Today is a new day

Today is a new day. It's a gift from above so smile. It's not over! Take courage and keep going!

Hold your head up high

Photo credit: Google images

 "When something bad happens you have three choices. You can let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you." Author Unknown.

I just needed this reminder this morning. Don't let trying situations get to you but choose to rise above them. The choice is mine! Shake it off and hold your head up high.

The Giver of all things

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭32‬ NIV)

This reading spoke to my heart this morning. ... have I been giving my all to Him?

Am so grateful for the holidays because it allows for more 'me time', a time to reflect on the journey that I'm taking. One thing that I know for sure, I am thankful for the GIFT of the person Jesus Christ. He is the reason I live and it's because of Him I can face tomorrow.

He did not spare His own Son, His precious possession but gave Him up for me and for us all- how will He not also, along with Him, so graciously give us all things!!

Thank you Lord for everything. Fill me afresh this morning with Your beautiful presence.

Thou will keep him in perfect peace

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"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on Thee.

Marvel not that I say unto you,
Marvel not that I say unto you,
Marvel not that I say unto you,
Ye must be born again.
Author:Unknown

Love this song!!

We search for peace in many places and through different ways but do these solutions or actions really give us that peace?  The peace this world gives is only temporary.

This morning I am reminded that the peace that the Lord gives is perfect.

How do we get this gift of PEACE?

You must be born again. We get this peace through:
Jesus Christ. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:7.

When we are born again, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts and the Word of God says "……the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruits in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…." Galatians 5:22-23

Who is the one that God will keep in perfect peace?

It’s the one whose mind is stayed on God. 
When this person goes through turmoil, hardships and challenges in life, their mind is focused on the GREATNESS and FAITHFULNESS of God.

It’s the one who TRUSTS God.
Trusts Him enough to allow Him to takeover! Trusts Him enough to cling on to His Words no matter what!

When these conditions are met, perfect peace takes over.

I love you Lord. Thank you for the peace that You so freely offer.

Trusting a known God

²⁴ “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. ²⁵ And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. ²⁶ From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. ²⁷ God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ²⁸ ‘For in him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17: 24 - 28a

I am encouraged this morning that as I look forward to this year, though I may not know what it holds, I know that “The God who made the world and everything in it..... and Who gives everyone life and breath and everything else....." has my back! 

Thankful

As I begin my journey into the new year, one thing that I am grateful for is having parents who love the Lord and who portray Godly examples not only to their family but to everyone they encounter.

Last Christmas,my siblings, their families and I, travelled back home for a family reunion. After Christmas, we organised a Thanksgiving service/celebration for our parents. Sometimes a Thanksgiving service for someone is usually held when they're gone from this world and they don't get to hear the positive words being spoken about them. We thought we would 'flip the idea' and hold one for our parents when they were still healthy and well. We wanted to celebrate their lives and share it with friends, families and loved ones. It was meant to be a surprise for them but at the last minute we decided to let them in on the plans so they were not too surprised on the day, considering their old age!!

It turned out to be such a joyous occasion.

Thank you Father for the gift of loving parents.  I am thankful for the Godly heritage!

Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2015.

 

Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2015.

You are the voice of hope

You're the voice of hope

The anchor of my soul

Where there seems to be no way

You'll make it possible

Love You Lord!!

Draw Me Close

This morning I kept playing this song over and over again as my prayer.

Lord,
You're all I want,
You're all I ever needed
Help me know You're near

Taking time to be quiet

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, (Psalm 8:3 NIV)

God is saying that we can learn so much about Him just by observing nature.

Sometimes I need to shut out the world, by going to a quiet place in nature somewhere and reflecting on God's goodness. Just soaking in the sound and beauty of nature and allowing it to talk to me!

How can I not believe His existence?

This is why the Psalmist said, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

Father, thank you for Your constant reminder. 

Am I getting it?

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. (Psalm 19:1-3 NIV)

 "There is a language in nature that speaks of the existence of God. It is the language of order, beauty, perfection, and intelligence." Billy Graham

I've titled this entry "Am I getting it?

Nature speaks about who God is but am I getting it? 

I look up - the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Our solar system speaks volume of the one who created or engineered it! The way the planets orbit the sun in such an orderly manner, the position of earth in relation to the other planets in the solar system, the work of the sun and the moon, day and night, the creation of seasons and so much more! Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Am I getting it?

I look around me, nature speaks of the beauty, perfection and intelligence of the One who designed and created it! Am I getting it? 

Each time I teach my students about the  Fibonacci sequence, I am fascinated and amazed just as they are about its existence in nature:)

The miracle of life is again the work of His Hands. Am I getting it? 

He is indeed a God of order! A beautiful God who is perfect in EVERY way! Oh yes, definitely intelligent!! 

Each day I am reminded of who God is.

Where does my help come from? Psalm 121

Praying according to Psalm 121

Father,

We lift up our eyes to the mountains- where does our help come from?

Our help comes from You our Lord,  the Maker of heaven and earth.

 You will not let our feet slip - You who watch over us will not slumber; 

 indeed, You who watch over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

 Lord, You continually watch over us - You are our shade at our right hand; 

 the sun will not harm us by day, nor the moon by night.

Lord, You will keep us from all harm -  
You will watch over our lives; 

 You, our Lord will watch over our coming and going both now and forevermore.