Hope For Today

Dear Friends, Back in the summer I was really struggling with my frozen shoulder.  The pain had got so bad that it wasn't just  certain movements which caused me pain.  The pain was pretty constant, whether I was doing something or sitting still.  The physical pain was also affecting me emotionally, mentally and spiritually.   I really did not feel like worshipping God.  In fact, to be honest, it was the last thing I felt like doing. Worship is fine when things are going well with us.   We come along to church on a Sunday and join in with the praise and worship – we feel like worshipping God.   During the week we worship God in our hearts and attitude easily because we feel like it.   It comes more naturally. We are called to worship God.  Paul writes in Romans 12:1 " And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice...

Dear Friends, If you have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, you'll know there are times when they bring you great joy.  Such as when you know they've tried their best at school and come home with a school report which says they're a pleasure to teach, or when they show generosity by sharing what they have with others, or show responsibility in working hard in a part time summer job, or make a stand for what they know is right, even though it may be difficult. Our earthly families are to represent our spiritual family, so just as children bring their parents joy, we too, as children of God bring him joy.  It's an incredible thought isn't it?  That you and I can bring joy and pleasure to our Heavenly Father. In the very beginning, creating the world, which included created people, brought God joy.  In Genesis 1:31a we read that " Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!" (NLT)  The Amplified Bible puts it this...