'“Ask, and it will be given to you...' (Matthew 7:7)
I love it when prayers are answered and you can clearly see it was God at work. Sometimes He works in ways that are not so obvious, or sometimes you have to wait a while for an answer, but it's amazing when He does!
For example, I knew someone who was running a craft evening in her church and was feeling discouraged, wondering if it was worth the effort of keeping it running. So I prayed God would make it clear to her. And the very same day, there was a great turn-out at the event, including non-Christian friends.
I don't think God could've made it any clearer!
But sometimes His clear answers are in little moments too - a desperate prayer for something which was lost, and it is found moments after.
It's a great reminder that He does hear us.
And He does answer. Because He's good and loving. He's God!
Thank you for answers.
Tuesday 23 September 2014
Friday 19 September 2014
121 - Finding new things in the Bible
'I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.' (Isaiah 45:3)
I'm not sure what the verse above refers to, but I like to think it could refer to the Bible, and the way we can keep discovering new things, new verses - 'hidden treasures' - years and years after we first became a Christian and first started reading the Scriptures.
For example...
I'm reading Jeremiah at the moment, and I was amazed by chapters 30-31 in particular. Verses packed with promises and hope of the goodness of God. I guess I just had this mindset of Jeremiah being all gloomy prophecies - he was nicknamed 'The Weeping Prophet', after all.
But look.
'I will restore the fortunes of my people' (30:3)
'I will burst your bonds' (30:8)
'I will save you' (30:10)
'Jacob [Israel, who was in exile - I think?] shall return' (30:10)
'I will restore health to you' (3-:17)
'I will multiply them...I will make them honoured.' (30:19)
'I will punish all who oppress them; (30:20)
'You shall be my people and I will be your God.' (30:22)
'I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.' (31:3) (This one really gets to me).
'The Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him' (31:11)
'I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow.' (31:13)
'I will satisfy the weary soul and every languishing soul. I will replenish.' (31:25)
'Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar - the Lord of hosts is his name. If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the Lord, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me...(31:35). (So essentially, the world would have to FALL APART before He would neglect His people.
WOW.
What a list.
He showed grace to undeserving Israel - to undeserving us. His love is steadfast. His faithfulness is constant. He can't love us any more or less.
And He has given us His living word, that keeps opening up itself and revealing hidden treasures when we keep turning to it.
PRAISE YOU GOD!!!!!!
I'm not sure what the verse above refers to, but I like to think it could refer to the Bible, and the way we can keep discovering new things, new verses - 'hidden treasures' - years and years after we first became a Christian and first started reading the Scriptures.
For example...
I'm reading Jeremiah at the moment, and I was amazed by chapters 30-31 in particular. Verses packed with promises and hope of the goodness of God. I guess I just had this mindset of Jeremiah being all gloomy prophecies - he was nicknamed 'The Weeping Prophet', after all.
But look.
'I will restore the fortunes of my people' (30:3)
'I will burst your bonds' (30:8)
'I will save you' (30:10)
'Jacob [Israel, who was in exile - I think?] shall return' (30:10)
'I will restore health to you' (3-:17)
'I will multiply them...I will make them honoured.' (30:19)
'I will punish all who oppress them; (30:20)
'You shall be my people and I will be your God.' (30:22)
'I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.' (31:3) (This one really gets to me).
'The Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him' (31:11)
'I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow.' (31:13)
'I will satisfy the weary soul and every languishing soul. I will replenish.' (31:25)
'Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar - the Lord of hosts is his name. If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the Lord, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me...(31:35). (So essentially, the world would have to FALL APART before He would neglect His people.
WOW.
What a list.
He showed grace to undeserving Israel - to undeserving us. His love is steadfast. His faithfulness is constant. He can't love us any more or less.
And He has given us His living word, that keeps opening up itself and revealing hidden treasures when we keep turning to it.
PRAISE YOU GOD!!!!!!
120 - Being silently included into conversations
So...interesting one.
I struggle in social situations. I find it hard to approach a group of people. Some stupid part of me thinks they won't want me butting in.
But sometimes I do, and whoever's talking will start looking at me as well as the others they were originally talking to. Just a small indication that they're saying I see you're here. I see you're listening and I'm not ignoring you.
I'm thankful for those who do that - all the more because I'm bad at doing the very same thing. I get so into my conversation that I keep my attention on whoever I'm talking to - forgetting to shift my eyes to other people.
Yeah, something small. But something to think about.
And be thankful when that person looks at you as they talk.
I struggle in social situations. I find it hard to approach a group of people. Some stupid part of me thinks they won't want me butting in.
But sometimes I do, and whoever's talking will start looking at me as well as the others they were originally talking to. Just a small indication that they're saying I see you're here. I see you're listening and I'm not ignoring you.
I'm thankful for those who do that - all the more because I'm bad at doing the very same thing. I get so into my conversation that I keep my attention on whoever I'm talking to - forgetting to shift my eyes to other people.
Yeah, something small. But something to think about.
And be thankful when that person looks at you as they talk.
Monday 8 September 2014
119 - Generosity
'‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35)
Some people are more generous than others. My brother recently got a job and now that's he's getting a good pay, we can see how generous hearted he is - paying for meals out and doughnuts and so on.
I, on the other hand, have a tendency to be more tight-fisted, something I'm ashamed of, but that God, in His mercy, is helping me grow out of.
And I'm thankful for this, because it's so much better to see the joy and hear the gratitude of others, when you share what you have, then to hold onto your money. The pleasure of others is something you can remember and treasure. Money...you'll never have enough of it.
When we are generous, we are showing thanks to God for all He's given us, saying 'This isn't mine, it's yours...so let me share with others what you've shared with me.'
Earthly possessions aren't going to last. Heavenly rewards for kindness and generosity are. The warm approval of our Father is.
So be thankful for the everyday, never ending generosity of God.
And just copy Him. Loosen that fist. Treasure the 'Thank you', more than the money.
Thank you God for generous hearts.
Some people are more generous than others. My brother recently got a job and now that's he's getting a good pay, we can see how generous hearted he is - paying for meals out and doughnuts and so on.
I, on the other hand, have a tendency to be more tight-fisted, something I'm ashamed of, but that God, in His mercy, is helping me grow out of.
And I'm thankful for this, because it's so much better to see the joy and hear the gratitude of others, when you share what you have, then to hold onto your money. The pleasure of others is something you can remember and treasure. Money...you'll never have enough of it.
When we are generous, we are showing thanks to God for all He's given us, saying 'This isn't mine, it's yours...so let me share with others what you've shared with me.'
Earthly possessions aren't going to last. Heavenly rewards for kindness and generosity are. The warm approval of our Father is.
So be thankful for the everyday, never ending generosity of God.
And just copy Him. Loosen that fist. Treasure the 'Thank you', more than the money.
Thank you God for generous hearts.
Wednesday 3 September 2014
118 - Fingerprints
'... I am fearfully and wonderfully made...' (Psalm 139:14)
They're right there, on our fingers. We've had them ever since we grew in the womb, and yet, how often do we think about them?
Fingerprints.
On one level, fingerprints have helped bring many criminals to justice.
But this is only possible because of the One who made fingerprints.
How amazing is it that no two sets of fingerprints are the same? Even identical twins don't have the same fingerprints.
Which means, God has made different fingerprints for about seven billion people...and that's just people alive today.
It gives us a glimpse of the creativity of our Lord - and the fact that He does not view us as a collective humanity, rather as individual people whom He knows and loves deeply.
So, next time you happen to glance at your hands, don't worry that your hands might be dirty or wrinkly or your nails are too long or whatever.
Look at those artistic patterns on your fingers.
And be thankful there's a God who cares about YOU.
They're right there, on our fingers. We've had them ever since we grew in the womb, and yet, how often do we think about them?
Fingerprints.
On one level, fingerprints have helped bring many criminals to justice.
But this is only possible because of the One who made fingerprints.
How amazing is it that no two sets of fingerprints are the same? Even identical twins don't have the same fingerprints.
Which means, God has made different fingerprints for about seven billion people...and that's just people alive today.
It gives us a glimpse of the creativity of our Lord - and the fact that He does not view us as a collective humanity, rather as individual people whom He knows and loves deeply.
So, next time you happen to glance at your hands, don't worry that your hands might be dirty or wrinkly or your nails are too long or whatever.
Look at those artistic patterns on your fingers.
And be thankful there's a God who cares about YOU.
117 - Picking up with old friends
'A friend loves at all times...' (Proverbs 17:17)
I've done a post on friends before, but there are some friends who you're closer with than others.
Friends, where it doesn't matter that you haven't seen them for years because it seems like days when you meet up again.
Friends, where you don't have to spend ages staring awkwardly at the wall, wondering what to say.
Friends, where you look forward to Heaven, because you don't have to say goodbye to them again.
Friends I'm thankful for!
I've done a post on friends before, but there are some friends who you're closer with than others.
Friends, where it doesn't matter that you haven't seen them for years because it seems like days when you meet up again.
Friends, where you don't have to spend ages staring awkwardly at the wall, wondering what to say.
Friends, where you look forward to Heaven, because you don't have to say goodbye to them again.
Friends I'm thankful for!
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