Decisions, Decisions

Are you faced with making a difficult decision?
Are you faced with making a decision that could dramatically change your life?
Scared you will not make the right decision?

Well you're not alone - all these situations/feelings are all perfectly normal. I think if we are all honest, we all get a bit scared/worried when we face difficult decisions or face new situations that are unfamiliar to us.
But how can we be sure we are making the right decisions? We can only ever be 100% certain when we involve God's in our decision making. Friends, family and colleagues may all try to give you advice, but ultimately God is the only person who can guide you to the right choice for you.

Talk to God. Listen to what he's saying to you. Trust his leading.

If you follow God's directions He will guide you though. He will give you all you need to do whatever it is he has directed you to do. Trust Him.

I Can Trust You (Rebecca St James)

Yes, I know that You have paved a path for me
Yes, I know that You see what I do and don’t need
But when it comes to the deepest things
I have a hard time relinquishing control
Letting go

God, it hurts to give You what I must lay down
But when I let go, freedom’s found
God, it hurts to give You what I’ve held so dear
Because of Your love it’s clear
I can trust You with this
I can trust You with me
I can trust You

Lord, I know that You are worthy of my trust
For You have shown me time and time again
You’re faithful and yet
I’m so scared of letting go of this
Afraid of what You might do with it
How could I forget who You are like this

Me forsaking
Heart is breaking
I let go of what I’ve held so tight
Freedom’s mine now
For the taking
I move in faith, not by sight
Let Your will be done

All For Love

Galations 2:19-21 (The Message)
What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.

Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.

Have you put aside your ego? Are you working for God or are you just trying to impress Him?

God wants us to work for Him, but He wants us to do so for the right reasons - because we love Him and want to tell as many people as we can about God's love and what He means to us.

Checkout the Hillsong website: http://hillsong.com/ or the Hillsong London website: http://www.hillsongmychurch.co.uk/

No Matter What...

God is There For You!

No matter what difficulties you face in live, no matter how serious, God will be with you through them all.

I can testify to God's unfailling love. You may sometimes question why He lets some things happen, but don't ever stop trusting Him.

He will be with you...always!

Through It All - Hillsong

You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
And I look to You
And I wait on You

I will sing to You, Lord
A hymn of love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Checkout the Hillsong website: http://hillsong.com/
or the Hillsong London website: http://www.hillsongmychurch.co.uk/

Relationship With God

When we pray we strengthen our relationship with God.

When we listen to God, we strengthen our relationship with Him.

We must pray about our loved ones and our relationships.

God brings wonderful people into our lives - some to encourage us, some to help us fulfill God's plan for our lives, some for us to help and others whose company we just enjoy.

Conversely the Devil also introduces us to people that will hurt us, disappoint us, betray us, drain us or use us to further themselves. We must therefore, listen to God's guidance and trust Him, as He will help us recognise those the Devil has sent, those who will be wrong for us.

Pray to God. Listen to God. Work for God. He alone is with you at all times.

A Bad Day

Have you ever had a day when everything seems to conspire against you?

Well today's been one of those days for me. From the moment I got out of bed, everything just seemed to not go a smoothly as it could or should have. Here's just a few of today's "issues":

• before I started getting washed I dropped my towel in the bath...when the bath had water in it
• a button fell off my blouse - though fortunately that was before I left the house!
• kicked over the cat's water bowl and got water everywhere
  left the house to go to work, got to my car, no car key, so had to go back into house to get my car key

So that's just some of the things that happened before I go to work today. As for my day at work, it wasn't much better.

What really made my day really bad was the fact that I wasn't feeling very good either - I really just wanted away from work so I could find a nice wee quiet corner where I could curl up and release all the emotions that seemed to have built up inside me.

What kind of day have you had? I hope it's been better than mine!

Either way, how did you get through your day?

When you woke up this morning, did you pray that God would be with you in everything you did today? I did.

When things started going wrong for you, did you pray for God's guidance to see you through? I did.

When you felt the day couldn't get any worse and you felt at your lowest, did you pray that God would give you the strength to carry on? I did.

Just because we pray to God to help us, doesn't mean we'll never face any difficult day. It just means that if we put ourselves in God's hands during those difficult times, He will be by our side guiding us through those difficult times.

Be strong. Let God be your strength.

1 Chronicles 16:11 - Look to the Lord and his strength

Never Again

We all do things which we later regret and go on to say "we'll never to that again!". Have you then found yourself doing that same thing again another time, despite having promised not to do it? I know I have.

We often make promises which we don't keep, however God has made many promises but keeps them all. When God says "Never again", he really does mean never again.



When we experience God's faithfulness, it helps us to trust him more. Life's experiences help us to look back and see that God's promises and judgements have come true.

After a cataclysmic event in your life, it helps to reestablish your devotional life. I certainly found during the last few years when health issues seemed to take over my life that is is more important than ever to listen for God's "never again" and start looking for His rainbows. Spend time reading the promises of God in the bible - I found highlighting them was helpful to me, as it made it easier to refer back to them later for reassurance.


But what exactly can we be sure about?

God promises that sin need never again control us (Romans 8:9-11).

He promises that we need not be afraid ever again (John 14:27).
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

He promises that his peace will guard our hearts and minds (Phil 4:7).
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

He promises that we need never be ignorant of his will for his word will be a "lamp" and a "light" to our path (Ps 119:105).

He promises that we need never again be defeated Christians (Rom 8:37).

As we read our bibles, God's rainbows colour our perspectives.
Be encouraged! God's promises never fail.

Opportunities

When you pray, do you pray that God will help you tell others the message that God is alive and here with us?

Do you pray that God will help you to tell others His message in a way they will understand and believe?

Do you take every opportunity that comes your way to tell others of God's love?

Colossians 4:2-6 (New Living Translation)
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.



I think most of us, if we're honest with ourselves (and with God), would have to say we don't do any of these things as much as we should! For myself, I know I need to make more use of the opportunities that come my way to talk to others about God.


I pray that we may each take every opportunity that comes our way to spread God's message to those who don't yet know Him.

I also pray that even when we don't get the opportunity to speak to someone about God, they can see something different about us because of our words and actions - they can see we believe in Christ!

Proverty Can be Eradicated

Over the last week or so, I've been noticed a new "poverty" poster has been posted on a lot of billboards that I see every day.

Have you seen these posters?

What do you think of them? Do you think they will make a difference?

I must be honest and say, I personally am not convinced these posters will make much difference at all. Why do I say that? Well as I drive past a poster, or read one as I sit in a queue of traffic waiting for traffic lights to change, it's not going to immediately make me go do something about it, and by the time I've got to wherever I'm going, I have forgotten all about the poster again.

I think that for these posters to make any kind of difference, the reader must already be conscience of poverty and have thought about it to some extent. I'm not saying that I don't think the poster will urge anyone to "make a difference", however I do think, it may be limited to those who have already have helped, or considered how they could, help end poverty.

Maybe what I'm really trying to say is I think there is a widespread ignorance about the levels of poverty that exist, not just abroad but in this country as well. We should be trying to educate everyone more about poverty. One of the failings of these posters (again just in my opinion) is although at the bottom of the posters it does tell you to visit the Christian Aid website to find out how you can help, I for one have never even noticed this, as I while driving/stopped in traffic my attention is drawn to the headline and I've passed it before noticing this bit!

Whether you agree or disagree with what I've said, I ask that today you make a point of finding out more about how YOU can help eradicate poverty...and then DO IT!

Here are some websites you may find helpful:
http://povertyover.christianaid.org.uk/
http://www.poverty.org.uk/index.htm
http://www.poverty.com/

Child of God

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

I am a child of God, His treasured possession. He created me in His own image. He chose the day on which I was born. He has a plan and a purpose for my life.

I believe these words - Do you believe them about yourself?

Whether you believe these words or not, God did create you in His own image and He has planned out your life for you. So do something for God in return, listen to Him, tell others about Him and live your life in His service.

God will give you the strength to do all He asks of you, so don't worry about anything.

Plant a Seed

Jesus told the parable of the farmer planting his seed across his field. he told how the seed that fell on a footpath, shallow soil and amongst thorns, all failed to thrive. However the seed that fell on fertile soil produced a great crop. (Matthew 13:3-9)

Jesus explained how "The seed is the word of God" (Luke 8:11 NKJV). When we accept God into our lives he gives us "seeds", which he expects us to then go out into the world and scatter. He wants us to go outside of our Christian circles and our churches, and find some unplanted land, where we can then spread His message.

Many of the seeds the farmer scattered failed to grow or thrive, but that didn't prevent him from continuing to scatter his seed. God knows that as we scatter the seed of God's word in the field of the world, some will inevitably fall on those who will ignore His call, however he also know that some will fall on fertile souls and will take root, grow and bring glory to God!

So scatter God's word generously, no matter whether you see any results of your labour, as some people will respond to God's message, so keep planting!

Visit the Hillsong website: http://www.hillsong.com/

A Promise

During our lifetime, we make many promises. Here are just a few examples:

• some we make when we're very young just to appease our parents like "I promise I'll tidy my room tomorrow";
• some to close friends when they confide in us and ask us not to divuldge the information to anyone else;
• for those of us who are married we made promises when we said our wedding vows;
• those of us who wear Salvation Army uniform, have made promises to God to serve Him all our days.

So, how many promises have people made to you that they have actually kept?
The chances are, many promises might have been made, but many will have been broken.

Following on from that, how many promises have you made in your life, and how many of them have you kept?
I'm guessing there will be many promised made but not so many kept...am I right?

What about God's promise of eternal life -
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (John 3:16-18)

Do you believe God's promise of eternal life? Are you doing all you can to live a holy life, directly by God?

If not, make today the day when you make a new commitment to God to give your life to Him and serve Him the rest of your days.

I came across the song "Promise of a Lifetime" by Kutless a while ago, but the words and music seems to fit perfectly with the message I've tried to pass on to you today. Please read the words below before watching the video - I hope you find blessing and encouragement from them.

Promise of a Lifetime by Kutless
I have fallen to my knees
As I sing a lullaby of pain
I'm feeling broken in my melody
As I sing to help the tears go away

Then I remember the pledge you made to me

I know you're always there
To hear my every prayer inside
I'm clinging to the promise of a lifetime
I hear the words you say
To never walk away from me and leave behind
The promise of a lifetime

Will you help me, I'm falling apart
Pick me up, take me in your arms
Find my way back from the storm
And you show me how to grow
Through the change

I still remember the pledge you made to me

I am holding on to the hope I have inside
With you I will stay through every day
Putting my understanding aside

And I am comforted

Enjoy listening to this song by Kutless, and enjoy the pictures that have been used to enhance the words of the song...

Visit the Kutless website: http://www.kutless.com/

Thank You God

Earlier today I noticed that my blog had reached 2000 hits - Wow! Believe it or not I was lost for words when I saw the number of hits had reached the 2000 mark.

I feel so humbled by the number of people who have read my blog. So I would like to take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to each and every one of you who have taken the time to read this blog.


To those of you who have left comments or contacted me via Twitter (follow me on Twitter) or email and given me words of encouragement and support, I'd like to thank you all - it has been great to know your thoughts about what I've had to say, and I've felt particularly honoured when you've told me my blog has been "just what you needed" at that time.

So, I've thanked you for read my blog, and now I want to thank God for giving me the direction and inspiration to write it. If you'd asked me this time last year if I'd be blogging about my faith and experiences of God, I'd have told you not to be so daft as I'd never be able to do something like that - It just shows what I know!

If God is speaking to you and asking you to do something you think you cannot do - Trust God, He will give you the tools you need to do His work.

Rest in God

The stresses and pressures of life can often keep us awake at night and make us unable to sleep, they sometimes even make us unable to function during the day too.

So how do we rest when our lives are full of storms?

I'm sure you've probably heard the story of Jesus calming the storm while out at sea, in a boat with the disciples (Mark 4:35-41). But do you remember how despite the raging storm around them, Jesus slept at the back of the boat? How did he manage to do that? Well it's simple, he knew he was safe in his Father's arms, God's arms.

In that situation, God didn't remove Jesus' storm, he just gave him the ability to be content with the pressure, as he had faith that his Father would keep him safe and get him through the storm.

This is no different from the "storms" we face in our life, as God will get us through those storms and give us rest.

So rest peacefully during your "storms" - our joy is to rest, God's joy is to empower us to live our lives for Him and serve Him without fear, no matter how fierce the storms we face.

Rest My Soul by Michelle Tumes

Visit Michelle Tumes website: http://www.michelletumes.com/

God-Focused

Even if we try not to overload ourselves, chances are we still end up carrying a heavy load. Troubles, burdens and stresses are after all, part of everyday life these days.

When you are feeling overloaded and struggling to cope with the pressures of life, how do you cope?

Well for many of us, we try to withdraw to a private place, a place of quietness, where we can be alone with our thoughts. But how would you feel if you tried to have some "alone" time, but someone interrupted your plans, seeking your help?

Well this is exactly what happened to Jesus after He received the news of John the Baptist's murder (Matthew 14:1-12).

Matthew 14:13-14 - The Message
When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully—someone saw him and the word got around. Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick.

Jesus was certainly God-focused during this time when He really wanted to have some time by himself. He could so easily have focused purely on himself, but He didn't, He was selfless. That must have been so difficult for Jesus to find the strength and motivation to help others rather than focus on himself.

Jesus accomplished this simply by turning to God for His strength and motivation, as He knew God would give Him the power to do all He needed him to do.

Take heart from this, allow you daily stresses and strains to make you more like Jesus: God-focused. This is how Jesus coped, so if it worked for Him it will definitely work for you and me!

God will help you get through, even when things seem impossible!

God Help Me by Rebecca St James

Hold On

No matter what comes your way, don't give up...help is on the way!

People say that time will heal
But you know, they just don't feel what you feel
Times are hard but God is so good
He's never failed you, and He said He never would

He see's your tears
He fights your fears

Hold on, help is on the way
He said he'd never leave you or forsake you
Stay strong
Help is on the way
He'd said he'd help you
Just reach out and take his hand

He knows your heart, He lifts your head
He's always close enough to hear every word you said
When you're weak, He said He's so much more
His arm is long enough to reach you where you are

He see's your tears
He fights your fears

Hold on, help is on the way
He said he'd never leave you or forsake you
Stay strong
Help is on the way
He'd said he'd help you
Just reach out and take his hand

Help is on the way

Amen!

Visit Michael W Smith's website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

Holiday Time!

Here in Scotland we are now well into the school summer holidays. From a purely selfish perspective, it mean quieter roads going to and from work as many folk are either off or away on holiday – It is amazing how much quicker my journey times to/from work are when the schools are off!

I don’t know about you but in our office at the moment, that’s all we seem to hear about – this person going off on holiday an talking about where they’re going and what they’re going to do, while others are returning from holiday and telling us all the stories from their holiday.


But what about all those who are unable to go on holiday – those who are sick/ill, those caring from family/friends, those who can’t afford to go away anywhere, maybe because they don’t have a job or uncertainty about their job security or maybe just because of the current economic climate.

There are many people who would love to be able to be in a position where they could go on holiday, but circumstances prevent them from doing so. To them this time of year can be particularly difficult as they hear of so many others going on holiday which reminds them that they cannot go away. I’d ask you today to spare a thought for those who are unable to go away on holiday this summer due to their personal circumstances.

Please pray that their circumstances may change so that they get the opportunity for a break, as everyone needs time away from their standard routine, even if it’s just for a day or two, as it give us time to relax and get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

To those of you who have already been on holiday and to those of you who have still to go, I hope your holiday wasn't/isn't as eventful as those in the film clip above, from National Lampoon's Vacation!

I hope you had/have an excellent time and return(ed) home refreshed ready to face whatever the days ahead may hold for you.

Happy holidays!

Comforter

Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:
I saw the tears of the oppressed—
and they have no comforter;
power was on the side of their oppressors—
and they have no comforter.
Ecclesiastes 4:1-2 - New International Version

We live in a world full of sin where there is imbalance of power, oppression, tears, and for many, no comforter. We each have times in our lives when we are weighed down by the things we face in our every day life.

While those around us may see our tears, they are not always able or willing to comfort us, so where do we go from here? God sees everyone's tears. We may not always see or be aware of God, so we fail to comprehend His power and His compassion.

Jesus is God's response to our tears as He is our comforter, our Saviour. While Jesus was on earth, He too was oppressed, but remained a "comforter" to others. Therefore, while we suffer oppression and need Jesus as our comforter, we "see the tears" of others, so we must step in to comfort them, just as God has comforted us.

Reach out and comfort someone today!

Please checkout Michael W Smith's website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

Cry Out

We all have days everything seems to conspire against us. Unfortunately we can sometimes soon find that that day has turned to days, which soon turns to weeks and then months.

So how do we get ourselves out of that rut of deep despair?
We cry out to Jesus! Jesus will always hear you no matter how inaudible your cry may be. When you feel all your hope has gone and you can't go on, cry out to Jesus.

I've been there and felt as though I couldn't go on, but as you can tell, I did manage to carry on, and that is simply because I put my faith and trust in God to get me through those dark days when nothing was going right for me.

Cry out to Jesus, he will get you through!

Cry Out To Jesus (Third Day)

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

Checkout the Third Day website: http://www.thirdday.com/

Tears

Do you have times when you feel nothing is going right for you?
Do you have times when you feel so alone?
Do you have times when you no one cares about you?
Are there times when you wonder if you can carry on?

If you've answered Yes to any of the above questions, you're not alone - I'm sure we've all had times when we've felt at least some of the above.

How did you cope when you felt like that? Or if you've never felt like that, how do you think you would cope?

The best way to cope in any situation is to give it to God and ask Him to give you the strength to get through.

Speaking from personal experience I can tell you that even when you might think no one is there for you and no one cares, you'll find that someone somewhere is thinking about you and praying for you, so don't despair. I have been there and know it can be very difficult but hang on to God, He will get you through your struggle often by sending you someone to help support you - that's what he did for me.

Don't ever be afraid to cry and show your feelings to others. I say this as one who finds it very difficult to show my emotions in front of others. But over the last while I've come to realise that sometimes you just have to let go completely and let others see you pain. You'll probably be surprised how much of a relief that will be - it certainly was for me!

When the laughter
Fails to comfort
When my heart aches
Lord are you there
When confusion is all around me
And the darkness
Is my closest friend
Still I will praise You
Jesus praise you

So don't ever lose sight of God. Don't stop trusting in God, He will get you through, maybe not in the way you expected, but He will get you through.

Visit Tim Hughes website: http://www.timhughesmusic.com/

Past Times

Yesterday, I met up with a good friend of mine that I went to university with, but who now lives in England. As usual we spent the afternoon shopping...mostly window shopping but we did make a few purchases! We then enjoyed a lovely meal together, during which we had a good old natter about the things that are currently going on in our lives, as well as reminiscing about our university days!


The scary thing about all this was that we realised that this time 20 years ago we were just graduating from university. Now that is scary! Where have these last 20 years gone? In some ways my uni days seem like yesterday and in others they seem a lifetime ago. We reminisced about some of the things that happened while we were at uni, as well as some of more forgettable things we did! But generally they were good days, when we had no great responsibilities and our whole life ahead of us.


So 20 years on, am I still the same person? Of course I am, but so much has happened over the last 20 years, some good, some not so good, but these are the life experiences that have moulded me into the person I am today.

As far as my Christian journey is concerned, I have to say I feel far more secure in my journey now that I did 20 years ago. So much of what's happened over the years has made me a stronger person and reinforced my belief in Christ - Many of the difficult times in my life have shown me that without God by my side I would not have got through these difficult times.


How about you, how has your relationship with God developed over the past 20 years?

Has it developed, or is your relationship with God no different than it was 20 years ago?

I thank God for staying by my side over these last 20 years, through some very happy times as well as some very very dark times. My faith would not be what is is today without God putting me through all these life experiences, so I thank God for keeping me faithful to Him.

I pray that whether you are at the start of your Christian journey or have been on your journey for many years, that your relationship with God will continue to grow every day.

The following song from The Lion King is not the best recording, but please listen to words, as they remind us that God IS the Giver of Life!

Give Him Everything

Have you given your life entirely to Jesus?
God needs, and wants us to trust and believe in Him entirely. He wants to be part of our every day life - not just on a Sunday when we go to church, or when things aren't going well for us, but all the time.


Psalm 127:1-2 - New Living Translation
Unless the Lord builds a house,
the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
guarding it with sentries will do no good.
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.


God will look after those who trust and believe in Him. Let God be a part of everything you do, and everywhere you go. Put God at the centre of all you do.

Amazing Love

Amazing Love by the Newsboys - A fantastic song by a great band. I hope you enjoy it!

Isn't God'd love for us amazing?!
God sent his only son to earth and then had to let his only son, Jesus, be killed on a cross and then rise again, all because He loves each and everyone of us! Wow!

No matter what we do or say, God loves us, but don't make that an excuse to justify doing something you shouldn't.

Live for Christ!

Make Him proud of your actions and your words. Show Him how uch you love Him by putting your life entirely in His hands, to use you in whatever way he needs you.

Live for Christ!

Press On

Well we're nearly at the end of another working week, so how's your week been?

It's been a strange week for me as it's been full of highs and lows in a several areas of my life. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly a high in our life and so quickly change to feeling like an all time low, and vice versa.

I hope your week has been one of highs, however if it hasn't, what did you do when you were experiencing one of your lower times?

The first thing we should do then is pray - Turn to God, He will give you the stregth and the courage to go on and get you through your "deep valley". I know and understand that it can be very difficult during these times to trust God and believe He will help, but take it from one who's been in some very "deep valleys" in the last while, God can and will help...He may not help you in the way you expected or wanted, but He will help you in the way He knows is best for you.

Trust God and press on in your Christian journey.

Press On by Selah:


When the mountain is steep
when the valley is deep
when the body is weary
when we stumble and fall

When the choices are hard
when we're battered and scarred
when we've spent our resource
when we've given our all

In Jesus name we press on
In jesus name we press on
dear lord, with the prize
clear before our eyes
we find the strength to press on

It starts with:
When the valley is deep
When the mountain is steep

you had it switched around that's all

Rejoice!

Cry Holy by Sonicflood
Songwriters: Byrd, Carey Marcus; Heil, Rick; Thompson, Andrew

Every sun and moon and star
All declaring who You are
We fall silent in amazement
Every word and deed of man
Every sea and grain of sand
All creation speaks
And now we sing to proclaim Your majesty

Let the earth rejoice
Singing with one voice
Let the people cry
Holy holy Lord
Every creature sing
Praises to the King
All creation cry
Holy is the Lord

Every song sung on the earth
Will never capture all your worth
We fall silent in amazement
Let every humble heart now see
The beauty of Your majesty
All creation speaks
And now we sing to the King above all kings

Let the earth rejoice
Singing with one voice
Let the people cry
Holy holy Lord
Every creature sing
Praises to the King
All creation cry
Holy is the Lord

All creation claims your majesty
Holy is your name in all the earth
All creation claims your majesty
And now we sing

Let the earth rejoice
Singing with one voice
Let the people cry
Holy holy Lord
Every creature sing
Praises to the King
All creation cry
Holy is the Lord

Why should we rejoice and praise God?
Because God made us, each and every one of us. He made this world we live in, the food we eat and the water we drink. He made us the kind of people we are...He made us the unique people we are.

He looks after us when we're ill, comforts us when we're sad, lifts us up when we fall, rejoices with us when we're happy. We can rely on Him no matter what we have to face in life. He's the only true friend we will ever need and ever have.

And if that's not enough...
Without God we would not exist and that alone is reason enough to praise God!

My Cornerstone

Trust in God, as with Him by your side, He will keep you strong and protect you from harm. Though you may face difficult times in your life, stay faithful to God, is will give you the strength to see you through each day.

Pray daily and read your bible. Learn more about God each day.

In Christ Alone by the Newsboys

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Romans 8:35-38 (New International Version)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Be Like Jesus

How many people have you spoken to today?

How many of them are struggling with something in their life just now?

...probably most of them in some way or another.

How many people that you don't know at all, have you seen today?

How many of them do you think are struggling with something in their life just now?

...again, the answer is probably most of time!

Many of those you come across on a daily basis will be struggling with somehing. You would probably be surprised by some of those fall into this category, as many will not have shared their problems with anyone, and will have shown no outward signs that they are having to cope with problems of some kind.

Leviticus 19:18 (New International version)
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Be kind to everyone you come across, as you don't know what might be going on in their personal life. Your kindness could be the thing that hlps them get through another day. So treat everyone you encounter as Jesus would treat them, with love, compassion, and understanding.

Please listen to the following song entitled Love Them Like Jesus. This is a beautiful song with a powerful message by Casting Crowns. I also found the images included in this video to be particularly helpful - I hope you do too.

The love of her life is drifting away
They're losing the fight for another day
The life that she's known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child's broken heart

You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You trying to make - sense of it all
She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She's looking to you

Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
Love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus

The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue
Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to gray
As the little one slips away

You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You're trying to make sense of it all
They're desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They're looking to you

Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus

Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands
The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands
He cares for them just as He cares for you

So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus

Live The Word

Matthew 23:1-3 - The Message
Now Jesus turned to address his disciples, along with the crowd that had gathered with them. "The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God's Law. You won't go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don't live it. They don't take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It's all spit-and-polish veneer.

I don't know about you, but those I meet who profess to be Christians I expect them to live/act as a Christian should. In the above passage from St. Matthew's gospel Jesus seems to say that some people talk a good talk, but they haven't really got those feelings/beliefs in their hearts. i.e. They know all the right words, but their actions do not mirror what they say.

If we profess to be a Christian but our actions do not reflect this, how can we ever expect others to follow Christ because of us - we are far more likely to convince people to turn away from God entirely!

Don't become someone who "talks the talk but doesn't live The Word". Whenever you tell folk you're a Christian, you'll they immediately (often subconsciously)start examining your words and actions in microscopic detail, just to try and find fault. So make sure your words and actions are as a Christians should be, that way it'll be much easier for others to see Christ living in your life - Making them far more likely to want to find out more about Christ because of your good example.

Talk the talk and live The Word!

Live Forever!

"Eternal life is to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent."
(John 17:3 - English Contemporary Version)

Christianity is not merely a religion, but is life and salvation in Christ. Life comes and flows through "knowing" God.

Of course "knowing" God is not like mathematical or historical knowledge, it's not about an awareness of facts - It's about understanding God's character, knowing and believing that God is love, and trusting, rejoicing, and living in that love!

"I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Jesus answered. "Without me, no one can go to the Father.
(John 14:6 - English Contemporary Version)

It's only through Jesus that we can we truly know God. Knowing God in this way is the only way to eternal life! If you know and believe in Jesus, you have eternal life because death is not the end, it's simply a joyous transition into heaven!

Persuasion

Acts 26:28 (NIV)
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"

The short and honest answer to this question is No!

It is impossible to persuade someone to become a Christian, it's not something even God can achieve! We can talk to people for hours, listen to them and answer their questions about God, but we can never persuade them to become a Christian.

They must accept God into their lives and be reborn, only then can they become Christians. God achieves this through the words in the bible and talking to them directly.We however can make a big difference in someones life through what we say and how we act. While we cannot persuade someone to become a Christian we can be a huge influence in their decision.

I pray that God will use me in whatever way He sees fit to help influence someones life for the good.

I pray too, that as you read this blog, God will surround you with His love and you will feel His presence with you, and will find reassurance that God is there with you whatever may be going on in your life at present.

Entertaining Angels

Entertaining Angels

One to another, do You remember me?
I feel so small;
Are You listening tonight?
So temporary, the things that I have seen.
I ran so far,
Will you take me back again?

Entertaining Angels
By the light of my TV screen
24/7, You wait for me.
Entertaining Angels
By the time I fall to my knees
Host of Heaven, sing over me.

One to another, the feelings in between
I won't let go
Of all you taught me, alright.
Close as a brother, the way we used to be
I hold my breath,
And I wait for You to breathe.

Entertaining Angels
By the light of my TV screen
24/7, You wait for me.
Entertaining Angels
While the night becomes history
Host of Heaven, sing over me.

Entertaining Angels
By the light of my TV screen
24/7, You wait for me.
Entertaining Angels
By the time I fall to my knees
Host of Heaven, sing over me.
Entertaining Angels
By the light of my TV screen
24/7, You wait for me.
Entertaining Angels
WHILE THE NIGHT BECOMES HISTORY
Host of Heaven, sing over me.
Entertaining Angels
By the light of my TV screen
24/7, You wait for me.
Entertaining Angels
By the time I fall to my knees
Host of Heaven, sing over me.

No matter where we are, what we're doing, or the situations we find ourselves in, God is with us, looking out for us.

Praise God in the good times and when things aren't going so well, turn to God no matter what time of day or night it is. He's always there to listen when you "fall to your knees".

Visit the Newsboys website: http://newsboys.com/

Be Still

Psalm 46 (New International Version)
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [b] with fire.

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Still
(Words and Music by Reuben Morgan)

Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

(Exodus 14:14 NIV)