We have been talking a bit about attitudes lately. Interesting how our real
heart attitudes come out when we are stressed, anxious and under
pressure. I know these are difficult times, and each day is filled with
uncertainty and often with bad news of further restrictions, illness and
sometimes death. It can be depressing. But let‟s remember that God is for
us. He is our Great encourager, and our refuge.
When David was under great pressure, the Bible says, “he encouraged
himself in the Lord.” (1 Samuel 30:6) David had been out fighting wars and
generally doing warrior kingly things, when he and his men came home to
Ziklag, discovering the women and children, including his own had been
carried off by the Amalekites. Everyone, including David, was distressed.
The men were weeping and wailing and threatening to stone David. But
David went to God with the problem. He asked God what to do, and God
encouraged him, giving him a strategy for recovering all that had been
stolen from him. The adventures of David make great reading – but more
than that, I find it really encouraging to see how, even though he made many
mistakes, and though life was not always fair, he always came back to God –
even when he had sinned, and even when his friends betrayed him, and
even when people let him down. The one constant in his life was the Lord.
This is reflected in so many of the Psalms, (Psalm 31 and 71 for example).
David says, “In you O Lord do I put my trust”. This has to be our “go to”
attitude.
When things are challenging, difficult, or seemingly out of our control, we
can take refuge in our God, and be strengthened by His word, and encouraged
by His presence. How about reading a Psalm a day through August –
just for fun – and for encouragement.
Be blessed,
With love from Glenda
Prayer Points
This week, please pray for those who are ill and those who are in nursing homes, unable
to have visitors at the moment.
We must also continue to uphold our Premier and Prime Minister as they continue to lead
our nation through this pandemic.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7). Jesus’ mandate to the church is to “love God and love others”. One of the biblical pictures of the church is “the Bride”. You can’t say you love Jesus, and not love His church. If you truly love Jesus, you will also love His church and desire to be intimately connected with other followers of Christ. This is our Spiritual family. This is the heart of God. Ephesians chapter 5 talks about the relationship between a husband and wife and compares it to Christ‟s relationship with the church. Verse 32 says, “this is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you must also love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Jesus wants us to enact the same love He has for us by showing that love for one another. The heart of God longs for people to know His love for them and allow that love to flow out to others. Romans 5:5 says that when we accept God’s love for us, it flows through us. As His love flows through us it purifies our motives and helps to make sure that the very foundations of the church are built on the practice of loving God and loving others.
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
We, the church, are called to be witnesses of God’s love to the world. The best witness we can be is to love one another as Christ has loved us.
God bless, have a great week.
Love to you all,
Glenda.
I read a statement today from Christine Caine about stepping out and taking risks. There are times when God leads us into a new path. It may seem like it will take more effort, or create more responsibility, but when God brings an opportunity, he will give us the wherewithal to do the job he is requiring of us. She says, “We often fail to take risks because we don’t want to risk failure. After three decades of leading diverse organisations, large and small, here’s what I know. You will have to take risks to fulfil purpose and you will sometimes fail. You’ll survive. Go ahead, take that risk.”
When we step out in faith, we do not always know what the result will be. Sometimes God calls us out of our comfort zone, to walk unchartered territory. We can feel unsure of ourselves, and even doubt our capabilities. But I know that who God has called he will equip, anoint and empower. Like Abraham called trust God to provide the sacrifice, or Moses, leading his people out of Egypt, or Peter stepping out onto the water, we can choose to step out in faith and trust God with the outcome. Like God said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.
I do believe this is a season where God is calling people out of their comfort zone, and leading them to try something new – to take a step that perhaps will lead up a path that seems unfamiliar, or to do a job you feel ill equipped to handle. I want to encourage you, that this may be one of those times to “go ahead and take that risk,” and see what God will do.
Have a great week.
Blessings
Glenda