On the way…

Sue’s Views

Spring is just around the corner! Here are a few pics from my walk yesterday. Even though there could (and most likely will) be more wintery days ahead ….. the signs of spring are already here! It’s amazing how much better we feel when the sun is shining ….. but the fact is ….. everything is still the same even when it’s raining! We are just looking at it through a different filter. How’s your outlook today? My son ….. when asked how he was ….. used to say ‘I’m fine apart from a few showers!’ That’s what I call a bright forecast!

Sue’s Views

This pic brings back some painful memories of school sports days! I would keep going to the back of the queue until the teacher cottoned on and made me jump. I would tell myself ‘I can’t do this!’ before I tried and hence a few scraped knees! If we want to be overcomers ….. we have to have something to overcome! And life presents us with plenty of opportunities! If you have no challenge today ….. you soon will have! But remember that however huge the obstacles are ….. God is so much bigger. Put your trust in Him and you will overcome!

Sue’s Views

Do you feel like you’re between a rock and a hard place? I want to encourage you to look ….. not at your circumstances ….. but what is within you. When God created you ….. He put everything in you that you would ever need to be all He created you to be. Within you are purpose ….. potential ….. gifting ….. strength and endurance. Nothing can stop God’s purpose being fulfilled ….. except you! Don’t tell God how big your circumstances are. Tell your circumstances how BIG your God is!

Sue’s Views

Whose footsteps are you following? Are you repeating patterns of destruction ….. or continuing a legacy of blessing? If you recognise negative cycles in your life or in your bloodline ….. they can end with you! Acknowledging them is the first step. Change is never easy but you can change the direction not only for yourself but for future generations. Remember ….. someone is following in your footsteps

Sue’s Views

It always amazes me how something that looks like a dried up onion can become these beautiful spring flowers. The secret is being hidden underground for a time! During this time ….. so much is happening in that dark place to release the potential that’s within the bulb. If you are in a dark place ….. rejoice! It means God is giving you roots ….. and stripping away the external stuff that limits your growth. At the right time ….. the real ‘you’ will emerge. Don’t be in a rush!

Sue’s Views

When you feel like everything has been stripped away ….. and you are down to the bare essentials ….. you will find that the bare essentials are enough! One of my favourite verses in the Bible says, “Once I was young but now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly forsaken or their children begging for bread.” He is everything you’ll ever need!

Sue’s Views

I just want to remind us this morning that:

‘I, the Lord am your Shepherd, you shall lack nothing.

I will make you lie down in green pastures. I will lead you beside still waters.

I will restore your soul. 

Even when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you will not fear because I am with you. My rod and my staff will comfort you. 

I am preparing a banquet for you in the presence of your enemies.

I will anoint your head with oil. Your cup will overflow.

Surely my goodness and my mercy will follow and be with you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in my house forever.’

Sue’s Views

I read the other day that one in four New Zealanders suffer from mental unwellness. My initial reaction was ….. ‘Wow! That’s high!’ But ….. on thinking about it ….. I decided it’s probably low. Maybe these figures represent those who reach out for help ….. or their behaviour causes others to reach out to them. But if we are honest ….. we all struggle at times. There is a battle going on and our minds are the battlefield. Pressure ….. stress ….. loneliness ….. unrealistic expectations ….. abuse ….. fear ….. anxiety ….. betrayal ….. to name but a few of the weapons aimed at us. It’s a spiritual battle! We are not fighting against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers. The good news is that we have weapons of our own to fight with and they are more powerful than our enemy’s. The thoughts that come to us from the enemy are lies! They only have power if we believe them! We overcome lies by declaring truth which is found in God’s Word. We overcome fear and anxiety by expressing our faith in God through Jesus Christ. We overcome the temptations of the enemy through the power of the Holy Spirit. We overcome the pressure and stress by resting in God and letting Him fight our battles. We overcome hurt and abuse by allowing God’s Spirit to heal us. And  we overcome loneliness and betrayal by knowing God will never leave us nor forsake us. And those of us who are in a good place need to be aware of those around us who need someone to come alongside and support them.