Navigating life’s losses
‘A time to be born, and a time to die.’ Ecclesiastes 3:2 KJV Researchers at the Colorado Institute of Grief offer us this helpful four-stage path to recovery. Stage one – Shock. Our initial response is one of denial and disbelief. ‘I can’t believe this is happening…it’s not real!’ There is a numbing of our […]
Navigating life’s losses
‘A time to gain, and a time to lose.’ Ecclesiastes 3:6 NKJV God’s Word neither ignores nor minimises the painful realities of life. Inevitably, we and our loved ones will experience life’s losses: illness, ageing, death, divorce, disability, loss of independence, unemployment, financial reversals, etc. Today’s culture prepares us for gain, but not for loss; to […]
The Word is a sword
Luke 2 -34:35 The sermon blessed them and said to Mary,the baby’s mother”This child is destined to cause many others to rise. He has been sent as a signh from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many heartswill be revealed. And a sword will piece your very soul” […]
Are you being sifted
‘Satan has asked to sift…you as wheat. But I have prayed…that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ Luke 22:31-32 NIV Jon Walker says, ‘When Jesus told Peter, “Satan has asked to sift…you as wheat”…it raises the question in our minds, Lord, did you have to say […]
Let God lead you
‘He leads me in the paths of righteousness.’Psalm 23:3 NKJV Life is full of choices, decisions, and options. It’s also full of people with strong opinions who will try to tell you which way they think you ought to go. If we could turn back the hands of time, nearly all of us would alter some […]
Broken arrows-compassion direction
‘Children…are like arrows.’ Psalm 127:4 NLT Compassion-Children are like arrows; they must be aimed in the right direction. When they’re aimed in the wrong direction, they may become involved in harmful habits or destructive lifestyles. And as long as we jeer at or judge them, they will never feel comfortable turning to us for help […]
You are thirsty for God
‘Give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty.’ John 4:15 NIV Thirst for God-This Samaritan woman tried to fill the emptiness in her life with multiple relationships. But it didn’t work. When you try to find in anyone else what can only be found in Christ, you place so much stress on the […]
Jesus wants to set you free
‘You are loosed from your infirmity.’ Luke 13:12 NKJV The Bible says: ‘There was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity”’ (vv. 11-12 NKJV). Notice […]
You can change your self-perception
‘By the grace of God I am what I am.’ 1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV Self perception-The new birth begins a transforming process in how you think about yourself. But it must be continued each day by renewing your mind. ‘Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you […]
Instead of worrying, trust God
‘Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything.’ Philippians 4:6 CEV Paul writes: ‘Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will […]