Tag: New Year

Expectation

Posted on by Ruth

 

 

A few days ago, I was sitting eating my breakfast and reading my bible when the Holy Spirit spoke to me and asked me to turn to Psalm 5. This was the verse that stood out for me.

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests

before you and wait expectantly.

The Amplified Version of the Bible says it this way –

In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will prepare a prayer for You

and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].

Today – the 1st of Jan 2019 – is the morning of a new year. In fact I would consider the whole month of January to be this.

At the moment I am thinking about what I need to place before the Lord. With this in mind, I have no idea what this year brings.

Every year the Lord seems to give me a scripture that seems to sum up the future or the year ahead. Sometimes He gives me the same scripture for a few years…or half a year. Last year’s verse was Proverbs 3:5-6. This year a lot has been thrown at me, and for me the word has been “trust”.

God wants us to trust Him.

In fact, if I needed to add anything more to that it would be this – We really need to understand, that for our own sake, God wants us to trust Him.

Over the past year I have found my life to be… interesting. My friends know that when I use that word, I am not sure what else to call something, or I am trying to be polite. Apart from now learning to live with chronic pain, and still keeping up my very active and busy lifestyle, my role as a mum and wife has become full on for so many different reasons. So much has changed over the past year that I could not go over it all , even if I had the space to write.

In the middle of this I have had some very revealing conversations with God. Okay, let me rephrase that – God has spoken and I sat thinking and wondering what to say. In many ways He has revealed a new layer of things for my life. Yet even in this I still know little of what is ahead in my future. For me my life in service for Him is about a step by step process of only knowing enough to know that I am still on the right track. Yet in this, He keeps giving me tasks to do that make me wonder of my future.

Finally, a few weeks ago, I was sitting reading my bible and praying. All of a sudden, I blurted these words out aloud, “God is turning my world upside-down”. I felt a shock go through me and I realised that God had just revealed something new to me.

Now for those that know me well – I don’t like anything surprising, new, out of the ordinary or not structured. I do not like adventure and I cringe at anything outrageous. In fact, I have had situations where someone changed something at the last moment and it completely threw me into a spin.

Yet when I spoke those words, I was completely a peace.  It was at that moment that I realised for the first time in my life, I was excited about a world where I didn’t hold a control over what was happening, and that my world at the moment although crazy and chaotic was exactly as it was supposed to be – and I am at peace with God working things out.

Now for my friends reading this who happen to be more adventurous and less structured than me, and who desire me to be crazy, adventurous, and wild like them…yeah, just steady up and hold your horses!!

I am yet to see how much of my life he has changed in that way. The fact that he is changing me is a huge thing. This important revelation that come to me over this conversation with God was this –

Over the past years He has taken me through things that have cause me to have a greater faith and trust Him for the outcome. This has been scary and frightening. But I need to go through this to get to where I am now.

Did God cause these stressful and terrifying times to happen? No, but he wasn’t going to allow hard times to go by without the opportunity to grow, should I chose to take it up. I do believe that during the past 15 years, there were things that happened which God allowed to transpire so He could take me deeper in my faith. If I hadn’t chosen in those time to trust Him, I would not be here now. In fact, I would still be a faith baby – still unable to digest a fuller, stronger, flavoured faith that has been needed.

I don’t know what is going to happen this year, and neither do you. To pray for requests at the start of the morning or the start of a new year is like deciding what to wear when you don’t know what the weather is like outside.

The greatest thing we can ask for is faith and then trust God to do the rest.

If you are going through some hard times at the moment, you cannot rely on the weather, careers, people or family …and especially not in governments or politicians. If you are trusting any of those things, you are going to be deeply disappointed.

I know of people at the moment that are in desperate need of trusting God. I know for some, they wonder even if they have the faith to believe in God. There is nothing that I can say that can help this. I can give you all of God’s promises but without you taking a hold of them yourself and making them yours, I am the person you trust, not God. You need that relationship with God where He comforts you, and you believe Him. My comfort and my words are tiny and small and a comfort that will not last…because it is not given to your heart.

The words in this blog are to encourage you to have the faith, the hope and the trust in God Himself. It is to encourage you to place your requests before God and to wait with expectation, and for Him to speak to YOUR heart.

I have found God too be trustworthy. This is useless to you unless you too find Him to be trustworthy. Don’t rely on my faith and my strength. I can speak out what God has done for me, so that you too will call on Him. You need your own testimony of God’s goodness, not mine.

God does not promise our lives to be without trouble, but He has promised us to be there in our troubles.

If you are new to all this God thing, or if you are in need of faith may I encourage you to start reading the Psalms in God’s Word. Read them again and again asking God to give you wisdom and revelation Ephesians 1:17-18

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, (NIV)

This is my prayer for anyone reading this blog.

Place your requests (not wants and wishes) before Him and wait with expectation and listen for Him.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 (NIV)

 

Note from the author:

For the coming year and whatever it brings-

May God be found to be your hope and strength.

May you find in Him a rich store of love and peace.

May His presence be with you, His hand upon you,

and may He be the Rock on which you stand.

A bowl full of reflections

Posted on by Ruth

 

A bowl full of reflections

 

This morning I started to take down the Christmas tree, as per our usual tradition on New Year’s Day, as the heat of the day warmed the house. I took a wooden bowl from the kitchen table to put the brightly coloured decorations in, and it soon filled to almost overflowing. As I placed the last decoration into the bowl, I saw a reflection of myself in the shiny red surface. Suddenly, I realised that I could see lots of reflections. The reflections of myself, other objects in the room and my eldest who had walked up behind me. Not only did this bowl full of reflections, reveal the outer self, it also revealed a bit of my heart this morning…actually, revealing my heart for the past month.

I felt suddenly that the Lord moved closer and His Spirit ministered to me. The Lord had never left, neither had he ever stopped ministering to me, it was just that I needed something more right now…

I have been in a reflective mood for the past month.

This morning, I reflected on life, my marriage, my children, my friends, my God. I reflected on joys, loves, heartaches, and sorrows.  I reflected on my achievements, friendships, ministry, and family. I took time to admit failures, mistakes, sin… and acknowledge the grief that still sits heavily from the recent death of loved ones and dear friends.

There were some things I could look at but not stay reflecting on too long.

I sighed as I looked at the bowl. Some of the balls reflected because of the shiny surface and some did not, as the surface had matte finish. Yes… some things were worth the reflection and other things just needed to be acknowledged. I had spent the morning is deep reflection and I could do no more…the bowl was full.

I placed the bowl onto the table and walked away. Now was time to hand it all to the God of my past, my present, and my future – my Heavenly Father.

Every new day is a ability for my Father to create in me a new things. Every new year is the ability for my Father to create a new future in Him. Relying on Him and drawing into Him.

Right now, I sense His Spirit wash over me and I am grateful for the “new”. My bowl full of reflections are now in the hands of Almighty God- He knows what to do with them.

I pray that you too will place your past year in God’s hand today and thank Him for new days.

Be blessed.

 

Number 6:24-26

 

The Lord bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, and guard you];

The Lord make His face shine upon you [with favor],

And be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness];

The Lord lift up His countenance (face) upon you [with divine approval],

And give you peace [a tranquil heart and life].’ (AMP Version)

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My prayer for you is that you will draw near to the One who knows and loves you, your Heavenly Father and Almighty God.

In Him is freedom, love and joy. In Him is strength for trials, hope in life and a future in eternity. Only He gives salvation, forgiveness, and acceptance through the work that His Son, Jesus Christ, did on the cross at Calvary.

I pray that this new year will bring a love for God, a desire to be near Him and blessings that come from knowing and living for Him.

Don’t take your eyes off what God is doing.

Posted on by Ruth

 

It is holiday time and my house has been taken over by teen and preteen boys! Argh!! It sure makes life interesting and the cupboards empty.

To get a moments peace to write is very hard. So…this blog is going to be very short this week, and you will have to forgive the grammer and spelling errors!

Some days I feel like I am everything to everyone. Yesterday afternoon I was fixing the wheels on my son’s scooter, as his new wheels and bearings had arrived in the mail. I had to do a lot of repair work because after assembly, the wheel bearings were coming out the “watcha-ma-call-it” and the wheel was scraping the side of the” thingy-ma-jig”. Do you get my point? Even though I have no idea what it is that I am fixing, it is up to mum to fix. So, I did this and I now have a happy son.

My hubby needed a pair of trousers fixed – I hate mending!! My eldest needed me to contact some parents so he could catch up with mates. I needed to get a nice tea ready for my hubby, as he is going away for a few days. My youngest son arrived home with his mates, and they were all “starving”. Just to add to that my computer was playing up and I am in the middle to putting together some very important documents for a huge event coming up soon. I desperately need to get the draft finished so that the editing can start.

So, in the middle of this I sat down to get this blog done. Yeah… well… there wasn’t a single thought that made any sense!! I tried a few times and gave up until this morning.

Everything is quiet this morning in my household. The “ever-hungry-ever-verbal-ever-question-asking” offspring have not vacated their beds and come to drape themselves across my shoulders and mumble in my ear – “what is there for breakfast?”. Yet the stirrings from the bedroom tells me that my peace of thoughts are about to be interrupted.

So here are my thoughts for the day….

It is really hard as a mum to keep your head and your cool, when life gets so busy. It is at these times I forget what God is doing, especially in my life. It seems that I am a never-ending “fixer-upper” and “conflict-stopper”, when I so want to be a miracle worker.  I forget that being a mum and wife is part of me… a big part of me. God is in the chaos and my quiet. I long to soar above it all and tell you that my life full of miracles and “God moments”. In reality, it is every day mercy and “God seconds”. In the middle of this God reminds me of where he is heading with His plans for my life… and the lives of women everywhere.

A few years ago, God gave me a page of words (one of many) that I was to share in my book. Last night, one of those words came drifting across my mind as I tried to make sense of my chaotic thoughts. I am going to share that vision with you…

 

“I see daughters of God who are rising out of that place of dimness. They are seeking God more and their lives are being directed and moved. The fire I see is real. I speak to some of these ladies, I see some of them from a distance and I hear of others. In every area of their lives I hear them say, “Father God, show me, teach me, direct my paths.”

They are seeking God for their families and how to bring up their children in the wisdom of God: their sons to be men of God … their daughters to be women of God. They see beyond the now and temporary.

They want to be the best mums, wives, sisters, daughters, friends, employees, employers and lights to a dark world. They want this not for themselves but for their Heavenly Father. They want Him to be glorified.”

God is with you in your washing and cleaning and cooking, (or in your workplace) as well as your time with Him. When we give Him our all, He is in our all. Even when our days are chaotic and we are at our unloveliest. Ultimately, our time on earth is about us walking daily, a life, that is His in a world that needs Him.

As we all start this new year (this new day, this new hour, and this new moment) can you see God in the moments and ask Him guide you in the coming year. Our world is not dim when we have a hold of who God really is and how much He loves us… and our everyday lives. Oh.. and don’t take your eyes off what God is doing.

 

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)

 

Change

Posted on by Ruth

 

They say that a change is as good as a holiday. Winston Churchill was reported as saying that “ a change is as good as a rest”.

I find that around the end of a year, most people are talking about facing a new year with the hope of some type of change in either their circumstances or life. The old year is about to past over into a new one.

For most people, they are looking at new year’s resolutions, maybe a renewed desire for something different, or returning to something that once was better than the life they live now. Either situation brings a sense of hope that this one change, will bring the happiness that they hope will come.

Whether the resolution or change is a 5 degree deviation or a 180 degree about face, people hope that this will make the difference.

This year has been a difficult year for several people that I know. On Facebook, there are a lot of people that have expressed relief that this year is nearly over.  I have a few close friends who have experienced personal heartache and difficulties over this year.

The ability to be able to change something in our lives gives us a very satisfying feeling of new beginnings. Even the thought of change brings about the prospect of endless possibilities.

The chance of “burning bridges behind you” to leave behind the past mistakes and failures, gives giddy thoughts of new beginnings. All the while we soldier forward, hoping that the past never crosses the river without the bridge in place.

Everyone looks for a change, everyone wants rest from something. What most people forget is this – sometimes the only thing that needs the change is the change in their heart. Is it possible that this is the only change and resolution that needs to happen?

It takes very little to realise that a resolution or new city has one same thing – that heart goes with them to the new scenario. It goes with them into the new year and continues to make decisions for them regardless of the new resolution.

I have had people say that they are giving up on God, on their spouse, on life or on a fight. They forget that their own heart goes on with them into the next change.

If the heart has not changed; if the attitudes are still the same; if we haven’t learnt from our old mistakes, then nothing is new.

Change is good… rest is good. But it will not be a true change and a true rest, if your heart has not changed.

When the Israelite people went into the desert, after leaving Egypt, they anticipated change. They walked away from slavery and tyranny, but because their heart had not been renewed, they brought their old life into the new. God wanted to change that, to show them He was real and that He loved them. He also wanted a changed heart, a different spirit. They just wanted new land without a new heart.

Can I challenge you as the new year starts, to ask God for a new heart? One that is open to His leading a direction. Ask God for the strength to fight, to stay, to change and ask Him to help you face the new year with one thing – a new heart for God.

Remember that a change is a s good a rest. God’s rest is better than a human rest…it settles our restless and wondering soul. The change that God makes, is good.

I too have faced an…um… interesting year. I am yet to face a few difficulties that are up ahead and it will be a few months before we see the backside of them. My hope for a change is not about to come with a new year starting. I have faced the end of this year physically exhausted and emotionally weary.

At the moment, I am taking time to rest every day until I the future complications are less. I am leaning on God and leaning into Him for the strength that I need, daily. I am thankful that He has given so much so that when I am able to look back, I know that in this time God has changed my heart. This change has caused me become…well… more. I know that if this new year turns out the same or worse than last year… I am ok with that.

The new, is every morning. For me, I don’t have to wait for a new year. Every morning has its own beginning. Not only can I have a change that is new, my mornings are a time for the “new”. For this I am grateful.

 

My favourite verse of scripture is this –

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”

The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.

So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.

Lamentations 3:23-26 (NLT)

 

My prayer for you is this – May God strengthen you in your inner being and give you the desire to change. May this change give you the rest you so desire. May God bless you in the new coming year and pour our His love into your heart. God Bless you in every new morning.

 

Happy New Year to each and every one of you.

 

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“May the Lord bless you and protect you.

May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.

May the Lord show you his favour and give you his peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)