Soar like an Eagle

Isaiah 40:31 "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint"

God wants us to put our hope in Him so our strength can be renewed. He promises us that our strength will be renewed, BUT, we must put our hope in Him. When we are tired and weary it is easy to be discouraged, to not feel like breathing, not to set any goals for the future and not to even care about the things happening around us at times. Sometimes not even to take one step further. BUT ... then we can become thankful because of God's love for us, because He has given each one of us a measure of faith, He cares so much for us that He has given us a promise, a promise He Himself will never break, "Those that put their HOPE in ME!" This is a promise of GREAT STRENGTH! We will soar like eagles.

Eagles are magnificent

Eagles are magnificent creatures, they are the most powerful birds in the world. They are graceful but powerful.  They are creatures of freedom.  They are known for their GREAT STRENGTH, power, their boldness, dependability, courage and faithfulness. WOW, what a promise.  They can ride the most difficult currents of wind, NOTHING gets them under.

I don't think any of us have ever seen an eagle that flaps its wings flap, flap, in the air when it flies. No way, IT SOARS!  That is what God wants us to be like. He has given us that authority so why not take that with both hands and lets SOAR. Lets stop flapping lets start soaring! Wow this excites me.

Just like it is important for us to try and make the Fruits of the Spirit part of our lives, to love, have joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control (Gal 5:22-23) it is also important for us to always try and "DO THE RIGHT THING", no matter what, just always do the right thing! It is important for us to :

• Love God with all our might
• Love our families and neighbours
• Be grateful even in the little
• Be humble
• Be loyal and trustworthy
• Always be honest
• Work hard
• Don't be materialistic but be giving
• Respect others
• Be faithful in all you do
• Don't worry but have faith
• Be cheerful and enjoy life

Eagles learn from young to fight and survive as their mothers constantly push them to do better, sometimes pushing them out of the nest, but the mother always flies down with the young eagle and carries him to safety.  That I believe is what God wants for us at times. He will push us and push us to do the right thing for our lives but He will always carry us to safety.  We cant gain anything without pain!  Get up and try again.

Although life can be a struggle at times we can have courage just like the eagle and reach the highest peaks and soar.  The higher we climb the better our view will be.  We don't want our struggles and difficulties to have power over us. We must be like the eagle, don't give up, persevere and soar above our struggles and make sure we have the control.

Be expectant

We need to learn to always be expectant. It is time to soar, not flap, time to soar with the eagles!

We must be expectant and know that God will come through for us.  Even when life beats you down, stay expectant and put your hope in God.  Don't try and do things yourself, no stay expectant and know that God will be there. He has promised us.  The promise from God to us is that we will no longer be weary but He will strengthen us, He will make sure that when we put our hope in Him He will not let us down, He will give us wings to fly like eagles, to soar against strong winds. Wow, thank you Father God for your promise to us.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for Your promise that we no longer have to be tired and weary that You will give us strength when we put our hope in You. Thank you that You just absolutely love us so much. Thank you that You are my Rock in times of need, thank you that You will give us wings to fly like eagles, High above the winds that want to blow us down. Father help us to always do the right thing! Help us to be Your helping hand to this sad world, a world that needs You so very much. All for Your glory God!

My Friend ........ the Holy Spirit

My Friend the Holy Spirit....

John 14:26 (AMP) :" But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intersessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby) the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name (in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf), He will teach you all things.  And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you".

Are you longing for a Friend, someone who is humble, gracious, trustworthy and always looking after your best interests.  Then get to know your Friend the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said that He will give us a Friend   (John 14:15) so that we will always have someone with us. Not just sometimes or often, no, ALWAYS. This beautiful, gracious Friend will be with you every moment if you allow Him. He will show you things in your life and in your heart that will change your life forever.  He will never let you down, He will never fail you.  I know sometimes you might feel that He has failed you if you are looking at your immediate situation. But look back at your life (over a couple of years) - you would be able to see how the Holy Spirit has gently carried you through the very difficult periods in your life.  No one said that life would be without any difficulties but I believe that the Holy Spirit wants to teach us and build our character and use us for the Glory of God.  So just press on! You will finish the race for your life that is part of the bigger plan.

The Holy Spirit will never "force" himself to be part of your life.  He is not forceful to those that do not want Him to be part of their lives, but the Holy Spirit is patient. He is patient and kind.  The Holy Spirit is powerful and strong, yet humble.  He can heal our hearts, all those places in our lives that are shattered.  No distance can ever separate us from Him.  He is is always with us and there is nothing He does not know about us or our future, so He is able to protect us. How absolutely awesome is that. So just sit back, be still, and invite Him into your life. He is a Friend indeed and a Friend in need.

When we get to know the Holy Spirit intimately, our values and our morals will be aligned to those of Jesus.  We will become new creatures longing to walk in His ways.  It says in Titus 3:5 (NIV) : " He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit". Again, this shows the Grace God has for us, as no works we ever try and do will be good enough, it is only by GRACE!!

Prayer:

Father God, I pray to really get to know the Holy Spirit and people longing for joy and peace to get to know the wonderful, beautiful Holy Spirit that shows us Grace.  Holy Spirit You are welcome in my life.  May You be my Friend and my Guide in my life. Guide me so that I can please You with everything I do in my life.  Thank You Holy Spirit - Personal fulfillment when You are part of my life. All for the Glory of God! 

I will be still and know God, Holy Spirit take over!

"New hands" to lift the burdens : Mandela Day

Acts 20:35 :"In everything I did, I showed you that this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'".

In South Africa (and I'm sure in some other Countries), we give 67 minutes of our time to make the world a better place on Nelson Mandela's birthday the 18th of July yearly.  Nelson Mandela himself inspired this idea when he said on his birthday in London in 2008: "It is time for new hands to lift the burdens.  It is in your hands now". So that specific day became one of caring for someone else or for a good cause.

Mother Teresa said: "Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work".

So, today therefore was an exciting day. It is always exciting doing something for somebody else. It makes you feel like a blessed person. After a demanding day at work a group of us went to a home for abandoned and abused girls. It was so absolutely rewarding to get so many hugs and love from the girls, as off course they are crying out for love. One of the 2 year old girls just did not want to let me go, she slept on my shoulder and held on to me making sure I would not let her go.  Another girl sat on my friends' lap and told her just how beautiful she was.  All of them just wanted our attention all at once. We helped them with homework, laughed together and made sure they were loved.  I often find myself wondering and crying out why moms and dads would just abandon their kids and neglect them.  I will file it in my "I don't understand" file and know that I don't want to judge, that is for God to do, although it hurts my heart so bad.  We can just love and be the hand that God wants us to be.  

Thank you Father that You enabled us to give a bit of emotional love and support today.  Children need so much love. You love them so much. 

After that we went to the old age home, my friends' work's project for their 67 minutes.  We must never forget about our old people.  Afterall, that is where our knowledge and wisdom lies.  They are so easily forgotton, but oh so very special.  

Wise words from Abraham Lincoln as he said: "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years".

We must just be available, as Jesus said, available vessels ... we don't have to care or feed 100's of people, we can just start with 1

Jesus helped and healed people all the time, even on a Sabbath. That just shows us the depth of His love and therefore in return how Jesus wants us to care.  Jesus could not stand to see people suffer, because of His compassion and empathy, and so that is what He expects of us.  Jesus said we have to look after the poor. And to be poor is not always about wealth but it is also about the helpless and the poor in spirit.

Let's pray ....

Oh Father, thank you that once again today You kept me totally humbled.  There is just so much pain in the world. So many people are so hungry for love. Thank you that you have given so many people a compassionate heart for a broken world. Open our eyes Jesus to see and to do. We can make a difference starting with 1.  After all, You said we must just start with the little. The little is good enough for me for now until You show me what You need me to do. All for Your glory Father God.

IT IS TIME FOR NEW HANDS TO LIFT THE BURDENS!

The Indescribable Glory of God

Exodus 33:18-23 (ESV) : Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And God said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.  But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”  And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.  Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

Our minds cannot yet understand God’s ways and the Glory of God …. our eyes still need to be opened to His GLORY..

As human beings in the flesh, we would never be able to survive the sight of God because of His Glory.  And this is just because God wants to protect us and not harm us, as His Glory is so powerful.  But one day in heaven when we are spirit that will all change.  This takes my breath away!  I feel so humbled by the fact that God created us because of love – to one day be with Him in heaven to experience the fullness of His glory, now that makes me excited and at the same time it brings tears to my eyes.  I have read so many articles where people say that God does not exist or God is imaginary that is why Moses could not see His face. Wow, people!!!! God absolutely exists!!  Just look around you.  Look at the incredible way God has made you and me.  How can we even compare God to a human being or limit Him when He is just so Amazing.  His Glory is astonishing. Psalm 19 & 73 speaks about the heavens telling us the story of God’s Glory.  I would never want to pass this opportunity by to be a child of the most High to one day experience His Indescribable Glory!  Indescribable, uncontainable.. All powerful, untameable, incomparable, unchangeable… Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim, You are amazing God… (Part of Lyrics.. Indescribable by Chris Tomlin)

I do believe in my inner being that God is extremely misunderstood.  He is the first one people “blame” when something bad happens and He is the last one people “thank” when something good happens.  God allows certain things to happen to us that we don’t always understand but He loves us, He is beautiful (I cannot comprehend all the beautiful images in my mind when I think of Him and my thoughts are even limited as His beauty is just startling). He is omnipotent (Rev19:6 – Almighty), omnipresent (Psalm 11:4 – present everywhere at the same time), and omniscient (Psalm139:12 – having complete and unlimited knowledge).  I read in Joel Osteen’s book – Your best life - that each of us should have an “I Don't Understand It" file so when something comes up for which we don’t have an answer, instead of dwelling on it and live in self-pity, we just need to file it in there and walk away from any emotional bondage. So yes, my new filing system now has a file called “I Don’t Understand It”.

Created for His Glory

Isaiah 43:7 says that we were created for the Glory of God.  If we think about it God says that He is love.. So we were created for LOVE.  Yes, then we were created for Him and Jesus said that the greatest commandment is LOVE. Jesus Christ is the best expression I can think of when I think of the Glory of God and of Love, when I think of His goodness and when I think of Grace.  

I have asked some people to let me know how they see God and what God means to them in their lives. Here are some of their comments ….

How is see God…

“God is almighty, all powerful, He is amazing beyond words, I do believe that we are made in His image, therefore I do believe that He has a tender, loving presence about Him.  He is filled with unconditional love for us all, a God of forgiveness and grace for us all.  He accepts us just the way that we are and He knows our hearts desires. I know that God is always with me and will only ever have good plans for my life.  I am FOREVER grateful to God for all that He has blessed me with, no material possessions could ever make up for all the good qualities that He has given me, for all the loved ones that He has blessed me with that are always there for me, and when I feel that I just can’t carry on I am reminded in some way or another of how blessed I actually am.  I am a child of the most high God, what more could I ask for.  I know that God is the ultimate PERFECT example of PURE love”.

How I see God…

“When I think of God, I picture him with a bright light all around him, and with a soft gentle smile, extending his hand out towards me. Firstly let me say “Thank you God for the most amazing and awesome wife that I have been blessed with, A TRUE GIFT FROM GOD. God means everything to me, without him I would never be able to cope with all that is happening in my life and to all those whom I love. God has answered so many prayers in my life, I owe him so much. It is true what they say WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD, Always there, never failing in His care, Yes sometimes I get despondent and cry out to GOD, please answer my prayers, but in His own time and when He believes it to be the right time, He DOES answer in miraculous ways. I have a company that is struggling to survive, I have a car that needs to be repaired, I have loans I have to pay, the list goes ON and ON, I truly let go and LET GOD, and I received money this week to pay all the problems and burdens that I have.  I carry no malice towards any of those people that get pleasure out of needless gossip, or grudges that they bare, because MY GOD SEES ALL and He truly must know my heart as no one else does. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME and ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD”.

How I see God…

“I have an awesome almighty God, He means so much to me in my life, and I know He always looks out for my best interests in life.  Who would we be without God, God is the reason we are here, He died for our sins and for that He in awesome God, I love him with all my heart soul and might! Thank you God for all you have done for me, Thank you for making me one of your daughters, Thank you for making my heart pure”.

How I see God…

“A Father, Friend, Forgiver and Lover of My SOUL, Wonderful counsellor, Mighty Prince of Peace, Mighty good shepherd, my Strength, my Teacher, My Trust, My Joy, LOVE (we can never know true love apart from Him) God is my life- My everything. The author and the perfector of my Faith.  I feel that God understands me more than I do myself, I've done so many wrong things and still continue to do so but God loves me, He forgives never to ever remember or remind me of my sin, He is all that I have, He makes sense when everything else in the world does not, HE  LOVES UNCONDITIONALLY knows all my flaws and still loves me. Most of all He is my best friend, no day goes by me not talking to him. I believe in Him and Him only I believe in His reports and none else. Looking where I come from and where I am today it can only be God who has made all things possible.  He is able to open doors that no man can close. He is the centre of my life; after all it’s all about Him and none else.  This wonderful man called God He understands our prayers even when we can’t find words to say to Him.  He is everything to me can’t imagine life without him”.

How I see God…

“To me God is beautiful, radiant softly spoken.  He is the One that helps me carry on no matter what.  He picks me up when I am down. He is my father that loves me listens to me guides me and He is just awesome and the lover of my soul”.

How I see God…

“God means to me: love, gentleness and caring and you can always depend on him. He is the only one forever”.

How I see God…

“The secret is Jesus – And in Him we find all wisdom and hidden treasures and my life without Him will be empty”.

Pray with me ...

Amazing God in heaven, forgive us for limiting You. Yes, we can't even comprehend your awesomeness, your Glory. We would not be able to live if we had to see Your Glory. Do we even know sometimes what we as for.  Thank you for thinking enough of us humans that You sent Your Son for us and that You love us so extremely much. I am just thankful to be your daughter and thankful that You love me and know the depts of my heart. All we do is for Your Glory beautiful Father!!

When enough is finally enough .....

God knows the bigger picture .... 

Once you step out and look back at your life you can begin to see how the grace of God helped you through!

I am very sure when God created people, He meant for everyone to get along and love each other with that beautiful tender love Jesus portrays.  But we all know this is not the reality we so long for at times.  God would never have told us to love one another if He did not enable us to do so.

I need people to understand that my writing in this blog is not for the ordinary family with a few arguments here and there.  This blog is meant to give those families with deep-rooted hurt and sadness some hope to say "no matter what, you can get through it".  I know families in my circle that are going through a tremendous amount of hurt because of judgment and cruel words.  Those are the families I pray for and there is hope and grace in our Jesus.. Just press on!!

GOD KNOWS BEST FOR ME

We all know that glass can be absolutely beautiful, but it can also cut extremely deep.  A very famous quote from an author (unknown) reads: "Relationships are like glass.  Sometimes it's better to leave them broken than try to hurt yourself putting them back together".

I know as we have been made in the image of God and God exhuberates love in abundance that this was His ideal plan for us.  God tells us in 1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God".  But these words are not always that easy. When then can our hearts cry out "enough is truly enough"! It hurts. The glass is about to shatter. I do believe God would not want us to get hurt over and over so at one point I know God would be content if we make a decision and we say "today, at this very present moment, enough!

We all want our family (or friends) to care and we want to feel valued so we expect them to act in a certain way towards us, as that is the right thing to do. Sometimes someone is "knowingly" hurtful towards us.  It is therefore important for us to recognise this or we will feel disempowered and hurt.  We cannot change our family (or friends) but we can protect ourselves.  Sometimes when we come into contact with them we should already expect how they will "behave" and we should just protect ourselves, guard our hearts. To "crave" approval leads to tremendous hurt at times.  This is the time that we have to just let go, let go and let God!  We can't change our family and we can't change what they think but we have to protect ourselves and our emotions so best is not to fight back, no don't. Letting go of all the feelings to fight back or say what is on our minds, will just leave us with the freedom that we need. So let go and let God.  We must just remove the emotions when we think of the ones that hurt us or when we are around them and pray for absolute inner confidence.

We need to make the right choices for ourselves, for our own lives.  Not all family would be loyal and not all family would be forever. They can be forever in your heart as that will never change.  You can still love them but you don't have to have a close-knit relationship with them.  God understands yes, He understands your heart.

It is great for us to always be compassionate towards our family but sometimes we need to look at our own hearts and be compassionate with ourselves first we need to say " This is just not okay".  Don't justify that you "might" be the wrong one because of the way you are being mistreated.  When you are truly loved by your family (or friends) they would not use your past mistakes or failures to justify the way they treat you.  That should not be their function but God's.  God is the only one that can judge not any human has that right, as He says in Matthew 7 : 1-5 (ESV) : "Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.  Why do you see the speck that is in your brothers' eye but not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye"?  No matter what you have done in your life you deserve to have healthy relationships, build relationships with those that truly care and those that do not judge and those who treat you well.

Let us pray ....

Father God we pray for fruits of the spirit - peace and self-control - to manifest in our lives.  We pray that you change the hearts of those family members or friends that hurt us. May we have healthy relationships with people who care and who dont speak evil words against us. Lord you are our counselor and you counsel us, You tell us what to do.  We trust in You. 

I choose ........... Grace and Love

Choosing .... no matter what happens in our lives, Choosing, no matter how we feel about ourselves! 

Jesus said in John 15: 16-17 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last, and so whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you. This is my command : Love each other".

Well, wow, Jesus came as our Grace as He chose us (you and me) and He left us with ONE greatest commandment and that is to love.  

I am a very ordinary woman with a passion to let people know about the Grace of God.  I also have a love for Jesus greater and different than any other love I can think of.  Jesus can touch ordinary people. Think of Moses, Paul and David the shepherd boy just to name a few. All of them "ordinary".

So, looking at reality of day to day choices in our lives my friend has a little "campaign" that she has giving out biscuits to the hungry or the homeless or just the ordinary man on the street as God would lead us.  We do this whilst driving home or to work or weekends when we drive together.  Well sometimes I would cry (like this morning on my way to work) and then a minute after that I would smile as the little newspaper "boy" smiles from ear to ear as He reads "You are special to God". But, choices are what we can make in life just to make a little bit of a difference in somebody's life, it does not have to be a big deal, it can just be ordinary.  A lot of a little can make a huge difference! 

Whatever you are doing in your life and you feel "inadequate" or ordinary - God is looking for you, yes you!  Remember God never sees the inadequate we see and feel in our own lives, He sees beyond that. "Inadequate" actually does not exist when God is involved. Just look yet again at Moses, Paul and David. I love the song by Ray Boltz called Shepherd boy.  This song is when Prophet Samuel was searching for the next king of Israel amongst Jesse's sons.  He overlooked all and lastly in the fields caring for the sheep was David (The man after God's own heart - 1 Samuel 13: 13-14).  David was just the shepherd boy, not fit for a king in "worldly eyes".  But God sees past the worldliness into the heart of a person.  Yes, David was the chosen one, the ordinary shepherd boy.

(Chorus of the Shepherd Boy by Ray Boltz)

But when others see a shepherd boy

God may see a king

Even though your life is filled

With ordinary things

In just a moment He can touch you

And everything will change

When others see a shepherd boy

God may see a king.

The story of David is so full of grace and love, from the core of our God's own heart - What an awesome promise to us.

So, in our own lives, no matter how we see ourselves and no matter how others perceive us, God sees us as kings and queens, fit to do his work and fit to be part of His Kingdom - children after His own heart.

Choose today!

Choose your life in such a way to accept the grace so freely given to us by our Father God.  Choose to accept the greatest commandment Jesus gave us - to love.  What a privilege to LOVE God with all our hearts, souls and with all our minds.  Then we have to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.  This is where we can choose to make small little differences.  When we love God and we accept His Grace (Jesus dying for our sins on the cross & Him loving us just as we are) it will feel so awesome to know that we are sons and daughters after His own heart. Just choose!

Pray with me .....

Father it feels so awesome to call myself your daughter, the little old ordinary me.  Thank you that I am enough to be part of Your amazing Kingdom.  I don't want to ask for anything but I just want to say thank you.  We can be grateful for so much.  We just need to look around us.  When You look at me You see me as Your Queen, fit for your Kingdom. Father everything we do is for YOUR glory.  Amen

Be grateful, even in the little

Be greatful - even in the little

What should have been a very simple in and out at our local store yesterday, turned into a heartwarming lesson for me and my friend once again. I always think to myself that God knows exactly where He wants us to be at a specific time and when we are available vessels He will use us as He needs to.  Reaching out to get an item on the shelf a man walked over to us looking down and appeared extremely nervous/sad - "Mam, he asked, if I take this milk and my baby's food (very small milk and box of baby food), will I have enough money". We immediately saw that he will be short and so he decided to rather leave the bread he had in the basket and just take the food for his baby. Let the baby rather eat and they will go hungry. Well, tears filled up in our eyes and our hearts just could not take the pain.  We at least managed to sort him out in order for them all to have a meal that night.  In South Africa we see this on a daily basis (I am sure many other Countries as well). It really breaks a person's heart. I do believe that is why God wants us to be His vessels and be available to do His work for Him.  We have to make sure we are in touch with our surroundings on a daily basis and we have to be in ministry every second, helping those that are in need. Ministry for me does not mean just to go to church on a Sunday and now work is done. No, ministry means reaching out to those that need us every second as God sends people our way.

My friend gives packets of biscuits out to people with a message on "Jesus loves You" or "You are special in God's eyes" on a daily basis, just randomly as she is lead, and normally people smile from ear to ear. Just somebody who cares, just something so small means so very much to others.

Give thanks in all circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:18 : "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you". 

It is very difficult to give thanks or to be grateful in difficult situations. We are after all only human.

• The mother/father who lost a child
• A difficult divorce
• Not being able to provide for your family
• People who experience loneliness and no love

But Jesus is such an example to us. He still blessed His enemies and gave thanks during His very difficult times. When He was treated so badly He still gave thanks to God.

Who of us give thanks on a daily basis. Just to say Father thank you for all you do even though I dont even deserve it. This will keep us humble and make sure whatever we receive we give the Glory to God, where it belongs.We don't always understand why certain things happen to us, but when we look back I am sure we can see how far we have come and see how God was still with us during the difficult times. 

So from today let us be grateful each day for one thing (or more) that God puts in our hearts. 

Look around you from today and start to notice different things and say thank you to God for what you have been given.  When you look at your children even if they are a bit mischievous at times, thank God for their health and thank God for the great gift. For our homes, cars, food, finances, work, health so many many things... but even in the little, our hearing, sight, rain, your beautiful rainbow you gave us as an oath; thank God that we can wake up in the mornings and His mercy is new. Thank Him that He sent somebody to you to help out with a bread so they can eat dinner.

God says to us that if we can be faithfull in the little He will make sure that we will be blessed (in abundance), but not so that we can be swamps and keep everything to ourselves, NO, so we can be rivers of blessings to others.

We must remember that what what we take for granted others pray for. So let us not take anything for granted but let us be rivers of blessings to others.

Pray with me ...

Oh Father God, I am so sorry for not saying thank you to you enough, if I have been selfish I humbly ask for forgiveness and I pray that you will renew my heart so that I can be grateful just like Jesus was, our example. We pray that You will send people to us in need so that we can glorify your name in the process. Let us be Your vessels Lord, your hands and feet, so that people don't have to struggle so badly.  We thank you for all that you do for us and we thank you for all that you give us. All for Your glory Father.

My Jesus, Jesus ...

make me a river of blessings

to others, to uplift your Name

The sweetest Name I know

Let us be grateful even in the little

Let us be grateful when You give

Let us be grateful when You take

As life has serious challenges

Lets make it lighter for others

Give us the strength Jesus

And let us always be grateful

Even in the little ....

Soaking my soul in His love

Soaking my soul in your love my Jesus

 Looking at this world of ours and seeing how people struggle to just keep their heads above water and how issues in the world just drain them, I am sure everybody just become so exhausted - emotionally, spiritually as well as physically.  When you have made a choice in your life that no matter what the world dictates and no matter how the world wants you to be, do as God said in James 4:8 that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.  I know it is not always easy to do this, especially if you "sometimes" think that God does not even know your name or God does not even know that you exist (when your life is just a total mess) . But I promise you that God does know. He knows everything. God sees and God knows how difficult life must be. God understands.  The one thing that I do want you to know is no matter what you think or no matter what people would want you to think God loves you and He is not asking for you to be perfect. God loves you just the way you are, with your mess and issues. God is not asking you to first change who you are and then you can come to Him. NO, he wants you NOW with every part of your life.  What God does ask for is for YOU to draw near to Him.  He is a jealous God and He does want you to have an intimate relationship with Him.  No, dont think you are not good enough, because YOU are!!  Jesus himself walked on this earth and He experienced so many difficult issues and He soaked His soul into God's love when it became tough for Him. Jesus is showing us by example what we can do. Try it!! Soak your soul into His love.  Give every part of yourself over to Him. Make that decision today and hand yourself over.  When we let go of every part of our mind, heart, body, spirit and soul, we draw nearer to God. If you cant find anything to say to God as yet or you can speak to Him as yet or pray to Him, dont worry about it.. just call on His name or whisper His name, He understands your heart, He knows. 

I look back at the story of Paul (who first was Saul) in the Bible and just knowing how God loved him enough to accept Him and forgive him, Paul became the front-runner of GRACE, making sure that we know that God loves us unconditionally.  Agape Love: wow... This love that God has for us.. Agape love can only be given to us by God Himself because of His character that releases unconditional love to us, "in spite of" who we are.. God is a supernatural God and just think how much He loved us that He gave us His loving Son on the cross for our sins, so we can live forever... wow ... we will never find greater love than that. Thank you Jesus that you gave yourself on the cross for us..  Jesus himself said that three things remain (1 Cor 13:13) but the greatest of these is love.

Pray with me ...

Jesus, I want to soak my soul in your presence. I want to make the choice today; to want more of you, soak my cares and my worries, that's eating away in my soul, on You. I know You love me and You accept me just the way I am, I dont have to be perfect to be your child.  I want more of you Jesus. I can trust You and I can give my life over to You and I know that You will fold Your arms around me and keep me safe, keep me Yours forever. You know everything about me and You still love me.  When I am brokenhearted I know that You are close to me, You understand me and You understand how difficult this world can be. Thank you for loving me unconditionally my Jesus. 

Letting myself go - blocking out the world

I soak my soul in your incredible love

Feeling the silence all around me

I drink and breathe your Agape love

I hear your voice in my heart.... saying

Child I love you just as you are.

I soak my soul in your marvelous love

I feel your arms around my soul

Keeping me away from hurt

Keeping me away from pain

I know you will never let go.

I soak myself in your love so remarkable

I look forward to your provision for my life

I look forward to your supernatural healing

I will always love you, my choice, my faith.

I soak my soul in your love my God!

All I do is for Your glory.

Falling in love with Jesus .... through His grace

Years ago when I was still a 'baby' Christian, one of my work colleagues tried to convince me that Jesus was just a Prophet and I should definitely not pray to Him or accept Him as my Saviour.  This happened daily and I remember trying to stay strong in my faith.  I must say the devil tried to derail me each time I prayed; tried to damage my relationship with my Saviour.  Looking back I am thankful that He (Jesus) who lived in my heart was stronger than the evil one living in the world. 

Ephesians 2:1-6 (MSG) "It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin.  You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live.  You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience.  We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat.  It's a wonder God didn't lose His temper and do away with the whole lot of us.  Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love He embraced us.  He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ.  He did all this on His own with no help from us!  Then He picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah".

I am sure God understands us and He knows that sometimes we might feel no matter what we do, we are just not doing enough so that He can be pleased with us, BUT, then God shows us and reminds us that He loves us with our mess and all and we have been saved by Grace, total unconditional love!  We through the cross have been made righteous....... yes through Jesus. 

Jesus I am humbled by your love for me!

No matter how the devil tried to steal, kill and destroy I still fell in love with Jesus daily.  Jesus, through your love and grace for me, I chose to sail my boat into the right direction - Your direction.

Pray with me ... 

Jesus I thank You that you allow us to seek you and fall in love with you.  You chose us the day You said IT IS FINISHED.  Show us more of your truth daily and dont allow us to listen to the enemy ever again but ONLY to you our Saviour.  WE love You Jesus, All the glory and honour belongs to you Jesus. Amen.

My Saviour ....

I soak my thoughts in Your truth

I soak my heart in your love...

Jesus Christ You are the only true vine

see it through my eyes as they shine

shine because I fall in love with you daily

thank you that You chose me

that is all I ever want to be.....

Your daughter forever

Through your grace. 

The perfume of YOUR grace

His GRACE and love for all....

"Rom 10:4 - For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes"

I grew up in a religious home; went to church every Sunday, my father was a Deacon in church & we had to "graduate" from Sunday school before we could even partake in Holy Communion.  I remember we were not even allowed to whisper in church as kids and we had to be absolutely quiet and respectful.  So growing up in an environment where having a relationship with God was not even a possibility due to strict religion I am not surprised that I was a bit fearful talking to God and I always thought I had to be 100% without sin before I could be called His child.  My religion needed me to be 'perfect' first.  How can Jesus ever make me His if I was still a sinner, I always thought.  Even years later when I finally gave my life to Him I was asked one day: "How can you even think you are a child of God if you are still full of sin". I always thought, oh, I will never truly be good enough or accepted by Him. Then one day HIS word set me free.  I was so overwhelmed when I realised for the first time what GRACE actually meant.  It was as if God Himself whispered the truth in my ear... finally!  I have heard the word many times but never really understood the 'real' meaning.  Oh, I drank grace, ate grace, worked grace and slept grace & just could not get enough when I finally realised how very much God loved me that He gave up His Son Jesus for me.  Wow, not because I am special, no, just because He loves me so much and yes, you too, He loves you unconditionally. Wow Jesus, you came for me -the sinner- and I did not have to become 'perfect' first.  You love me and accept me for the person I am - Just as I am.  Now I understand what unconditional love means.  

Jesus YOU are our new Covenant - GRACE. I once was blind but now I see.

Pray with me..

Jesus, thank You for Your grace.  Thank You that I dont have to be perfect.  You love and accept me just as I am.  I no longer have to listen to the enemy, but only to Your voice.  Thank You that I can just say Jesus Jesus sometimes when I dont have words or battle to pray, You understand my heart.  Jesus You live in my heart as King and WOW, You love me!  Your grace is mine and oh so sufficient for me. I love You Jesus Amen.

Jesus, the perfume of Your grace

opened my blind eyes and entered my heart.

Now You hold the key to my heart

till forever and beyond.

You fill my mouth with a song....

You take my breath away

my lips shout You are Lord ,

strong foundation, my Rock,

precious Cornerstone.

Your Grace - the perfume of my soul

for all my days.

All for YOUR Glory Father, forever!

I am good enough, Christ did not die in vain!

"I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain". (Gal 2:21 NKJV)

God whispers grace 3:16

The grace of God is not just for a 'particular people' or for the Church, it is not my grace or her grace, no, it is God's grace and so it is for everybody! 

When I think of grace I am always reminded of the story in Acts 20 - of Sauls conversion to Paul. Saul was guilty of so many sins; he killed Christians and he persecuted Jesus himself. But Wow, Jesus loved Paul from the beginning, forgave him, showed His grace in action. God Himself had a hand in Paul's conversion. God made sure that Paul's life could be a story of grace. God works in such unique ways. If He could forgive Paul for persecuting His own Son and set him free, love him unconditionally and make sure Paul would be the most important person in the Bible preaching the grace of God to us, just think what God can do for you and for me. 

Paul was chosen before he was even born with his mess and all! And you, you were also chosen by God before you were even born. Dont think you are not good enough or that you have not been chosen because of how your life turned out. It does not matter what your past consists of, it does not matter what you have done or what people have told you. When they say you will never be good enough, you will never be forgiven or you will never amount to anything, you know what, you are a child of King Jesus, because just the way He forgave Paul just so God's grace is for you today, Jesus did not die in vain! Just choose to believe that today, accept that today and thank God for sending His Son Jesus for you and for me.

Pray with me .....

Father God, thank you that You can shine a new light in my heart today and thank you that You chose me before I was even born, that no matter what I have done in my past You love me with my mess and all, just as I am ....... You love me. Amen

All for YOUR glory Father!

God Whispers Grace ....

Oh God, how your grace amazes me ..

You love me unconditionally

Even before I was just a thought.

Pure, Unblemish Lamb,

Thank you that You came....

Even when I make a big mess with my life,

You show me GRACE

that is why You came .. for me ...

To show me the doorway

that leads to eternal life.

I can depend on you in all times

You are faithful and trustworthy

'so perfect'

and yet you love me

'so imperfect'

just as I am ......

Yes, yes GRACE

You are worthy Jesus of ALL .... honour and glory .......