Bitter Sweet

Sue’s Views
Disappointments come in many different forms ….. but they are most often due to our expectations not being met. We expect people to keep their word ….. but they don’t. We look forward to an event ….. but it gets cancelled. We worked really hard all year ….. but someone else gets the promotion. You can add your version to the list! But what if our disappointments are God’s  appointments? There’s a story in the Bible about the Israelites ….. after their amazing escape from Egypt via the Red Sea ….. came to a pool of water. After 3 days of travelling they were very thirsty ….. and were so relieved to be able to have a drink. But only to discover the water was bitter and undrinkable. They groaned and complained ….. completely forgetting what God had just brought them through! But Moses prayed and God showed him a tree and told him to throw it into the water. The water became sweet! So much we can learn from this story ….. but I believe the main point is that God used a disappointing situation to prove to them His supernatural power and ability to take care of them in any circumstance. When we put our trust in Him ….. He can make our bitter pool sweet!
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Press Through

Sue’s Views
What do you see in this picture? Do you see the trees making the way narrow and difficult ….. or do you see the wide open space ahead? How we view life determines how we live. Don’t be put off by the challenges in your path. Press through and experience the freedom on the other side!
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Prodigals

Sue’s Views
There’s one in every family! That one child that always pushes the boundary! You provide a safe and healthy environment for them ….. but they have to find out what’s on the other side of the fence! They often have to find out for themselves. Like the Prodigal Son ….. his father had to let him go knowing full well he would be in for a difficult journey. But he never stopped praying that one day his son would return. In fact he expected it to happen and watched out for his son’s return. So if you have a prodigal son or daughter ….. don’t despair! Praying God’s covering over them is the best way to keep them safe ….. and He knows exactly how and when to bring them home! After lessons are learned ….. you will have a new child!
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Hold Fast

Sue’s Views
The Bible says “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful.” We need to confess what God has said. If He said it ….. it doesn’t matter how things look! It will happen! Just like Abraham ….. who ‘hoped against all hope’ ….. we will see the promise fulfilled if we hold on without doubting.
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The Heavens Declare The Glory Of God!

Sue’s Views
A few weeks ago we were staying with friends at Ohope Beach. One night I was having trouble sleeping. I went outside and saw the most magnificent sight! The night sky was a display of God’s handiwork ….. and preached one of the most significant messages I’d ever heard! If God created all that and holds it all in the palm of his hands ….. why would I ever doubt His ability to deal with my problems? What I saw was only a small part of the Milky Way which is made up of billions of stars ….. and is one of countless other galaxies. And yet He sees you and me ….. and cares for us! Stop telling God how big your problems are ….. and start telling your problems how big your God is! 
 ‘The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.’ Psalm 19:1
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Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the US. We don’t celebrate it here in NZ ….. but I think it would be a good idea! We might have different reasons to celebrate than the Americans ….. but we certainly have a lot to be thankful for. We live in one of the most beautiful and safest countries in the world. Of course we can find plenty to gripe about ….. but the whole point of being thankful is to look for the positives ….. and they far outweigh the negatives. In fact ….. everyday should be Thanksgiving Day!


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Unique Creation

Sue’s Views
Do you know that ….. before you were formed in your mother’s womb ….. God already knew you? He knew everything about you ….. including the number of hairs on your head! He gave you unique fingerprints ….. voice patterns ….. and DNA. You are extremely valuable to Him. All you have to do is unpack what He has put within you. That’s a life of purpose!
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Hope Beyond Hope

Sue’s Views
One of the most encouraging scriptures is in Romans 4:18
‘Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have! And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.’ 
Has God given you a promise? Does it seem impossible right now? Then you are in for a miracle! If God said it ….. He will do it! His promises are ‘yes and amen’. There may seem to be no reason for hope ….. others may tell you to give it up ….. but keep hoping! Through this journey ….. God is producing something far greater than you ever imagined!
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His Ways Are Higher!

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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