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When I am afraid…

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But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

King David was in a fearful place when he wrote this Psalm- his enemies the Phillistines had seized him in Gath.

Fear can loom large in our own minds. Anxiety can take over our hearts & hijack our peace. Our enemies can appear to prosper. Our world feels as though it’s spinning out of control!

Yet, when we are afraid, we can trust in the One who holds us & who holds our world together.

Faith & fear are entwined together. We can still have faith, even though we fear.

In Psalm 56, David also writes:

‘You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

What a beautiful image of the tender mercies of our Father-God! He knows our secret sorrows- our heartache & loss. He gently gathers our tears. With compassion, He gathers us close to His heart & comforts us.

David declares:

‘In God I have put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid’

(Psa 56:11a, AMP).

We can trust in our God for the next week, the next step, the next right thing.

Blessings,

Ruth x

Be still!

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There’s so much busyness, hurry & worry in our daily lives. And there’s distraction in every direction.

Often there’s turbulence in this journey of life- unwanted & unexpected!

And there’s so much noise- literally as well as digitally. So much chatter in our brains!

Yet in our restlessness, God says:

“Be still, and know that I am God!”

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT)

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God”

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

God wants us to step aside with Him, to gaze on His greatness & goodness (instead of our problems)

We need to slow down enough to listen to God’s still,small voice whisper to our troubled souls:

“Be still, and know that I am God!”

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT)

Be still.

Cease striving.

Calm down.

And know.

Deeply know.

Truly know in your heart

& acknowledge God-

The Great I AM

Who always was

& always will be.

The Maker of heaven & earth

Yahweh is Lord of all-

Over all things.

Yet always there

ready to help:

‘God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Cast away

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casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.’

‭‭(I Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

These words were written by Simon Peter , follower of Jesus. He was a fisherman before He became a disciple. In fact he & his brother Andrew were casting nets when Jesus called them to follow Him(Matt 4:18)

He knew about casting- throwing nets forcefully into the Sea of Galilee to catch fish. He urges us to cast our cares upon God, who tenderly cares for us.

We can cast our worries, our concerns & our troubles unto God, who is Almighty & can take them for us.

‘Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a centre of fear’ wrote Corrie Ten Boom.

Someone said that worry is like a rocking chair- you can sit & rock, but you’ll never get anywhere! Yet, I admit I’ve spent a lot of time on the rocking chair.

My counsellor pointed out that many things that we worry about are beyond our control. We should shift our focus onto things we CAN control – like our attitude, how we treat others, how we talk to ourselves,how we spend our time & how we react.

Yet there’s so many more things that are outside our control – we can’t control the weather nor other people’s opinion of us – never mind the future!

But there’s deep comfort in the anchoring truth that everything is under God’s control. All things(including us) are in His hands.

‘In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭94‬:‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

God’s consolation whispers peace to our soul.

The disciples were {understandably}fearful after Jesus’ crucifixion, meeting behind closed doors. ‘Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said.’

‭‭(John‬ ‭20‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Today, Jesus offers us His peace- 

to nourish our mind & heart

to dispel our worries 

to calm our troubled hearts

to enable us to get through the day {with Him}

May we walk with Jesus, the Prince of Peace, through this journey called life.

May we hear His gentle voice say to our anxious souls,in this noisy world, “Peace be with you”

May His peace lead us home.

Blessings,

Ruth x

Because He lives!

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On the third day at break of dawn, the grief-stricken women went to the garden to anoint Jesus’ body.

They had witnessed the horrors of Friday, endured the stony silence of Saturday & now it was Sunday.

But things weren’t how they expected!

The stone was rolled away.
The tomb was empty.

And suddenly an angel appeared, radiantly bright exclaiming,”He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.”

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

When Jesus cried ‘Tetelestai’ -“It is finished” with His final breath, it was a declaration that He had completed His redemptive work.

And now Jesus has risen & lives forevermore! He arose, ascended & in now lives in resplendent glory in heaven.

He died & rose to bring:

Light out of darkness

Beauty from ashes

Hope in place of despair

Atonement for sin

Everlasting life for those who believe

‘Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.’ (Hebrews 7:25 NIV)

If we trust Jesus for forgiveness, He will completely save us (The older versions say ‘save to the uttermost’) And now, Jesus ‘always lives’ to intercede for us. He is our Mediator. He liaises between us & God, acting on our behalf.

‘But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.’

‭‭(1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭57‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Because He lives, we can know eternal life.

Because He lives, we can face the future. It’s in His hands.

Because He lives, we don’t have to fear

Because He lives, He is there to guide us through trials & sorrows

Since Jesus conquered death, we can place our hope in God- not merely for this life- but for the next. Our hope transcends time into eternity.

These are great truths to ponder & cherish.

Today let’s worship the Life-Giving, Death-Defeating God who gives us the hope of never-ending life.

Today & forever. 

Now & always, for

Jesus said,”And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:20 NIV)

Easter Blessings,

Ruth x

Held by love

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Scotland has a special place in my heart. It’s where I studied at university & where I met Rob! When the kids were younger we travelled to Scotland often. One Easter, we visited Glasgow. 

There, we saw the famous painting by Dali in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery. It depicts Jesus on the cross, suspended high above the earth, in space. A closer look reveals that there are no nails in Jesus’ hands or feet. No nails-illustrating the fact that it wasn’t the nails that kept Him there on the cross.

Jesus could have summoned a myriad of angels to carry Him away from the suffering. But, instead He chose to die for you and me – because of His love for us.

Paul wrote:

‘God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Rom 5:8 – NIV)

I used to have a little bookmark in my Bible that said:
‘I asked Jesus, “How much do you love me?”
“This much” He answered,
and He stretched out His arms and died’

‘This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His one and only Son’ (John 3:16 – The Message)

The cross is God shouting through history how much He loves us! The cross declares in blood red letters that God is love.

But, on deeper reflection, I realised that it wasn’t only love that held Jesus there on the cross:
‘It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished’
(From the hymn ‘How deep the Father’s love for us-Townend)

‘It was my sin that held Him there’

The prophet Isaiah gazed down through the years and foresaw the suffering the Messiah would go through for us: 

‘He was pierced for our transgressions, 

he was crushed for our iniquities; 

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.’ (Isa 53:5-NIV)

In love, He hung on the cross, taking the punishment for our sin.

In love, He redeemed us, paying for our salvation with His own precious blood.

This is what makes the darkest day in history Good Friday. 

And the amazing thing is this –‘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?’ (Rom 8:32 –NIV)

Our Father God gave His Son for us- & He will give us every good gift from above. We are blessed by the amazing love & lavish grace of our Everlasting Father {today & always}

Easter Blessings,


Ruth x

Troubled hearts

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It was the night before the darkest day. The evening before Life’s death on a cross.

Jesus gathered together His closest friends. The Lamb of God shared the Passover meal with His disciples. During their Last Supper, Jesus spoke words of encouragement to sustain His followers in the days ahead.

Jesus said “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.”

‭‭(John‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

Unspeakable trials & tribulation would storm into the disciples’ lives in the hours ahead- betrayal, denial & the horror of crucifixion.

Yet Jesus urged “Do not let your hearts be troubled”

There’s so many things to trouble us. Inner struggles. Family stresses. Illness & death. Conflict & Disasters. World politics.

Unexpected, unwanted & unexplained things.

There’s much to shake & unsettle us, to perplex us & cause anxiety.

Yet, in the midst of everything we face, Jesus wants us to believe in Him, to trust Him. He will give us the strength to keep going when we feel spent. We can hold on to Him when we feel lost. We can rely on Him when we feel alone.

On that night before He bled & died for us, Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

‭‭(John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

When we’re facing a storm, He brings calm. Where there’s chaos, Jesus brings peace. It’s His gift to us- a balm for our souls. Shalom peace for mind & hearts.

May you know this peace from God.

May you know this God of peace-

When storms are raging,

And in the halcyon days

When it feels like winter in your soul,

As well as in the hopeful times of spring.

{now & always}

Blessings,

Ruth x

Our Bothy

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-A refuge for the troubled mind

‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

We read this verse at the Precepts Bible Study on Wednesday morning.There’s such powerful imagery of God being our safe, secure shelter.

As I pondered these things, my thoughts drifted to the word bothy- the Scottish word for a hillside hut, a shelter in the mountains for hikers.

I like the idea of a bothy- somewhere to shelter in the mountains or by a Loch as we discover & explore the wilderness! I like the thought of God being like a bothy.

A refuge. A haven. A shelter.

‘The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.’
(Nahum 1:7 ESV)

In this bothy, our Father God is so close that we are under His shadow & we are shielded by God Himself.

A bothy is not for glamping . It’s a simple hut to protect from the elements. And so with God our bothy. In troubled times He has promised to provide needs – not our wants.

He gives comfort rather than keeping us comfortable.

He gives shelter in the storms of life. Sometimes He calms the storm & sometimes He calms His tear-stained & heavy-hearted child- in the bothy.

The One who scattered the stars collects our tears. He knows our name & He knows our hearts. And He still loves us.

We can’t go back to change events that caused the storm. We can’t erase our mistakes or undo our past. But we can come to our God & find shelter in the difficult days & peace in the dark chapters.

We can share our heart as we pray to our Maker. We can trust Him at all times, through all our days.

‘On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah’
(Psalms 62:7-8 ESV)

When the axis of our world suddenly tilts,

When the cadence of everyday life is unexpectedly disrupted,

When our journey is interrupted by a bump in the road & we stumble-

Even then {especially then} our God is the Great Unchangeable One- our Rock,our Fortress, our Shelter- Our Bothy.

Blessings

Ruthx

Help when we need Him

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‘Is anyone crying for help? 

God is listening, ready to rescue you.’

(Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭17‬ MSG‬‬)

God, the Maker of all, hears our cries.

He holds the universe in place, yet He listens to our prayers, & is ready & willing to help.

God helps us:

As the Bread of Life, He supplies our daily need.

As the Light of the World, He dispels darkness in our lives.

As the Water of Life, He quenches our longing.

As the Good Shepherd, He seeks us as we wander & leads by lush pasture & still waters.

As the Way, He gently leads us through this journey we call life.

As the Truth to depend on in our shifting modern world.

As Life itself, He gives us abundant,eternal life- resurrecting when all is dead.

And as the Lamb of God, He bears the sin of the whole world {including ours}

He rescues us from the guilt of our sin.

He rescues us from ourselves 

When we are hurt, heart-broken & despairing, He is with us:

‘If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭18‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

We can come into God’s holy presence when we need Him most. There, we will find grace,mercy, love {in abundance} We will find help when we need it each day of our lives.

Blessings,

Ruth x

Thank God!

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‘Praise the Lord, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭31‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

We have so much to praise God for! He has lavished on us so many wonders of His amazing love! His tender mercies are new every morning.

Thank God that:

He lovingly hand-made us in His image.

He shone His dazzling light into our darkness 

He sent His One & Only Son Jesus to die in our place.

He forgives our darkest sins.

He grants freedom from death & fear.

He pours out extravagant grace into our hearts.

He guides us along His paths of peace.

His Spirit is with us step by step.

We have direct access into His presence.

In light of this {and so many more blessings} :

‘So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭31‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Strength & peace

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‘The Lord gives strength to his people; 

the Lord blesses his people with peace.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

In the previous verse of Psalm 29, David writes:

‘The Lord reigns as king forever.’

‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭29‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Our Lord is enthroned, reigning over all leaders & nations.

Our powerful, majestic Lord blesses His children with peace. The voice that calmed the storms on the Sea of Galilee, over two thousand years ago, speaks calmness into our worried hearts in this broken world today.

God ushers in deep peace when we’re surrounded by chaos, when tempestuous political situations are broadcast 24-7. 

He creates inner calm when anxieties & unease prey on our minds, when mental struggles resurface.

There’s shalom that comes from God alone when we face foreboding illness & family stresses.

God gives us strength to face each day, one step at a time. His divine power is made available to us. His incredible greatness is at work in our world today- that same power that raised Jesus from the dead.(Eph 1:19)

May we know the gracious blessing of God’s strength & peace {today & always}

Blessings,

Ruth x