Author: Sue Wilson

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Perseverance

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.

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Division

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

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New Every Morning

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

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Focus on God

Sue’s Views
So we have another week in lockdown level 3.1. We’ll all have different reactions and responses to this news. Let’s try and focus on what God is doing rather than the government! Romans 12:2 comes to mind:
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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Faith

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!

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The New Thing

Sue’s Views
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” 
Isaiah 43:18-19
Life as we’ve known it with all its familiarity is a thing of the past. We talk about ‘when things get back to normal’ ….. or ‘when this is all over’. But maybe this is part of the ‘new thing’ we hear so much about. With new challenges comes new revelation. God always reveals a new aspect of His character by leading His people through difficult times. When Abraham was asked to do the impossible task of sacrificing his son ….. God showed Himself to be Jehovah Jireh, his Provider. When Israel was surrounded by their enemies with no way out ….. God showed Himself to be Jehovah Nisi ….. their banner. Many times God even allowed enemy nations to come and take Israel captive ….. but through those terrible times ….. He proved He was the only God and was able to deliver them. I’m wondering what new thing God is wanting to do ….. what aspect of His character He wants us to see ….. what new way has He prepared for us.

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The New Thing

Sue’s Views

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19

Life as we’ve known it with all its familiarity is a thing of the past. We talk about ‘when things get back to normal’ ….. or ‘when this is all over’. But maybe this is part of the ‘new thing’ we hear so much about. With new challenges comes new revelation. God always reveals a new aspect of His character by leading His people through difficult times. When Abraham was asked to do the impossible task of sacrificing his son ….. God showed Himself to be Jehovah Jireh, his Provider. When Israel was surrounded by their enemies with no way out ….. God showed Himself to be Jehovah Nisi ….. their banner. Many times God even allowed enemy nations to come and take Israel captive ….. but through those terrible times ….. He proved He was the only God and was able to deliver them. I’m wondering what new thing God is wanting to do ….. what aspect of His character He wants us to see ….. what new way has He prepared for us.

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Hope

Sue’s Views 
One thing we need more than anything right now is hope!  Not wishful thinking ….. or a far off dream. True hope in the Bible means assurance that is based on faith in something or someone who is unshakeable and absolutely trustworthy. A huge ship relies on a small anchor because the anchor connects it to the sea bed which is solid and unmoveable. We only need a small amount of faith (like a mustard seed) to connect us to our God who is always steadfast and sure. 
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19

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Beware of Division

Sue’s Views
In times like this we can all feel a little edgy. It’s ok to have different opinions! We all tend to think ours is the right one ….. and we can close our minds to others. But most people are choosing what they believe is right. It’s not always a matter of being right or wrong. The devil is having a field day at the moment ….. causing division ….. and even hatred ….. between friends and families. This is one of his tactics ….. to divide and conquer! Jesus said …..
“They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” 
Sometimes we have to agree to disagree. We don’t always have to prove our point or win the argument. When all is said and done ….. none of us have the whole picture! Only God does ….. so let’s look to Him to adjust our vision!

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Testing

Sue’s Views
If you find yourself between a rock and a hard place ….. don’t be surprised. It’s God’s testing ground! Jesus was tested in the wilderness for 40 days ….. Israel was tested in the desert for 40 years ….. and we too will go through our season of testing. It’s the place where we trust God or we die. It’s where we discover who we are ….. but more importantly ….. who God is! Before He died ….. Jesus prepared his disciples for troublesome times ahead. He spoke of natural disasters ….. but also about deception ….. betrayal and hatred towards one another. In His own words:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33