Category: Sue’s Views

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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

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Labour Day

Sue’s Views
Today is Labour Day in NZ. It commemorates the result of the fight for an eight hour working day and better working conditions in 1890. It was celebrated in each centre with street parades and a public holiday. It seems ironic somehow that here we are ….. 131 years later ….. and many are fighting for their very jobs!  Let’s all pray for justice to be done ….. so we have something to celebrate in future!

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Psalm 31

Sue’s Views 
Psalm 31 was written by King David at a time of distress in his life. He felt trapped (v4) ….. filled with grief (v9) ….. weak and afflicted (v10) ….. hated and abandoned by his loved ones (v11-13) ….. and worst of all ….. forgotten by God! (V22) 
‘In my alarm I said,
    “I am cut off from your sight!”
There are times in life when we feel like the heavens are made of brass and no one is listening. 
But He goes on to say:
‘Yet you heard my cry for mercy
    when I called to you for help.’
God is there even when you can’t feel His presence or hear His voice. 
In David’s final words:
‘Be strong and take heart,
    all you who hope in the Lord.’

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Be Still

Sue’s Views
One of the most challenging things to do is to be still. We are always on the go ….. we fill our minds with information ….. we go to Google before we go to the Bible. When we do pray and seek God ….. it’s often out of anxiety and agitation. Just as still water gives the best reflections ….. so a still heart and mind is needed to receive truth. Here’s what God says:
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
It’s only when we are still that we can see through all the hype and confusion ….. and know who God really is!

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He Sees You!

Sue’s Views
Do you know that Almighty God ….. the Creator of the Universe ….. sees you? There is nowhere you can go to escape His gaze! Now that can be comforting ….. or alarming ….. depending on where you stand with Him. If you are one of His children ….. that is wonderful news. It means you never have to be afraid of danger ….. or worry about provision ….. or be anxious about your future. It means knowing who you are and whose you are. Above all ….. it means knowing you are forgiven from all your wrongdoing ….. and have God’s Spirit within you to guide you through life. However ….. if you don’t know God as your Father ….. you are missing out on the life He intended for you. There is only one way to change that and it’s through His Son, Jesus. In His words ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’

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Good news or Bad News

Sue’s Views
Don’t you just love it when someone says to you ‘I have good news and bad news! Which do you want first?’ We usually say ‘Give me the bad news first!’ Well ….. I have good news and bad news! The bad news is that we are all sinners because we have all disobeyed God’s moral law. Because God is a righteous and just God ….. He has to punish us. The punishment is to be eternally separated from God. Now before you say ‘How could a good God send anyone to Hell?’ ….. what kind of judge would He be if He didn’t uphold the law? Now comes the good news! God’s only Son, Jesus, stepped up and offered to pay the penalty for our sin. The penalty was a horrific death on a cross ….. but He was willing to do that so you and I could go free. In doing so ….. He gave us a choice. We pay our own penalty ….. or we put our trust in what Jesus did on our behalf. When we understand the bad news ….. the good news becomes very good. And we all need some Good News!