What Will Lighten Your Darkness?

 

As we stand on the cusp of 2024, do thoughts and questions assail your mind about what this brand new year will look like?  The year past has certainly brought with it many disasters, deaths and distractions, both natural and man-made. Do you worry about many things - finances, family, the future?  Perhaps you wonder even if there is a future for this troubled world.

Although 2023 has been an increasingly difficult year in some aspects, and we certainly don't know how the next year will shape up, I am thankful for the hope, the picture of what the future holds, and the security that my wonderfully wise and loving God gives me day by day as I read His Word. I am thankful that I received His gift of faith in Jesus Christ so many years ago.  He is the One who gives me hope.

The Bible is, contrary to the assertions of some 'modern thinkers', the inspired word of God.  The more I read it and compare it with the historical evidence of the many prophecies fulfilled (and there are hundreds), I am inspired. The more I study it and discuss it with other believers, the more I am encouraged.  The more I take its words at 'face value' and not try to overthink it, the more I am challenged. The more I choose to believe it and obey it as best I can, the more peace and joy I have in my everyday life.  It is surely, in my humble opinion, the Manufacturer's Handbook, and we neglect it to our detriment.

This is a Book that will definitely lighten your darkness if you choose to walk through it with God's Holy Spirit guiding you.  It says that a person cannot understand it without having the Spirit of God in them.  You can be very religious, you can do more good works than your Christian friend, but unless you choose to have faith in God's wonderful gift of Jesus Christ who came to save us from our sinful selves, the Bible will not make sense to you, and you will have no hope of eternal life.  

Today as I prayed I felt the Spirit say, "Read My Word, Love My Word, Live My Word." This will certainly be what I will take into whatever the new year will bring, because "His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105.  

"How is that?” you may ask.  Because it tells me that He is faithful, true and protective of me, that I can rely on Him and His wisdom in the most difficult of situations.  It tells me that His love and protection will never leave me no matter what happens.  It tells me what the future of this world looks like and what comes next.  Because of that I am not afraid.  I believe what this Book says.

If you want to walk in lightness of spirit, and be filled with hope in 2024, then choose to walk closely with Jesus Christ for He is the Light of the World, and not in the wisdom of you own thoughts.  Read His Word, Love His Word, Live His Word.

PRAYER:  May the Spirit of God keep your heart and mind in peace as you choose to live His way. May God's joy be yours as you believe in Him and trust your future to His care.  God bless you with peace and faith in the year to come. Amen

No Offence!

 

Have you ever heard someone make a comment and then quickly qualify it with "No offence meant....! The qualification itself would probably give you pause for thought....."Should I be offended?"....or....."Too late, I am offended!" If it was the latter, it would probably be left unsaid.  I recently thought of two examples of women in the Bible who found themselves in a position of choosing whether to take offence, or not.

Hannah was one of two women married to Elkanah in the days when polygamy was allowed (1 Samuel 1). Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, had given him children but Hannah remained childless.  Every year when they made their family visit to the temple at Shiloh, Peninnah would taunt Hannah about her childlessness and make her so upset that she couldn't eat.  After the sacrificial meal, a distressed Hannah left and went to the temple to pray.  

She poured out her heart to God in silent prayer with much weeping.  Eli the priest heard her crying, saw her lips moving and thought her to be drunk.  He spoke to her telling her to put her wine away and move on!  Hannah would have had cause to be offended; she could have left in a huff, but instead she answered respectfully.  “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.  Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman,  for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” (Vs 15,16) Eli, the priest then pronounced a blessing upon her that God would answer her prayer.  Soon after Hannah conceived and bore a son, Samuel.  

The other Bible woman who came to mind is nameless.  We do know that she came from Tyre, was not a Jew, and that she had a demon-possessed daughter.  Having heard all the healing that Jesus had been doing she came to Him and fell at his feet asking for a miracle for her daughter whom she'd left sick at home.  As if to test her Jesus said, ""First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews.  It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs." (Mark 7:27) Jesus was referring to the fact that his ministry was primarily to the Jewish people.  This woman, instead of feeling insulted, pressed in and said, "That's true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children's plates." Jesus commended her for her good answer and sent her home saying that her prayer had been answered.  Returning home she found her daughter well.

For these two women there was blessing to be found in not taking offence.  Each one knew where to take her need - to God.  Both received answers to their heartache prayers because they didn't walk away offended.   

Proverbs 19:11 says "Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is (their) glory to overlook an offense."  Even if we have cause to be offended, it is to our credit if we don't.  It also makes for peace.

Prayer:  Father God, thank you for the wisdom of your word and for the practical examples for living a peace-filled life that we can read in your word, the Bible.  Help me to choose to forgive, rather than to take offence.  Amen

Conversation

 

If you know how many times you have had to 'bite your tongue' as my mother used to say, you will agree with the apostle James who wrote, "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity (James 3:6) and "..the tongue no-one can tame, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8).

I've had a few occasions recently to think about a Bible verse which says, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV).  This is quite a challenge, but wait, there's more!  Jesus said  "A good person out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things." Matthew 12:35, and "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks" Luke 6:45. He then went on to give this serious challenge, "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak." That's a very sobering thought!   

The Bible has a lot to say about the tongue, particularly in James 1:26 there is this very strong word, "If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless."   Later it likens the tongue to a small flame that can set a whole forest on fire. James then goes on to say in 3:6, "We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check."  Phew!  We know that there was only one perfect person, Jesus Christ.  Does that let me off the hook?  No! But it does mean we should try to do better, without 'falling into a hole' when we fail......which we will. 

So what is 'unwholesome talk'?  Some translations say 'foul language', but I think it means much more than that.  It's words that criticise or put people down, even people we don't know but see on TV or read gossip about.  It's words that are not kind, words of anger and frustration.  You can make your own list.  Ephesians 4:29 says our words should aim to be helpful and encouraging, that they may benefit those who listen.  That's a really good thing to aim for. 

It's too easy to get caught up in conversations that don't fit into those parameters, and so easy to  speak careless, unnecessary words. It is so easy to be misunderstood and our words misinterpreted, even if we have the best of intentions.  What a different world it would be if we all thought about our words a little more, and the effect that they might have on others.  Some use the guideline "is it good, is it necessary, is it kind?"  The psalmist prayed this useful prayer, "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips." Psalm 141:3

Prayer:  Lord you know my weakness, you know my moods, my opinions, my sins.  Forgive me, I pray and help me to cooperate with your Holy Spirit to let my conversation be acceptable to you. Help me not to cause others to stumble.  Amen

Still On The Potter's Wheel

                                                                        Photo: Brad Wood

Life is full of surprises.......my friend Brad, who made this beautiful pot, only  recently discovered the joy of moulding clay into useful vessels and works of art.  He has been so busy 'at the wheel' I cheekily asked him if it had become an obsession.  He then shared with me how he had discovered this wonderful gift, but that's his story to tell.

I was reminded of a song from many years ago that was based on some Bible verses from Isaiah 64:8....... And yet, O LORD, you are our Father.  We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.  Then of another similar passage.....But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. Jeremiah 18:4 NLT.

Why was I thinking about the potter's wheel?  Stuff happens!  I have learned over the years that, for a follower of Jesus Christ, it usually happens for a purpose, and often it's for the purpose of making us more like Him.  It's called sanctification.  When 'stuff happened' for me recently it made me realise that I am still on the Potter's wheel.  I needed a bit more moulding and shaping, a bit more growing and learning! It's not comfortable, but it's worth it if we allow ourselves to be shaped by the Master Potter.

I often say that we should wear a T shirt which reads "Be patient with me, God isn't finished with me yet". It's so true, we are all a work in progress and to remember that should enable us to be patient with ourselves and with others.

The good news is that we don't have to remain a 'wonky pot'!  If we give God permission to reshape us, we can become something beautiful, something good......the words of a Bill Gaither song come to mind......

         Something beautiful, something good

        All my confusion, He understood.

        All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife

        But He made something beautiful of my life.

Don't despair if you keep falling or failing.  Allow the Potter to remould you and make you into something for His pleasure and glory. Be warned though, it's a lifelong process until we move to glory.

Prayer:  Father God, help me to allow you to make me like you.  Amen

The Pace of Life

 

One of the huge pressures of life in today's world is "so much to do, so little time".  Each of us is given 24 hours and how we use it is largely up to us.  Sometimes it doesn't feel like we are in control though, as there are so many things we 'ought', or need to do.

When I was a young mum..... about a hundred years ago....... I had posted behind the toilet door a pretty poster with the words of a poem that I have since found out, (in the days of Google), were written by one Wilfred Arlon Peterson.  Here are the first few lines.

Slow me down, Lord

Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.

Give me, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlasting hills.

Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams

that live in my memory.  Help me to know the magical restoring power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking minute vacations - of slowing down to look at a flower,

to chat with a friend, 

to pat a dog, 

to read a few lines from a good book.......

I was blessed to be a full-time mum while my children were growing up, but I obviously still felt the pressure of time.  Though it must have been quite unlike the pressures today, my heart was crying out for the Lord to slow me down.  It is only now, all those years later, that I am learning (or yielding) to trust God in this.  You will often hear people who have retired say, "I don't know how I found time to work."  Retirement can also be busy and demanding, depending on how much we put into our calendar, or allow others to do so.

Something I have long struggled with is a feeling of guilt about needing to do this or that, to attend this meeting or that, or help this one or that.  I have always enjoyed offering hospitality to people but it often became a nightmare for poor Col as I became stressed about 'getting everything done right'.  Oh dear!  But that is what happens, isn't it?  The people around us pay a price for the pressure we put upon ourselves.

In very recent years I have begun to love, love, love The Message version of Matthew 11:28-30, and maybe it will grab you too.  Jesus says....

"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."

If you feel it's impossible to 'come to Jesus and get away with him', can I encourage you to ask God how to do that.  Allow him to somehow rearrange your programme so that you can learn the unforced rhythms of grace from him.  In his 3 short years of ministry, Jesus always seemed to be surrounded by the demands of people but he never seemed in a hurry.  He 'stopped for the one' as Heidi Baker says.  He also often went aside, alone, to talk to his Father in heaven.

All these years later I am still growing and learning, it never stops, but the peace I am finding in trying to walk with Jesus in these unforced rhythms of grace is something I long for you to find too.  The place where we find peace and joy, strength and patience and all those wonderful fruits of the Spirit, that hopefully bring joy and glory to God.

Prayer:  Jesus, help me to come away with you, leave my burdens with you, to ask your wisdom and your help for each day.  Help me to walk in your unforced rhythms of grace.  Amen

Why Suffering?

                                                 Photo by Barry Doig

 

Many of us struggle to make sense of suffering, our own or others. But it takes such varied and complex forms that it has to be left to God. Often though we feel the need to try to find reasons but, as in the case of Job, there seems to be none.  His self-righteous friends thought that it MUST be that he had sinned against God, but  God put them right about that – in the end! 

Be assured that, in my musings today, I will not be trying to put your struggles to rest forever, for that is not possible.  Over the centuries many others have already tried to understand the reasons for suffering, with varying results.  These are just observations that came out of my Bible reading this morning. The story went like this……

 

Hezekiah became king at age 25 and he reigned in Judah for 29 years from about 715 BC.  Unlike his father, King Ahaz who had “encouraged the people to sin, and had been utterly unfaithful to the Lord” (2 Chronicles 28:19), Hezekiah had restored worship and faithfully followed the Lord. In spite of this 14 years into his reign Hezekiah became sick, and the prophet Isaiah came with a message from God that this sickness would cause him to die.

 

I could say that Hezekiah ‘didn’t take this lying down’, but he did, for he was laying on his sickbed.  The Bible says that he turned his face to the wall and started talking to God. “Remember, O LORD, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly. (2 Kings 20:1-11).  In a nutshell, God heard his prayer instantly, because it says that before Isaiah had left the middle court, God gave him a message for Hezekiah - that he would live another 15 years. 

 

The account of this in 2 Kings stops there, but when Isaiah the prophet wrote about it, he included a prayer that Hezekiah wrote after his healing.  It’s worth a read Isaiah 38:9-20. In verse 17 Hezekiah seems to have reached his own conclusion about his suffering.  He says, ​“Indeed it was for my own peace that I had great bitterness; but you have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption….” I wonder if he had started to move away from God and in His kindness God stopped him in his tracks and turned his eyes back to his Maker?  Hezekiah seemed to think so.

 

For Christians who suffer I would dare to say that it is never wasted when we faithfully follow God. Some of the most beautiful poems and hymns have been written as a result of continued trust in the face of suffering.  Joni Eareckson Tada is one of my heroes of faith.  She became a quadriplegic as a result of a diving accident when she was only 18.  She just wanted to die, but she found a reason to live and to glorify God in her life.  Today in her 70s she continues to have an amazing ministry which blesses many.  Check this link out. https://www.epm.org/blog/2022/Sep/12/joni-eareckson-tada-resolve

 

Are you suffering in some way today?  Have you turned to God to make sense of it?  If you do that, I pray that he will help you to see his great love and purpose in the midst of it, and enable you to go on and allow him to use it for good.  Romans 8:28 assures believers of this…..”For we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”  The ways that God can use suffering for good are too many to number!

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in my struggles and suffering help me to trust that you are using them for your greater purposes. Please be glorified in my life so that I may honour your name.  Amen

Precious Things

The recent coronation of King Charles III, with all its pomp and ceremony, displayed many precious items. The crowns, the orb, the swords and spurs that were presented to Charles were probably quite priceless, certainly things of great beauty and artisanship.  

Yet among it all, the most precious, and possibly the least valued in the sight of the world, was a specially printed edition of the Bible and it is this that interests me the most.  Not just that particular volume, which I'm sure is very beautiful, but the words contained between it's covers.  Words that were written by 40 authors on 3 different continents (Europe, Africa and Asia), over a period of 1500 to 1600 years. Words that were inspired by the Holy Spirit and watched over by God for a few more hundred years until it was brought into the Bible as we have it today.

It continues to be the world's best seller with around 100 million copies sold annually.  The whole Bible has been translated into nearly 700 languages while the New Testament is in 1550 languages. It is God's word to us, his creation.  The Old Testament tells the history of his dealings with his chosen people, the Jews. Many get a mental block about the Old Testament but it deserves to be studied and needs to be studied if we are to understand the New Testament properly.  It is filled with history, wisdom, songs and prophecy.  It is fascinating, and the more you study it the more you will want to.

All this to say that the Bible is the most precious thing in all the world, (in my humble opinion!), and probably the most neglected.  It contains words of life and wisdom for living this life, it contains words of hope for everlasting life for those who choose to accept the truth of its message.  It contains comfort, instruction and encouragement.  The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, a young pastor, "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true, and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT.

Over hundreds of years people have given their lives for this Book; for translating it, for printing it, for preaching it and even for owning it.  Even today there are thousands, maybe millions of people in our world who risk their lives to live and preach the truth of the Bible.  Thousands more long to have even a part of the Bible to read.  Do you value God's word as they do?  Do you take time to read it, to think on it, to live by it?  I pray that you will, for it contains words of life-giving value for anything you may face.  I venture to say that we live in days that are becoming increasingly dark, and more difficult in so many ways, and it is not going to get better.  Press into God through a commitment to reading his word to strengthen yourself for the days that lie ahead.  

The Bible is available online and through many apps that you can download to phone or tablet.  One that Colin and I have been particularly enjoying recently is Lectio 365.  Check it out, https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/ 

Prayer:  Father God, thank you for inspiring the writing of the Bible, thank you for the people who have given their lives and dedication to you so that we might know you through your word.  I pray for those who still wait for a copy of this precious book, that you would answer their prayers.  Help me to have a hunger to know more of your truth, help me to read your word in some form daily. Amen

Connectivity

I wonder how many of you find yourself, like me, frustrated at the various facets of modern technology.  Yesterday and today I have been frustrated by Google and it's security.  I found that I had to change my password which has resulted in far too many requirements and texts to ascertain that it is me.  I thought I was done with it all yesterday and today it began all over again!  I wonder if I'll be sure of my own identity when Google has finished with me!!  Now another requests pops up as I'm typing....is this going to continue.  My inner voice cries out, "How long, Lord, how long?" 

However.....I must remember that there are many benefits from the connectivity we enjoy these days and decide to be thankful for them.  Actually the situation has worked for me today because I had in mind (yesterday), to write about connection - with others and with God, so here is my practical example.

I believe that humans were made for connection with each other.  Over the years Col & I have lived in a number of countries and have made wonderful friends in each place.  With modern technology we are blessed to be able to keep those connections very easily by phone, Facetime, Messenger, email, and any number of other apps available to connect with others. Unlike my mother, who had left her big family in the UK when I was just 5, who had to wait weeks for letters which connected her with her Mum and family far away.  We have it so easy today, but sociologists tell us that loneliness (i.e. lack of connection) is a big problem.  Why?

Possibly, because we connect, but not really on a deep level.  There is something about face to face contact with others that fills a need in most of us.  I enjoy time alone very much but I still find that I am 'fed' in a certain way by social contact, so I need to work on having those connections. We need the balancing factor of others in our lives. We need to exchange ideas, be challenged by opposing thoughts, because they make us think.  I often process things best in conversation with others as I'm not a natural 'thinker'.  

Deeper still (and you know I'll always tell you this!), we have an innate need to connect with God in whose image we are made.  This is the greatest privilege offered to humanity and the least used.  Prayer is that connection that is open to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.  Let us not neglect it because as Billy Graham said "You will never understand who you are until you understand who God is."  Wonderful Corrie Ten Boom challenges us still with her words, "Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tyre?"

Connect afresh with God today by "coming boldly to His throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).  I commend to you one of my favourite passages of scripture - Psalm 37:1-8.  Read it here.

Prayer: God, forgive me for the times I have not turned to you first in my needs.  Help my connectivity with you be the most important thing, and then, help me to connect in life-giving ways  to those I meet.  Amen

Signs of our Times?

 

This morning I was watching an interview between a journalist and a person from an educational institution.  The topic of conversation was artificial intelligence, specifically the new chatbot called ChatGPT , launched in November 2022, which is causing some concern among some people who understand the huge and dangerous implications of AI. 

What 'floored' me was the secular journalist beginning the interview with "Tell me what's happening.  Are we in the end times or what......?" Wow, I wonder what his understanding of end times is. A discussion ensued on the incredible ability of this artificial intelligence that has even been found to lie to a question!

Earlier this month our NZ Prime Minister was caught on the hop with an unexpected question from a journalist in a press conference.  He was asked what his definition of 'a woman' was.  He apologised that he was not prepared enough to give an answer!  It should be an easy question to answer in the normal course of things, however there is not much 'normal' in our current crazy, politically correct, world.

According to the Bible the last days, or end times, are the days between Jesus death and return to heaven until he comes again in judgement.  That, at the moment is about 2,000 years.  Yes, there are many thoughts on the end times but the Bible makes a few things very clear.

The prophet Daniel was given much information by God about 'the times of the end' when 'many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase'. Daniel 12:4.  Timothy wrote to the early church 'that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 Timothy 3:1.  "That word perilous can mean, harsh, savage, difficult, dangerous, painful, fierce, grievous, hard to deal with. The word describes a society that is barren of virtue but abounding with vices". (Quote from a note in my Spirit Filled Life Bible.)    In his previous letter Timothy had written this,  "Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.  These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. " 1 Timothy 4:1-2

Jesus also spoke of end times in Matthew 24:3-13, what it would be like.  Check it out for yourself here, (https://biblia.com/bible/esv/matthew/24/3-13 ). As I watch world news I become more and more convinced that time is short.  Wars, famine and floods are everywhere. Evil is rampant as are the elements. The apostle John wrote...."we know that the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (Satan)". 1 John 5:19.

So where does this leave humankind?  Peter said, "Therefore since these things will be dissolved (i.e. the heavens and the earth), what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness..." 2 Peter 10-11).  

Daily I am thankful for the peace that I have through faith in Jesus Christ.  I don't wonder what the world is coming to because the Bible tells me clearly what it is coming to and I do not fear, because He has me, and all those who confess his name and walk in obedience to His truth, under his protection and destined for a new world which is eternal.  You can have that peace and assurance too. You have a choice to make. All are welcome.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. John 3:16-19

                              

Are You Really Enough?

                                                                                                         Photo: Barry Doig

Increasingly I see 'inspirational' slogans appearing to encourage those who feel, lost, weak and inadequate.  One of them is 'You Are Enough'.  This sounds good, and self talk is important and helpful. It might help for a little while, but unless it is founded in truth, it will fail us, because truth is the only reliable foundation for an authentic life.

'What is truth?'  is a question that Pontius Pilate put to Jesus (John 18:38), and it's a good one to ask ourselves.  What is truth?  Today the world tells us that we each have 'our own truth'.  But how can that be?  If your truth is different from my truth, then what is THE truth?  Yours or mine?  Surely we can't both be right! How many truths can there be, and what does it have to do with the question this blog post asks, 'are you enough?'

Jesus gives us the answer in John 14:6.  He said, 'I am the way, THE TRUTH, and the life......  The psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:160 'The entirety of your Word is truth...'.  The word of God, the Bible is the only reliable source of truth, and unless 'my truth' is founded in its truth, it is not THE truth.  If it's not THE truth, then it must be a lie.....of some sort.  Lies lead us to believe that something is true when it is not, and if we base our life on a lie we set ourselves up for failure, disappointment and discouragement which can lead to hopelessness.  

What sparked this train of thought for me this morning, was my Bible reading in Matthew 5 where Jesus is beginning what is called 'The Sermon on the Mount'.  He said, 'Blessed (happy) are the poor in spirit...' (vs 3), and what that says to me is that the ones who KNOW they are NOT enough are the happy ones.  Why?  Because they are the ones who will call out to Jesus for help.  The truth is that without a faith in God, and in HIS truth (embodied in Jesus' teaching), we are doomed to live a life that is not enough.  A life that has as its foundation just sand, that when the storms of life come, will not have anything to hold it firm. When we have faith in our great and mighty, unchanging God who created us and knows our innermost thoughts, our foundation will be strong. Check out Psalm 139!

THE truth is that we are marred, sinful people who need to be reunited through faith with a pure, holy and righteous God.  A God who sent his son, Jesus Christ to teach the truth, and die for the truth that we might be made good enough to be enough.  If we have Christ as our foundation we really WILL be enough.

PRAYER: Oh God, forgive me for thinking that I am enough without you.  Help me to find your truth as the foundation of my life. Help me to stop believing the lie that on my own I am enough. Help me to humble my heart and believe and grow in your truth.  Amen

Purpose?

 What is my purpose? This is undoubtedly a good question to ask oneself at the beginning of a new year.   Probably better than making a New Year's resolution. Some people often choose a word for their year which will motivate them to grow in personal development.   For example someone I follow found her words for this year ....'love well'.  

'What is my purpose', is a question that can broken down into a few parts, many more than I will list.....

    * Do I feel I have lived purposefully this past year?  

    * What has given me a reason to get up in the morning?

    * What has given me joy? 

    * What is to be my purpose this year?

Research has shown that people who know their purpose in life do better in many ways.  This is a quote from an article I read on a blog called Psychology Today....."According to Time Magazine, purposeful living has been linked to a lower risk of disease, better sleep, and other healthy behaviours. And, according to a study in JAMA Psychiatry, having a purpose in life helps ageing people maintain their function and independence. People in the study, who reported having a sense of purpose, were less likely to have weak grip strength and slow walking speeds, both of which are signs of declining physical ability and risk factors for disability. They also noted that people with purpose are more proactive in taking care of their health. Additional studies reported that purpose-driven people have lower levels of inflammation." Wow!  There are quite a few good reasons for having a purpose in life.

I often find myself asking young people "What do you want to do in life?"  That was not a very complicated question in my day.  The opportunities were much more limited......nurse, secretary, teacher, scientist, inventor, pilot, train driver.....you get my drift.  Today the possibilities for career are almost limitless, and probably quite confusing.  It takes much longer to decide and I find many just cannot really answer that question at all.  A better question might be "What are you passionate about?"

We have been created for purpose (and passion).  The Westminster Catechism says "Man's (read mankind's) chief end (purpose) is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."  God created us for the purpose of worshiping Him and enjoying fellowship with Him.  His plan went quite wrong early in the Garden of Eden but it doesn't have to stay wrong for us.  Having faith in a loving and faithful God who wants the best for us, just as a good father wants the best for his children, gives us a good reason to worship Him and find enjoyment in having a relationship with Him. Having purpose in your life will enrich your days, improve your health and bring you joy.

Knowing God has a purpose for us, should encourage us to find out what it is, because it will improve and enrich our lives, and the lives of others.  But in the 'doing' or working out of your purpose, don't forget the chief purpose you were created for.....to worship God and enjoy Him forever.

If you find yourself not enjoying life then perhaps now is a good time to ask yourself 'why?'  Then find a reason to get up each day.  Make a plan to meet with others, take a walk, bake a cake for someone, write a letter or make a call.  Do something for someone else that will ease their burden, make them feel they matter or make them smile.

Jesus stated his purpose for us....."my purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." John 10:10b.  I have believed that for many years, and walking in that knowledge enriches my life.

Prayer:  Father God who created me for purpose, please help me to find and to fulfil my purpose in life.  Amen

To Pray is to Love

 On our recent trip to Australia some dear friends gave us these little wooden praying hands.  These friends have prayed with us, and for us, and for many others over many years, so it was a very fitting gift. The first thing I noticed about these little hands was the natural heart in the woodgrain, and as I look at this each morning during my time with God, it has occurred to me that to pray is to love.  How so?

Firstly, to pray is to acknowledge and turn one's heart and mind towards God. Jesus was our example as he often went off alone to pray - to talk with his Father.  He prayed for God's will to be done in his life, and in his death (Luke 22:41-42)  He prayed for his followers (John 17:9-26). He prayed for the sick on many occasions.  He prayed because he loved. He cared about his world and its people. Prayer formed the foundation of his life on earth, and he continues to pray for us as he intercedes for believers at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25).

My own growth in prayer has been quite strange to me.  I have never considered myself to be much of a pray-er but God has put in my heart a desire to pray.  I have been a reluctant pray-er but God seems to have nudged me on.  I've loved to read about people of prayer and books on intercession but those people have always seemed to be on a different plane from me.  However, in quite a few churches I've found myself, usually reluctantly,  thrust into heading up prayer ministry.

Prayer is not a spiritual gift, it is a spiritual discipline, an act of love towards God and our fellow humanity. It is a confession of our reliance upon God, an act of humility, it is a gift of love, as we worship God and pray for others.

Feeling anxious about what 2023 will hold?  God's word encourages us......Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. This is practical advice from the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6.  Practical because, as Jesus said, "Can any one of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life?"  The answer is, of course, NO.  So let's not waste our energy on a fruitless act, but rather turn our anxious thoughts into trusting prayers.

May this year find us growing in, and giving ourselves more, to prayer.  Our world needs it and we need it.  Enjoy the fellowship and learn the discipline of praying with others.  The more you do it, the more you will want to do it.  It will be time well spent.

Jesus, thank you that you demonstrated prayer in your own life and taught your disciples to pray when they asked you. They recognised its, value but confessed their need of learning how to pray. Please increase in me this year, the desire to pray and the discipline to do it. Amen