1 Peter 5 v 6-7
So be content with who you are and don't put on airs. Gods strong hand is on you. He'll promote you at the right time. Live care free before God; He us most careful with you.
I haven't picked up my bible for personal study in ages, life has been chaotic. I get married on Saturday, my mum was in taken into hospital on Thursday but praise the almighty one she was released yesterday and the consultant was happy she would be able to attend the whole day. I've not been a bridezilla - I've tried to keep it focused on what is important. God and the marriage not all the frills. But this did throw me and there were a couple of moments worrying about it all. But I really drew on the knowledge that God has blessed my partner ship with Craig and that no small blip was going to stop the day being full of Gods blessing and if mum couldn't make it - it would be part of his plan.
So today when I decided I needed to put myself on a plan to get back into my bible because I had not direction. I started with Joyce Meyers power thoughts plan I found on my bible app. 1 Peter 5 v6-7 is what it fed me.
I don't think I put on too many airs but I'd be lying if I didn't put any on. I sometimes act in a way I think people expect me to or that god would want me to rather than being honest. I'll be straight with you I don't think people should pretend to have it all together in church. We are meeting with our saviour we shouldn't be worrying about whether or no mr and mr smith seems looking a little tearful or angry or super duper crazy happy on a Sunday. It should be real. Anyway rant over, people are more inspired when they see someone have a tough time then move on and grow from it rather than hearing a story about when you had a tough time 6 years a go.
What I really loved about this passage is the words "strong hand" he is the king of the universe, all of heaven and earth. He doesn't just have hands but STRONG HANDS! And they are on me. He protects me - he's never going to do anything to hurt me. Sure bad stuff happens but he always brings me through. You have to decide to see the good, choose to disregard the bad.
My future husband (eek 5 days time!) hasn't seen or spoken to his 21 year old autistic son in over a year because his ex-wife is trying to hurt him. It's working and a truly painful experience, but I have really hope in the Father that we will be reunited. It could destroy us and consume us but instead we see all the amazing blessings God is pouring out on us. We have a truly special relationship with his daughter - she is our best man! And the wedding plans have been so smooth. It is a testament to hisStrong Hands. Like a father with a new born baby, so fragile and small God holds us like that in his strong hands protecting us and giving us the best.
Bad stuff happens but like parents he protects us from anything we can't handle and holds us up through the storms. When you can really hold on to that you can live carefree and enjoy life to the max.
Monday, 27 January 2014
Friday, 30 December 2011
Singledom without hope
So tonight I picked up Joyce Meyer 'women to women' - an awesome book with brilliant short snippets of wisdom. It's sat next to my loo so I can pick it up and read a chapter during my daily ablutions! Sorry if that has given you an image you'd rather not have but the point is that God can talk to you anywhere really!
So he spoke to me about hope - a life without hope. Those who don't have hope are often so depressed and miserable - who can blame them if they are having a hard time and think that 'this is it it'll never get any better'!!!
The bible says that we are to "hope in God and wait expectantly for him" psalm 42:5 and also "God is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for him" Lam 3:25
If we expect the worst from people we normally get it. If you know a friend will let you down at some point she will and you will remember that part not all the other times when she does something special for you. I expect the worst from men. I always seem to find the men who want only one thing and those who have so little value and respect for their girlfriends and wives. Sorry chaps but I've begun to think that you're all the same which is a complete tragedy.
After reading this chapter I suddenly thought it is what I look for. I don't see the men who aren't like that I constantly look to find the men that are. If I don't see it a first I look for it expectantly! I know it doesn't mean I should go around with my head in a bucket always assuming that every man is an angel but I should stop expecting the worst all the time.
I want a good, funny, stunningly attractive, Christian man who absolutely adores me! Ok maybe my expectations are high but God is God after all and I'm in faith that he has a man lined up for me that will sweep away all the the hurts and disasters of the past.
So tonight I'm going to try and press through and change my attitude to men. Stopping looking for them to be untrustworthy and unfaithful but instead believe in God for the right one and if the others put me off in the mean time that's because they have a big God sticker on them saying "Not for you Rachel - I have better in store"!
So in summary - I shouldn't live in despair that Ll men are alike and that I will never find a good one that I can trust but rather live in hope that God will provide the perfect one. So I wait expectantly for God and in hope - how exciting that day will be!!!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
So he spoke to me about hope - a life without hope. Those who don't have hope are often so depressed and miserable - who can blame them if they are having a hard time and think that 'this is it it'll never get any better'!!!
The bible says that we are to "hope in God and wait expectantly for him" psalm 42:5 and also "God is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for him" Lam 3:25
If we expect the worst from people we normally get it. If you know a friend will let you down at some point she will and you will remember that part not all the other times when she does something special for you. I expect the worst from men. I always seem to find the men who want only one thing and those who have so little value and respect for their girlfriends and wives. Sorry chaps but I've begun to think that you're all the same which is a complete tragedy.
After reading this chapter I suddenly thought it is what I look for. I don't see the men who aren't like that I constantly look to find the men that are. If I don't see it a first I look for it expectantly! I know it doesn't mean I should go around with my head in a bucket always assuming that every man is an angel but I should stop expecting the worst all the time.
I want a good, funny, stunningly attractive, Christian man who absolutely adores me! Ok maybe my expectations are high but God is God after all and I'm in faith that he has a man lined up for me that will sweep away all the the hurts and disasters of the past.
So tonight I'm going to try and press through and change my attitude to men. Stopping looking for them to be untrustworthy and unfaithful but instead believe in God for the right one and if the others put me off in the mean time that's because they have a big God sticker on them saying "Not for you Rachel - I have better in store"!
So in summary - I shouldn't live in despair that Ll men are alike and that I will never find a good one that I can trust but rather live in hope that God will provide the perfect one. So I wait expectantly for God and in hope - how exciting that day will be!!!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Jealousy - we're all different!
Sorry it's been a while - as usual life gets in the way and the fact that my work computer no longer supports this website which limits the time I get to contribute to it. Yup - i was doing it on work time before, but I'm sure Her Majesty wouldn't have minded me sparing 10 minutes to talk about Jesus! However Satan obviously did so has been making it a bit more difficult for me!
So today - well I've taken to listening to Casting Crowns most recent album 'The Well' and there is one track that suddenly inspired me to blog today. It is called the City on the Hill and the gist of the song is about a group of people in a city who all ended up letting their differences get in between them....
"You see, the poets thought the dancers were shallow
And the soldiers thought the poets were weak
And the elders saw the young ones as foolish
And the rich man never heard the poor man speak"
They all moved away and the light in the city on the hill began to fade. I love the song it makes me realise how important it is to value other peoples gifts and work with them. We have all been designed to be unique - there is no one on this Earth who is like you. No one who can do things the way you do them. Now instinctively I imagine you are all thinking but she can do that better and I'm not as good as her at doing that! We play right into the devils hand when we go down this route. You have to remember that if you are thinking that then they are probably thinking the same about you or someone else!
I like dancing when I worship - I am rubbish at it! I don't look graceful or elegant - I wish I could have a few drinks first because then I think I'd probably be awesome. And there are some other girls I see dancing who just seem to look amazing. I get struck with jealousy - sometimes I don't even dance because of it. But, I have to remember at these times it is about what I bring - so I don't make church look elegant or graceful when I look like a baby hippo trampling around in the wings, but sometimes I can bring a word of knowledge, or even just a hug to a friend in need and that is what I am good at.
The song then goes on to talk about what each person brings to the others....
"It is the rhythm of the dancers
That gives the poets life
It is the spirit of the poets
That gives the soldiers strength to fight
It is the fire of the young ones
It is the wisdom of the old
It is the story of the poor man
That's needing to be told"
We can't look at what someone else has and be jealous because we don't have it because we need to realise what it is that we have that someone else doesn't have and needs in order to do what their good at.
I can say without a single doubt that whoever you are reading this you are special and unique, you bring something to this world that no one else does. Maybe you don't see it - so ask God to reveal it to you. But I can guarantee that it is there and that there is probably someone out there looking at you wishing that they had it. So stop being jealous of what you don't have or do and thank God for what you do have and start using it!
So today - well I've taken to listening to Casting Crowns most recent album 'The Well' and there is one track that suddenly inspired me to blog today. It is called the City on the Hill and the gist of the song is about a group of people in a city who all ended up letting their differences get in between them....
"You see, the poets thought the dancers were shallow
And the soldiers thought the poets were weak
And the elders saw the young ones as foolish
And the rich man never heard the poor man speak"
They all moved away and the light in the city on the hill began to fade. I love the song it makes me realise how important it is to value other peoples gifts and work with them. We have all been designed to be unique - there is no one on this Earth who is like you. No one who can do things the way you do them. Now instinctively I imagine you are all thinking but she can do that better and I'm not as good as her at doing that! We play right into the devils hand when we go down this route. You have to remember that if you are thinking that then they are probably thinking the same about you or someone else!
I like dancing when I worship - I am rubbish at it! I don't look graceful or elegant - I wish I could have a few drinks first because then I think I'd probably be awesome. And there are some other girls I see dancing who just seem to look amazing. I get struck with jealousy - sometimes I don't even dance because of it. But, I have to remember at these times it is about what I bring - so I don't make church look elegant or graceful when I look like a baby hippo trampling around in the wings, but sometimes I can bring a word of knowledge, or even just a hug to a friend in need and that is what I am good at.
The song then goes on to talk about what each person brings to the others....
"It is the rhythm of the dancers
That gives the poets life
It is the spirit of the poets
That gives the soldiers strength to fight
It is the fire of the young ones
It is the wisdom of the old
It is the story of the poor man
That's needing to be told"
We can't look at what someone else has and be jealous because we don't have it because we need to realise what it is that we have that someone else doesn't have and needs in order to do what their good at.
I can say without a single doubt that whoever you are reading this you are special and unique, you bring something to this world that no one else does. Maybe you don't see it - so ask God to reveal it to you. But I can guarantee that it is there and that there is probably someone out there looking at you wishing that they had it. So stop being jealous of what you don't have or do and thank God for what you do have and start using it!
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Two curious thoughts this morning.
Hello All,
It has been a few days I admit - work is busy and it isn't always easy to find time to upload my thoughts. In fact, I won't lie to you - these thoughts came from last week, I've been pretty slack at reading my bible too! Although, I did get a chance this morning but these notes seemed better to share with you. So there are two scripture for you to feast on today..
Esther 8 v 10 " who rode fast horses especially bred for the king"
When the king issued his next order saving the Jews he did it with urgency and speed. Don't you just love that, there wasn't a moment to lose in saving his people. He sent his fastest horses. Now it's not that I believe God ever has to rush anything - he is meant to have it all planned out.
Although the thought of him rushing around in heaven trying organise something that he's forgotten to do somewhat amuses me. Like a manic party planning on the eve of the do in a mad rush.
But anyway I digress... The point is that God will rescue us and not at a sluggish pace just when he can be bothered but, he will come on his fastest and strongest horses, spurred on to save us.
And the next thought.....
Esther 8 v 17 "and many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them"
I have often thought of the Dangerous Bride being an Army for God. Powerful, strong and a force that Satan should be terrified of. WOOP WOOP! Take that Satan!!! This line suggests that people became Jews because they feared them. It interests me that people aren't really scared of Christians - I don't want them to be - but what if the Dangerous Bride became a strong unified group of women who performed miracles as the Holy Spirit moved through them healing and rescuing. So powerful that people joined us because of the strength and power of God we demonstrated? I want to advance Gods kingdom - do I mind if people come to God through fear? Is that right? I'm not sure - he should be feared as a father who disciplines his children but he is a loving God who is always good.
Always welcome you're thoughts and comments to my posts even if you completely disagree with me.....
Much love Rach xx
It has been a few days I admit - work is busy and it isn't always easy to find time to upload my thoughts. In fact, I won't lie to you - these thoughts came from last week, I've been pretty slack at reading my bible too! Although, I did get a chance this morning but these notes seemed better to share with you. So there are two scripture for you to feast on today..
Esther 8 v 10 " who rode fast horses especially bred for the king"
When the king issued his next order saving the Jews he did it with urgency and speed. Don't you just love that, there wasn't a moment to lose in saving his people. He sent his fastest horses. Now it's not that I believe God ever has to rush anything - he is meant to have it all planned out.
Although the thought of him rushing around in heaven trying organise something that he's forgotten to do somewhat amuses me. Like a manic party planning on the eve of the do in a mad rush.
But anyway I digress... The point is that God will rescue us and not at a sluggish pace just when he can be bothered but, he will come on his fastest and strongest horses, spurred on to save us.
And the next thought.....
Esther 8 v 17 "and many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them"
I have often thought of the Dangerous Bride being an Army for God. Powerful, strong and a force that Satan should be terrified of. WOOP WOOP! Take that Satan!!! This line suggests that people became Jews because they feared them. It interests me that people aren't really scared of Christians - I don't want them to be - but what if the Dangerous Bride became a strong unified group of women who performed miracles as the Holy Spirit moved through them healing and rescuing. So powerful that people joined us because of the strength and power of God we demonstrated? I want to advance Gods kingdom - do I mind if people come to God through fear? Is that right? I'm not sure - he should be feared as a father who disciplines his children but he is a loving God who is always good.
Always welcome you're thoughts and comments to my posts even if you completely disagree with me.....
Much love Rach xx
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
That one thing.
Morning all,
Esther 5 v 13 "But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate"
So to give the background to today's scripture, Haman is all very happy because he's rich and honored by the king and been invited as the Queens special banquet with the king BUT he isn't happy because Mordecai sits in protest at the gate and refuses to bow to him.
What's your one thing? I had a revelation last week.... I do have them occasionally.... every New Year I say this year is going to be my year, and at the end of every year I look back and see the stuff that happened and think we'll this blantantly wasn't it! But why? Because if I am honest some amazing things happen in each of those years. The bible teaches us to be content with what we have - so what am I waiting for? I think for most of us like Haman there is just that one thing and we think that when we have it that'll complete the picture.
So what is my thing...
Ok - I know it's a husband! Like most girls, I seem to think that my life will be sorted once I have bimbled down the aisle! But, worse than this - having done it once before and then got the divorce - I know that this isn't the case. I know that my life won't be magically sorted - life won't feel complete and once I am married it'll be the next thing that will be the one thing, like babies....
Life is a series of us wanting stuff and things, so learn today that it isn't about getting that one thing, because after that there will be another thing, and after that another thing. Also - you may never get that one thing....
God is amazing and has amazing plans and jobs for us, but we need to see what is before our very eyes rather than craving what we don't have. The grass is always greener on the other side when you look at it, but once you are on the other side the grass that side still needs cutting!
Prayers for my mum please who has had to go into hospital with a bad back. :-(
Esther 5 v 13 "But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate"
So to give the background to today's scripture, Haman is all very happy because he's rich and honored by the king and been invited as the Queens special banquet with the king BUT he isn't happy because Mordecai sits in protest at the gate and refuses to bow to him.
What's your one thing? I had a revelation last week.... I do have them occasionally.... every New Year I say this year is going to be my year, and at the end of every year I look back and see the stuff that happened and think we'll this blantantly wasn't it! But why? Because if I am honest some amazing things happen in each of those years. The bible teaches us to be content with what we have - so what am I waiting for? I think for most of us like Haman there is just that one thing and we think that when we have it that'll complete the picture.
So what is my thing...
Ok - I know it's a husband! Like most girls, I seem to think that my life will be sorted once I have bimbled down the aisle! But, worse than this - having done it once before and then got the divorce - I know that this isn't the case. I know that my life won't be magically sorted - life won't feel complete and once I am married it'll be the next thing that will be the one thing, like babies....
Life is a series of us wanting stuff and things, so learn today that it isn't about getting that one thing, because after that there will be another thing, and after that another thing. Also - you may never get that one thing....
God is amazing and has amazing plans and jobs for us, but we need to see what is before our very eyes rather than craving what we don't have. The grass is always greener on the other side when you look at it, but once you are on the other side the grass that side still needs cutting!
Prayers for my mum please who has had to go into hospital with a bad back. :-(
Monday, 24 October 2011
There is always a choice - just not always the one you want!
Esther 4 v 16 "... And if I perish, I perish"
When Esther found out about the decree to kill all of the Jews from Mordecai, she initially thought 'they don't know that I'm a Jew so I'm ok. I won't be slaughtered and there is nothing I can do because I can't go into the kings presence without being summoned'. Mordecai was quick to remind her that God's people would be saved with or without her (his faith was strong), and that if she didn't help, her father's family would all perish. He also reminded her that she had become Queen at this just time - surely that was for a purpose!
So she had a choice - to do the right thing and risk being killed or to sit back and watch thousand others perish.
I am reminded of a line from this weeks Merlin drama on BBC "when the way ahead seems impossible that is the way". I appreciate that it is not the most biblical of references but I am a firm believer that God can speak through many things and the medium of TV is one of them for me.
The lesson is that even when it doesn't look like you can go that way or make that choice, remember that God has gone before us and made the route. Even if to our human eyes we can't see the route, with God he will guide us. But the proviso is doing the right thing.
How often do you hear "I had no choice, but to do this". I have come realise that there is always a choice. It is how you view the choice; many times you may not feel like you only have one choice because the other is so horrific! I'm going to use a nasty example here just to illustrate - you are driving along and a small child runs out into the middle of the road, you hit them and they are lying in the middle of the road dying - you have a choice to get out of the car and save the childs life or drive off and save yourself. To me there doesn't appear to be a choice - I have to save the child but others might save themselvess. The point is there is always a choice. To eat the cake or not eat the cake. To get to work on time or to be late. it is your choice.
You may not feel like doing the right choice and your reasoning is that you are too weak to travel that route but if it is God's will you will be victorious.
One of the songs at church this week said "he chose the cross". Jesus didn't want to go to the cross, he still had to make the choice to be obedient to God. But you say "he was Jesus - so that makes it different". Yes, but he was man, he suffered with the flesh just like us. His flesh didn't want to die. But he chose to make a way for us and that meant sacrificing himself.
What choice are you faced with that you don't like the options for? Is God telling you his way is your least preferred option? I find when I am faced with a choice that I don't like I will agonise for days/weeks/months and yes - even years over it. It isn't that the choice is difficult it is that I don't like the way God is telling me to go. I have found that once I have made the choice - even if the road is a little rough - I am given peace over the situation.
Give yourself some peace and make the right choice - I know that God will be there walking it with you.
When Esther found out about the decree to kill all of the Jews from Mordecai, she initially thought 'they don't know that I'm a Jew so I'm ok. I won't be slaughtered and there is nothing I can do because I can't go into the kings presence without being summoned'. Mordecai was quick to remind her that God's people would be saved with or without her (his faith was strong), and that if she didn't help, her father's family would all perish. He also reminded her that she had become Queen at this just time - surely that was for a purpose!
So she had a choice - to do the right thing and risk being killed or to sit back and watch thousand others perish.
I am reminded of a line from this weeks Merlin drama on BBC "when the way ahead seems impossible that is the way". I appreciate that it is not the most biblical of references but I am a firm believer that God can speak through many things and the medium of TV is one of them for me.
The lesson is that even when it doesn't look like you can go that way or make that choice, remember that God has gone before us and made the route. Even if to our human eyes we can't see the route, with God he will guide us. But the proviso is doing the right thing.
How often do you hear "I had no choice, but to do this". I have come realise that there is always a choice. It is how you view the choice; many times you may not feel like you only have one choice because the other is so horrific! I'm going to use a nasty example here just to illustrate - you are driving along and a small child runs out into the middle of the road, you hit them and they are lying in the middle of the road dying - you have a choice to get out of the car and save the childs life or drive off and save yourself. To me there doesn't appear to be a choice - I have to save the child but others might save themselvess. The point is there is always a choice. To eat the cake or not eat the cake. To get to work on time or to be late. it is your choice.
You may not feel like doing the right choice and your reasoning is that you are too weak to travel that route but if it is God's will you will be victorious.
One of the songs at church this week said "he chose the cross". Jesus didn't want to go to the cross, he still had to make the choice to be obedient to God. But you say "he was Jesus - so that makes it different". Yes, but he was man, he suffered with the flesh just like us. His flesh didn't want to die. But he chose to make a way for us and that meant sacrificing himself.
What choice are you faced with that you don't like the options for? Is God telling you his way is your least preferred option? I find when I am faced with a choice that I don't like I will agonise for days/weeks/months and yes - even years over it. It isn't that the choice is difficult it is that I don't like the way God is telling me to go. I have found that once I have made the choice - even if the road is a little rough - I am given peace over the situation.
Give yourself some peace and make the right choice - I know that God will be there walking it with you.
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Knowing what is coming...
Esther 3 v 13 "dispatches were sent by couriers to all the kings provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews - young and old, women and little children - on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. "
We've been talking a lot about suffering in church recently, in particular how Jesus suffered on the cross for you and me. Jesus knew what was coming, he knew how and when he was going to die. This passage struck me - imagine if one day you recieved a note from your local council through your door saying on this day you will all be killed and your goods taken.
Blimey - I'm not sure about you but my initial reaction to this was complete fear! I'd probably find somewhere to try and hide. I'd do anything to not be killed. But Mordecai, the CRAZY FOOL, puts on a sackcloth and covers himself in ash and parades around the town outside the palace wailing and mourning. He was standing up for a greater purpose, for God, he had faith and knew that there was purpose in everything. He knew that Esther might be able to help so he paraded around to get her attention and try and save the Jews! Would you risk yourself for a greater purpose?
We've been talking a lot about suffering in church recently, in particular how Jesus suffered on the cross for you and me. Jesus knew what was coming, he knew how and when he was going to die. This passage struck me - imagine if one day you recieved a note from your local council through your door saying on this day you will all be killed and your goods taken.
Blimey - I'm not sure about you but my initial reaction to this was complete fear! I'd probably find somewhere to try and hide. I'd do anything to not be killed. But Mordecai, the CRAZY FOOL, puts on a sackcloth and covers himself in ash and parades around the town outside the palace wailing and mourning. He was standing up for a greater purpose, for God, he had faith and knew that there was purpose in everything. He knew that Esther might be able to help so he paraded around to get her attention and try and save the Jews! Would you risk yourself for a greater purpose?
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