Hear and Obey

Sue’s Views
Much of the Bible can be summed up in the words ‘Hear and Obey!’ There are many voices giving us information ….. and it’s up to us to decide whether or not it’s true. But when God speaks ….. we would be wise to listen. His instructions are based on the fact that He knows everything ….. He wants the best for us ….. He sees dangers we are unaware of. Disobedience has consequences. One of the biggest little words in the Bible is the word ‘if’. ‘If you obey my words ….. you will be blessed!’ ‘If you disobey ….. you will not be blessed!’ Disobedience is removing yourself from God’s protective covering. Don’t be easy game for the enemy!

Contentment

Sue’s Views
Are you struggling with discontentment? Do things always look better on the other side of the fence? It’s because you are comparing yourself with the wrong set of people. We tend to compare ourselves with those whom we perceive to be better off than us. There’s another group who would look at us with envy! Contentment is being thankful for what you have ….. and being willing to share it with those who have less.

Masterpiece

Sue’s Views
Sometimes ….. a flower just makes me stop in my tracks and capture it. Why? Because it’s a work of art ….. a masterpiece! Yes there are many others ….. but none like this one. It has little imperfections that make it unique and special. Being like everyone else doesn’t make you valuable. It’s those little things you may see as flaws that give you your individuality ….. and set you apart from the crowd!

The Bigger Picture

Sue’s Views
We all have things that can weigh us down ….. cares ….. concerns ….. troubles. When we focus on them they can seem so huge ….. and take all our energy. However ….. if we take a step back and see them as part of a bigger picture ….. they become less intimidating. As has been said, ‘Stop telling God how big your problems are ….. and start telling your problems how big your God is!’

Family Tree

Sue’s Views
The Wilson tribe love reasons to get together ….. so a visit by our niece, Manaini, from Fiji was a good excuse! She got to meet all her cousins at once ….. and survived! But we are a very small part of a much bigger picture. We started a family tree ….. but soon ran out of paper! If it were possible ….. we would find we are all connected! The Bible is very focussed on family trees. It clearly states the family lines of each individual ….. which also proves they existed! 
God knows each one by name and where they fit into the family tree! 
Luke 3:38 “ ….. the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God”.

Wherever You Go ….. There You Are!

Sue’s Views
Have you ever thought ‘If only I was in a different environment ….. things would be better’? If I lived in a nicer house ….. had a better job ….. had married someone else? Circumstances do make a difference ….. but the truth is ….. they don’t change who we are on the inside. As someone once said ….. ‘Wherever you go ….. there you are!’ The Israelites finally reached the Promised Land. A land flowing with milk and honey! Surely now they would be content. Surely now there would be no more complaining. Surely now they would live in peace and harmony. But ….. alas ….. they brought along the old nature of self centredness and pride. Many times in the Old Testament it says ‘They did what was right in their own eyes’. A recipe for disaster!

God, The Rock!

Sue’s Views
Some of the best hymns have been written in the darkest or most difficult times. Songs like ‘Amazing Grace’ ….. and ‘It is well with my soul’ ….. were born out of times of tragedy and loss. One I love is ‘Ascribe Greatness to our God, the Rock.’ It was written by Moses at the end of his life. His very difficult life had taught Him that God was faithful, just and always did what was right. To Moses ….. God was the Rock that held him and gave him strength. If you are going through a season where it feels like you are hanging on by your fingernails ….. let go! Because God ….. the Rock ….. has got you!

Autumn

Sue’s Views 
The trees are starting to change colour and there is a definite ‘nip’ in the air!As we reluctantly say goodbye to summer ….. let’s remember that every season has its purpose and is necessary for life to continue. I personally love autumn! It has a beauty of its own. The vibrant array of colours ….. the crunchiness of walking on fallen leaves ….. the crispness of the sunny days! It causes us to prepare for winter by putting on an extra layer. In nature ….. it’s clear out time! It gets rid of the old to make way for the new. Not a bad time for us to do the same!

Remember What God Has Done!

Sue’s Views

I don’t know about you ….. but I forget things very easily these days! Maybe it’s because life is so full and our minds are operating on overload most of the time. I don’t want to think it’s because I’m getting older ….. but that too! One thing I’ve found valuable is to keep a journal. Some days I simply write down what I did that day. Other days I take more time to process my thoughts and feelings. One thing God told the Israelites over and over was ‘Don’t forget!’ When you go into the Promised Land and possess houses you didn’t build ….. crops you didn’t plant ….. livestock and riches you didn’t earn ….. don’t forget that everything you have comes from God. When I look back at my journals throughout the years ….. I’m reminded of the many challenges God has brought me and my family through. The many blessings He has loaded us with daily. The lessons learned ….. the growth that has taken place. It all ends up with thanksgiving! If life is tough right now ….. take a moment to remember the One who has brought you through ….. and will continue to do so.

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Filled with God’s Spirit

Sue’s Views
No matter how sophisticated we think we are ….. or how famous ….. or how talented ….. we are all made from the same clay! It’s what fills that clay vessel that makes all the difference. God’s Spirit on the inside transforms us from a clay pot ….. to a treasure trove. From a container ….. to a dispenser of His love. So instead of comparing yourself with other pots ….. let Him fill you and do things through you that you have not yet imagined!