Month: October 2021

Sue’s Views

Just as we can’t see the wind but we see and feel the effects of it ….. so it is with God’s Spirit. He is very much at work ….. bringing things into alignment with God’s will and purpose. It has been said that ‘when things seem to be falling apart ….. they just might be falling into place!’ Wind can be a gentle breeze …..or a gale force hurricane. Either can remind us that God is in control.

Sue’s Views

I love hearing the many stories of people doing kind things for others during this time of uncertainty. As we’ve seen ….. times like this can bring out the best and worst in people. Pressure can crush us ….. or it can refine us! It can make us give up ….. or see opportunities to give more of ourselves. It can make us lose hope ….. or it can give us a new dream or vision. What seems to be plan B to you may be God’s plan A! 

‘And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.’ Philippians 1:6

Sue’s Views

Feeling bamboozled? You are not alone! Here’s some great advice from the book of James Chapter 1: 2-7

  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

   Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 

  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 

  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

In other words ….. trials are to be expected ….. don’t give up ….. ask God for wisdom …..and trust Him!

Sue’s Views

Psalm 121 is a song for Pilgrims on a journey to Jerusalem. It was a difficult journey with rough roads and danger lurking along the way. And it was an uphill journey. We are all on a journey ….. and it is hard! But God ….. who is so much higher and greater than the mountains He created ….. protects us along the way. 

I look up to the mountains—

    does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble;

    the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel

    never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you!

    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

The sun will not harm you by day,

    nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm

    and watches over your life.

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,

    both now and forever.

Sue’s Views

So thankful to be able to catch up with all our grandies this weekend! Not all at once of course ….. but in smaller gatherings. We realise how blessed we are to have them all so close by and within the same boundary. So many of you out there haven’t been able to see family for a very long time. Things we’ve taken for granted are becoming rare opportunities. For those waiting for borders to open ….. remember God who made a path through the sea ….. and rivers flow in the desert ….. will make a way for you!

Sue’s Views

The thing that pleases God the most  is Faith. ‘Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.’ Hebrews 11:1 (Berea Study Bible). The Bereans were commended for their diligence in searching out the scriptures before believing what they were taught. Our faith must be anchored in Gods Word ….. it’s not just wishful thinking! But if God says something ….. we can stand upon it with the utmost assurance. That doesn’t mean it will happen in our timing or the way we would like. But it will happen! Hold fast to your confession of faith without wavering ….. because God always keeps His promises!

Sue’s Views

I don’t know a time when I’ve been more aware of the battle between good and evil! I feel like I’m living in a ‘parallel universe’! The devils plan has always been to make us question God. (‘Did God really say …..’) He uses subtlety and counterfeit to sugarcoat his lies. That’s why it’s so important to know what God really did say! In the days when bank tellers handled cash ….. they were taught to study the original banknotes so they would automatically recognise a counterfeit one. They didn’t study all the false notes! It’s the same with us! We must know what Gods Word says ….. not everyone’s opinions about what it says. That only brings confusion. Check it out for yourself. It’s time to decide which side you are on!

Sue’s Views

‘Praise the Lord, my soul;

    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, my soul,

    and forget not all his benefits—

    who forgives all your sins

    and heals all your diseases,

    who redeems your life from the pit

    and crowns you with love and compassion,

    who satisfies your desires with good things

    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness

    and justice for all the oppressed.’ (Psalm 103 1-6)

These verses cover all our needs ….. spiritual ….. physical ….. mental ….. emotional ….. and judicial. There’s no need to be anxious or angry! God’s got this!

Sue’s Views

This waterwheel relies on the pressure of water to be of any use. Without that ….. it would remain stagnant. Pressure is not always a bad thing! As much as we might like a life free from stress ….. deadlines ….. or expectations of others ….. without those we too would stagnate and become useless. Just as stress training is vital to strengthen muscles ….. so the stresses of life can strengthen our innermost being. They can bring out the fight in us and motivate us to get up and do something. No race was won ….. and no victory gained without pressure. Of course ….. too much pressure can squash us. That’s when we need to adjust the flow by saying ‘no’ ….. or by seeking help.