Sinkholes

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

In what turned out to be a short half hour window in an afternoon of thunderstorms, we visited the Umpherston Sinkhole.  This is just one of the natural attractions in Mt Gambier, South Australia.  It is an old volcanic area and its limestone foundation makes for some fascinating caves, sinkholes and the beautiful Blue Lake.This sinkhole has been made into an amazing garden with curtains of ivy flowing down from the edges.  There are seats to sit and enjoy its beauty and even a barbecue area behind the ivy.

The garden filled me with gratitude for the man who had originally thought to do something beautiful with what was just an old cave on his farm before the roof caved in, and thanks too for the people who have kept it looking good to share with the public.

I couldn't help thinking about it in the context of our lives which sometimes have sinkholes when stuff happens and life caves in bringing failure, disaster or disappointments.  We have a choice in those times to become bitter or better.  Even to pretend they didn't happen if you are ashamed of your failure.  But our sinkholes of life can become great experiences from which we can draw wisdom, understanding and growth in grace which can become a blessing to others.

If you are in a slump (or a deep hole) right now, have a think about how you can, with Jesus' help, make your sinkhole into a beautiful garden which can, at some future time, bring rest, strength and encouragement to others.  Or perhaps you can think about sharing your own failure at an appropriate time to encourage someone and help them up when they have fallen.  You could let them see behind your wall of ivy for not one of us is perfect and we shouldn't let people think we are.  We all need God's grace for our weaknesses, and bringing them to His light removes our shame.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, you know the sinkholes in my life and the challenges that I face when I consider the things that brought them about.  Please help me to get your perspective and see that they can become a place of beauty and rest for the benefit of others in the future. Amen

Shelter

                                                                                                                               

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.  Psalm 119:114

It is a good feeling to be sitting safe and dry in our caravan this morning, with thunderstorms growling all around us and with, (so far), gentle rain falling on the roof.  We feel snug and protected, but we do hope that it will dry in the next hour so we can hook the van to the car for our 10 am departure.

When storms of life roll into our comfort zone we need a place where we can feel safe and snug; a place to retreat to in the fiercest gale.  Sometimes the lightning of life's storm comes with a mighty crack and makes us cringe as it did just now, bringing with it stinging hail.  We surely need protection and we need to know where to go for shelter.

That place is Jesus.  He wants to be our hiding place, a refuge in our personal storms, our comfort and shelter no matter what life throws at us.  We can come confidently to him because he has invited us.  He has said 'Come to me ALL who labour and are heavy with burdens', (Matthew 11:28), and he has promised, 'Call to me and I WILL answer you' (Jeremiah 33:3) and, 'I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5), and again, 'As your days, so SHALL your strength be' (Deauteronomy 33:25).

Your protection is there for every storm of life if you will just come to him.  But you must come and you must call.  He will not fail you.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I believe that you came and died in my place that I might have an open door to God.  I come now for shelter in my storm and I thank you that you are with me. Amen

Photo by Sandy Simmons

Thankful?

Giving thanks always for all things..... Ephesians 5:20

It has recently come to my attention (twice) in the past couple of weeks that I have somehow missed this verse in my theology. Oh dear how inconvenient!  When people have spoken about giving thanks for all things I have confidently pointed out that that is not what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 teaches, but rather that we are to give thanks IN everything.  There is a bit of a difference there.  It's so much easier to give thanks in everything than for everything.

I have often thought of Paul and Silas singing praises to God while they were in prison chains, giving thanks in everything.  However when I revisit that I can see that they were giving thanks for their circumstances because they counted it a privilege to suffer for their faith.

But what of difficulties that befall us; things like health issues, financial difficulties, family crises?  If I give thanks FOR those things, isn't it as though I am attributing these difficulties as coming from God?  That doesn't seem right does it?  Though God is not the author of such things he does allow them to come to us through his filter of love and in a desire to see growth in us.  In Romans 5:3-4 Paul writes, "but we glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation produces perseverance and perseverance character; and character hope.... "

What is your challenge today that you need to give God thanks for?  As you do it, remember also the truth that God is able to make "all things work for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.  He's doing a good work in us during those hard times when we yield to a spirit of thankfulness because we are only able to do that if we are trusting and relying on him and his strength.

Prayer:  Father, help me to thank you in the difficulties as well as when things are going well. I choose to trust that you are working these circumstances for my growth.  Amen

Confusion

 And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will . Luke 23:25

I have no particular current world situation in mind as I pen these thoughts, for there are many; some will no doubt come to your mind as you read.  As I read the account of Jesus' trial and sentencing, I imagined afresh the confusion in many minds as they watched this farce play out.

The crowds cried out for an innocent to be put to death and for a murderer to be released. What was Pilate to do?  His wife had warned him not to touch this man, she'd had a dream.  Yet not only was the crowd calling for his execution but the religious leaders were too. Pilate had power to make the call but he wanted to have the favour of the people. Finally he washed his hands of the matter he couldn't face and handed Jesus over to his own people.  Was it cowardice?  Who am I to say?  He did, however, have the last say through the customary written charge on Jesus' cross. He wrote "This is the king of the Jews", and he refused to change it when the people complained (John 19:21).

Can you imagine the confusion of his followers as they watched this play out; the pain and disappointment when Jesus finally died? Surely this could not be God's will, this man demonstrated his power over sickness, disease and death, wind and waves and so much more.  Why this waste? In hindsight we know it wasn't waste at all but the greatest gift ever given to the human race. Jesus gave his life, it wasn't taken from him.

We have all been touched by confusion at seeming injustice in our world.  We have cried out to God to protect his people, save our sick, bring justice, have mercy; then watched as our cry seemingly went unheeded and unanswered.  Why God, why? We know you have the power....

We may never know, and certainly never understand why such sad, even terrible things occur, especially to God's people.  But Jesus did tell us that 'in this world we will have trouble'  (John 16:33, Matt 24).  The word for 'trouble' can mean pressure, oppression, affliction, tribulation and distress.  Our trouble can take many forms, and when it comes we have the choice to remain in confusion, or to rest in the confession that Jesus has overcome the world.  This is not the end, it's part of the journey.  

The battle here on earth seems to continue but it has been won in the heavenlies; Satan does not get the final say.  If we choose to trust God's wisdom even when we cannot understand, our confusion will turn to peace.  The reason Jesus warned us that we will have trouble is so we that won't be taken by surprise when it comes, but rather rest in peace in the knowledge that he is still in control.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank you that even when I am confused and troubled by things around me, I can rest confidently in your peace, knowing that, though the enemy may triumph for awhile, the final victory is yours.  Hallelujah! Amen

It's My Choice

......and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9b

In our crazy, fast-paced, and increasingly dysfunctional world, the word of  God continues to provide solid guidelines for healthy living.  For this I am so thankful.

For many years I have referred to a few verses in Philippians 4 as 'The Recipe for Mental Health', and today I feel the need to remind myself (and you), of this again. As the news and social media provide an abundance of serious, sad and negative words and images to fill our minds and thoughts, I find myself needing to combat this by renewing my mind with what God teaches is the recipe for true peace of mind.

It is too easy to be caught in a negative thought trap, so today I simply offer you a recipe that, if followed, will bring peace in these troubled times.  For if my heart and mind is tuned into union with Jesus Christ, I will know more clearly what His will is for me TODAY. And today is all he tells me to be concerned with.  Burying my head in the sand?  No, I choose to focus on the greater reality that he is in control and he is coming again and what he wants from me in a trusting relationship.

"...... whatever things are true, whatever is noble,  just, pure, lovely and whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ......and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9. That is a promise!

So, I sit and survey the bright splashes of colour of the pansies on my patio, a fading half moon the blue morning sky, fluffy clouds, new leaves bursting on the tree outside,  and a seagull soaring through the scene.  I feel His peace rise and my heart is filled with thanks and praise.

Prayer:  Father thank you for the beauty on my doorstep and the wisdom of your word.  Help me to set my mind on what will bring true peace today. Amen

Following

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

Throughout my years as a 'follower of Jesus' I have taken it for granted that I will not walk in darkness.   He says "whoever follows me".  I took that to be a blanket coverage from the time of my acceptance of Jesus as my Saviour.  No more darkness! As I read that verse this morning I have seen that Jesus' promise is conditional.  However, as I thought upon it I began to see it from another angle. The Apostle John, in his latter years wrote much about the importance of walking in the light and avoiding darkness (1 John 1& 2).  

I have known some 'dark' times when I felt far from God and some of those times have been when I have not been closely following Jesus.  To follow Jesus means to be tuned in to his Spirit and to be walking in fellowship and obedience.  I haven't always done that.  In those times I have given a foothold to the devil (Ephesians 4:27).  And once he gets his foot in the door it's easier for him to gain more access.

Darkness is uncomfortable for us once we have experienced the joy and freedom of Jesus' light and it comes as we move away from God and slip into sin.  The discomfort is meant to make us want to get back to God.  Darkness also comes as we slip into unbelief when difficult times come.  Sometimes we don't even know how we have grieved the Holy Spirit, but if we ask for His light to shine into our darkened heart, he will show us.  The Holy Spirit gently convicts us and when he does, our spirit wants to repent and walk in the light.

The psalmist obviously loved God yet experienced times of darkness when he wrote "Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" (Psalm 42,2b-3a).  He felt the oppression of the enemy and his was more than likely a physical enemy, but ours are spiritual enemies, that require spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).  He cries out to God, Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me;"  He recognises that it's through light and truth that guidance comes.  God's word is the truth we need to turn things around.  We are good followers when we keep the word of God central in our thoughts and on our lips.  Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  How true that is.

We live in a world of increasing darkness that desperately needs light.  As followers of Jesus we are the ones who can bring that light into the world, a light that cannot be hidden and a light that will shine more and more brightly until the 'full light of day' who is Jesus, comes (Proverbs 4:18).  Keep your light shining brightly, don't make room for any darkness because in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) and there can be no fellowship between light and darkness.

Prayer:  Jesus, light of the world, shine your light on any darkness in my heart today.  Help me to actively follow you and not give any foothold to the devil, but to hold firmly to your truth. Amen

Rest

It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.  Psalm 127:2

So is this good news for those who want to sit back, put their feet up and do nothing?  No, that wouldn't be very satisfying at all, would it!  I think the key word I picked up on as I read this verse today was "anxiously".  Jesus enlarged on this in Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 

So far as I know birds are not known for their anxiety, they just flit around and have fun.  They are totally care-free.  I haven't seen one sitting forlornly in a tree with droopy wings or singing a mournful song.  The thought is ridiculous to us.  The Father takes care of their needs. Isn't it interesting that Jesus compared us with birds, saying that we are of far more value than them, yet our Father in heaven supplies them with their daily needs so why would he not do the same for us.  Good question!  He didn't leave it at the provision of food bit.  He went on to speak about God clothing the lilies of the field and how he would do the same for us.

Remember Martha of the 'Mary, Martha and Lazarus family'?  Martha worked anxiously to provide food for Jesus and the guests (that would be me too), yet Mary sat at his feet and savoured his teaching and wisdom.  Martha was spiritual too but she was concerned more for the earthly needs of the people in her home than she was for their spiritual needs.  Jesus gently reminded her "Martha, Martha, you are concerned about the wrong thing.  My words are better than food." (My paraphrase.)

 If we feed our spirit, and develop an intimate and trusting relationship with Jesus, it will naturally follow that our anxiety level will decrease because we will be learning to trust more in him than in ourselves and our own ability to do the work and provide for our own needs.

Do you have a financial need today that you see is impossible for you to meet.  Will you invite your heavenly Father to help you to refocus your life and thinking on Him so that He may show himself mighty on your behalf. It's much more of an adventure that way, but you will find it enormously difficult, if not impossible, if you try to do it without being in vital relationship with him which brings rest from anxiety.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive my anxiety. Please help me to focus more on my spiritual needs so that I truly walk in a trusting relationship with you so that you can show yourself mighty on my behalf. Amen

Exchange

...to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.  Isaiah 61:3

Recently we travelled on the NZ Transalpine Railway from Christchurch, to Greymouth across the Southern Alps.  We were so blessed with the weather, perfect in every way from (mainly) glorious blue skies to snowing in Arthurs Pass.  When we did the return journey next day, Arthurs Pass was clear of all snow and did not look nearly as pretty. Interesting!

It got me thinking, and this verse in Isaiah 61:3 which was personalised in song by Robert Manzano in 1979 came to mind.  It reminds us that God does indeed exchange our ashes for beauty and can replace mourning with his oil of joy.  But the snow/sun scenes at the mountain pass reminded me that there is a beauty in the 'cold' times that cannot be found in the sunshine.

It has been my experience that often it's in the 'cold' times that I write my best poems because my heart is affected differently by the season I am walking through, and these times certainly cause me to press in to God for his warmth.  The sunshine is lovely and the views glorious but the snow vistas have a beauty unrivalled.

God's desire is that we see every season of life through his eyes and we do that by putting our hope in the Lord, standing on his promises and allowing him, in his time, to exchange our ashes, our mourning, our pain for something much, much better as his purposes are worked out in our life.

Prayer:  Father God, thank you that you can make something beautiful out of every difficult season and event in my life as I yield to you.  I praise you for your love and your faithfulness and I wait for you.  Amen

Transformation - 2

.....let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2b (NLT)

I am continuing the transformation thoughts from my previous blog, because it was interesting the number of responses I received from people who felt themselves or knew friends were feeling 'under a cloud'.  Clouds in the spiritual realm are normal, just like they are in the physical realm.

Clouds gather for various reasons but, for God's people, no matter what the reason, they are for one purpose - to do us good.  When Saul, later called the Apostle Paul, encountered Jesus, his 'cloud' was blindness.  God had to blind him in order to 'wake him up' to his wicked ways and change the way he thought.  You see Paul thought that he was doing the right thing by persecuting Christians because he was zealous for his Jewish faith and saw them as a genuine threat to what was right.  It was only when he encountered Jesus for himself that he realised he was wrong.  That Jesus was indeed the Son of God; God incarnate; the God he worshipped.  When we fight against God's purposes in our lives, we can expect the clouds to come.  We just need to be able to recognise what is happening and to find God in the cloud and allow him to enlighten us and lead us on.

When life is toddling along nicely we don't think too much about it.  We can easily be blind to mindsets that need to be changed in order to be in line with God's word.  It is so easy to have an opinion about something, whether it be matters of faith or in the secular world, and be convinced that we are right.  It is quite a risk for those of us who put fingers to keys or pen to paper expressing a certain viewpoint because I have realised that I need to remain open and teachable so that God can 'tweak' my viewpoints and my thoughts about things as time passes and I grow in the knowledge of him.  

Of course the basics remain but we should never be dogmatic because we are all at different stages of revelation in our faith walk and what he has convicted me of in my life may be different from what he needs to deal with in yours.  We are all under construction, but in different phases ......and, come to think of it, we are different parts of his building, each with our own unique gift to bring.  They are building an extension to the care wing of our village and this morning we could see a crane lifting roof trusses to the second floor.  Other parts of the building are handled differently.  Let God handle you  in the unique way you need in order for you to be prepared for his service.

Changing the way we think is so that "Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect"  as the rest of verse 2 goes.  God had a plan for Paul that was revealed to him as he received his sight, was baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9).  Paul then embraced God's purpose and went on to be a great ambassador for Christ.  He experienced many 'clouds' in the form of persecutions himself but he suffered gladly that the gospel might be preached. He sang in his prison, he gloried in infirmities so long as God was glorified.

Perhaps God wants to use your cloud transform your thinking and reveal another part of his plan for you.  Will you open your mind and your ears to his possibilities and stop trying to work things out in your own mind.  There is great peace in releasing yourself, your burdens, cares and concerns into his very capable hands and in allowing him to map out the path for your feet instead of holding tightly to the reigns of your life. This will require you to press in and find him in the cloud. Will you do it?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank you for the cloud.  And thank you that your will for me is always good, pleasing and perfect.  Transform my thoughts today and bring them in line with your will and purpose for my life.  Please show me if I am holding onto cares and concerns that I need to give to you.  I ask you to lead me in your way of peace.  Let me learn to flow in the rhythm of your grace.  Amen

Transformation

Than Moses went up the mountain and the cloud covered it.  Exodus 24:15

For a couple days last week the distant mountains that we can see from our home were shrouded in cloud.  The weather forecasters were predicting severe weather south of us and in fact snow fell on cities that don't see snow regularly.  Yesterday dawned bright and clear and the first thing I did was check out the mountains!  Yes, they were blanketed in a glistening white robe. Stunning!

It caused me to think about the transformation that had happened.  First the mountains had to be covered in snow-bearing cloud before they became a sight to bring joy to my heart.  My thoughts wandered to Moses climbing the mountain.  The cloud came down on him but it wasn't snow cloud, it was the glorious presence of God cloud.  In the cloud Moses spoke with God face to face (Exodus 33:11) and received the tablets of the law.  When Moses came down from the mountain his face shone, so much that he had to wear a veil because his appearance was blinding to the people (Exodus 34:35).

In order for us to grow in the likeness of God, which he desires for us, we need to be transformed and this is a process that is happening as the Holy Spirit works in us (2 Corinthians 3:18).  Sometimes, though, we have to be in the cloud for awhile in order for God to do a transforming work in us.  These clouds take various forms; darkness, loneliness, pain, grief, frustration.  These times are uncomfortable but if we can trust God to do a work in us during such times; if we can seek after God in our cloud; then when the cloud lifts, we will find that he has brought about changes in us and we have become a little more conformed to his likeness.

If you are in a cloud right now, look for God. Seek him out, don't waste this experience, draw all that you can from it as you draw near to him.

PRAYER: Though I can't see you God, I believe that you are there and I trust you to do a work in me that is pleasing to you.  Help me press into you and find you in my cloud.  Let it be for me a glory cloud. Transform me into your likeness. Amen

Sheep

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. John 10:27

I know many of you will not be at all surprised that my second blog post from New Zealand is about sheep, because there are so many here.  However, Jesus referred often to sheep so I am confident that it's fine for me to do the same!

This past week Colin and I were watching a TV program which follows the NZ Highway Patrol Police and incidents in their day.  Part of this episode was about a runaway sheep on a fairly well used road.  This poor sheep had become separated from the flock, perhaps by her own curiosity about the wide world, and escaped through a fence, or she may have been separated from a flock that had been driven down a road between pastures.

The Police officer tried to encourage her off the road but every time he would stop and try to approach her she would run off madly into the road causing traffic to have to brake to avoid hitting her.  She was a real traffic hazard and no matter what the policeman tried she ran off her own way.  Finally, and sadly, she had to be shot because she was exhausted and uncooperative.  Really, she determined her own end, though there are many reasons we could find to excuse her behaviour.

Jesus likened us to sheep and said that his sheep listen to his voice. The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives a few definitions among which are "to hear something with thoughtful attention" and the one that I like for the context of my purpose here; "to be alert to catch an expected sound".

Jesus expects us to listen for his voice.  I have to admit I am not always good at doing this, so that is my challenge today.  He is speaking in so many ways; through his word; through our own spirit; through others; through the beauty of creation and so on.  We need to be alert and be prepared to follow his leading.  It may well be a lifesaver for us.  It will certainly keep us 'in with the flock' because we know from his word that we are to seek the safety and security of fellowship with other believers, and it is so much more important as we see the signs of his return (Hebrews 10:25).

Whose voice are you listening to today?

Prayer:  Dear Shepherd of my soul, help me to listen for your voice with expectancy and willingness to obey, today and every day.  Thank you that you are always communicating with us in so many ways.  Amen

Purpose

                                                            Photo by Jenny Williamson

 “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."  Luke 4:43

Moving house and country has been a part of my life.  I was 5 when my parents emigrated from England to New Zealand; 11 when we moved to Fiji for 16 months; 20 and newly married when we moved to Singapore for 2 years; 30 when we moved to Papua New Guinea for 9 years; almost 40 when we moved to Australia; 48 when we moved to Hong Kong for 13 years.  We were back in  Australia for 6 years and a week ago we made what we believe to be our final move (this side of heaven), back to New Zealand.  You could call us the 'happy wanderers'!

In each place I have lived I can look back and see that God was working in my life and I am so thankful that now, in what some would call my 'twilight years',  I know that God still has a purpose for my life and it's for me to find and fulfil it, by His grace.

As Christians our part is to discover our God given gifts and then to find where and how God desires to use them.  I am a fan of The Voice talent programme and I have found some of the comments of the coaches to be challenging.  Last season one said, "You've got to be out of your comfort zone or you are not going to grow."  Just recently another said, "You've been given a gift, that is a privilege, now it's your responsibility to develop and refine that gift and use it wisely."  In a recent interview well known singer, Michael Buble, spoke about his life as a performer and how he couldn't go out with the crew after a concert when they were on tour, he had to go home and rest his voice and his body and spend time quietly in order to maintain stamina and keep his voice protected.  Discipline.

We are disciples and discipline should be a hallmark of our lives if we are to fulfil God's purposes in the places that he positions us.  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.   Yes, we miss it, life happens and disruptions come to throw us off key at times but let's be diligent to get back on track in our devotional life so that we keep in mind that today has a purpose.  Let's look to Jesus who loves us and equips and enables us to fulfil our purpose, by His grace.

Prayer:  Father, please help me to be faithful in my devotion to you and attention to your Word that I might fulfil your purposes for me today.  Amen

Confidence - 2

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, …………. being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…. Philippians 1:6

It is so good that we can have confidence in our great and wonderful God to complete His work in us, and to fulfil His purposes for us.  When we entrust our lives to Hi it's not about my wisdom or purposes, it's all about His.

I woke very early one morning thinking that it is 5months since I wrote or posted a Daydrops.  I knew my previous one had been labelled Confidence - 1, so I really needed to continue to #2.  I have had these thoughts before during these past months but have been very distracted with big changes in our life.

In August last year during a trip to visit our siblings in New Zealand, it seemed that God resurrected a desire we had loosely toyed with a couple of years before to return to NZ in our retirement.  We deposited on a lovely retirement villa in Nelson where my sister and her husband had moved to and things moved rather more quickly than we expected.  They poured the slab mid December and we were advised that building completion date was end of March....which, amazingly enough in the building world, happened.

So  in January we began a process of selling our house and a good bit of our furniture, arranging removal in late March, then relocating to a furnished unit for our last 3 months in Australia; time for Colin to finish work at the end of June.  We arrived in NZ early May to take occupancy of our villa and unpack our shipment.

It was an amazingly peace-filled process as we have constantly committed our way to God and trusted Him to lead and guide us through.  It has shown me again that I can have total confidence that when He leads and we follow, He will take care of the details.  I am reminded also of one of my favourite life verses, Psalm 37:5 which says Commit your way to The Lord, trust also in Him and He will bring it to pass. And another is Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. 

In mid July we will take up residence in Nelson and I hope to focus more on writing.  I am trusting Him to may my way straight.

Prayer:  Dear Lord,  thank you that you order our steps as we confidently place ourselves into your hands.  Your faithfulness to us, like your mercy, is new every morning.  Amen

Confidence - 1

In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15

Confidence or a lack of confidence will affect every area of one's life.  It can make or break a deal, a job opportunity or more importantly, be the thing that determines whether or not you succeed in life. The important thing though is the foundation of our confidence; whether it is our own ability or in Jesus, and the ability He gives us to do the job, and being confident that His desire is to see us succeed. 

As we have lived in different nations and I have observed cultural differences it has been interesting to see that some cultures are just better at instilling confidence in their children than others other. Be that as it may, as Christians we have our own culture but it is definitely one to be learned.

I have noticed that the trend in the workplace these days is to "talk yourself up"; make the prospective employer think that you are the best thing since sliced bread! Your performance at the interview is likely to get you the job (or not).  Some Christians even think they have to do that, but the apostle Paul is our great example of one who, although greatly qualified by birth, education and zeal for God, said that he put no confidence in all that (Philippians 3). It is not about where we come from and how much we know,  it is about knowing that "in my flesh there is really nothing good" (Rom:7:18) so I shouldn't be surprised when I make mistakes and disappoint myself. 

Our confidence should rest alone in the truth that through faith in Jesus Christ the righteousness of God is ours (2 Cor 5:21). The Mirror Bible puts it this way "He took our sorrows, our pain, our shame to his grave and birthed his righteousness in us.  He took our sins and we became his innocence."  That is surely worth a second thought.

Today will you choose to be at peace, resting in the confidence that the work is done?  Jesus did it!  You don't have to perform or measure up, Jesus finished all that.  Just relax, let your anxieties go and thank Him that His plans are good, to give you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).  Enjoy your acceptance in the Beloved (Ephes 1:6).

Heavenly Father, thank you for your great plan of salvation.  That you freed us from the slavery of performing to 'get it right'.  Thank you that I am accepted because of Jesus' work and not my own. Help me to think on that and rest confidently in that from this day forward.  Amen

Believe

Lord I believe, help my unbelief!  Mark 9:24

I found it interesting as I looked back at this Daydrops which I had written last year but not yet published, because it is a follow on theme from the one I wrote New Year's Eve and posted on New Year's Day.  It seems that the Holy Spirit really wants us to get the 'believe message'.

In a devotional I use I read these words, "God's deepest longing is to be believed, regardless of emotion or circumstance".   As I meditated on that I imagined what great sadness it would be for a loving father to make a promise to his son only for his son to say, "I'll believe it when I see it."  There could be good reason for such a response if the son was used to his father breaking his promises, or if it sounded too good to be true, but a good earthly father certainly desires to give his kids the best that is in his ability to do so.

How grieved God was when time and time again he 'came through' for His people in their wilderness wanderings yet when faced with a new challenge they became anxious and complaining instead of fearless and believing.  Moses certainly got fed up with them and angrily struck the rock he'd been told just to speak to (Numbers 20).  He represented God to the people and allowed his emotions to make a response that misrepresented God and so he lost privilege of entering the promised land.  (God did allow him to see it from a distance though. Numbers 27:12-13)

The father of the child in Mark 9 had brought his son to Jesus for deliverance.  He said "If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."  Jesus' response was, "...all things are possible to him who believes."  The man's response was honest, he says, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief."   God knows our weakness of faith and He is willing to help us to believe His promises. I have prayed that prayer a number of times. 

There is any number of books on positive thinking and how it can 'make things happen' that completely leave God out of the equation.  The power of our mind is  incredible because God has made us that way.  As believers' we have an amazing privilege of  relationship with God and a written record of his past miracles as a basis for our faith yet, like the Israelites in the desert, we still find it difficult to believe his promises to us.  How sad that must be for our heavenly Father.

David knew how to build his faith, he said, "Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord." Ps 27:14  In the verse before this he states, "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."  David knew that his faith came from his relationship with God. 

We cannot manufacture faith, it is something that grows with the knowledge of God.  Romans 10:17 is the key; Faith comes by hearing the word of God. If we feed our spirit on God's word our faith in Him will grow.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father,  please help me to have a hunger for your word that will expand my faith in you this year.  Amen

Good Plans

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

It is always exciting to stand on the edge of a new year as we do right now, and wonder what it may hold for us.  As we reflect on the year past we can do so with feelings of regret at resolutions not reached,  sadness for loss, thankfulness for reprieve, protection, strength for tasks done, joys for new friendships made, new places visited and 'missions' completed.

This verse in Jeremiah is my all time favourite because it reassures me afresh of my God's truth;  that He thinks about me, and not only that, but He thinks about me in a positive way.  Also that He has good plans for me to bring me peace.  As I write, the words of the psalmist, so well known and often spoken, yet often glossed over without real thought, come to mind.  Surely, (without doubt), goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life...Psalm 23:6.

Do circumstances of life sometimes cause you to doubt that God has good plans for you?  Do you live with regrets of past mistakes or wrong choices?  Has calamity struck, health failed, grief and disappointments come?  Yes, they do.  Stuff happens, but it never ever changes God's plans of peace for us.  It never changes His plans to prosper us.  If you need an example just look again at Job.  He suffered more loss than any of us would want to think about, yet I believe his continued trust in God's goodness caused him to to be doubly blessed in his latter days.  In the King James Version of this verse it says that God's plans are to prosper us.  Believe it.

The God who says, 'Behold I make all things new.' (Rev 21:5) has been doing new things and good things throughout history.  He is our Creator and His creative nature is to do new things.  He doesn't look back at our past, He is looking to do a new thing with us.  He says, 'do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.  Behold I will do a new thing.' (Isaiah 43:18-19).  Are you ready to see it and cooperate in His plan?

This is a new year, renew your mind with God's truth: His thoughts toward you are of peace, not punishment and recrimination.  He remembers your sins no more (Jer 31:34).  His plans and purposes are for good, not evil, to prosper you, not to harm you.  The psalmist has a key for us.  He says 'I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of The Lord in the land of the living,' (Ps 27:13), and again 'my heart trusted in Him and I am helped' (Ps 28:7). 

Prayer:  Loving and Creator God, help me to believe and trust in your goodness this coming year. May I delight you with a childlike trust that truly believes you have good plans for me, even more than an earthly father has for his children. Amen