Category: Sue’s Views

Sue’s Views

Last week ….. my calendar was very full. As I contemplated the days to come ….. I began to feel overwhelmed but each event was out of my control. I prayed for strength and help ….. and the week turned out to be nowhere near as demanding as I had thought. So much of our stress comes from the anticipation rather than the actual! We are complex creatures! Spirit ….. Soul ….. and Body! The three work in conjunction and affect one another. Many physical illnesses are a result of our mental processing. But it’s also true that much mental disease is a result of our spiritual health. When God is at the centre ….. everything else will take its rightful place. Who you worship will determine how you think ….. and what you believe will determine how you treat your body! My prayer for you today is:

‘Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.’ 3 John 1:2

Sue’s Views

Our ability to weather the storms of life is a lot like these trees. 1) They are planted by water so they are constantly hydrated and refreshed. 2) They have deep roots that keep them stable. 3) They are surrounded by others that help to protect them. We can learn a lot from nature!

Sue’s Views

The uncertainty of our future can take our minds to places of anxiety and depression. The ‘what ifs’ ….. can take us on a journey that brings stress before it happens. Joyce Meyer has a saying ‘Where the mind goes ….. the man follows’. How do we avoid going the wrong way? By changing our mind! 

Psalm 23 says: ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.’ 

I love that is starts with ‘even though’! Even in the worst case scenario ….. God is with us! The safest place we can be is in His presence. 

It goes on to say, ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’

Now that is the epitome of being an overcomer!

Sue’s Views

Do you realise what an amazing work of art you are? God designed you uniquely ….. fashioned you ….. and formed you in your mother’s womb. You are no accident! You have a purpose and God has given you gifts and talents to fulfil that purpose. Now go and shine for Him ….. and be the best ‘you’ you can be!

Sue’s Views

I don’t pretend to understand the complexities of the Treaty of Waitangi ….. nor the grievances that have resulted from it. All I know is that I was brought to New Zealand at a young age by my parents who saw a better future. They didn’t understand then that it was the hand of God at work. If they hadn’t made that decision ….. I may not have found Him ….. and I certainly wouldn’t have met my husband and produced the wonderful family God has blessed us with. I am so grateful to this nation for accepting us and adopting us as fellow citizens. God defend New Zealand!

Sue’s Views

To all the students beginning a new school year ….. aim high! Aim high in your studies ….. aim high in your friendships ….. but most of all ….. aim high in your character. You may not be top of the class in Maths or English ….. but you could ace it in kindness and responsibility. Don’t just aim for a well paid job ….. aim also to be a person of integrity! Blessings to you all!

Sue’s Views

Life is a lot like this picture. There are a few things that stand out ….. but the majority is made up of varying shades of green. Your life may not look very exciting ….. days of the same old routine ….. not much excitement ….. bo … ring! But every one of those meals you prepare ….. taxi runs to and from school ….. times you clean the house ….. go to work ….. or whatever you do daily ….. are significant bits of an overall beautiful picture!

Sue’s Views

I love the way this fountain is designed. Each branch is set at just the right angle to be able to receive water from the branch above while ….. at the same time ….. passing water on to the branch below. That’s a great picture of our lives. We receive ….. and we give. In that way we never become stagnant. The blessings we receive are not for us ….. but for others.

Sue’s Views

Ever wondered how God can be interested in you when there are 7.5 billion people on the planet? It’s because He’s so big He holds the universe in His hand. He knows you intimately. He designed you from the beginning. He knows your name ….. the desires of your heart ….. what you’re going to say before you say it ….. He knows your innermost thoughts. He’s a good Father and you can trust Him with every detail of your life. Like any good father ….. He will let you know when you are on the wrong path and lead you back to the right one. Are you ready to trust Him?

Sue’s Views

Noone likes to hear bad news ….. but bad news can be good news! An early diagnosis can prevent an illness from worsening. Even if it doesn’t ….. it helps to know the worst case scenario to prepare for the future. 

Before ascending to Heaven ….. Jesus warned his disciples about what would happen in the days to come. It’s a grim picture of persecution ….. martyrdom ….. and trouble. He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” He didn’t say “The trouble won’t affect you!” In fact all but one of those disciples died as martyrs. But what He did say was that He would be with them through the trouble and bring them out the other side victorious. Whatever ‘troubles’ you are facing ….. you will overcome if you put your trust in Jesus.