth and understanding.  Help me to lean more on Him and rely less on my own ability to change.  Amen

Process

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left. Isiaiah 30:21

I often quote a phrase that I saw on a T shirt many years ago. It said, "Be patient with me, God isn't finished with me yet.". How true that is. But as we request patience of others towards our imperfections, faults and failings, we also need to extend the same grace towards others.

Recently I was thinking about the process my friend was going through to find a property to buy. She was not even sure where she wanted to live but was in the process and we had looked in various areas but had not found 'her place'. I was thanking God for the process because when we live in faith, we know for sure that God will show her the right place at the perfect time. In the meantime, our part is to learn to enjoy the journey. Sometimes that can be hard.

The process of becoming like Jesus is one for which we need much patience. So often we feel like we let Him and ourselves down along the way, but if we will just look into the word we can find many imperfect, 'in process' people:  God still used them. The time in process is not wasted. As we look back, we call it 'experience' and God uses our experiences along the way. Paul even managed to say that he took pleasure in infirmities, reproaches and persecutions and distress because through them he exchanged his weakness for Christ's strength. (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Out of our experience we can help others to find meaning in their difficulties; they can draw comfort from our stories of God's faithfulness. Our challenges are not meant to discourage or destroy us, they are meant to develop our character, grace and obedience. The word tells us that even Jesus learned obedience through the things that he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8) Embrace the process and be thankful for it. Something's happening!

Update:  My friend has chosen her new home and will soon move in...... the best part is that it is 5 minutes walk from my home!

Prayer:  Faithful Father, thank you that even in the difficulties, when I am impatient to be through them, you are doing something in me.  Help me to enjoy the process.  Amen

Friendship

After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them..... 1 Samuel 18:1

Have you ever thought about your friends and recognized that some of your friendships may be truly God- ordained for his greater purpose? That is what struck me as I read these verses about David and Jonathan. This was a totally God-ordained friendship, absolutely designed for the greater purposes of God.

When you read further into the story of David & Jonathan's friendship it becomes more obvious that God had planned this with the future in mind. I wondered even if Jonathan, the son of King Saul and therefore natural heir to the throne, knew that he would not become king, for later in this chapter we read of Jonathan making a solemn pact of friendship with David by giving him his robe, tunic, sword, belt and bow. This was an unusual act. It was like Jonathan was symbolically giving up his position to David who was God's chosen replacement for disobedient Saul.

 Jonathan’s friendship saved David’s life when Saul wanted to kill him. It cost him his father’s anger when he covered for David and later warned him of the danger of returning to the palace (1 Sam 19). His friendship made way for David to move into his destiny. David’s friendship for David caused him to continue to honour the king and refuse to usurp his authority. He later honoured Jonathan by caring for his son Mephibosheth (2 Sam 9:6) who had only been 5 years old when his father died in battle. Mephibosheth had a place at King David’s table for the rest of his life.

Jesus said there was no greater love than laying down one's life for his friend. (John 15:13) Jesus, our greatest friend, proved his love for us when he died for us on the cross. To be a true friend costs us sometimes. One of the acts of love that we can do for our friends is to pray for them. Another is to forgive them when they hurt us. To sacrifice time when they need help. My mother used to say "A friend (when you're) in need, is a friend indeed."

Friendships will always go through ups and downs but there is nothing quite as good as an 'old' friend. They are the ones who have stood with us over the years and so know us at our best and at our worst. Friends are God's gift to us so let us value them accordingly. They have come into our lives for a reason.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for my friends, both old and new. Help me to love them and value them for the treasure they are. Make me a blessing in their lives, a true and faithful friend. Amen

Focus

.....greet no one along the way. Luke 10:4

These days I am finding that I need to be more and more mindful and intentional about tasks that I do. Speaking to friends of similar 'vintage', I am encouraged to find that I am not alone in this;it is too easy to get distracted along the way. Example: yesterday I put my porridge on to cook, (it only takes 5 minutes), then I went off and started cleaning the bathroom before my Bible study ladies arrived. Aagh! Suddenly, as I was about to move to yet another task, I remembered my porridge....just in the nick of time.

As I read Luke 10 today I was interested that when Jesus sent out the disciples in pairs to minister, he told them not to greet anyone along the way. I would have thought that they may have met 'the harvest' along the way!  Instead, he sent them to towns. They were not to stop and get distracted along the way. I also noticed that when Elisha's servant Gehazi, was sent to minister life to the widow's son, he also was told not to greet anyone along the way. In fact he was told not even to answer anyone who greeted him along the way.

When God assigns a task to us, he also gives us an anointing for the task.....his power and ability to carry it out. (We are never meant to operate in our own strength doing his work.) If we get distracted along the way, we may lose our focus. We can even get talked out of completing  our task, or at the very least, our distraction will certainly delaying it. The enemy will always plant 'good ideas' into our minds, or even put 'urgent needs' in front of us to distract us from our assignment. If we allow the distractions we may miss 'the moment', God's time.

The secret is to stay with what God has given us to do until the task is done. He has others assigned to meet other needs. Let's not rob them of their chance to serve by thinking we have to meet every need that comes before us.

Prayer: Father God, please help me to listen for my tasks today and do them without distraction. Help me to recognize distractions when they come and to resist the urge to 'greet them along the way'. Amen

Good Looks

But you  (are to) run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11

Recently two of these birds alighted on our balcony rail.  They make quite a picture, in fact they look great, so why did I rush out and shoo them away?  Because they can be very destructive birds.  In fact they chewed at a beam on a new house in our area and made a real mess.  They are not welcome guests at our house.  Something else about these birds is that they really make quite a raucous noise around the place.  There is never any doubt when a cockatoo is around, they shout to the world, "I'm here, I'm here!"  However, they can be fascinating.  It's quite possible that you've seen one in a zoo or aviary, you may even have asked it "Polly want a cracker?"  for the fun of hearing it mimic you.

This did set me thinking though, reminding me that just because something looks good doesn't mean that it is. The Bible tells us that the devil appears as an angel of light,i.e. beautiful (2 Corinthians 11:14).  Things are not necessarily what they appear to be. We can get onto something that seems like a good idea, yet it could be destructive.  The word tells us that "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is death" (Prov 14:12 & 16:25).  We only have to look around our world or watch the news to see the truth of those verses.

Having a good working understanding of the Bible will help keep us safe from harm.   If we can submit things we are not sure about to a trusted friend or a pastor, for a second opinion.  It is wise to check things out. (Prov 11:14) 

We have to flee from or shoo away things that will be destructive in our lives.  These can be habits, behaviour, thoughts and even relationships.  If we are plagued with thoughts of worthlessness and defeatist attitudes, we know that is not from God.  Find scripture verses that will speak of God's love for you, words that tell you how precious you are to Him.  If fear fills you and paralyses you, you can be sure that fear is from the enemy.  Fill yourself with God's words of love, draw near to him and bask in His loving presence.  Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). The word of God builds our faith and dispels fear.   Sometimes relationships are not helpful.  If we are walking with someone who constantly tries to encourage us in ungodly attitudes or behaviour, we had better find a way of ending that relationship if we are not making good choices when we are around that person.

We are to flee from all that would lead us into sin, and to pursue godliness in every area of our life.  Why?  Because ungodly thoughts, attitudes and behaviour will prevent the blessing of God from invading our lives.  Always remember two things - 1. God will always love us, no matter what we do, AND 2. His grace is always available to help us change our ways.

Prayer: Father thank you for the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth.  Help me to listen to your word and follow your ways and not be seduced by things that look good.  Amen

Hidden Hurt

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.   Proverbs 15:13 (NIV)

As I read this verse today it caused me to think twice.  Yes, a happy heart certainly makes the face cheerful but often a cheerful exterior can hide a mountain of pain.  Just like this pretty window, one never knows just what goes on behind that glass. Underneath a cheerful exterior, heartache can be crushing the life out of a person's spirit and crippling them emotionally.

I have known, and probably still know, people who seem wonderfully happy, kind and caring people, yet their cheerfulness hides great anguish.  Sometimes it is possible to even hide our hurt from ourselves.  In fact part of the mind's coping mechanism for deep trauma is to blot out the memory of hurts when they are too painful to deal with. 

The thing with such hurt though is that at some time or another, it will come to the surface in some way.  It may be triggered by another traumatic incident, it could manifest as deep and unreasonable anger or, if that anger is stifled, it can turn into depression. It can also result in bitterness which prevents us from having healthy relationships.  Heartache is destructive; it crushes the spirit if it is not dealt with.

I was listening to a man on the radio telling his story of a terrible childhood with a mentally ill mother who rejected him and treated him so badly that he ran away and lived a very reckless life.  He was the life and soul of the party and he took great risks which made him a hero to his peers, but all the time his pain was lurking, ready to do him harm, and one day, in the midst of a normal and happy life many years later, he lapsed into a 12 year period of depression.  Obviously he has now dealt with his pain through counselling and learning to forgive the mother who greatly hurt him, and he now, thanks to God, he leads a happy and mentally healthy life.  But his story could have ended so differently.

If you have issues with past hurt, don't be afraid to bring them to the light and allow God to bring healing to you.  Talk first to Him about them and allow Him to lead you down a path of healing that will release you from all that can crush and even destroy your spirit.  If you know others who need God's healing love, encourage them, pray for them and support them, through prayer, back to wholeness.  God is able to use every experience of life, even if it is a negative one, to teach us and enrich our life.  Let your smile be genuine and your spirit strong so that the enemy has nothing hidden with which to do you harm.

Prayer:  God of love and comfort, help me to allow any past hurts to rise to the surface and be healed so that my spirit is strong and whole and my life free of hidden pain.  Amen

Winter

You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter.  Psalm 74:17

Recently I was in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges out of Melbourne in the southern part of Australia for a training weekend. I took this picture of the winter garden with trees bare of leaves allowing glimpses of the mountains which would be unseen during the summer. Where we live we have eucalypt trees, commonly referred to as gum trees. These trees are never without leaves unless they are dead. Instead they constantly shed their leaves all year round, making a lot of sweeping necessary around our house.

Winter is an appointed season in nature and it's a time of rest and renewal for flora and even some fauna in really cold climates. Animals actually sleep through the bitter, frozen months till spring arrives. In our walk with Jesus we can and do experience seasons of the soul and spirit. It is not spring or summer all the time. When winter comes we have to learn how to deal with it.

Winter's cool can come to our soul and spirit for a number of reasons.  We can experience the cold of winter if we constantly walk in disobedience to God's revealed will for us.  He allows us to feel the cool to make us long for the warmth of his presence again. When we repent and get back into obedience, we can begin to experience God's warmth again. Acts 3:19 says "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Notice where the refreshing comes from...... the presence of the Lord.  We need and must spend time in the presence of God.

Winter can come when we become unbelieving, fearful and discouraged.  When we find ourselves in such a place we need to get into God's word and determine to speak faith and believe God's promises and most of all His goodness and His desire to bless us.  Once again, a time for repentance which means to turn away from your fear, unbelief and discouragement and encourage yourself in the Lord as David did (1 Samuel 30:6).

Winter can also come as a gift from the Lord after a time of intense ministry. It is then a time when we get to rest from our labours and regain our strength and vigour for the next phase of our life.  We may feel like we've been 'put out to pasture' or passed over but we must resist such thinking and trust God through this time when we feel like nothing is happening in our lives.  We must resist the urge to 'light our own fire' (Isaiah 50:11).  Allow God to prune us, to rest us and then enjoy the spring when it comes.  Just keep in faithful fellowship with Him trusting that in His appointed time you will once again bear fruit for the Kingdom.

Going back to my first comments about the winter garden, the view can be further afield from a winter garden with all the leaves gone.  It can be the same for us.  When the 'leaves' of our works fall away for a time and we rest, we have opportunity to view new vistas with God and grow in our knowledge and faith in Him.  Enjoy!

Prayer:  Father of all creation, thank you for the seasons in nature and the seasons of the soul.  Help me to recognise when winter comes to my soul and to deal with it accordingly, always trusting in your desire to bless and refresh me.  Amen

Faithfulness- 2

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12

My little friend Paige got a new camera for her birthday.  Her Mum sent me a few of her artistic pictures and this one makes a great visual for my thoughts this week.  Thank you Paige.  A leaf and a stone; two very diverse things in so many ways; one autumn red, one white, one living,(well it was once), and one with no life at all; one soft and pliable and one hard; one smooth, the other with texture.  Both so different, yet together they make a pretty picture. When I was writing "Faithfulness" last week I had further thoughts regarding our giftedness which I wanted to address further....there's always more! 

In first Corinthians 12:4-11 Paul speaks about the different kinds of spiritual gifts that God has given to each on of us, then from verse 12 he goes on to compare them with the various parts of our human body and the different functions they have.  He says that the if the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it." He says that it would be very strange indeed if the body only had one part.

A truth Paul addresses here is the importance that we value our uniqueness and not think, or say, that because we don't have a visible function in the body of Christ, (such as an intercessor, or support worker), we are no less important.  Likening it to the body he says in verse 22, "In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary."  (You can think through that example yourself!)

Our challenge is not to compare ourselves with others; either in our spiritual gifts or in our natural talents and work.  In 2 Corinthians 10:12 Paul says that to compare ourselves with others in any way is unwise.   Some translation says 'unspiritual'.  We will never be the same as anyone else, even if we have the same gift.  Why?  Because each of us is unique and will operate in our giftedness in a different way.  That doesn't make us any less or any better than our neighbour.  It means, that God needs us to be as he created us to be and God has put each part just where he wants it. May we be able to say with the psalmist, "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14

My job is to remain available and faithful and allow God to use me how and where he wants me... and to joyfully cheer others on in their tasks.  Valuing our own uniqueness is the key to being able to walk through life making the contribution we are created for in the most effective way.

Prayer:  Father God, thank you that I was created for your special purpose.  Help me to not fall into the trap of comparing myself with others, but to faithfully be all that you want me to be.  Amen

Faithfulness

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.  1 Corinthians 4:2

This past week has been a highlight in the year of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Watching her on various TV broadcasts, especially the flotilla on the Thames River in London, you can see that she was thoroughly enjoying the celebrations.  I couldn't help smiling along with her.

As a young woman, I think on her 21st birthday, Princess Elizabeth spoke to the Commonwealth countries in a radio broadcast.  She promised that for her whole life, whether it be short or long, she would devote herself to their service.  Just a very few years later she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II.  During her 60 years on the throne she has kept her word and been truly devoted and faithful.  As I watched her attend the many different celebrations, I pondered on the fact that she rarely gets a 'day off' or a real holiday.  Her aides say that there is always some business to be done.... and she does it, faithfully.

Observing the Queen and pondering her busy life I had to ask myself afresh about my own faithfulness to the tasks entrusted to me in my life.  The Bible speaks a lot about faithfulness, especially of God who is the Faithful One.  We are His children and He lives in us through the Holy Spirit, so a mark of our lives should be faithfulness. In 1 Corinthians 4:2 the apostle Paul says that it is required that stewards be faithful.  Every one of us is a steward because God has gifted us with gifts according to His own purpose for us. (Ephesians 4:8, 1 Corinthians 12:7-10).  We are encouraged to pursue love but also to desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1). 

God in his love for his creation has gifted every person born for a purpose; to keep this world operating and in order.  Some have high positions in government, others are carers and still others collectors of trash.  I often thank God for the trash collectors, I value them because they serve in a way that I'm not called to do, but their job fulfils an important need in every community.

As believers God has gifted us in various ways that you can read in the scriptures I've quoted here.There are key positions to build the body of Christ but there are others that minister in different ways. I believe as we are faithful in using our God given gifts that he may well add other gifts to our lives.  There's nothing to say we can only have one gift.  Jesus operated in all the gifts..... faithfully.  He taught about faithfulness in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-29).

The Queen's faithfulness and devotion to her work has been a good reminder to me to examine my own faithfulness to my Master and Lord.  Remember, there will be a celebration waiting for us when our work is complete on earth!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the gifts you have given me, both natural and spiritual.  Help me to remember that they are not for the 'cupboard' but to be used to bring you glory and extend your kingdom.  May I be found to be faithful, always.  Amen 

Usefulness

Those that are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. Psalm 92:13 & 14

Late one afternoon during our travels in the Bundaberg region of Queensland we came across this old shed in the middle of the sugarcane fields.  It made such an attractive picture in the setting sun that we stopped to snap a memory. 

As I got to thinking about this shed later I mulled over the fact that though it was old and very rustic, it was obviously still useful to the owner who could well have replaced it with a shiny new shed.  If he had done so we would not have stopped to take a photo.  So where did this thought take me?

It is easy for those of us approaching retirement, for some it comes even earlier in life, to begin to feel a bit like a rustic shed and wonder if we will be of continuing use in God's kingdom. This is even more of a question if we have been involved in ministry for some years.  We wonder if there is a place for us in this 'youth-focused' world we live in, and if so, where do we fit? 

One of my favourite scripture passages is the one above.  It has long been my desire to still produce fruit in my old age and obviously that is the expectation of our Father.  To do that we need to be planted in or committed to the house of God....His church.  Even if we are 'rustic' we are still to be useful and even attractive in our rusticity. 

My shed in the cane fields was old, but it had experience and a story or two to tell if it could speak!  Also it was obviously still useful as a shelter or it would have been replaced.  As we grow older we need to remind ourselves that we still have wisdom to share and shelter to offer to those who are on an earlier part of their journey through life.

I think the secret to being useful in old age is to remain available and inviting. Be someone in the body of Christ and in your neighbourhood who is approachable and even attractive, someone who people want to be around.  Then there will be opportunities to offer wisdom and 'shelter' to those who are struggling or questioning in the difficult times of their life.

For those who are still young and vital, remember Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived.  He had listened to his teachers in his youth, and then in his old age he offered his wisdom through the book of Proverbs.  Be like Solomon, be ready to seek wisdom from those who've 'been there and done that'.  Learn from their wisdom (which has often been learned from their mistakes), and perhaps you can avoid some pitfalls along the way. 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the encouragement of your word that teaches us that we can always have a place of usefulness in your Kingdom.  Help me fill my place effectively no matter what stage of life I am in.  Amen

Trapped

 But today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists. Come with me to Babylon, if you like, and I will look after you; but if you do not want to, then don’t come. Look, the whole country lies before you; go wherever you please.”  Jeremiah 40:4

Sometimes we can feel trapped; by circumstances, sickness, debt or even a relationship that has turned sour. What we do in those times is crucial to our future as we can see in many of the stories in the Bible. As I have been reading through the book of Jeremiah I wonder how often he felt trapped. He really was a 'prisoner of the Lord' as a prophet who had to bring some very severe warnings to God's people. At times it did get a bit too much and he stopped giving God's message but when he did it burned within him (Jeremiah 20:9); he had to continue to be obedient.

The apostle Paul also spoke of himself as a prisoner of the Lord (2 Timothy 1:8), not free to 'do his own thing' but subject to God's will in all things. If anyone could be justified in questioning God's love and mercy Paul could. He suffered beatings, shipwecks and other hardships (2 Corinthians 6) in his journey with Jesus Christ but he later said that he counted "all things loss for the surpassing knowledge of knowing Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:8).

When we are truly sold out to God, we can never be truly trapped because we are fully free when we are in His hands.  I urge you to read the story of Jeremiah in the early verses of chapter 40 because it is such a great example of how God looks after his people who are obedient and faithful to His cause.  Jeremiah had prophesied disaster upon the Israelites.  He told them that the Babylonians were coming to take them into exile and the day came when this word was fulfilled.  Jeremiah was found in chains by the Babylonian commander.  Obviously he had heard of Jeremiah's prophecies and advice to God's people.  Here was Jeremiah among all the other prisoners and he was hand-picked from among them and SET FREE.  He was told that he had the freedom of the land, he could do whatever he wished and go wherever he liked.  Not only that the commander gave him provisions and a present!

Sometimes we find ourselves trapped in a spot through no real fault of our own.  In such circumstances it is important to maintain an attitude of trust in our faithful God.  He will free us at the right time.  In the meantime take the opportunity to learn the lessons from the situation and add it to your store of wisdom.  It may be that you get to help someone else through their time of feeling trapped.  As you submit to God in it you will surely grow in grace and in the knowledge of your loving God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father,  when I feel trapped please help me to trust you to bring me through that time and into freedom again.  Help me to gain wisdom and understanding from everything that happens to me so that I can be a help and a blessing to others.  Amen

Purpose

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?
Psalm 8:3-4

On our recent visit to the Cosmos Centre in Charleville, Queensland we stood amazed, again, at the incredible expansive wonders of our universe and the minuteness of our world in it all.  As we peered at the incredibly diamond-like Jewel Box star cluster, beheld the shining rings of Saturn, then looked at the craters and 'seas' on the bright, almost full moon, we understood afresh the wonder that the psalmist had when he said,  "What is man that You are mindful of him....?"  That is the question indeed. 

We have pondered that in the days since and remained amazed that our creator God could take such a vital and personal interest in our world which, in the scheme of things is just a speck in the Milky Way Galaxy.   Not only that but the wonder that God should take such a personal interest in each individual upon this planet!  Really we are nothing in the whole scheme of things, yet His word tells us that we are of incredible value to God.

The apostle Peter writes of the temporary nature of this world we live in.  He speaks of a time when our world will pass away - the heavens being on fire and the earth melting with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:10).  How amazing that he could write that almost 2000 years ago, when knowledge of the universe was far less developed.  Today we understand that the universe is indeed in constant change, that stars and planets are born and 'die'; and blackholes devour  all that comes into their gravitational pull.  The book of Hebrews tells us that this One who created the universe came in human form to speak to us (Hebrews 1:2); in fact to die for us because we were dead in our sins and he came to bring us life. He did that because   "It is not his desire that any should perish, but that all should come to him and live." (2 Peter 3:9).  We are to live meaningful lives, finding our place and purpose in this world, and living to the glory of God in this short time that we call life.  Are you doing that?

Prayer:  Glorious and awesome Creator and Saviour, help me to begin to grasp again the wonderful truth that I have a place and purpose in your universe TODAY.  Help me to live in a way that will please you and bring fulfilment to me.  Amen

Special thanks to my dear friend Pat Gentry who took this beautiful moon shot from her lakeside home in Texas, USA this week and 'just happened' to email it to me.  You were fulfilling His purpose, Pat!

Rainbows

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Genesis 9:13

Blue hats, orange and yellow waistcoats with blue trousers and green coats.  Sound good to you?  So beautiful to watch the lovely Rainbow Lorikeets breakfasting on gum flowers in the trees outside my window.  They put a smile to my face and a word of thanks on my lips to our wonderful Creator for the beautiful world He has given us to enjoy.

After days of rain it's so lovely to see some patches of blue sky and sunlight again. One of Colin's favourite sayings is "Into every life a little rain must fall"  .... but 150 mm (6 inches) in 48 hours is inundation in my book! Life can sometimes be like that too.  Things can be going along so nicely, everything under control, until one day "wham, bam" trouble comes and you want to say, "Who let YOU in?"  Unexpectedly you are faced with a whole new set of circumstances you hadn't planned for.  What do you do, where do you go?  David wrote a prayer in such a time.  "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2. Jesus Christ is our Rock, he is the one we can turn to and find comfort, help and strength in the storms of life.  It doesn't mean we won't struggle with emotions that seem to overwhelm us at times and doubts that make us wonder when our faith got up and left.  We would not be human if we didn't have questions and wonder 'why?'. 

There is so much of life that leaves us with unanswered questions at times; these are the times we need to look for the rainbows.  In fact it's often in these times that we see the 'rainbows' more clearly and appreciate things that we take for granted when all is well in our world.

Following the great flood through which God kept Noah and his family I'm sure they must have wondered "How much longer, Lord?" and "Are we going to have to go through this again?"  I know I would have been asking some questions!  God reassured them that he would never again flood the whole earth.  As a sign of his promise he pointed to the rainbow.  Did you notice where it was to be found?  In the clouds!  There is no rainbow without rain and there is no rain without clouds. 

Perhaps you are struggling with some unexpected crisis right now, or you know someone who is.  Can you look for the rainbow in the clouds or help your friend to see one, not so much by offering words which may not really help, but by supportive prayer and loving actions.  There will be a rainbow there somewhere, especially in the promises in God's word.  These times that stretch us also make us grow - in character, strength and faith.  They are the times that give us a story to tell that will encourage others in their trials.  And isn't it a current saying - What doesn't kill us makes us strong!

Prayer:  Dear Lord, help me to find you in the storms of life as well as in the good times.  Help me to embrace the trials and allow them to make me stronger as I grow through them. Amen

Provision - 2

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else?  Romans 8:32 NLT

These pelicans know that at 2.30 every afternoon, at a resort near, us a man appears with a bin full of fish bits to feed them.  They start arriving about 1 o'clock and generally disappear as soon as they are fed.   Their mates have a different eating place, they hang out on the local channel where the fishermen clean their catch. These birds are dependant on men providing their food.... and they are never disappointed.

Not many of us are dependant on someone else to feed us (though an increasing number are these days), but at times in life there are other things that we need provision for.  Many are looking for a job, or a house, some would love to have a close friend, someone to care and share life with.  It is too easy to just go ahead and try to provide such things by our own effort, but it's much more exciting (but scary) to pray and ask God to provide for us.

Without thoughtful contemplation of our Bible it is too easy to read many of the stories without imagining them in their real context.  The truth is God doesn't mind putting his people in uncomfortable situations to test their trust of him, our Father, who loves to provide.  God took Israel into the desert and fed them on manna for 40 years. He led Elijah into the wilderness after he had prophesied a drought where, for a time, God had Elijah fed by ravens, morning and night.  When the brook dried up he sent him to a town to be fed by a widow (1 Kings 17). Jesus too demonstrated God's ability to provide for basic needs when he twice fed huge crowds during a time when he relied completely on the hospitality of others for a roof over his head as he travelled the land.

Sometimes we are 'squeezed' and we find ourselves in need.  Those are the times God would like us to trust him and not rush around in a panic trying to work things out for ourselves.  How else is our faith going to develop?  In every area of need I believe that our heavenly Father would like us to come to him and lay our need before him, then trust him to ultimately provide.  At various times during our life we have trusted God to provide funds for travel, a seat on a full aeroplane when none seemed possible, the right car, the right house, and a new job when the other work dropped off and was no longer sufficient to supply our daily needs.  God has often kept us waiting, and sometimes for longer than was comfortable, but he has never failed to provide.

God's ultimate provision is Jesus, the Lamb of God who was given as the perfect sacrifice so that we might have relationship restored with him through forgiveness of our sins.  As Paul said in our verse today, "won't he also give us everything else? "  That is a very good question!

What do you need right now, and have you put that need before God? Or do you think you have to work it out because "you are a big person now" and should be sorting things out for yourself?  You have a Father in heaven who loves you and longs for you to ASK...... but you do have to ask! "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." 1 John 5:14. Won't you allow him to be part of your life in that area of need today?  He longs to provide for you, his child.

Prayer:  Father God, thank you for giving us the most precious gift of Jesus Christ, and for the promise that you will provide all that we need if we entrust ourselves to your loving care.  Forgive me for the times I do not trust you enough to share my needs with you. Help me to do that so I can have the joy of sharing with others my own stories of your provision.  Amen