Tag: journey

A Psalm to live by

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‘In my heart I store up your words’ (Psalm 119:11 ESV)

Time with God in the Psalms is a good start to any day & everyday!

Psalm 37 has been a favourite Psalm since teenage years.There’s a list of beneficial things to do when our minds are overwhelmed. When we feel like we’re on the edge of a precipice. When we’re holding our breath until the next thing happens.

Psalm 37’s theme is ‘Trust in the Lord’ And its first words are ‘Do not fret’ And that command is repeated in verse 7 & 8.

So what can we do instead of fret?

*’Trust in the Lord, and do good’ (v3 ESV) God is our anchor in this uncertain world. We can trust in His unshakable character, in His goodness even when our circumstances are not good.

*’Dwell in the land’ (v3 ESV) We can live calmly, & gratefully, day by day.

*’Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.’ (v4 ESV) We can focus on God & find joy in Him. He will provide for us- body & soul.

*’Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.’ (v5 ESV) Pray through your day- hand it all over to God. And leave your troubles with Him, for He knows you & cares deeply.

*’Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him’ (V7 ESV) Quieten yourself before our God, & wait for Him to work- in His way & in His time.

*’Refrain from anger, and turn from wrath!’ (V8 ESV) Cultivate gentleness & self-control- even when it’s hard.

Trust God for the week ahead, no matter what’s looming or lurking around the corner.

May you know God’s presence & help on this journey called life.

Blessings,

Ruthx

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

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

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

Come & rest

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Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

On this first day of rest in 2025, Jesus invites us to come to Him.

We might feel worn out & weary already- carrying the same troubles as we did in 2024. Our struggles continue with us. The New Year didn’t erase them, or bring a lightness to our days. Everything didn’t change on New Year’s Day! We couldn’t instantly turn into a better version of ourselves.

Yet,if we come to Jesus, just as we are,He will grant rest. He will give peace of mind & heart. He will be with us through the year- in our tomorrows just as he has been in our yesterdays, now past.

Paul concludes his second letter to the church at Thessalonica with these words:

‘May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.’

‭‭(2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

We can face this year with God’s eternal encouragement & good hope. He will bless our words & deeds, our plans & actions. He will continue to guide our paths with loving-care. His Father-heart will tend our souls.

May we know ‘strength for today & bright hope for tomorrow!’ (Thomas O Chisholm)

May He strengthen everything we say & do. May He surprise us with His endless grace & tender mercies.

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

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

Bright & beautiful promises

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Planet Earth has been more difficult to inhabit in recent months- in an unprecedentedly unprecedented way!

It’s easier than ever to worry. There’s plenty to feel down about. Life feels like it won’t ever be the same again.

Thankfully in these shifting times God has given us everything we need:

‘We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness.’
(2 Peter 1:3CEV)

‘And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.’
(2 Peter 1:4 NLT)

God’s Word contains ‘great & precious promises’ God’s promises are like an anchor in stormy days, light for dark days & an encouragement to keep us going all our days.

Throughout lockdown I have been gathering God’s promises (Maybe you have too) And I’m grateful that ‘His every promise is enough for every step I take’ (Getty)

I read this promise to Moses:
‘The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, and I will give you rest-everything will be fine for you.”’
(Exodus 33:14 NLT)

These verses were in Chris Tiegreen’s devotional book:
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
(Isaiah 41:10 NLT)

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
(Isaiah 41:13 NIV)

I like this alternative version of this verse:

‘That’s right.
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 41:13 MSG)

I found these words of Jesus on a little card:
‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’
(John 14:27 NIV)

This verse was on the corner of the Spectator newspaper:
‘You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord GOD is the eternal Rock.’
(Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT)

These words were written on a greetings card in my Bible:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

These verses were mentioned in a podcast:
‘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 read this verse last week;
‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’
(Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)

These days may feel like a monotonous grey or even stormy black but,
‘The future is as bright as the promises of God’
(Adoniram Judson)

I’m grateful for God’s unchanging words today & always.

Blessings,

Ruthx