Provision

I love to hear a story of God's provision. Recently a friend shared something that had happened during her week.  Her little girl is growing up fast and, as they do, growing out of her 2 year old clothes.  With recent extra household expenses and Christmas looming there was no money to go out to shop for clothes so she did the best thing ever.  She handed the need over to God.  "Oh well God, you know what we need."  And she left it with Him.  Awhile later she was in the garage and thought to check in the pile of boxes.  She opened one that she'd forgotten about and there was a whole lot of pre-loved clothes - size 3!  Need met, problem solved.  What struck me was that before she prayed, that box was there just waiting to be rediscovered.  The scripture verse that comes to mind is Isaiah 65:24 " ...before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."

This story reminded me of the wonderful provision of a Saviour that God made for you and for me in the person of Jesus Christ.  It's Him we celebrate at this Christmas season.  Jesus really is the ONLY reason for the season.  One day, and I think it may be soon when I look at Bible prophecies being fulfilled around the world, He will come again.  Not as a babe but as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings........ Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him.  Revelation 1:7 Why will people wail on account of Him?  Because they have not realised the reality of His Lordship and have not believed that He is the Son of God.

Because we became separated from God through Adam's sin and God wanted to restore our fellowship with Him again. He created us to be in fellowship with Him.  I love the following verse....But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him. 2 Samuel 14:14b (NLT) We need to recognise our need of forgiveness in order to have a relationship with God.  It's not about religion, being in church or living a good life. In other words, it's not about what we can do to get to God but about what God provided for us. It's about being in relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ, and walking in His ways.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.  But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:8-9  If you have never prayed the following prayer I hope you will consider doing so today.  

Prayer:  Father God, thank you for the provision of forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ.  I acknowledge that I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me today and make me a part of your great family of believers.  In Jesus' name I ask.  Amen

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Welcome to the family!  Merry CHRISTmas.

What Are You Facing?

Life is full of challenges.....how we face them DOES determine whether we will either sink or swim, be defeated or victorious, be miserable or joyful, be hopeless or hopeful.  Every day, sometimes multiple times a day, we face challenges.  Some are like rolling meadows (filled with prickles), others are look like impossible mountains..... your mind screams "where do I start?"

I am thinking today about some of the people I know or know of who are facing various difficulties and/or challenges.  Some of them are undergoing what they hope will be life-saving therapy for disease, another faces a change in life circumstances which brings the challenge of living on a greatly reduced income; others are facing imminent departure from this life, another is facing the challenge of being harassed by an 'ex' and all that it could entail.

On a wider stage there are many refugees facing the fear of having nowhere to go as the Manus Island Detention Centre is closed down in PNG and the people are basically abandoned in a strange and possibly unsafe country where they have been virtual prisoners.  I heard too, through an international aid organisation, who have been providing one thousand meals a day in an African country and the money has run out so the programme will stop.  United Nations too are running out of money for their aid programmes.  Governments face these issues which  we are so often ignorant of.

When we face such situations it is easy to feel helpless, hopeless, abandoned, fearful.  But we actually do have a choice about what we do with our feelings and how we handle these challenges.
What many people don't know is that they don't have to face them alone.  You have probably heard the saying "a burden shared is a burden halved" and it is helpful to share with a trusted friend, but most times they cannot really help us apart from being a listening ear and caring heart.

My first 'go to' trusted friend is Jesus because I have learned that his love and care for me is far above anything I could imagine.  He knows what it's like to face challenges head on.   He willingly suffered for you and for me because he loves us.  He is able to help us as we look to him.  He can give us comfort, hope and peace, and he has the power to intervene and change our circumstances.  One of my favourite life verses comes from Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

Some of these people I mentioned are facing their challenge with God, others are trying to do it alone.  Jesus loves you dearly, knows what we are facing and he wants us to turn to him and ask for his help.  He would love to 'do life' with you and give you a hope for eternity with him.

"Since (Jesus) himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested."  Hebrews 2:18

Jesus, thank you for loving me and dying for my sins, please forgive me for trying to face life in my own strength.  Come into my life today and teach me how to do life with you. Amen

Darkness

Are you, or is someone you know, going through a season of darkness?  Darkness can be physical.....power blackouts after hurricanes and storms; it can be physical....sickness, separation from homeland, hardship; or it can be emotional....... grief and trauma following accidents, loss, or mental illness.

As we look at the news we can see these things happening everywhere in our world, even in our own backyard.  Some things seem so senseless, like the recent death of a very young teenager who thought it 'fun' to steal cars.  Just yesterday 2 motor vehicles collided in the North Island killing 4 people and leaving many others injured, some critical.  The recent ravages of 3 tornadoes in the Caribbean and USA have caused much 'darkness', not to mention the horrific massacre in Las Vegas which killed almost 60 people. 

Can anything good come from such things?  I think it can.  The common response to such disasters is "How could God let this happen?" or "If God is so great and loving why doesn't he stop these things from happening?"  

Well, why doesn't he?  He is certainly able.  Why do bad things happen to good people?  A book has been written with that title which will go deeper than I am about to, but I am going to give you my very simple perspective.

The Bible tells us very plainly that it's not God's desire for anyone to die without knowing Him personally (2 Peter 3:9).  As he ALLOWS difficulties to come into our lives He is wanting them to cause us to ask questions about life and its meaning, about God and His plans for us.   

I was halfway through writing this blog when I went to the gym this morning.  On our notice board the thought for the day was.....

When the winds of change blow

some people build walls -

others build windmills.

When dark times come into your life, winds of change or winds of adversity what will you do? You can choose to build a wall between you and God, OR you can say, "God what are you up to in my life?  What treasure can I pull out of this experience, what can I learn that will make me stronger, more empathetic, more patient, loving or kind?"  

And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—secret riches.

I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, 

the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.  

Isaiah 45:3

Prayer: Will you help me God to learn from the dark times and find treasure in the darkness. Amen

What Time Is It?

One of our favourite TV comedy shows years ago was called "Tool Time".  The show usually started with a girl introducing the show by saying, "Hello everybody.  Can anybody tell me what time it is?"  The live audience would reply "Tool Time!"  Well that show is re-running on one of our TV stations and we record it and often watch an episode to have a few laughs before going to bed.

Now it is springtime and of late we have had a lot of rain (on and off) and my winter garden and pots have been looking like they needed a bit of attention.  Friday was a brilliant day and I planted snow peas, lettuce, tomato and petunias.  It was great to have some garden time.

This past week I have had news of the deaths of people I known of, and some of our elderly neighbours.  Also some notable (or notorious) people have left this earth.  For them it is the end of their earthly life but their spirits live on.

When I look at the terrible things coming upon our world one disaster upon another in one country after another; when I hear the inflammatory and threatening comments of nuclear powers and hear people speaking fearfully about what might be around the corner, I know what time it is!  Now volcanoes are rumbling again, and not just one of them!

It is the time that the Bible (which I call "The Manufacturers Handbook") talks about as a time of distress of the nations. In Luke 21:25 Jesus says this, “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken." (emphasis is mine.)

Perhaps you are unaware of some things that have been going on in the heavens.  There have been unusual 'blood moons' in succession and solar eclipses that only happen once in many many years.  Also planets have been in unusual alignments (this is astronomy - not astrology!).  Things are happening.  I believe that God is saying, "Wake up, time is running out."  It is time to seek the Lord.

What does that mean?  For the Christian, one who believes in Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Saviour it is time to share the good news of the gospel like never before.  It is time to live a life that is worthy of Him; a life of love, mercy, grace and forgiveness, a time to watch and pray. It is time to look up for He is coming soon.

And what about you, my friend?  I have dear friends who would not call themselves Christian and don't want to be.  They plan to meet God on their terms hoping that they have been "good enough" to make 'the grade'.  But I ask you, how good is good enough?  If God is just and loving, which He is; can he set guidelines for 'making the grade' then just let everyone 'pass the exam'?  That wouldn't be just at all would it.  Will you think about that?

Not one of us is good enough to make it into heaven, that's why God provided his own way through Jesus, the one who lived a sinless life and died so we could be accepted by a holy God.
What will your response be?  Will you pray this prayer and find peace of mind and heart.  You and I never know when our time will be.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17

Prayer:  Holy God, I know I can never be good enough no matter how hard I try.  I know I need forgiveness for the many things I have done wrong, including thinking I can come before you on my own merit.  Thank you for sending Jesus Christ to die and take my sins away.  Help me to follow you and find peace through trusting in Jesus.  Amen

Sorting Out

I had a strange dream last night and I haven't figured it out.....possibly don't need to, but I thought if I began to write about it, there might be something to learn from it.  Let's see....  I think it might be related to my last post 'Travelling Light'.

Apparently I had gone back to a place where I had lived previously.  I had gone with Colin and our daughter, Cathy but I was going to be travelling home ahead of them.  As in most dreams things are muddled and not clearly defined but what I found myself doing was sorting through some belongings that we had left in a previous apartment.  Other people who we seemed to know had recently moved out or were moving out of the house, and my task was to go through some things that we had left behind when we moved away.

I was up on a chair getting things off a high shelf, sorting as I went and tossing some things on the bed beside my suitcase to take with me and other things on the floor to be disposed of.  I remember being amazed at the things I had kept thinking I might want them later.  Now, I was glad to get rid of them.  Coming to the end of that stack I was horrified to find that I still had a big set of drawers which were also stuffed with 'stuff'... mainly clothing.....hmmmm!!  I became very upset because my suitcase was already full and now I was running late for my flight. I thought that Colin could bring the extra! (Hmmmmm again!) There my dream ended.

Most of us collect stuff along life's pathway that we think we need to hold on to.  When we left Australia in 1994 to go to Hong Kong (for perhaps 3 or 4 years), we left a small storage shed of 'stuff' for which we paid a monthly rental over what turned out to be 13 and a half years!  On sorting through it in 2008 I wondered why I had thought I needed to keep most of it.  There were a few things but we would have done well to dispose of most.

The apostle Paul said, "Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching for those things which are ahead I press on....." (Philippians 3:13).  The New Living Translation puts it like this...."Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead...".  Paul had a lot of 'stuff' he had to leave behind; the great life he had enjoyed as an important and scholarly person, the shame of zealously persecuting Christians before he had his own encounter with Christ, the many times he'd been stoned, imprisoned, mistreated and maligned.  He counted these things as rubbish, stuff to be left behind and not given any place of importance in his life.  He was concentrating on his future, he was pressing on for the prize of a glorious eternity with Christ (read the rest of Philippians 3).

In Hebrews 12:1 we are encouraged to "...throw off the things that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles us...".  Those will be different things for each of us; disappointments, shame, our own failures, painful memories, grief, unforgiveness.....and so on. You can name your own I'm sure. When it speaks of the sin that so easily entangles us or holds us captive, I believe that can be holding onto thoughts and memories that will harm us as we go over and over them in our mind.  Not only that, holding onto the past can affect the people around us and cause them pain too as it colours out outlook on life.

Jesus came to set us free from all that, so let's not hold onto these things, or pack them away so we have to go deal with them later.  Let's face them and give them up to God, find healing in knowing that He will never disappoint us or shame us, but His unconditional love will comfort, encourage and give us the grace to deal with the past so that it doesn't hinder our future.  We don't need to stay stuck in an unhealthy groove; we can move on to better things and a bright eternal future guaranteed to us through our personal faith in Jesus Christ. Today is a new day, enjoy it without the hindrances of the past. Let's travel light.

Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching for those things which are ahead I press on..... Philippians 3:13

PRAYER:  Lord show me those things which are hindering my ability to live a life filled with hope for the future then help me to put them behind me and press on to better things. Amen

Travelling Light

I recently took 2 friends to the bus for a short trip away.  Each of them had such a small bag I was amazed.  For years I have travelled with overstuffed suitcases which were always just on the allowed baggage weight....if not slightly over.  For years I have promised my longsuffering husband, "Next time I will travel light."  He never believed me.  He was right.....until this recent trip when my bag weighed only 16 kg....a whopping 7 kg under the allowed weight.  Oh, wait a minute..... Colin may have had a couple of my things in his bag!!

Travelling light through this life is not easy, but it can be.  We all have baggage that we collect along the way.  We collect things; physical, emotional and spiritual according to our life experiences.  Some people hoard things, gathering a lots of 'stuff' around them that they will never use but something within has triggered them to an unnatural compulsion which can ultimately ruin their lives.  Others carry unresolved trauma from past experiences, and many people worry about things that may never happen.  All of these things weigh us down and rob us of the peace that God means for us to have.

To all of us Jesus issues an open invitation..... "Come to me all of you who carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28  All of you means you!  What baggage are you carrying right now that you could bring to Jesus?  Do you need more encouragement?  1 Peter 5:7 says "Give ALL your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. (NLT)  I know it's not easy to do, and sometimes we have to hand things over more than once, but that's okay.  God knows our weaknesses and he longs to help us do life.  Give it a try!

I leave you with my very favourite paraphrase of Matthew 11:28-30 is from The Message......

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Prayer:  Jesus thank you for your invitation to bring my burdens and cares to you.  Would you help me to hand them over and learn from you how to live freely and lightly.  Amen

Motivation

Do you ever ask yourself the question "What motivates me to act as I do, to live life the way I do, to treat people the way I do....?" It's probably a question we don't often stop to ask, let alone think about. What motivates me to be selfish, loving, hurtful, anxious, timid or kind?  Why are some people naturally kind, caring and loving and relaxed in life while others are mean, uncaring, angry and sometimes violent?

The last question is one I often ponder on more than others.  I read a quote recently from a man who has set up a workplace (Homeboy Industries) for men who have come out of gangs and prisons.  He said.......

You stand with the belligerent, the surly, and the badly behaved until bad behaviour is recognised for the language it is: the vocabulary of the deeply wounded and of those whose burdens are more than they can bear.    - Gregory J Boyle

It is often the simple truth, that people speak, act and react out of their past pain or trauma.  We will always find those who have experienced great childhood pain and overcome to go on to become great human beings.  I can think of 2 I have met in my life; one woman (quite unknown), who is now preaching God's word around the globe and a man who had an incredibly difficult childhood with a drunken father who often abandoned him.  He is now a well adjusted and amazing artist and artisan and loving husband and father.  We do not necessarily have to become a product of our circumstances.

For these few there are so many more who have not been able to come through without first going to the pits, just like the farmer's prodigal son (Luke 15).  You may have met them in your neighbourhood, at your workplace.  People who act in ways that hurt, intimidate, demean.  These are the times that we are challenged.  Will I react in anger or offence or will I allow the love of God to motivate me?  If we choose to imitate Jesus who loves and forgives we will not only have great peace of mind and heart but we will show the world what God really looks like; loving, forgiving, compassionate and merciful.

I will do what the Father requires of me so that the world will know that I love the Father. 
John 14:31

PRAYER:  Dear God, help me to not be quick to judge the behaviour of others, help me to hear with my heart and respond in a way that will show them what you are like.  Amen

Whoops!

                                                                                                                                                       

Although a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again, but the wicked will be brought down by calamity.  

Proverbs 24:16

As I wrote this, the heats for the Americas Cup were underway in Bermuda.  One day there was a spectacular 'whoops' for Team NZ.  What I admire about this team is that they said that it was not the end of them but they would be up and running again.  The next day they were up and running again in spite of great difficulties.

If you have not had a whoops in your life then you would be in the minority by a large mile!  Most of us have fallen, but strength of character and conviction is seen in whether we will get up again. We have all seen amazing stories of failed businessmen, students, politicians, even scientists, inventors and many others who have eventually made a great success of their life because they have refused to be defeated.

What I have observed through life, particularly my own, is that when Christians fail, they often beat themselves up so badly that they won't get up.....or at least take a long time to do so.  What a lack of understanding we have when we do that.  Do we think that because we are now 'in Christ' that we will never make a mistake again?  Apparently, by some strange warp of understanding, some of us do!  But what's worse is that we think, in some deep recess of our mind, that God is upset, disappointed or even angry when we fall.  That is so untrue.  He knows that we are frail.  Jesus experienced what it was like to be human in a fallen world. Hebrews 4:15 ....... (He) understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. In fact God isn't even surprised when we fall.

This verse in Proverbs 24:16 talks about a righteous person.  This is not a person who is good and kind and helpful, but a person who is made righteous through their personal relationship with God.  It says that though they may fall many times they will get up again.  To get up again is to show that we believe that God is not surprised, disappointed or angry. It is believing that He is a loving and forgiving God who, in fact, will help us to get up when we ask Him.  We don't even need to try and pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, but just be humble enough to ask for His help.

Next time you have a whoops in your life, be nice to yourself, trust God, ask for help and get up! In fact to fall is to be human and it keeps us humble.  It also teaches us to be kind to others who fall.

Prayer:  Father please help me to understand that when I fall it is not the end, but in fact it can be a brand new beginning.  Thank you for your understanding and forgiveness which is always there for me.  Amen

Patchwork

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.   Proverbs 3:5-6

The Patchwork of Life

Life is a journey we travel

filled with surprises, challenges, joys and sorrows.

Some of these are welcome experiences,

others we would rather avoid completely.

But each experience holds its own treasure

which, when seen together, in the end,

forms a patchwork, the patchwork of our life.

If we can embrace each experience, its joy or its pain,

and hold it up to God; if we can say,

 “Lord, give me grace to walk this part of the journey.

Help me to feel the love, the joy, the pain,

the emptiness, or the loneliness, and grow through it.

Give me the wisdom to make right choices along the way,

and ears to hear your voice when I walk, or even stray -

To hear you say, “This is the way”,

and to alter my course accordingly”.

Then, as we complete each section of our journey,

we will have learned well

the lessons life has brought to us, and be enriched.

As we hold them before the Lord with thankfulness,

we will be ready to share with others

the wisdom we’ve gained

 to help them complete their journey

through the patchwork of life

    then nothing will be wasted.    

Jackie Simmons

PRAYER:  Lord God, thank you for my life experiences this far.  May I value them for what they have brought into my life and how they have shaped me into who I am today.  May I submit my course to you and entrust myself to you on this journey of life.  Amen