It's been a while since I last blogged. Time seems to go by so fast. I found this quote whilst going through some paperwork. I'm not sure where I got the piece of paper it is on, but I do think it is so powerful and true. Read and meditate on what this is saying.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves: "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?"
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in Everyone!
And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others!"
(Nelson Mandela, inaugural president speech 1994)
These are powerful words. Imagine what we could do with and for God if we truly believed them!
9 October 2010
20 February 2010
God's Hands
Isaiah 40:12 says: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens?”
The answer is - God.
Look at the palm of your hand and make a dish. How much water can you hold in that hollow of your hand? Not much. Yet Isaiah says that the hollow of God’s hand holds all the water of the earth.
How much is that? The total water supply of the world is 326 million cubic miles (wikipedia.org). That’s a lot of water!
Now stretch out your hand, fingers as wide apart as you can. What is the distance from the tip of your thumb to the tip of your small finger? Isaiah says that all of the heavens - the planets, the stars - in the universe fit into the breadth of God’s hand.
How many planets are there? How many stars are there? Even though we cannot be accurate there are approximately 4.6 billion planets in the galaxy and 100 billion stars (100,000,000,000) in the galaxy.
God holds ALL of this in the breadth of His hand!!
Now we cannot restrict God to a human image, but this picture describes how large and all powerful God is. How safe and secure do you feel!
On top of this I love the verse in Isaiah 49:16 which God gave specifically to the Israelites, but I believe is also for us, His people: “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…” God has tattooed us onto the palms of his hands.
How powerful is this image – we are tattooed on the palm of God’s hands. Does this mean our names, our image? Does it matter? We are engraved on the palms of God’s hands. We are ever before Him. We are in the security of His hands!
The answer is - God.
Look at the palm of your hand and make a dish. How much water can you hold in that hollow of your hand? Not much. Yet Isaiah says that the hollow of God’s hand holds all the water of the earth.
How much is that? The total water supply of the world is 326 million cubic miles (wikipedia.org). That’s a lot of water!
Now stretch out your hand, fingers as wide apart as you can. What is the distance from the tip of your thumb to the tip of your small finger? Isaiah says that all of the heavens - the planets, the stars - in the universe fit into the breadth of God’s hand.
How many planets are there? How many stars are there? Even though we cannot be accurate there are approximately 4.6 billion planets in the galaxy and 100 billion stars (100,000,000,000) in the galaxy.
God holds ALL of this in the breadth of His hand!!
Now we cannot restrict God to a human image, but this picture describes how large and all powerful God is. How safe and secure do you feel!
On top of this I love the verse in Isaiah 49:16 which God gave specifically to the Israelites, but I believe is also for us, His people: “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…” God has tattooed us onto the palms of his hands.
How powerful is this image – we are tattooed on the palm of God’s hands. Does this mean our names, our image? Does it matter? We are engraved on the palms of God’s hands. We are ever before Him. We are in the security of His hands!
14 February 2010
The Jesus I Know
'The Jesus I Know' is a book I read recently of collected writings, edited by Adam Harbinson, where people share their thoughts on the Jesus they know. As I read this book I was inspired to write this short piece on the Jesus I KNOW.
The Jesus I KNOW has loved me since before I was conceived in the womb and I KNOW it. Just trying to get my head round that one is extraordinarily hard. My Christian story began at university 17 years ago. At university I met some people who seemed ‘different’ – stereotypically. They took me to hear an evangelist/speaker who made the best appeal any speaker could make for me. He said that if I would take that one step towards God, God would take the 99 steps towards me and prove He is real. ‘Okay’ I thought, prove it. Within weeks I was a completely different person. One guy I had known from the beginning at university said that all the hardness in my face had disappeared and I had softened. Up until that point I knew things had changed, but that one sentence described so well what had happened to me.
The Jesus I met all that time ago has never left me and has never stopped loving me. I KNOW His presence in my life daily. Jesus is real and living. He is not someone who has disappeared and is a legend. He is here now. I KNOW He is in the room with me as I write this. I KNOW I can talk to Him. I KNOW He speaks and intercedes on my behalf to God the Father. I KNOW His guidance, his steering. Every Christian can KNOW this too. I am continually frustrated that I cannot verbally or in written format get this point over so strongly that people would fall backwards under the sheer immensity of this truth. How powerful it is to have Jesus in our lives!
The Jesus I KNOW has loved me since before I was conceived in the womb and I KNOW it. Just trying to get my head round that one is extraordinarily hard. My Christian story began at university 17 years ago. At university I met some people who seemed ‘different’ – stereotypically. They took me to hear an evangelist/speaker who made the best appeal any speaker could make for me. He said that if I would take that one step towards God, God would take the 99 steps towards me and prove He is real. ‘Okay’ I thought, prove it. Within weeks I was a completely different person. One guy I had known from the beginning at university said that all the hardness in my face had disappeared and I had softened. Up until that point I knew things had changed, but that one sentence described so well what had happened to me.
The Jesus I met all that time ago has never left me and has never stopped loving me. I KNOW His presence in my life daily. Jesus is real and living. He is not someone who has disappeared and is a legend. He is here now. I KNOW He is in the room with me as I write this. I KNOW I can talk to Him. I KNOW He speaks and intercedes on my behalf to God the Father. I KNOW His guidance, his steering. Every Christian can KNOW this too. I am continually frustrated that I cannot verbally or in written format get this point over so strongly that people would fall backwards under the sheer immensity of this truth. How powerful it is to have Jesus in our lives!
27 December 2009
The Presence of God Gives Courage
People seem to be worrying about so many things: the credit crunch, job losses, house prices, stabbings, gang culture…so many things!
There is actually a list of things people can have fears and worries about:
1. Fear of failure
2. Fear of rejection
3. Fear of public speaking
4. Fear of criticism
5. Fear of what others think
6. Fear of being alone
7. Fear of financial collapse
8. Fear of failing health
9. Fear of success
10. Fear of death
The Presence of God gives us courage. Courage is not having no fear, it is moving ahead in spite of your fear, knowing God is with you.
The Ark, the Presence of God, was with the people at the fall of Jericho.
“So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it." And he ordered the people, "Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD."
When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD's covenant followed them. The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. But Joshua had commanded the people, "Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!" So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. Then the people returned to camp and spent the night there.
Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the LORD and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets kept sounding. So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.” Joshua 6: 6 - 14
It took courage for Israel to do this; Israel was wide open to attack during this time, and it would have been easy for the people of Jericho to attack them from the high position of the walls. With the Ark with them – the Presence of God – they had courage.
What are you fearful of, what do you worry about? When we have the Presence of God in our lives we can have supernatural courage.
This courage is not just for us but others, those God wants us to support, encourage and cheer on.
Billy Graham said: "Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened." This is part of our witness.
So as 2010 approaches maybe you need to make a change: take whatever you are worried about, give it to God and draw close to Him - as you do this you will become strong and courageous. If you don't need to make this change - you're there - then look to those who God wants you to support, encourage and cheer on.
There is actually a list of things people can have fears and worries about:
1. Fear of failure
2. Fear of rejection
3. Fear of public speaking
4. Fear of criticism
5. Fear of what others think
6. Fear of being alone
7. Fear of financial collapse
8. Fear of failing health
9. Fear of success
10. Fear of death
The Presence of God gives us courage. Courage is not having no fear, it is moving ahead in spite of your fear, knowing God is with you.
The Ark, the Presence of God, was with the people at the fall of Jericho.
“So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it." And he ordered the people, "Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD."
When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD's covenant followed them. The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. But Joshua had commanded the people, "Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!" So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. Then the people returned to camp and spent the night there.
Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the LORD and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets kept sounding. So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.” Joshua 6: 6 - 14
It took courage for Israel to do this; Israel was wide open to attack during this time, and it would have been easy for the people of Jericho to attack them from the high position of the walls. With the Ark with them – the Presence of God – they had courage.
What are you fearful of, what do you worry about? When we have the Presence of God in our lives we can have supernatural courage.
This courage is not just for us but others, those God wants us to support, encourage and cheer on.
Billy Graham said: "Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened." This is part of our witness.
So as 2010 approaches maybe you need to make a change: take whatever you are worried about, give it to God and draw close to Him - as you do this you will become strong and courageous. If you don't need to make this change - you're there - then look to those who God wants you to support, encourage and cheer on.
9 November 2009
Negativity Kills...YOU & OTHERS
Numbers 13:30-33: “Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."
But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."
10 spies saw the problems - the walls are too big, the people are too big - 2 saw the promise.
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able (2 Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (1 Peter 5:7)
You say: "I feel all alone”
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
Behold God's perspective! Believe God's promises! Be like the 2 spies!
But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."
10 spies saw the problems - the walls are too big, the people are too big - 2 saw the promise.
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able (2 Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (1 Peter 5:7)
You say: "I feel all alone”
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
Behold God's perspective! Believe God's promises! Be like the 2 spies!
11 October 2009
Why Pray?
I’ve been reading R.A. Torrey’s book ‘How to Pray’. This is a powerful book. I thought I would share some text extracted from the first chapter on 'The Importance of Prayer'. A couple of my thoughts are added in italics.
"But why is this constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer so needful?’
1. First of all, because there is a devil. He is cunning, he is mighty, he never rests, he is ever plotting the downfall of the child of God; and if the child of God relaxes in prayer, the devil will succeed in ensnaring him…
2. Prayer is God’s appointed way for obtaining things, and the great secret of all lack in our experience, in our life and in our work is neglect of prayer…
3. Those men whom God set forth as a pattern of what he expected Christians to be – the Apostles – regarded prayer as the most important business of their lives…Read Acts to see how prayer and Holy Spirit empowered ministry went hand in hand
4. Prayer occupied a very prominent place and played a very important part in the earthly life of our Lord…If so important for Jesus, how much more should it be for us
5. Prayer is the most important part of the present ministry of our risen Lord…He intercedes for us now
6. Prayer is the means that God has appointed for our receiving mercy, and obtaining grace to help in time of need…
7. Prayer in the name of Jesus Christ is the way Jesus Christ himself has appointed for his disciples to obtain fullness of joy…
8. Prayer, in every care an anxiety and need of life, with thanksgiving, is the means that God has appointed for obtaining freedom from all anxiety, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding…
9. Prayer is the method that God himself has appointed for our obtaining the Holy Spirit…
10. Prayer is the means that Christ has appointed whereby our hearts shall not become overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life, and so the day of Christ’s return come upon us suddenly as a snare…
11. Because of what prayer accomplishes…
- Prayer promotes our spiritual growth as almost nothing else…
- Prayer brings power into our work…
- Prayer avails for the conversion of others…
- Prayer brings blessings to the church…"
I hope this has informed, refreshed and blessed you.
How is your prayer life?
"But why is this constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer so needful?’
1. First of all, because there is a devil. He is cunning, he is mighty, he never rests, he is ever plotting the downfall of the child of God; and if the child of God relaxes in prayer, the devil will succeed in ensnaring him…
2. Prayer is God’s appointed way for obtaining things, and the great secret of all lack in our experience, in our life and in our work is neglect of prayer…
3. Those men whom God set forth as a pattern of what he expected Christians to be – the Apostles – regarded prayer as the most important business of their lives…Read Acts to see how prayer and Holy Spirit empowered ministry went hand in hand
4. Prayer occupied a very prominent place and played a very important part in the earthly life of our Lord…If so important for Jesus, how much more should it be for us
5. Prayer is the most important part of the present ministry of our risen Lord…He intercedes for us now
6. Prayer is the means that God has appointed for our receiving mercy, and obtaining grace to help in time of need…
7. Prayer in the name of Jesus Christ is the way Jesus Christ himself has appointed for his disciples to obtain fullness of joy…
8. Prayer, in every care an anxiety and need of life, with thanksgiving, is the means that God has appointed for obtaining freedom from all anxiety, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding…
9. Prayer is the method that God himself has appointed for our obtaining the Holy Spirit…
10. Prayer is the means that Christ has appointed whereby our hearts shall not become overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life, and so the day of Christ’s return come upon us suddenly as a snare…
11. Because of what prayer accomplishes…
- Prayer promotes our spiritual growth as almost nothing else…
- Prayer brings power into our work…
- Prayer avails for the conversion of others…
- Prayer brings blessings to the church…"
I hope this has informed, refreshed and blessed you.
How is your prayer life?
12 September 2009
MEMO FROM GOD
I can't remember where I read this, but it's quite powerful...
MEMO FROM GOD:
As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit to wear.
MEMO FROM GOD:
As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit to wear.
When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one point you had to wait, fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip instead. I watched patiently all day long.
With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn't bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left, and I hope that you will talk to me yet.
You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done, you turned on the TV. I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn't talk to me.
Bedtime - I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That's okay.
I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation.
Well, you are getting up once again. And once again I will wait, with nothing but love for you. Hoping that today you will give me some time.
Have a nice day! Your friend, GOD
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