If it isn't working, change your thinking

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If it isn't working, change your thinking

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12 - v2

One of the big criticisms levelled at politicians and leaders from the press and public is when they shift their position on an issue that they had previously held. Leadership can look weak when this happens and yet we also want our politicians and leaders to be able to compromise and work with others and adapt to changing situations.

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Fatherly advice

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Fatherly advice

My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;

For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

Proverbs 4:20-22 (NKJV)

 

As I get older I realise more and more the sound advice my dad shared with me over the years. Whether it was regarding relationships or work or running a home, his advice and wisdom over the years has been invaluable as he has many years of experience to draw upon, and I know he has my best interest at heart.

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No fear

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No fear

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out “Abba, Father.”” Rom 8:15

We’ve all seen it in the playground and some of us have said it… ”My dad’s better than your dad!”. Paul reminds us here that as followers of Jesus, our dad trumps everything else and as such we no longer have to live our lives in fear.

It is good to remind ourselves who we are in God. There are so many things that can make us fearful; the threat of terrorism, the safety of our children, the fear of rejection and judgement. When you fear something, it is like a chain that wraps around your hands and feet.

Fear can have a profound effect on how you view the world and how you chose to live your life. Making decision from a place of fear is never a good idea. Someone once said, ‘fear has killed more dreams than failure ever did’.

What decisions face you today or over the next week? You do not need to make these from a place of fear but God wants you to make them as His child who He loves perfectly.

You are God’s child, He loves you intimately and remember, your dad is bigger than all things!

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His lavish grace

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His lavish grace

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance wIn him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 7-8athat he lavished on us.” Eph 1:8

The forgiveness of your sins is given to you by God in accordance with the riches of His grace. Just think about that for a moment…your forgiveness is not given in accordance with your faith, your good works or your ability to live up to some gold standard.

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You are a child

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You are a child

"Yo are no longer a slave but a son and if a son then an heir of God through Christ!" (Gal 4:7) 

Our identity as children of God is our defining feature; it affects how we view everything. As a child of God your relationship to your Father is not based on your efforts or your ability but on the love of your Dad.

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Be real

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Be real

 ou shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” John 8:32 (NKJV)

Have you ever been on holiday and upon your return thought to yourself ‘Here we go, back to the real world’? There is something nice about the ability to have a break and get away from the normal routine of things but we also realise that living like we do when we are on holiday is not the real world.

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HONOUR

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HONOUR

 “He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us!”Eph2:5-6 (MSG)

The phenomenal position in which we find ourselves –honoured by God, loved and accepted by Him, is nothing to do with how good we are. It’s the same for everyone; the powerful, the imprisoned, the rich and famous, the obscure and destitute, poets, artists, slaves and vagabonds, priests, prostitutes, diplomats and drug-dealers…everyone of us accepted not because of what we have done or who we are but because God is love

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His face

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His face

 “The Lord bless you 
and keep you;the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace” Numbers 6:24-26

This blessing, which God told Moses to instruct the Levite priests to speak over the Children of Israel paints the picture of God turning His face to look at His people and bless them. The idea of a personal God not some distant deity was central to their identity as the chosen people of God. The idea here is of God lifting them in His arms much in the same way as a delighted Father might pick up his child and looking at them with joy.

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Jesus is the King of Kings

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Jesus is the King of Kings


[Rev 19:16 NLT] on his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Have you ever wondered what this phrase, King of Kings, means? It means exactly what it says; Jesus is the King of Kings. Who are these kings He rules over? You and me are kings; yes you and me. We run ourselves down and think little of ourselves. Yet Jesus has made us royalty

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INTEGRITY

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INTEGRITY

 “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Have you ever had to deal with someone who has told you one thing to your face and done something else when they are not with you? It can be hard deal with. Doing what is right is one thing but doing what is right for the right reason is another

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Children of God

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Children of God

 “But to those who embraced Him and took hold of His name were given the authority to become who they really are – the sons of God!” John 1:12 (Passion Translation)

We were made to be part of God’s family, created by God to have relationship with Him. This verse reminds us that when we embrace the person of Jesus and we take hold of His name then we have authority to be who we really are

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Jesus is your big brother.

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Jesus is your big brother.

 Jhn 1:12 NLT But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God..

When we follow Jesus and become the children of God, He becomes our big brother.  There is a strong bond of belonging. He loves us deeply. That means He is totally committed to us and will always be there to look out for us. He will stand up for us against the accuser who attacks us with shame and guilt

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The Passover Lamb

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The Passover Lamb

 John 1:29 “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

The men who heard this were brought up in a culture that understood what  “Passover Lamb” meant. This was no lamb that was bought at the butcher’s. This was a living lamb, bought from the Shepherds and taken into the family. It was loved and cared for before being taken to the temple to be slaughtered.

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He holds it together

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He holds it together

Zechariah 10:4-5 NLT] From Judah will come the cornerstone, the tent peg, the bow for battle, and all the rulers.  They will be like mighty warriors in battle, trampling their enemies in the mud under their feet. Since the LORD is with them as they fight, they will overthrow even the enemy's horsemen.

Have you ever slept in a tent?  It can be quite exciting in the wind and rain.  I have, and was glad that the tent was tied down well to the ground so it would not be blown away.

Life can be compared to a journey; and the various times in life are the places where we stop to make camp.  Some of those times we are lying on the grass enjoying the sunshine or we can be cooking supper at the camp fire as the stars twinkle in the dark sky.  But sometimes on this journey of life storms appear from nowhere.  This is when we need to make sure the tent is held firm.  Jesus is the tent peg who holds our tent firm in the storm.

I have faced storms.  I have known that the only way I survived is because Jesus has been with me the whole time.  He has kept me safe in the storm by holding me together.  Knowing His love helped me deal with grief.  Knowing His healing power and transformation has set me free from hurts from the past.

Whatever storm that threatens to blow your tent down, whatever enemy attacks your peace; know you can have the victory.  Look at what it says in the scripture; “They will be like mightywarriors in battle, trampling their enemies in the mud under their feet. Since the LORD is with them as they fight, they will overthrow even the enemy's horsemen.”

Because Jesus is your tent peg, you will survive the storm. Not only that, but you will know what it is to thrive and to have victory over every enemy that threatens you.

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WHO IS JESUS?

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WHO IS JESUS?

 [Mat16:15NLT] Then he asked them, "But who do you say I am?"

This Week I am asking the question, “who is Jesus?” We tell people that we are Born Again Christians, who love Jesus. But what does that mean to them? Do they know who this Jesus is that we talk about? Do we even understand who He is?

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Everyday' a school day

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Everyday' a school day

 “For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…” 2 Corinthians 8:9a AMP

I often use the phrase ‘every day’s a school day’. Do you ever feel that? You think you have everything sussed when you suddenly get a new piece of information that changes your understanding of what you’re doing. It keeps us on our toes and keeps life interesting.

How boring would it be if you met someone and after that first meeting you parted knowing everything

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A new thing

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A new thing

 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

A few weeks ago a dear friend from my schooldays sadly passed away very suddenly. It was a very large funeral and many old friends from those days were there. Some had travelled from England to be there and a few of them I hadn’t seen since l left school

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The best you can be

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The best you can be

 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered…the Lord gave him success in everything he did.” Genesis 39:3

I recently moved into a new job role in my organisation. It’s challenging and builds on my existing skills but what’s most exciting is – I didn’t go looking for it! It came to me. I had been asking God for a while for a change but had also realised He wanted me to be content where I was and be the very best I could be in that situation. To ‘bloom where I was planted’ as the saying goes.

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Part of a family

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Part of a family

 God places the solitary in families and gives the desolate a home in which to dwell” Psalm 68:6 NIV

Loneliness is a reality for many of us.  It’s not always a constant companion but there are periods of time when we can all feel like we are isolated – whether we live alone or not.  Indeed, the intensity of our loneliness can be exacerbated by the proximity of others. I have found myself looking at Facebook and wondering why everyone seems to be having a much more interested, connected, engaged life than mine.


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Refreshing showers

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Refreshing showers

 “You gave abundant showers, O God;you refreshed your weary inheritance.” Psalm 68:9 NIV

When I lived in Africa we lived on the Highveld. It only rained in the summer so we had long dry winters. From June to September it never rained – the ground got progressively drier and you could feel the air drying out your skin and hair. I longed for rain but I knew I had to wait. For an Irish girl this was a novel experience – actually wanting rain

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