It seems like forever since I last posted, but while it actually hasn’t been ‘forever’, a lot has happened. Low patches... incredibly low patches, surges forward, regression, adapting to new ways, removal of the old, and more.The one constant in all of this...? Our incredible Heavenly Father. Caring for me through His Word, my prayers and the answer to these prayers, friends, family and the reassurance that every trial is building my character and forming me to be the person He knows me to be.
Psalm 46:1-2, 10a from the King James Version reminded me recently of God’s faithfulness –
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea ... Be still, and know that I am God.”
I have learnt many important and valuable lessons over the last month or so, with these verses summing up everything that God has taught me.
At the end of the day He is all I need.
I need not be fearful of anything or anyone.
To hear Him, I need to allow Him in.
Everything is His because He is God and He made, shaped and formed it all.
I’ve learnt lessons on human relationships, sexuality and psychology and how things fit together in God's grand plan. Spirituality, empathy, forgiveness, developing patience and choosing my attitude.October was a great month...seriously! And November is proving to be even better!
Two other verses sum up the last month or so as they tell of the peace, power and freedom that comes from being a child of the King.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”- Romans 15:13 (NIV)
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves by burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
A lot!From God's perfect faithfulness in Isaiah 25:1, to how He helps when the enemy attacks in Psalm 86. From how Christ did not please himself in Romans 15:3a, and how I need to submit myself to God in James 4.So many lessons! So much relevance! So much thankfulness!The stand out lesson has been through Daniel and how he "purposed in his heart..." (Daniel 1:8 NKJV) to honour God. I have never read a devotional that was so relevant before until I read one from UCB Australia on the 17/7/09. Life doesn't always go the way I want it to. I will face opposition and hardship. It's how I react to those things that matters. If I take control in small things and leave the big things to God, then the journey I'm on will be a smoother one.As I said ... so many lessons! So much relevance! So much thankfulness!From these gems above to the wisdom gleaned from Liz Curtis Higgs book, Embrace Grace and Charles R. Swindoll's A Life Well Lived. Then there are emails from my wonderful friend Lelia sharing what she has learnt! I have been blessed ... and blessed ... and blessed. I cannot just post on one thing, as there are so many things that He is showing me. It's kind of doing my head in, but tonight I've felt some clarity of mind, so hence this post!The importance of focussing on Jesus and the life He lived. Of staying close to God and remembering His strength in my weakness. And of living as one in the world but not of the world. Again ... so many blessings. So many lessons learnt after the fact. The best way to learn at times!Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the blessings that you bestow upon me. Thank you for standing by me as I go through the trials of this life I live. Thank you for comforting me when I need it most. Thank you for reminding me that while I'm on this earth, I am not alone as you are with me. Thank you mostly for taking on board my frustrations, confusion, misunderstandings and dilemmas and returning to me only peace and understanding. In Jesus' Wonderful Name, Amen.
