Month: November 2021

Sue’s Views

Life consists of a series of choices! From the moment we discover we have a will ….. we learn that we have a choice. When Mum or Dad say ‘Don’t touch’ ….. we learn that disobedience has consequences. Mostly ….. it’s for our own good! Sometimes ….. we have to make difficult choices that are not so clear cut. I’ve made one of those choices that bring me today to the end of a 50 year career and 15 years in my current employment. It has been a difficult decision and I empathise with the thousands of Kiwis who are also suffering the consequences of their ‘freedom to choose’. My consolation is that it’s the end of a chapter ….. not the end of the book! I pray God will open new doors for you that will unlock a bright and abundant future. He is our provider and protector and His plans and purpose will not be thwarted.

Sue’s Views

Today is Armistice Day! In 1918 ….. at the eleventh hour ….. on the eleventh day ….. of the eleventh month ….. a peace treaty was signed between the Allies and Germany. It was a decision to end the hostilities of war and we can only imagine the logistics that went into that. Both world wars have left crippling memories all across the world. For many ….. it will mean nothing but a history lesson. But ….. as Winston Churchill said ….. ‘if we don’t learn from history we are doomed to repeat it.’ And ….. as another wise man said ….. ‘ History repeats itself. It has to because no one is listening!’ Whether we are looking back in remembrance ….. or looking forward in prevention ….. let’s take a lesson from the past!

Sue’s Views

When it seems all is lost ….. it’s an opportunity for a miracle! When we see death ….. God sees life. When we see hopelessness ….. He says ‘trust me!’ When we think it’s too late ….. God says ‘It’s just beginning!’ In fact ….. He delights in waiting till it seems impossible. Then He breathes His supernatural power and life into a situation and turns it around. That way ….. He gets all the glory! And we are left in awe. It’s not over until He says so.

Sue’s Views

Are you needing wisdom? Ask God for Heavenly wisdom. Needing clarity? Ask God to remove the confusion and doubt. Needing guidance? Ask God to show you which path to take. Needing help? Ask Him who is a very present help in times of trouble. Prayer is a two way conversation ….. speaking and listening. Ten minutes of prayer can clear your mind of a week of stress! Find a quiet spot and talk to your Father ….. but don’t forget to hear what He has to say as well!

Sue’s Views

Feeling like you are in a shipwreck? Has the job or business you depended on gone under? Are you experiencing loss or despair? Paul the Apostle experienced a few but we are given details of one in Acts 27 & 28. It’s one of the best ‘turn around’ stories you’ll ever read! In the midst of the chaos and panic ….. an angel told Paul that no lives would be lost as long as the crew stayed together. The ship was completely torn apart ….. but every crew member got to shore on the broken pieces of the ship. Not only were they saved ….. but Paul got to share the gospel with the Maltese people. He also healed all the sick people on the island. You could call it a God Diversion! He can use anything to get us to where He wants us. Wait for the ‘turn around!’

Sue’s Views

Hebrews 12 is a very challenging chapter! It contains words like ‘perseverance’ ….. ‘endurance’ … ‘struggle’ ….. ‘discipline’ ….. ‘effort’ ….. ‘shaking’ ….. and it ends with ‘for our God is a consuming fire!’ Leading up to this passage is the account of people who went through all these things and died before seeing the results they hoped for. Chapter 12 begins with the spotlight on us! Now it’s our turn to run our leg of the race! The difference is we have Jesus at the starting line and at the finishing line. He is our trainer and coach! He endured the most horrific shame ….. humiliation ….. pain ….. and rejection ….. that anyone could ever suffer. And all for us to be with Him for eternity. This journey is not for the faint hearted. It’s no walk in the park! But we must never give up. As long as we keep our focus on Him ….. we will finish well.

Sue’s Views

One of the saddest things happening at the moment is the division we are seeing take place. Everyone wants to believe their stance is right! The same thing happened in the book of Acts when the disciples of Jesus stood up against the religious and political leaders of the day. A man named Gamaliel stepped up and gave some wise advice. He said, “Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5: 38-39. 

Whatever side you are on ….. remember only God has all the facts! And another piece of wisdom: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18

Sue’s Views

Aren’t you grateful for a new start every morning? We all have bad days ….. but we can leave them behind and start afresh. It’s when we carry our anger ….. disappointment ….. frustration ….. unforgiveness ….. guilt etc ….. over to the next day ….. that it becomes a problem. Talk it out with God! Tell Him what’s going on inside you. He’s the best listener! Give Him all your cares ….. ask His forgiveness for all your wrongs ….. and receive His grace and mercy. It’s the best recipe for a good nights sleep.

But this I call to mind,

    and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

    his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

    “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:21-24

Sue’s Views

I was reading through the ‘faith hall of fame’ chapter in Hebrews 11 this morning. All these great men and women of God saw something that made them determined not to give up. They were willing to fight for what they believed ….. no matter the cost to themselves ….. and even if they didn’t see the end goal. They all died having not seen the city they were fighting for ….. but we can be sure they are enjoying it now! They now form a ‘cloud of witnesses’ that are on the sidelines cheering us on as we run our leg of the race. So let us not grow weary ….. let us not fall away ….. let us not give up hope ….. but let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering. Our fight is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers in heavenly places. We must fight them with spiritual weapons!