Hope For Today

Dear Friends, When I was in my twenties I would have described myself as a "good" Christian girl - I regularly attended church, this included going twice on Sundays, went to Prayer Meetings and mid-week Bible Studies.  I also served at church in various ways, agreeing to do some things which were not even my calling, but doing them from a sense of duty. Without realising it, my Christian life was more about the law (rules) and less about the grace of God.  Although I was not fully aware of it, I was very judgemental and critical towards my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  I expected a high standard from them (the same standard I had set for myself) and expected them to live as I did.  I know now that I had a heart like a Pharisee (a religious leader from the time of Jesus). So what changed me?  God, in his grace and mercy, changed me.  He did this through my long-...

Dear Friends, When it comes to your dream, your goal, your purpose in life, it can be hard when experiencing times of waiting.  Especially when we are convinced that the dream we have is what God has planted in us. If you're anything like me, you want to see your dreams fulfilled, and you'd like it to be right now.  Yet often there is a period of waiting from when we first realise what God's calling is for our life to when we see it fulfilled. I have the tendency to want to run ahead of God, instead of moving in step with him. In Galatians 5:25 Paul writes "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (NIV). And sometimes God has to remind me to wait.  Recently, God gave me the following verse on three separate occasions, each through a different source, (such as my Bible Promises App on my phone, or an email devotional)   in as many weeks. The verse is Psalm 27:14 " Wait patiently for the Lord ....

Dear Friends, I don't like taking risks.  That's why you'll never see me take up the challenge to bungee jump.  On the few occasions I've been dragged along to a theme park I'm the one to volunteer to hold coats and belongings whilst others go on a "thrilling" ride!  Going on a ride that takes you high above the ground, turns you upside down and round and round all at high speed is not my idea of fun!  I'd far rather keep my feet on firm ground and stay the right way up. Yet, when it comes to our faith and journey with God, I believe he is pleased when we take risks.  There are many accounts in the Bible of those who took risks for their faith. Noah built an ark because God told him there was going to be a flood.  Ruth left everything she knew to begin a new life with Naomi in Bethlehem.  David faced and overcame the giant, Goliath.  Esther risked her life to stand before the King and save her people.  J...