Trust In The Lord

Sue’s Views
If you’re anything like me ….. when you’re going through a challenging time ….. you probably try to imagine all the possible outcomes! However ….. I’m learning that the final outcome is very different to any of my imaginations! My knowledge and understanding of the situation is so limited. When I give it all to God ….. I’m left dumbfounded by His ways and thoughts that are so much higher than mine. 
Proverbs 3:5-6
‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.’
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Pruning

Sue’s Views

The Rose Garden is starting to look beautiful thanks to the much preparation that has been done over the winter months. Pruning is vital to roses. You have to know just where to cut in order to produce the best flowers. We need pruning too! Left ‘unpruned’ ….. we would take on far too much ….. or indulge ourselves in things that would harm us. A good gardener will sacrifice ‘good’ branches to produce the best! So if you are experiencing a bit of pruning in your life ….. don’t despair! The best is yet to come! Image.png

The Simplicity Of The Gospel

Sue’s Views
When Jesus preached ….. He used illustrations about everyday life. Things the common people and even children could understand. He talked about a farmer sowing seeds in different types of soil ….. a shepherd taking care of his flock and leaving 99 to rescue 1 who was lost ….. and how fruit can only be produced when it’s attached to the vine. Behind these pictures ….. were deep messages about how we are to live. The people following him could understand the deeper meaning just by looking around them. 
We make it so complicated ….. but the message of the Gospel is simple! Jesus is in every one of those stories. He is the Word (the seed) … He is the Good Shepherd ….. and He is the Vine. Our hearts are the different types of soil ….. we are the sheep ….. and we are the branches! If we receive His Word gladly ….. stay close to our Shepherd ….. and remain in the Vine ….. we will produce much fruit!
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Google Maps Or God’s Map?

Sue’s Views
How do you know if you are on the right path? It would be nice if Google Maps could show you the path of life! You could type in where you are now ….. where you want to end up ….. and up would come a map of the whole journey with directions and alternative routes. But life’s not like that! We are only shown the next part of the journey. We don’t know the obstacles we’ll face until we reach them. But one thing we can be sure of is that ….. if our heart’s desire is to do what’s right ….. we can trust God to lead us every step of the way. The quickest and easiest isn’t always the best. He has things to show you ….. and lessons to learn along the way.
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Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude!

Sue’s Views
Walking with God means ….. blooming where you’re planted!  
Being and doing your best ….. no matter the circumstances! Maybe life isn’t working out how you’d hoped ….. people aren’t treating you the way you’d like them to ….. things aren’t changing as fast as you’d prayed. Don’t wait for things to change ….. give your best where you are right now ….. your attitude determines your altitude!
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Truth

Sue’s Views
Our view of the world is very much defined by the culture we were raised in. What is normal to one culture may be offensive to another. However ‘TRUTH’ is truth no matter what culture we belong to. We can either adjust our beliefs to THE TRUTH ….. or else we will adapt the truth to our culture. Every culture is God given and must be founded on His Word which is TRUTH.
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Patience

Sue’s Views
‘Is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy for when the way is rough ….. your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow ….. and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom ….. then you will be ready for anything ….. strong in character ….. full and complete.’ (James 1:2-4 TLB) I love how the Bible tells it like it is! Not always what we want to hear ….. but true none the less!
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The Beauty Within

Sue’s Views
We should never judge people by our first impression. They may appear ‘prickly’ ….. but everyone has a story. Outwardly they may be saying ” stay away from me” but inwardly they are crying out for love and acceptance. We can reject them yet again ….. or help them and others see the beauty that lies within.
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Unfulfilled Dreams

Sue’s Views
Do you have a dream that has faded in the light of reality? Maybe years have passed and you’ve resigned to thinking ‘that will never happen now.’ Maybe circumstances have put a barrier between you and the dream being fulfilled ….. or choices you’ve made have disqualified you from deserving it. Who gave you the dream? If it came from God ….. He will fulfil it! He’s the starter and the finisher. Yes it might take a little longer than He intended ….. and the route might be a little different ….. but hold on to those unfulfilled dreams. They are still on God’s to do list!
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The Untrodden Path

Sue’s Views
There are times in life when there is no visible path. Does it mean you are going the wrong way ….. or just that few have taken the journey before you? The clear, well beaten track is always the most popular. But ‘it’s the narrow path that leads to life and few find it.’ We are called to walk by faith and not by sight. The question is ….. did God initiate the journey? If so ….. you can move ahead with absolute assurance that He will lead you to your destination.
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