Category: Sue’s Views

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Let Us Be Diligent

Sue’s Views
12 Steps To A Good Year
Step 2: Let Us Be Diligent
“Therefore, let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:11 NASB)
What Is Diligence?
Let’s consider for a moment what diligence is. Sometimes one way to find out the meaning of a word is to consider its opposite. One obvious opposite of diligence is laziness. The Bible doesn’t have one good word to say about laziness. It is a theme that does not receive enough attention in contemporary Christendom. Compare this to what the writer of Hebrews says in chapter 6, verses 11–12:
“We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” (NIV)
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Let Us Fear …..

Sue’s Views
To start off the New Year ….. I want to share some thoughts from a devotional by Derek Prince called ‘12  Steps To A Good Year’. They are taken from the book of Hebrews.
Step 1. Let Us Fear
‘Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still remains and is freely offered today, let us fear, in case any one of you may seem to come short of reaching it or think he has come too late.’ Hebrews 4:1 Amp
Because of their presumption, their false security, their laziness, and because they had not availed themselves of all the privileges and blessings that they had enjoyed in a special degree, this first admonition was “let us fear.”
In what, exactly, did that generation fail? The passage makes it clear: They did not hear God’s voice. They were content to get things second-hand through Moses. They had a form of religion: the tabernacle, the Ten Commandments, the priesthood, the sacrifices, and various ceremonial laws. But in all that, they missed the one essential. They failed to hear God’s voice.
If you will make this your first step in this new year, you will be a better person by the end of it. Please accept this as the first resolution. Let’s fear that we don’t make the same mistake that Israel made. Let’s cultivate hearing the Lord’s voice.
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Clean Out Time!

Sue’s Views
Well 2023 is almost over ….. and now it’s time to prepare for a new year. There’s something about a new year that makes me want to clean out closets ….. and rearrange stuff. But most of all ….. to do a heart check. It’s like we get an opportunity to start over. To get rid of things that don’t quite ‘fit’ who God made us to be. And to focus on what brings out the best in us! 
If 2023 has been a tough one for you ….. no doubt you are a different person than you were a year ago. I can’t promise 2024 will be any easier ….. but I can promise that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will continue to be your strength ….. your provider ….. and your helper in times of need.
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A New Way Of Thinking

Sue’s Views
I wonder what new things 2024 will bring? At the end of his life …..King Solomon concluded that “there is nothing new under the sun!” I recently heard a preacher say, “History repeats itself. It has to because no one listens!” I’m personally not looking for ‘the new thing’ ….. but for a new way of looking at the ‘old’. New understanding ….. new revelation ….. new desire to change my thinking to God’s perspective. How about you?
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Take The Plunge!

Sue’s Views
Yesterday I went for my first and last swim in the sea for 2023! You’ll have to take my word for it as there is no photo! It wasn’t the first opportunity I’d had this year. It’s just that I had always found an excuse ….. a reason not to. ‘The tide is too far out’ …… ‘the sea is a bit rough’ ….. ‘it’s a bit cold’ etc. I went through all those again yesterday ….. but then I decided to just do it! It was honestly the best half hour! Many times in life we miss opportunities because we look for reasons not to rather than to do it. So my advice is to take the plunge while you have the chance. Otherwise ….. your opportunity will turn into a regret!
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Expectations

Sue’s Views
Life has many challenges ….. not the least of which is other people’s expectations. Especially at this time of year ….. trying to please everyone will add to our stress. Not everyone is going to be pleased with us ….. we have to learn to live with that fact! We too must be careful not to put excessive expectations on others. Like the Apostle Paul said ….. ‘I have learned to be content ….. whether with much or with little’.
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The Narrow Path

Sue’s Views
If you are walking on the narrow path ….. you probably experience times of loneliness. It’s not the most popular route! You may sometimes question whether you are going the right way. The Bible tells us that the highway to hell is broad and crowded ….. but the path to heaven is small and only a few ever find it. Sobering thought!
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Man Of His Word

Sue’s Views 
One thing I know for sure is that God is a Man of His Word! When He says something ….. He means it! When He promises something ….. it will happen! But He will work it according to His timetable ….. His purpose ….. and His way. So don’t wear yourself out worrying about the ‘hows’ and ‘whens’. Your wildest imagination could not come anywhere near to His plans! Instead use this time to build your trust in the God who sees the end from the beginning ….. and every step in between! There can be peace and strength in the waiting!
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Stop ….. And Smell The Roses!

Sue’s Views
In the busyness of the season ….. don’t forget to stop and smell the roses! A walk through the rose garden will put things into perspective. It will make you aware that you are part of something much bigger than the things that concern you ….. and therefore you can hand them over to the One who cares more than you do. You may have difficult people or situations to deal with. Even roses have thorns ….. they are part of life. But they don’t allow the thorns to overshadow their beauty.
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Bridges

Sue’s Views
Bridges connect places or people that would otherwise be separated. Whether it’s a river ….. highway ….. or railway track ….. a bridge can overcome isolation and gives access to what’s on the other side. Has something come between you and someone else? An offence maybe ….. or just lack of effort? Do you need to build a bridge? It may just be a text ….. phone call ….. or a card ….. but by reaching out from your side ….. you can bridge the gap between you. Friendships take a lot of work in our busy lifestyle but they are worth the effort.
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