Well today Mr John Graham spoke at church and had some very good points to make indeed. He spoke about Joseph and how he was sold into slavery by his brothers, and ended up being in prison (read the full story in Genesis 37). Let's think about this. Joseph. Slavery. Prison. That's definitely not much to make someone cheerful or full of the 'joys of the Lord'. What the heck was God doing, particularly when it had been God who had given Joseph some of the dreams and visions and ideas which had got him into this situation in the first place? Joseph had two choices. He could sit there all miserable, sad, angry, disappointed and disillusioned, or he could choose God, believe His promises and live out the calling God had upon his life there and then, in that prison cell. And the latter is exactly what he did. To cut a long story short, he ended up in high places, had favor with the Pharaoh and was put in charge of the store houses during the famine later on. How excellent, and what a good man!
So it's no surprise that I often don't like being here in Watford. It was never my plan to come here in the first place. I miss my family and my friends. I miss the sea. I miss the pace of life, the culture, the quirky little shops and villages, the accent, being able to speak properly in my real accent without having to speak 'posh' so that people understand me..... (teehee I am teasing). I get miserable about it quite a lot I suppose. I get frustrated and I don't always know what the bigger picture is. Yet, like Joseph, I know God has a calling on my life. And, like Joseph I have a choice to make. I can either sit here all miserable and angry and hide in a little hole until I am able to move back (if I move back!), or I can live life to the full here and now, live out God's calling on my life, get involved, do stuff, live life to the full, live in the fast lane, be excited, be challenged, be changed, enjoy my life down here... So I do. And it's wonderful. It's also really flipping hard at times too! Don't get me wrong, I'm not always happy about having made this choice, and there are days when I am miserable and sad (it's been particularly tough so far this year actually), but at least I try. Because I know God has a purpose, He knows the bigger picture, He has a plan for my life and it is a good plan. He brought me here for a reason. He has carried me down to this bedroom, in this house, working in this particular job and being part of this particular church for a reason. I don't always see it. I don't always understand it, but I believe it. I don't understand how my microwave works, but I press a button and it heats up my food.
You know, I'm sick of waiting for the perfect time and the perfect place and the perfect location to do stuff. I'm sick of waiting for my book to be published, so I started writing a blog instead. I got fed up of flowery worship songs, so I started singing because I believe God wanted to make a difference and stop me sitting around and complaining. I was annoyed at there being no 20's age group venue at Spring Harvest at few years ago, so I sorted out a meet up in the coffee shop and over 25 people came some of whom I am still friends with years later. Now is the time. There is no time like the present. We are here for 'such a time as this' (Esther 4:14). Even if you are not sure what it is God wants you to do, do something, set the ball rolling. I'm sure Joseph didn't expect to be interpreting Pharaoh's dreams when he started interpreting his fellow inmate's dreams - he just started somewhere.
I guess as John said this morning, the engine might be running but we may be in neutral. Now is the time to stop being in neutral and to move up a gear. Let's stop waiting around for the go ahead and just go. Let's stop waiting for the flag to go down and start the race. With God. Knowing He is with us. Even Jacob was scared when he had to face his brother Esau again after taking his birthright (Genesis 32). He was afraid that Esau might kill him. But he clung to God's promise knowing that God had vowed to make him a great nation. Cling to God's promises and His calling in your life today. Keep going. Don't be put off by fear. Journey this with God and never walk alone.
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Mild wanderings
So, I'm not sure what to write about here. But I feel the need to write so bear with me as this unravels. We've been looking at Jacob and Esau and how Esau traded his birthright for immediate gratification rather than longterm benefit. We can also fall into doing this and I definitely think there is a warning here. Here were some thoughts I had on this...
1 - Do not settle for second best in pressured times and risk losing everything
2 - Consider the consequences and the long term
3 - Do not give in to the pressure of the short-term distraction - God is our sustainer - look at the bigger picture
4 - Can these situations be avoided in the first place i.e. yes, Esau was famished from working out in the fields and let his hunger be his priority - so much so that he gave away his birthright, however could this have been avoided? Could he have been sensible and eaten earlier? Yes some situations are unavoidable, but can some be prevented in the first place by being more cautious, taking extra care or by forward thinking?
5 - Are you in a good and strong enough place in your relationship with God to stand up under pressured situations and not just settle for short-term satisfaction?
So, moving on from here, in Genesis 27v41 we see that 'Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him'. Well duh Esau, you gave away your birthright in the first place! What did you expect? I couldn't help but feel sorry for Esau having been under pressure and making a silly mistake that cost him so much. But at the same time I also felt a bit unsympathetic towards him seeing how he had just given his inheritance away so freely. Sometimes we do make bad choices. Sometimes there are reasons for this such as being under pressure, other times we just give into temptation. So what happens when a while later we find ourselves reaping the consequences? Here are some ideas...
1 - Unlike Esau I really think we need to work through those 'grudges' against people. Bitterness can take root and be hugely damaging so we need to ask for forgiveness and let God work in us through this.
2 - If we have made a bad decision, we may need to ask God for forgiveness for this also. It may not make the situation change automatically but if we have been wrong, not asking for forgiveness may prevent us from moving on, living in fullness or accepting certain situations.
3 - Instead of looking at what we don't have, look at what we do have. Without going into detail, part of my move to Watford was a bad decision. Part of it was unavoidable, but part of it was definitely a bad decision. The consequences can be hard. I get very lonely and homesick at times. I get angry at having to live so far away from family and friends and frustrated at my decisions. However at the same time, I've made amazing new friends, found amazing family at WCC, grown in character and strength, done things I would never have had the chance to do and made a difference down here, not to mention succeeded in my career and finally got my head around the London underground! Yes, you may have made bad decisions but I guarantee none of them are too bad for God to work in. Perhaps a change of perspective may be in order to be thankful for what you do have, rather than dwell on the past and on what you don't have.
4 - Finally, I believe in a great, big God who is bigger than the worst decision we can make, who is the Author and Perfector of our faith (Heb12:2), who's arm is long enough to reach down into the deepest, darkest pit we may have dug out for ourselves ('surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save' Is59:1), and who is able to restore us, bring peace, comfort us and walk with us through every step of life - the good, the bad and the ugly.
So as I 'come in to land' (heeheehee - Tim I know where that came from), I'm sure we have all made bad decisions and have faced consequences at some time or another. Perhaps you are experiencing some of these now. I guess we have a choice to make. Do we let those bad decisions rule the rest of our lives and end up with nothing, or do we give them over to God and ask Him to be with us as we journey through the rest of our lives?
And as a final thought. I LOVE this verse in Genesis 28:15 in which God says to Jacob (who by the way was a liar and a cheat yet became an amazing man of faith and carried on the promise of Abraham, possibly because he chose not to dwell on his failures but rejoice in his future)...
'I am with you, and will watch over you wherever you go... I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you'.
***Thoughts and comments much appreciated - these are a little thin on the ground so PLEASE share your ideas...***
1 - Do not settle for second best in pressured times and risk losing everything
2 - Consider the consequences and the long term
3 - Do not give in to the pressure of the short-term distraction - God is our sustainer - look at the bigger picture
4 - Can these situations be avoided in the first place i.e. yes, Esau was famished from working out in the fields and let his hunger be his priority - so much so that he gave away his birthright, however could this have been avoided? Could he have been sensible and eaten earlier? Yes some situations are unavoidable, but can some be prevented in the first place by being more cautious, taking extra care or by forward thinking?
5 - Are you in a good and strong enough place in your relationship with God to stand up under pressured situations and not just settle for short-term satisfaction?
So, moving on from here, in Genesis 27v41 we see that 'Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him'. Well duh Esau, you gave away your birthright in the first place! What did you expect? I couldn't help but feel sorry for Esau having been under pressure and making a silly mistake that cost him so much. But at the same time I also felt a bit unsympathetic towards him seeing how he had just given his inheritance away so freely. Sometimes we do make bad choices. Sometimes there are reasons for this such as being under pressure, other times we just give into temptation. So what happens when a while later we find ourselves reaping the consequences? Here are some ideas...
1 - Unlike Esau I really think we need to work through those 'grudges' against people. Bitterness can take root and be hugely damaging so we need to ask for forgiveness and let God work in us through this.
2 - If we have made a bad decision, we may need to ask God for forgiveness for this also. It may not make the situation change automatically but if we have been wrong, not asking for forgiveness may prevent us from moving on, living in fullness or accepting certain situations.
3 - Instead of looking at what we don't have, look at what we do have. Without going into detail, part of my move to Watford was a bad decision. Part of it was unavoidable, but part of it was definitely a bad decision. The consequences can be hard. I get very lonely and homesick at times. I get angry at having to live so far away from family and friends and frustrated at my decisions. However at the same time, I've made amazing new friends, found amazing family at WCC, grown in character and strength, done things I would never have had the chance to do and made a difference down here, not to mention succeeded in my career and finally got my head around the London underground! Yes, you may have made bad decisions but I guarantee none of them are too bad for God to work in. Perhaps a change of perspective may be in order to be thankful for what you do have, rather than dwell on the past and on what you don't have.
4 - Finally, I believe in a great, big God who is bigger than the worst decision we can make, who is the Author and Perfector of our faith (Heb12:2), who's arm is long enough to reach down into the deepest, darkest pit we may have dug out for ourselves ('surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save' Is59:1), and who is able to restore us, bring peace, comfort us and walk with us through every step of life - the good, the bad and the ugly.
So as I 'come in to land' (heeheehee - Tim I know where that came from), I'm sure we have all made bad decisions and have faced consequences at some time or another. Perhaps you are experiencing some of these now. I guess we have a choice to make. Do we let those bad decisions rule the rest of our lives and end up with nothing, or do we give them over to God and ask Him to be with us as we journey through the rest of our lives?
And as a final thought. I LOVE this verse in Genesis 28:15 in which God says to Jacob (who by the way was a liar and a cheat yet became an amazing man of faith and carried on the promise of Abraham, possibly because he chose not to dwell on his failures but rejoice in his future)...
'I am with you, and will watch over you wherever you go... I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you'.
***Thoughts and comments much appreciated - these are a little thin on the ground so PLEASE share your ideas...***
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Keep dreaming and live out your calling!
So Jacqueline preached an amazing preach this morning - so proud! Yay. Basically, (if I'm right, and in short) it was about Nehemiah - and how, despite being an ordinary man he didn't keep quiet, but stood up for what God told him to do and made a massive difference, letting God do extraordinary things through his ordinariness.
So God puts desires in us, places callings upon our lives and gives us deep rooted passions and desires to do things and stand up for things. It got me thinking, because I know I've been called to more. I have desires, dreams, passions... I want to do stuff and make a difference... Here are some examples...
- I want to make a difference through my writing
- I have a passion for the alternative, rock, goth scene and want to see them know God - so much so that I often cry when I think about this
- I want to see captives freed, and a binding up of the broken hearted
- I want to publish my God-inspired book and bless 1000's of people through it
- I want to see huge festivals with crazy rock music, and preaching and 1000's of crazy rockers coming to know God
- I want God to use me to bless people everywhere
Now I know this is a lot about 'me' and what 'I' want to do, but I believe these desires have been put there by God. And it's not a selfish thing, it's a God-given passion.
So often it's easy to have these desires and passions and not see them coming to life, so we give up. We have these dreams and desires, but they seem so far removed from reality that we ignore them and bury them. It's often easy to doubt ourselves and think that we could never do something like this. WRONG!
Psalm 20:4 says 'May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed'.
Ephesians 3:20 says that God can do 'immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine'.
Philippians 1:6 says that 'He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion'.
Isaiah 55:11 says that God's word, including His promises and what He says we should do 'will not return to (Him) empty but will accomplish what (He) desires'.
2 Timothy 1:7 'For God did not give us a spirit of timidity , but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline'.
GUYS! It is so easy to become dispondant when we do not see things happen. But God will fulfill His promises. It is easy to give up on what He has said and not believe it. It is easy to believe that the task is too large for us so we ignore it.
STOP! Let's stop doubting God's strength in us. Let's stop procrastinating. Let's stop avoiding the calling. Ridiculous as your calling might be, there is a reason and a purpose for it. Do not withold God's blessing from others because you are too afraid to step up and do what He has said. Come on! Do not hold back!
To illustrate some of this, let me share a bit of my journey... For years I knew I was a bit different. I knew God had a strong calling on my life to be part of the alternative scene and make a difference. I loved rock music and I loved dressing in the 'rocker' style. I battled with this for years because so many people hated it - even my mum who liked to constantly remind me as a teenager. I wasn't 'normal'. I didn't wear pretty dresses or listen to 'acceptable' music. I got refused communion once in church because I have tattoos and piercings. It was a daily battle. Did I conform to the world or did I do what I believe God was calling me to do? Did I stifle who God had created me to be, or did I boldly live out what He wanted me to do? (Now don't get me wrong, I don't always make the best choices, and I know there are opposing opinions on tattoos, piercings, etc - this is not the argument here, I am just illustrating a point...). All of this negativity, being laughed at for what I was, being rejected and looked down upon, being told how awful I looked and being 'socially unacceptable' got to me and led to years of low self esteem. Things didn't look good. But I could not deny what God had called me to do and what He had created me to be. I refused to 'conform to the norm' to please man. I wanted to conform to God.
So I reached a point where I had to decide. Do I go with the world's view of what I should be, or do I continue, battle on and be what God wants me to be and make a difference. To be honest, the desire was too great in me to not follow option 2, so I carried on being the crazy, tattooed, rock loving, head-banging, metal-loving, outspoken person you all know (and love) today. No it isn't everyone's cup of tea. No it isn't always 'socially acceptable'. Yes I get it wrong. But in addition yes, I am 'God's cup of tea', I am acceptable to Him, and He loves me exactly as I am. Not only this but I can live at peace with God and myself knowing that I am following His will. It has been a long journey. I have had to learn the hard way. There are certain things I have had to avoid/do/overcome/accept/put up with/modify and so on to ensure I am living as God wants (such as cutting up 200 CDs one day because of the negative impact they were having on my life, and also refusing to wear certain clothing with bands that advertise bad lyrics, etc). But I am SO happy to be me - the me God created, the me that isn't stifled by society, the me who makes a difference.
And let me finally share some of the positives that have come from this - and I emphasise, not because of me, but because of God in me, using me, working through me and living out His calling in me...
- I have been able to relate to and form friendships with 100's of 'alternative' people Christians and non-Christians alike (people who otherwise I would not know and who I may not have been able to impact)
- I have seen people commit their lives to Christ through these friendships and relationships
- I have overcome a huge amount of personal issues, self-esteem related problems and vastly grown in my acceptance and knowledge of who I am, so much so that I have written a book based on this (still needing completion) and been able to bless loads of people
- I have had the most amazing conversations with people in the 'alternative' scene and been able to offer them hope, guidance, wisdom, prayer
- I have been able to network, facilitate ministries, put people in contact with other people, enable progress in the Kingdom of God
- I write for a Christian rock magazine - in which my first article had over 62,000 hits and blessed a lot of people
- I have been to gigs and concerts and prayed earnestly and fervently for the darkness to leave and for God's spirit to reign
- I have had my art-work displayed in London at an alternative festival and been able to share the gospel through this
- I have hopefully challenged and broken down some of the stereotypes and negativity from Christians and churches towards this 'alternative' scene and acted as a bridge between the two
- I have been allowed to write this blog
PRAISE GOD.
Now can you imagine if I hadn't have gone with God and ignored His calling? Would all of this had happened? Would so many people be blessed? Would God have been able to work as much as He has? Would I be the person I am today?.... I doubt it. And this is just the beginning!!!!!!!
So come on guys. KEEP DREAMING. KEEP HOPING. KEEP LIVING IN GOD. PUT YOURSELF IN THE RIGHT PLACES FOR GOD TO USE YOU! DO NOT STIFLE YOUR CALLING OR WHO YOU ARE. Even when it is scary. Even when it is hard. Even when it looks bleak. There is more.
Be blessed.
So God puts desires in us, places callings upon our lives and gives us deep rooted passions and desires to do things and stand up for things. It got me thinking, because I know I've been called to more. I have desires, dreams, passions... I want to do stuff and make a difference... Here are some examples...
- I want to make a difference through my writing
- I have a passion for the alternative, rock, goth scene and want to see them know God - so much so that I often cry when I think about this
- I want to see captives freed, and a binding up of the broken hearted
- I want to publish my God-inspired book and bless 1000's of people through it
- I want to see huge festivals with crazy rock music, and preaching and 1000's of crazy rockers coming to know God
- I want God to use me to bless people everywhere
Now I know this is a lot about 'me' and what 'I' want to do, but I believe these desires have been put there by God. And it's not a selfish thing, it's a God-given passion.
So often it's easy to have these desires and passions and not see them coming to life, so we give up. We have these dreams and desires, but they seem so far removed from reality that we ignore them and bury them. It's often easy to doubt ourselves and think that we could never do something like this. WRONG!
Psalm 20:4 says 'May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed'.
Ephesians 3:20 says that God can do 'immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine'.
Philippians 1:6 says that 'He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion'.
Isaiah 55:11 says that God's word, including His promises and what He says we should do 'will not return to (Him) empty but will accomplish what (He) desires'.
2 Timothy 1:7 'For God did not give us a spirit of timidity , but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline'.
GUYS! It is so easy to become dispondant when we do not see things happen. But God will fulfill His promises. It is easy to give up on what He has said and not believe it. It is easy to believe that the task is too large for us so we ignore it.
STOP! Let's stop doubting God's strength in us. Let's stop procrastinating. Let's stop avoiding the calling. Ridiculous as your calling might be, there is a reason and a purpose for it. Do not withold God's blessing from others because you are too afraid to step up and do what He has said. Come on! Do not hold back!
To illustrate some of this, let me share a bit of my journey... For years I knew I was a bit different. I knew God had a strong calling on my life to be part of the alternative scene and make a difference. I loved rock music and I loved dressing in the 'rocker' style. I battled with this for years because so many people hated it - even my mum who liked to constantly remind me as a teenager. I wasn't 'normal'. I didn't wear pretty dresses or listen to 'acceptable' music. I got refused communion once in church because I have tattoos and piercings. It was a daily battle. Did I conform to the world or did I do what I believe God was calling me to do? Did I stifle who God had created me to be, or did I boldly live out what He wanted me to do? (Now don't get me wrong, I don't always make the best choices, and I know there are opposing opinions on tattoos, piercings, etc - this is not the argument here, I am just illustrating a point...). All of this negativity, being laughed at for what I was, being rejected and looked down upon, being told how awful I looked and being 'socially unacceptable' got to me and led to years of low self esteem. Things didn't look good. But I could not deny what God had called me to do and what He had created me to be. I refused to 'conform to the norm' to please man. I wanted to conform to God.
So I reached a point where I had to decide. Do I go with the world's view of what I should be, or do I continue, battle on and be what God wants me to be and make a difference. To be honest, the desire was too great in me to not follow option 2, so I carried on being the crazy, tattooed, rock loving, head-banging, metal-loving, outspoken person you all know (and love) today. No it isn't everyone's cup of tea. No it isn't always 'socially acceptable'. Yes I get it wrong. But in addition yes, I am 'God's cup of tea', I am acceptable to Him, and He loves me exactly as I am. Not only this but I can live at peace with God and myself knowing that I am following His will. It has been a long journey. I have had to learn the hard way. There are certain things I have had to avoid/do/overcome/accept/put up with/modify and so on to ensure I am living as God wants (such as cutting up 200 CDs one day because of the negative impact they were having on my life, and also refusing to wear certain clothing with bands that advertise bad lyrics, etc). But I am SO happy to be me - the me God created, the me that isn't stifled by society, the me who makes a difference.
And let me finally share some of the positives that have come from this - and I emphasise, not because of me, but because of God in me, using me, working through me and living out His calling in me...
- I have been able to relate to and form friendships with 100's of 'alternative' people Christians and non-Christians alike (people who otherwise I would not know and who I may not have been able to impact)
- I have seen people commit their lives to Christ through these friendships and relationships
- I have overcome a huge amount of personal issues, self-esteem related problems and vastly grown in my acceptance and knowledge of who I am, so much so that I have written a book based on this (still needing completion) and been able to bless loads of people
- I have had the most amazing conversations with people in the 'alternative' scene and been able to offer them hope, guidance, wisdom, prayer
- I have been able to network, facilitate ministries, put people in contact with other people, enable progress in the Kingdom of God
- I write for a Christian rock magazine - in which my first article had over 62,000 hits and blessed a lot of people
- I have been to gigs and concerts and prayed earnestly and fervently for the darkness to leave and for God's spirit to reign
- I have had my art-work displayed in London at an alternative festival and been able to share the gospel through this
- I have hopefully challenged and broken down some of the stereotypes and negativity from Christians and churches towards this 'alternative' scene and acted as a bridge between the two
- I have been allowed to write this blog
PRAISE GOD.
Now can you imagine if I hadn't have gone with God and ignored His calling? Would all of this had happened? Would so many people be blessed? Would God have been able to work as much as He has? Would I be the person I am today?.... I doubt it. And this is just the beginning!!!!!!!
So come on guys. KEEP DREAMING. KEEP HOPING. KEEP LIVING IN GOD. PUT YOURSELF IN THE RIGHT PLACES FOR GOD TO USE YOU! DO NOT STIFLE YOUR CALLING OR WHO YOU ARE. Even when it is scary. Even when it is hard. Even when it looks bleak. There is more.
Be blessed.
Saturday, 21 January 2012
A difficult path
So, Thursday's passage (Genesis 21) was fairly difficult. God fulfills His promise to Abraham and Sarah and gives them a son. Difficult? How so? It's a miracle! Well, yes, it is. But when God has promised you something yet there is still no sign of it being fulfilled I guess this could be difficult to accept and rejoice over.
I don't mean to complain or water God down, or dumb down this AMAZING piece of scripture. However I am being honest. And sometimes being honest means that instead of smiling and nodding it's ok to admit that actually some scripture is difficult to take in, act upon and accept. Sometimes the journey gets difficult. We take longer to accept things and let them infiltrate our minds and souls. Some bits in the Bible are difficult. And whereas I skimread this passage, because I found it difficult reading about God fullfilling His promises when there are certain things still unfulfilled in my life, I am hoping that as I progress in my journey and grow, I will soon not be so troubled or angry or frustrated. (And I know and fully accept that God has a perfect plan, His timing is perfect, He knows best - that's not the issue and I am so glad that He does. I'm just saying that sometimes within that, the waiting can be hard).
But how amazing - God UNDERSTANDS! God knows when bits of our journey are hard. He knows when the next steps in our journey are difficult ones and may take longer to take than others. He knows when we would rather take a step back into easier times than journey on when it's tough. Psalm 103v8 says 'The LORD is compassionate and merciful,slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.' How amazing is that. God isn't angry that today your journey may be tough. He doesn't get angry that you may be annoyed or frustrated or impatient about certain things. He is compassionate! Full of love! Understanding! Patient....! Yes we too must not give up, yes we need to carry on with the Lord and work through these things, no we cannot live in anger and frustration and resentment forever, however God IS with us as we are working through these things, helping us, catching us when we fall, comforting us, encouraging us, walking with us through the PROCESS as we PROGRESS... What good father expects their child to walk straight away and get it right first time? No, a good father knows these things take time and patience and are a continued process. Our heavenly Father knows these things too!
Give your worries to God today. Tell Him when the journey is tough and don't be afraid to admit it. He will help you through.
I don't mean to complain or water God down, or dumb down this AMAZING piece of scripture. However I am being honest. And sometimes being honest means that instead of smiling and nodding it's ok to admit that actually some scripture is difficult to take in, act upon and accept. Sometimes the journey gets difficult. We take longer to accept things and let them infiltrate our minds and souls. Some bits in the Bible are difficult. And whereas I skimread this passage, because I found it difficult reading about God fullfilling His promises when there are certain things still unfulfilled in my life, I am hoping that as I progress in my journey and grow, I will soon not be so troubled or angry or frustrated. (And I know and fully accept that God has a perfect plan, His timing is perfect, He knows best - that's not the issue and I am so glad that He does. I'm just saying that sometimes within that, the waiting can be hard).
But how amazing - God UNDERSTANDS! God knows when bits of our journey are hard. He knows when the next steps in our journey are difficult ones and may take longer to take than others. He knows when we would rather take a step back into easier times than journey on when it's tough. Psalm 103v8 says 'The LORD is compassionate and merciful,slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.' How amazing is that. God isn't angry that today your journey may be tough. He doesn't get angry that you may be annoyed or frustrated or impatient about certain things. He is compassionate! Full of love! Understanding! Patient....! Yes we too must not give up, yes we need to carry on with the Lord and work through these things, no we cannot live in anger and frustration and resentment forever, however God IS with us as we are working through these things, helping us, catching us when we fall, comforting us, encouraging us, walking with us through the PROCESS as we PROGRESS... What good father expects their child to walk straight away and get it right first time? No, a good father knows these things take time and patience and are a continued process. Our heavenly Father knows these things too!
Give your worries to God today. Tell Him when the journey is tough and don't be afraid to admit it. He will help you through.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Past and Future
Ok first up, I'm loving that so far this year God seems to be speaking to me through His Word abundantly. It's like I've never read some of these passages before and am like 'woah, that's so cool'! Even the smallest of verses are jumping out at me, sometimes even when the rest of the passage doesn't. Thats good right? When I ask God to speak to me He's almost like, 'I'm not saying anything till after you have read my Word'. It's like He's trying to get me into it more. Cool.
So today 2 things struck me. Gen 19v16 - Lot 'hesitated' when he was told to flee Soddom. Well yeh, wouldn't you hesitate if you were told to leave your hometown and flee, even if it was to better places!? I think it's ok to hesitate at times - God understands. We are human. He allows our will to catch up with His at times. God didn't send a lightening bolt down on Lot for hesitating. He was patient. Like He is with us. Praise the Lord. Although I do think that sometimes we need to act, rather than dilly dally - it could have bad consequences.
Secondly, I was reminded of not clinging to my past, and to the things that are behind me. Doing that could prevent me moving forward in God's will. Lot's wife looked back at the past instead of pushing forward to what is ahead, (Gen 19:26). She turned into a pillar of salt! I summed it up (with the help of the Life Application Bible) in these words which I will conclude with...
'Don't cling so much to your past that you prevent God from moving you into your future.'
So today 2 things struck me. Gen 19v16 - Lot 'hesitated' when he was told to flee Soddom. Well yeh, wouldn't you hesitate if you were told to leave your hometown and flee, even if it was to better places!? I think it's ok to hesitate at times - God understands. We are human. He allows our will to catch up with His at times. God didn't send a lightening bolt down on Lot for hesitating. He was patient. Like He is with us. Praise the Lord. Although I do think that sometimes we need to act, rather than dilly dally - it could have bad consequences.
Secondly, I was reminded of not clinging to my past, and to the things that are behind me. Doing that could prevent me moving forward in God's will. Lot's wife looked back at the past instead of pushing forward to what is ahead, (Gen 19:26). She turned into a pillar of salt! I summed it up (with the help of the Life Application Bible) in these words which I will conclude with...
'Don't cling so much to your past that you prevent God from moving you into your future.'
Monday, 16 January 2012
Is anything too hard for the Lord?
NO!
Genesis 18:14 says this 'is anything to hard for the Lord? No.'
How cool that in all of our struggles, all of our frustrations, all of our desires and wishes and doubts, nothing is too hard for the Lord.
You want peace? It's not too hard for God.
You need a job? It's not too hard for God.
You are scared and worried about the future? A positive, peaceful outcome is not too hard for the Lord.
You need wisdom? It's not too hard for God.
You asked for the stupidest, littlest thing ever. It's not too hard for God.
I asked for a husband. It's not too hard for God.
His answers might not be our answers. His timing might not be our timing. His will may not be our will. But He knows best.
Praise God.
Genesis 18:14 says this 'is anything to hard for the Lord? No.'
How cool that in all of our struggles, all of our frustrations, all of our desires and wishes and doubts, nothing is too hard for the Lord.
You want peace? It's not too hard for God.
You need a job? It's not too hard for God.
You are scared and worried about the future? A positive, peaceful outcome is not too hard for the Lord.
You need wisdom? It's not too hard for God.
You asked for the stupidest, littlest thing ever. It's not too hard for God.
I asked for a husband. It's not too hard for God.
His answers might not be our answers. His timing might not be our timing. His will may not be our will. But He knows best.
Praise God.
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Obedience = intimacy... but how?
So we are reading about Abram who was promised to be the Father of many nations and so on. But with reduced patience and still no sign of God fulfilling this promise, what did he do? Sleep with his wife's maidservant to hurry the process along and take matters into his own hands.
As I write this, it strikes me that woah, duh! What was Abram thinking?! God does not have second best for us! Neither does He want us to mess up in the process. If God is promising you something, yet you find yourself having to sin in order to get it, then it's probably not God's best for you and probably not the way He is fulfilling your promise. When God promises something He promises the best - not something we have to settle for, or make do with. He is God, and what good Father wants second best for his children?
Anyways, that was an aside. But my real question is this; how can we be obedient in the mean time? How can we hold on to these promises when it gets tough and we are tempted? How can we hold on and wait and be patient? How do we curb our frustrations and not give in? So, in reference to my previous blog - I believe God has promised me a husband. But at the current time, there is no sign of him. It doesn't mean I'm happy waiting - it's hard work! And I often get it wrong - how do I wait patiently and not settle for something or someone who isn't God's best? I still don't know. (And again, this is not a sob story, I'm not crying myself to sleep at night - I'm just bein honest!)
But what I do know is this;
In Genesis 17:1 God says 'I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless'.
It's good to know God encourages us in our frustrations. He is GOD, GOD ALMIGHTY! He knows what He's doing. Yes the frustration, disappointment and waiting around might be hard going, but God is God! He knows best. And so nice of Him to remind us and encourage us in that. So 1) Recognise who God is!
Next, and this is just my own personal perspective on this, God tells Abram to 'walk before' Him. Why not behind? Why not at the side? Why doesn't God carry Him? Surely that would be best seeing as he seems pretty worn out by this point. Yet, if God is behind and Abram is walking before Him, it means that Father God can catch Abram when he falls. God knows we are human and we mess up. But He is there to catch us when we do, and set us on our feet again. Furthermore, if He is behind us, He can encourage us, spur us on and shout after us to keep going. If He did this infront of us, His voice would not be heard. Not only this but I think God wants us to learn to stand on our own two feet and to use the strength He has given us, not just rely on Him to drag us along like a dog lagging behind it's owner on a lead. No that's not what God is about. Point 2) Listen to God's ecouragement, and know He is going to catch you if you fall.
Finally God says; 'be blameless'. Urgh. This is the hardest of the lot. But it's there. No getting round this one. No loop holes. No fancy way to get out of this. It's written there. Be blameless. Our struggles and frustrations and anger and annoyance at God's timing are not an excuse to sin. No. We must be holy and blameless in all of this. But we are told this with the hind sight of knowing that our great God is behind us waiting to catch us if we fall, and spurring us on to keep going. Praise God! What a good God we serve. So, 3) Just do it, be blameless.
In conclusion then, and in addition to not settling for second best whilst waiting for the fulfilment of God's promises, what can we do?
1) Recognise who God is!
2) Listen to God's ecouragement, and know He is going to catch you if you fall.
3) Just do it, be blameless.
And, in reference to my waiting for my knight in shining armour and to make this personal, because this is my journey after all, what can I do...?
1) Recognise who God is! - God knows! He is God! He has the best man for me ever! Why ruin it with the wrong one? He does not disappoint. He is faithful. He is true to His word. His word does not come back empty but accomplishes what it sets out to do! (Isaiah 55:11).
2) Listen to God's ecouragement, and know He is going to catch ME if I fall. - I can just imagine Him spurring me on... 'Come on Caroline, you can do this, I believe in you...' And 'ok, ok my grace is sufficient, let me pick you up, I'll dust you off and we can have another shot at this'.
3) Just do it, be blameless. Enough said.
As I write this, it strikes me that woah, duh! What was Abram thinking?! God does not have second best for us! Neither does He want us to mess up in the process. If God is promising you something, yet you find yourself having to sin in order to get it, then it's probably not God's best for you and probably not the way He is fulfilling your promise. When God promises something He promises the best - not something we have to settle for, or make do with. He is God, and what good Father wants second best for his children?
Anyways, that was an aside. But my real question is this; how can we be obedient in the mean time? How can we hold on to these promises when it gets tough and we are tempted? How can we hold on and wait and be patient? How do we curb our frustrations and not give in? So, in reference to my previous blog - I believe God has promised me a husband. But at the current time, there is no sign of him. It doesn't mean I'm happy waiting - it's hard work! And I often get it wrong - how do I wait patiently and not settle for something or someone who isn't God's best? I still don't know. (And again, this is not a sob story, I'm not crying myself to sleep at night - I'm just bein honest!)
But what I do know is this;
In Genesis 17:1 God says 'I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless'.
It's good to know God encourages us in our frustrations. He is GOD, GOD ALMIGHTY! He knows what He's doing. Yes the frustration, disappointment and waiting around might be hard going, but God is God! He knows best. And so nice of Him to remind us and encourage us in that. So 1) Recognise who God is!
Next, and this is just my own personal perspective on this, God tells Abram to 'walk before' Him. Why not behind? Why not at the side? Why doesn't God carry Him? Surely that would be best seeing as he seems pretty worn out by this point. Yet, if God is behind and Abram is walking before Him, it means that Father God can catch Abram when he falls. God knows we are human and we mess up. But He is there to catch us when we do, and set us on our feet again. Furthermore, if He is behind us, He can encourage us, spur us on and shout after us to keep going. If He did this infront of us, His voice would not be heard. Not only this but I think God wants us to learn to stand on our own two feet and to use the strength He has given us, not just rely on Him to drag us along like a dog lagging behind it's owner on a lead. No that's not what God is about. Point 2) Listen to God's ecouragement, and know He is going to catch you if you fall.
Finally God says; 'be blameless'. Urgh. This is the hardest of the lot. But it's there. No getting round this one. No loop holes. No fancy way to get out of this. It's written there. Be blameless. Our struggles and frustrations and anger and annoyance at God's timing are not an excuse to sin. No. We must be holy and blameless in all of this. But we are told this with the hind sight of knowing that our great God is behind us waiting to catch us if we fall, and spurring us on to keep going. Praise God! What a good God we serve. So, 3) Just do it, be blameless.
In conclusion then, and in addition to not settling for second best whilst waiting for the fulfilment of God's promises, what can we do?
1) Recognise who God is!
2) Listen to God's ecouragement, and know He is going to catch you if you fall.
3) Just do it, be blameless.
And, in reference to my waiting for my knight in shining armour and to make this personal, because this is my journey after all, what can I do...?
1) Recognise who God is! - God knows! He is God! He has the best man for me ever! Why ruin it with the wrong one? He does not disappoint. He is faithful. He is true to His word. His word does not come back empty but accomplishes what it sets out to do! (Isaiah 55:11).
2) Listen to God's ecouragement, and know He is going to catch ME if I fall. - I can just imagine Him spurring me on... 'Come on Caroline, you can do this, I believe in you...' And 'ok, ok my grace is sufficient, let me pick you up, I'll dust you off and we can have another shot at this'.
3) Just do it, be blameless. Enough said.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Lift your eyes up
Ok today I'm miserable again. It's happening a bit lately. And ok today I'm gonna be personal. This is about my journey and today my journey is tough, sorry folks. So I'm nearly 28. I'd love to settle down sometime soon, have kids, buy a house, get married... you know, that kinda thing (not necessarily in that order)! The truth is that actually I'm a wee bit sad because all of these things seem to be happening to everyone else but me. We aren't even 2 weeks into 2012 and already I've got 2 wedding invites (which happen to be the same weekend!). Already loads of my friends have recently got engaged. I need more that 2 hands and two feet to count off the number of weddings I've been to in the last 10 years. Today my housemate bought a house... The list goes on. I get sad. What is God playing at? Thing is, this isn't a sob story. This isn't a plea for sympathy or an attempt at a personal ad. No. This is actually pretty cool.
In Genesis 13v14 God says this to Abram after his nephew Lot left him and set off for pastures new... 'Lift your eyes up from where you are... All the land you see I will give to you and your offspring for ever'. Wow. Seriously, this made me think. How often do we look down at what we have and become dissatisfied. We get jealous of what we don't have instead of being thankful for what we do have. And we forget God's promises in the meantime. Look at what I do have - a great job, a roof over my head, a nice car, friends, family, a wealth of experiences, my amazing coffee pot that makes amazing coffee, my awesome fluffy animal print slippers with bows on top. No God hasn't blessed me with certain things yet. But I am blessed. He has a plan. And heck, if I was settled down with a husband and kids, I definitely wouldn't be writing this and being so inspired!
So let's take time to 'lift up our eyes' and be thankful for what we do have, not what we don't.
In Genesis 13v14 God says this to Abram after his nephew Lot left him and set off for pastures new... 'Lift your eyes up from where you are... All the land you see I will give to you and your offspring for ever'. Wow. Seriously, this made me think. How often do we look down at what we have and become dissatisfied. We get jealous of what we don't have instead of being thankful for what we do have. And we forget God's promises in the meantime. Look at what I do have - a great job, a roof over my head, a nice car, friends, family, a wealth of experiences, my amazing coffee pot that makes amazing coffee, my awesome fluffy animal print slippers with bows on top. No God hasn't blessed me with certain things yet. But I am blessed. He has a plan. And heck, if I was settled down with a husband and kids, I definitely wouldn't be writing this and being so inspired!
So let's take time to 'lift up our eyes' and be thankful for what we do have, not what we don't.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
God keeps His promises
There is so much in life that I often worry about, so many things I believe God has promised, so much truth I am yet to see.... I believe these things will happen but sometimes I actually get really down when I don't see any progress. I guess it's like Abram who was promised that he would be a 'great nation' (genesis 12v2), yet when, how, where, why... And really? When his wife was barren and he was getting old, was God really going to be faithful and true? YES! The Bible is full of genealogies and names of Abraham's (Abram) descendants. God is good and He is faithful to His promises even if He doesn't do things in our timing or the way we would. He knows best. His timing is perfect.
Hebrews 11:1 'now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.'
So, is God going to be faithful in our lives? YES!!! Even when we can't see any progress? YES!!!
Hebrews 11:1 'now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.'
So, is God going to be faithful in our lives? YES!!! Even when we can't see any progress? YES!!!
Sunday, 8 January 2012
New Noah's Ark
Isn't it good when God talks to us through the Bible, despite the fact we may have read the story 100's of times. Instead of rolling our eyes and saying 'oh yeh, nice and easy quiet time today - I've read this one before...' lets look on our reading plans with fresh eyes...!
SO today what struck me the most from Genesis7 and 8 was the following:
1 - 7v24 - 8v1'The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days. But God remembered Noah and all of the wild animals'. Even in the midst of a natural disaster, world crisis, major disaster - God still remembers Noah - and us!
2 - Noah sent out a raven and another dove to test the water levels first, before the final dove went out and didnt return (Genesis 8v6-9). It is ok for us to 'test the waters'. Infact it's probably a good thing! If we are looking to move on, do something new, move house, start something new... it's ok to test the waters to test whether it is safe. And Noah had several failed attempts - it's not a bad thing if these doors shut, when we are testing out what to do next. We shouln't feel bad. It is ok!
3 - Despite the final dove not returning, thus proving it was ok to step out of the boat, Noah clearly waited for the all clear from God before just blindly presuming it was ok. A sensible man. Even though there may be signs and other people telling us the road is clear, or the path is safe... we should still wait for God's permission and all clear. He knows best.
Awesome.
SO today what struck me the most from Genesis7 and 8 was the following:
1 - 7v24 - 8v1'The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days. But God remembered Noah and all of the wild animals'. Even in the midst of a natural disaster, world crisis, major disaster - God still remembers Noah - and us!
2 - Noah sent out a raven and another dove to test the water levels first, before the final dove went out and didnt return (Genesis 8v6-9). It is ok for us to 'test the waters'. Infact it's probably a good thing! If we are looking to move on, do something new, move house, start something new... it's ok to test the waters to test whether it is safe. And Noah had several failed attempts - it's not a bad thing if these doors shut, when we are testing out what to do next. We shouln't feel bad. It is ok!
3 - Despite the final dove not returning, thus proving it was ok to step out of the boat, Noah clearly waited for the all clear from God before just blindly presuming it was ok. A sensible man. Even though there may be signs and other people telling us the road is clear, or the path is safe... we should still wait for God's permission and all clear. He knows best.
Awesome.
Friday, 6 January 2012
New Year , New Start
2012 already! Wow. New blog, new journal, my life is sorted! Or is it?
The start of a new year can bring about so many emotions and questions - excitement, apprehension, wonder, joy, fear... Will things be better this year? What is in store for me this year? Will I meet someone? Will I have kids? Will my job be stable this time next year...? What is God going to do? Will my family be ok? For some it can signify a fresh start, the making of resolutions to put things right, a positive outlook and a new chance. For others it can be the realisation that a new year does not always mean that lifes problems vanish overnight.
Wherever you are at and whatever 2012 has in store for you remember that God has a plan, a good plan, plans to prosper you and give you hope (Jeremiah 29:11). I've been trying to think of it as a new opportunity to right some of my wrongs, to have another go, it's almost like a blank canvas or a fresh start which God can take and fill with amazing things, and things which will challenge me, yet help me to grow in Him and in myself.
This week I read Genesis 1 about God creating the earth. Verses 2 - 3 say that 'the earth was formless and empty... and God said "let there be light" and there was light'. Sometimes life is full of amazement happiness and wonder. Other times it can seem almost 'formless' and 'empty' without purpose or meaning. But just look what God can do with it. Let Him fill it. Let Him refresh you. Let Him guide and direct you this year. Keep hoping and keep believing in Him - the Author and Perfector of our faith (Heb 12:2). He can do more than you can ask or imagine (Eph3:20).
Happy 2012!
The start of a new year can bring about so many emotions and questions - excitement, apprehension, wonder, joy, fear... Will things be better this year? What is in store for me this year? Will I meet someone? Will I have kids? Will my job be stable this time next year...? What is God going to do? Will my family be ok? For some it can signify a fresh start, the making of resolutions to put things right, a positive outlook and a new chance. For others it can be the realisation that a new year does not always mean that lifes problems vanish overnight.
Wherever you are at and whatever 2012 has in store for you remember that God has a plan, a good plan, plans to prosper you and give you hope (Jeremiah 29:11). I've been trying to think of it as a new opportunity to right some of my wrongs, to have another go, it's almost like a blank canvas or a fresh start which God can take and fill with amazing things, and things which will challenge me, yet help me to grow in Him and in myself.
This week I read Genesis 1 about God creating the earth. Verses 2 - 3 say that 'the earth was formless and empty... and God said "let there be light" and there was light'. Sometimes life is full of amazement happiness and wonder. Other times it can seem almost 'formless' and 'empty' without purpose or meaning. But just look what God can do with it. Let Him fill it. Let Him refresh you. Let Him guide and direct you this year. Keep hoping and keep believing in Him - the Author and Perfector of our faith (Heb 12:2). He can do more than you can ask or imagine (Eph3:20).
Happy 2012!
Welcome to WCC Journey with God Blog`
Hello fam! With our lives being so busy it's often difficult to find time to share together and help eachother out on our walk with God. So with the launch of our 'Journey With God Journals' we thought it would be a good idea to blog the journey too! Just another helpful and creative way of walking this together. We hope you will find encouragement, inspiration and food for thought to spur you on as we walk this together. And remember... Never walk alone!
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