Tag: Christian faith

In Your Name

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‘Ask using my name & you will receive & you will have abundant joy’

(John 16:24 NLT)

“Ask using my name” says Jesus, God the Son.

There are many names of God given in the Bible. I’ve recently been studying the life of Abraham in a Precepts Bible Study. These are some names of God recorded in Genesis:

God Most High -El Elyon (Gen 14:19)

He is God of all & over all- the Creator of heaven & earth.

Lord, Master– Adonai (Gen 15:2)

God is the Sovereign Lord – in charge of the cosmos.

God who sees – El Roi (Gen 16:13)

He saw Hagar in the desert. And He sees into our situations & deep into our heart.

God Almighty – El Shaddai (Gen 17:1)

He is the All-Powerful, Majestic God.

The Everlasting God – El Olam (Gen 21:33)

His power & authority are never ending

God who provides– Jehovah Jireh (Gen 22:14)

He provided a sacrifice for Abraham, as a foreshadow of the provision of Jesus on the cross. God did not spare His own Son, so how much more will He provide all that we need to live for Him? (Rom 8:32)

We can trust in the Name of our Almighty God during our daily life, as we walk with Him.

‘This is the Lord , we trusted in Him; let us rejoice & be glad in His salvation’

(Isa 25:9 – NIV)

Blessings,

Ruthx

The way of love

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‘Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.’

(Ephesians 5:2 NLT)

At Easter, last weekend, we remembered especially Jesus’ death on the cross. He suffered & died for us there, in our place. He offered Himself as a punishment for our sins- a sacrifice for us. This was God’s great plan of salvation, from before time began.

So, it wasn’t the nails that held Jesus to the cross, but rather His deep love for us. His everlasting, never-ending love.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’

(John 3:16 NIV)

We have to respond to God’s great love by following Jesus to ‘Live a life filled with love’ (Eph 5:2 NLT) or as the NIV puts it ‘Walk in the way of love’

We follow Jesus by sharing His love with others.

For the way of love is Jesus’ way.

The way of love is patient & kind.

It is loyal & true.

It is sacrificial.

It is grace & truth.

It is giving & forgiving.

We walk step by step with Jesus along the way of love.

He is our Example, our Saviour, our Friend & our God.

‘Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us…’ (Eph 5:1&2-ESV)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Just trust

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It’s that time of year to choose a word for the year. Which one will you choose? I chose trust.

Just trust!

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.’

(Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

I choose to trust God as this year unfurls.

We can choose to trust God to deal with our past, to cope with the present & to rely on for the future!

We can trust Him for everything, for He is our Rock to lean on:

‘Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.’(Psalms 62:8 NIV)

God is good & He cares for us as we trust in Him:

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.’ (Nahum 1:7 NIV)

We can trust God with all that we’ve got:

‘Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.’

(Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG)

Just trust

This year

& always!

Blessings,

Ruth x

Peace for the year ahead

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As 2023 draws to a close, the new year looms ahead. Untouched. Unknown.

Thinking ahead can induce anxiety. But we don’t have to face 2024 alone:

‘Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.’ (Proverbs 16:3 NIV)

We can trust our God:

‘But I trust in your unfailing love’ (Psalms 13:5 NIV)

We don’t have to worry:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

(Matthew 6:34 NIV)

As the year unfolds, God is watching over us:

“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (Psalms 32:8 NLT)

We can trust God for the year ahead:

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” (John 14:1 NLT)

We are held by Him:

“For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” (Isaiah 41:13 NLT)

We can trust Him when fear rises up:

‘But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.’ (Psalms 56:3 NLT)

We can trust Him at all times:

‘O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.’ (Psalms 62:8 NLT)

He gives us His perfect peace:

‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.’ (Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV)

He is by our side:

‘Because God will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound.’ (Proverbs 3:26 MSG)

Our God goes beside us & before us:

‘You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.’

(Psalms 139:5 NLT)

May you know God’s peace & presence in the year ahead.

May our prayers dispel anxiety & fear give way to faith.

Blessings for 2024,

Ruth x

Be the light!

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The prophet Isaiah wrote these words hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus:

‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.’ (Isaiah 9:2 NIV)

Over two thousand years later & the darkness seems deeper today.

‘This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.’ (John 3:19 NIV)

God sent His light into our deeply dark world:

‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ (John 1:5 NIV)

‘… the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.’ (1 John 2:8b NIV)

God sent light into the world in the form of a Person:

‘Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”’

(John 8:12 NIV)

God spoke light into being in the beginning:

‘For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.’ (2 Corinthians 4:6 NLT)

‘In your light we see light.’ (Psalms 36:9 NIV)

God has called us:

‘that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.’

(1 Peter 2:9 NIV)

At Christmastime there’s light all around us-

Candle light

Sparkling fairy lights

Twinkling star light

Streetlights

Lightbulbs in our homes

Lights decorating trees inside & out

All dispelling darkness in their own way!

God wants us to be light in this dark world too:

‘You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.’ (Matthew 5:14 MSG)

May God’s Light brighten your hearts & home this Christmastime. And may you be light shining in the darkness too!

Blessings,

Ruth x

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

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I put the Christmas tree up last weekend – on the first Saturday in December, as is our tradition.

I got nostalgic- missing yesteryears when the children were little & we decorated the house to the tune of Frank Sinatra’s Jingle Bells! Those Saturdays were typically Pyjama Days for the kids & the stockings were hung up on the inglenook fireplace. And the Little People Nativity Set took over the coffee table.

I put up my Christmas pallet that says ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year!’

Except sometimes it’s not. I mean it doesn’t feel wonderful. There’s so much going on in our own world & across the globe that is the opposite of wonderful. There’s dreadful, terrible news.

War.

Earthquakes.

Sickness & sadness.

Death & Depression.

Dysfunctional families.

Increased cost of living & poverty.

So, what makes our life wonderful?

Or rather Who turns our life wonderful this Christmas time?

The prophet Isaiah foretold the event that makes the difference:

‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.’ (Isaiah 7:14 NIV)

Immanuel means God with us.

God with us in our struggles.

In our sadness.

In our sickness.

In our stresses.

God with us through it all!

Our Almighty God took on flesh & bone & became a baby. He moved among us & went through day to day life on planet earth. So we can be saved. So we don’t have to face anything alone.

‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

‘Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.’ (Psalms 9:10 NIV)

We know the Name of our Almighty Everlasting God who stooped from eternity into time {to be with us}

He is the Wonderful Counsellor:

‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.’ (Psalms 32:8 NIV)

He is Mighty God:

‘For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.’ (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT)

He is our Everlasting Father:

‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,’ (Matthew 6:9 NIV)

May you know the Prince of Peace, especially at this time of year.

‘Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.’ (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Help!

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We can get overwhelmed quickly. Such a lot can be going on around about us & in our hearts & minds.

‘In this world you will have trouble.’

(John 16:33)

There’s no doubt there will be trouble, yet we have God’s promises to lean on:

‘For he has said,

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”’

(Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV)

God is our Helper!

There’s nothing God & you can’t do together

Whatever we’re facing, God’s got this!

We can pray to God about whatever we’re facing:

‘Nothing is too great for Your power,

Nothing is too small for Your love’

(Corrie Ten Boom)

‘Prayer connects our overwhelming anxiety to God’s overcoming power’

(Lysa Terkheurst)

Our help comes from the Creator God:

‘I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.’

(Psalm 121:1-2 ESV)

Our Helper is our strength:

‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’

(Psalm 46:1 )

‘We can simply want our situation solved — when God simply wants to be our answer.’ (Ann Voskamp)

Our Helper will go with us:

“The Lord said, “I will go with you and give you peace.””

(Exodus 33:14 CEV)

‘Even when we don’t have the capacity to calm our hearts and minds because of the chaos around us, God’s promised peace holds and carries us. (Lucretia Berry- incourage)

May we know the peace of God, & His help today & always.

Blessings,

Ruth x

10 verses to encourage your soul

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In these days of war & uncertainty, we all need some encouragement. I hope these verses are a blessing, an anchor for the soul:

1.’I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’
(Philippians 4:13 ESV)

2.’Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.’
(Matthew 6:34 ESV)

3.’You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.’
(Psalms 139:5 NLT)

4.’As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.’
(Psalms 138:3 NLT)

5.’Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord GOD is the eternal Rock.’
(Isaiah 26:4 NLT)

6.’Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.’
(Deuteronomy 31:8)

7.’The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.’
(Nahum 1:7 NLT)

8.’Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.’
(Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

9.’Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.’
(Psalm 55:22 ESV)

10.’Because I, your GOD, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, “Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.”‘
(Isaiah 41:11-13 MSG)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Lightness

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Days feel heavy at the moment- the weight of the COVID pandemic has wrapped itself around our globe. Daily life remains altered as summer fades into autumn.Anxiety weighs us down. So do old regrets, failures & mistakes.

There’s an old song entitled ‘I am a new creation’ that talks of standing in God’s grace & having ‘a lightness in my spirit’:

‘A joy that knows no limit, 
a lightness in my spirit 
here in the grace of God I stand.’
(Dave Bilborough)

The lightness begins with our relationship with God through faith:
‘Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.’
(Rom 5:1-2)

How can lightness dispel heaviness?

We need to ‘Preach the Gospel to yourself’ We can leave the heaviness of sin with God for ‘as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.’
(Psalms 103:12 NIV)

‘God’s faithfulness is greater than your worst mistake, greatest regret or biggest blunder’
(Jennifer Rothschild)

We can look beyond our problems to God-He is Majestic & Magnificent -Lord over all yet Abba Father.

And God doesn’t want us to carry heavy burdens. We’ll feel lighter if we leave them with Him:
‘Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.’
(Psalms 55:22 NIV)

We can feel lighter by turning worries into prayers:
‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.’
(Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

We can choose joy -This is much more than thinking happy thoughts

We can switch fear for trust
For,’perfect love drives out fear’
(1John 4:18 NIV)

When we trust God, we know this truth:
‘The truest thing about you is that you are the one whom Jesus truly loves.‘
(Sam Allberry)

And this brings lightness in our spirit.

Blessings,

Ruth x

Today I choose

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Today may feel the same as every other day. These lockdown days blur into one another.

Today is Sunday-a time to pause & reflect. For this is the day the Lord has made & given to us as a gift.

Each day consists of many choices- seemingly insignificant. Yet when strung together they create patterns of our everyday life.

So, Today I choose gratitude

There is always something to be grateful for. Even in the middle of a pandemic, we can have an attitude of gratitude. We can list the everyday blessings that we are grateful for.

Today I choose Love

Love is patient. Love is kind

Love is from God, for God is love.

‘God loves you simply because He has chosen to. He loves you when you don’t feel lovely. he loves you when no-one else does. No matter what’
(Max Lucado)

Love is not static or stagnant, as these words remind us:

‘Love doesn’t just sit there,
like a stone,
it has to be made,
Like bread;
remade all the time,
made new’
(Ursula K Le Guin)

Today I choose joy- deeper than happiness & independent of circumstances.

In days like today,
‘The joy of the Lord is your strength.’
(Nehemiah 8:10 NIV)

‘Rejoice in hope’
(Rom 12:12)

‘Teach us to begin again with joy’
(Emily P Freeman)

All we are sure of is today- not tomorrow.

‘So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.’
(Matthew 6:34 NLT)

There’s talk about these days being a ‘new normal’ A poster outside a local church in Greyabbey asks ‘Will you let God be part of your new normal?’

Today I choose to let God be part of my day.

Today I choose to follow God- even though I falter & waver along the way.

‘This is the one great truth: The only thing that is certain is uncertainty – and the certainty of God.’ (Ann Voskamp)

God is faithful- today & everyday. Always & forever.

Today, what will you choose?

Blessings,

Ruthx