Author: Sue Wilson

Sue’s Views

Every time I walk past this tree ….. it reminds me of marriage. Two very different people become one ….. and produce new branches! If you look carefully ….. you’ll see that the two halves at the base of the tree are very different. Their roots are different ….. their shapes are different. But as it grows taller ….. it seems to blend into one tree. It probably took years for that to happen. No doubt there were times during those years when the two trunks wanted to split! It looks like they might have lost a couple of branches and still bear the scars. But somehow they clung together and grew other branches. Maybe it was the kids that kept them together ….. but somehow they pushed through the storms of life ….. and became a testimony of true love and commitment. Most wedding vows include the words ‘till death us do part’. That’s because it can take a lifetime to truly become one! So ….. yes ….. there will be seasons of discontent ….. disappointment ….. and even regret. But a true love is developing on the inside that will see you through.

“‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 

Mark 10: 7-9

Father, today I pray for struggling and broken marriages. Please help couples to put you at the centre. Bring healing and reconciliation and give them a fresh love for one another, in Jesus Name, Amen.

Sue’s Views

I had a fun night with these grandies last night! I gave them some art and craft supplies and let their imaginations run wild! I only wish I’d taken more pictures! We had crowns ….. masks ….. fashion ….. and lots of other art work! We all cracked up when Jabari came out dressed as a superhero! Another highlight was when Calla wrote a prayer for her bedroom wall ….. thanking God and telling Him she loves Him. 

God made us in His image ….. so that makes us created creators! We are all different but each one shows a unique aspect of God. His care for detail ….. His variety of colour and design ….. and ….. yes! ….. his sense of humour!

Sue’s Views

We are all given the same amount of time every day. We are free to use that time as we choose. But how do we use it in the best possible way? Much is determined by our work ….. family ….. responsibilities. We have timetables ….. calendars ….. to do lists ….. but we so often run out of time and feel frustrated and exhausted. God also keeps a timetable for each one of us. It’s probably very different to ours. In fact ….. we probably have higher expectations of what to do with our time than He does. He gives us time to do the things that are on His list ….. not ours! So how do we know? By checking in each morning and asking Him. Before rushing into your daily routine ….. ask Him what’s His top priority for the day. You’ll find His schedule can deal with matters that were weighing you down ….. and even clear your day of stress.

‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens’ Ecclesiastes 3:1

   

Dear Lord, we commit this day to you. Please guide us according to your program ….. and give us strength to do your will today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Sue’s Views

A lot can happen in three days! So much took place on that Cross that it will lake a lifetime and beyond to understand it all. But to put it simply ….. an exchange took place. Jesus disciples would testify to that! Peter went from denying Jesus three times ….. to telling Him he loves Him three times. His guilt and shame were exchanged for forgiveness and a whole new commission. Thomas went from being a doubter ….. to a believer. The guys who ran away from the garden ….. became missionaries to the ends of the world. The women who followed Jesus went from grief and despair ….. to being filled with joy. Whatever you are going through ….. take your guilt ….. shame ….. fear ….. doubts ….. grief ….. to the Cross. It will truly change your life!

‘For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward.’ 2 Corinthians 13:4

Sue’s Views

Is there anything in your life you are ashamed of ….. feel guilty about ….. regret? Welcome to the human race! We’ve all fallen short of God’s standard. We’ve all lied ….. stolen ….. coveted ….. lusted ….. hated ….. blasphemed! That’s why He gave His Son as a sacrifice to die on a cross in our place. When we repent of our sin ….. He exchanges it for His righteousness. What a gift! No matter what we’ve done in the past ….. God forgives and forgets!

Are you struggling with sickness ….. depression ….. rejection ….. grief ….. hurt ….. anxiety or fear? Jesus carried all that on the cross too! He wants to exchange it for His wellness ….. joy ….. peace and love. We only have to believe and ask. So today is very significant! Jesus invites you to come to the cross and lay your burdens down. He’s about to do something amazing! His death was horrific ….. but He defied death and the devil by rising to life on the third day. You too can experience resurrection life! In the words of an old hymn:

‘And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior’s blood

Died He for me, who caused His pain

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God, should die for me?’

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter2:24

Sue’s Views

On the night before He died ….. Jesus invited His disciples to a dinner! Before eating He surprised them by washing their feet. This was a custom normally carried out by the lowest servant in the house. You can imagine their embarrassment. During the meal ….. He broke a loaf of bread and shared it with the 12 men. He explained that the bread was a symbol of His body that was about to be broken for them. He then poured wine and passed it around ….. explaining that the wine represented His blood that was about to be poured out as a sacrifice so they could be made right with God. After dinner He took them for a walk to a garden and asked them to pray with Him. Not understanding the deep sorrow He was feeling ….. they fell asleep ….. leaving Him to face it alone. They were awakened by soldiers who came to arrest Jesus and take Him to be tried and crucified. What a night! We can only imagine how the disciples felt that night and the next day. But ….. just 3 days later ….. they would get it! They would put the pieces together and understand the significance of the foot washing ….. the bread and the wine ….. and the incredible sacrifice Jesus made on their behalf. And on behalf of all of us who would believe in Him.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Sue’s Views

The storm seems to have bypassed us here in Auckland ….. but may be impacting other parts of the country. So often warnings don’t turn out to be as bad as predicted ….. but we would be unwise to ignore them. The Bible is full of warnings. God never does anything without warning the people through His prophets ….. often years before the actual event. That’s because He is merciful. He doesn’t want anyone to perish. But He is also just and that’s a tricky balance. He has to follow up on His word. He gives us time to meet His conditions which are always for our good. There are plenty of signs to let us know that time is running out. 

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets” Amos 3:7

Sue’s Views

Are you facing a storm? In the natural ….. there are a few things we can do when a storm warning is given. We can stay away from places of danger ….. we can tie down loose items that could be taken by strong winds ….. we can stay inside. But having done what we can ….. we are pretty much at the whim of the storm. When facing a storm of life ….. there are also things we can do. We can do our part to stay calm and to provide a safe environment for those around us. This might mean speaking positive words into the situation ….. not bringing up past failures and hurts ….. and focussing on God who is in charge of the storm. This pic reminds me of the last verse of this song:

‘Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

 “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

Dear Lord, thank you that you are in charge of this storm I am going through. Please give me strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. You have always been ….. and will always be faithful. Great is Your faithfulness! Amen.

Sue’s Views

After 33 weeks of watching church on a screen ….. we finally got back together yesterday! And what a celebration! Of course ….. Church isn’t a building ….. or a particular group of people. In fact Covid has helped the Church to grow and spread out into homes ….. parks ….. beaches! And not only on Sundays! The Church infiltrates work places ….. shopping malls ….. neighbourhoods. It’s a global body of believers in Jesus Christ. It’s a family of brothers and sisters. You can go anywhere in the world and find them! That’s because Jesus lives inside each believer so we carry Him with us wherever we go. 

“Because the God who said, Out of darkness light shall shine, is the One who shined in our hearts to illuminate the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not out of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

Sue’s Views

After 8 months of lockdowns and isolation ….. we have probably all developed some new habits. We’ve learned to do life alone or in our bubble. Hopefully by now we’ve met with others face to face …… but our contact has mostly been through technology. This Sunday ….. our church gets to actually meet again. Some can’t wait! Others may be hesitant. We’ve grown accustomed to watching the service online ….. or meeting in a small group. But God’s Church is better together! It’s time to come out from behind those walls!

‘And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.’ Hebrews 10:25