Tag: life

Live in the day

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My husband bought me the book ‘How to stop worrying & start living’ by Dale Carnegie. Although it was first published in 1953, it’s still relevant today. The first chapter is entitled Live in ‘day-tight compartments’

The concept comes from Jesus’ words:

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

So many of our worries spring from anxieties about the future. Our thoughts spiral from today into tomorrow & beyond, gathering momentum into next week, next month or even next year. Our mind leaps forward, projecting what we think will happen, jumping to worst-case scenarios & terrible outcomes. 

But we have no control over the future. However, we can look to the One who holds the future. And He wants us to live one day at a time- in twenty-four hour chunks! It’s how we were designed.

We can book-end our days with prayer- committing our time to God each morning & thanking Him for His faithfulness each night. 

When we live each day with the God of peace, His deep peace will pour into our minds & hearts, displacing worry.

Blessings,

Ruth x

Don’t worry…

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‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.’

‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

These words are easy to read but harder to put into practice!

Last year, I became more anxious than ever before. Sleep was interrupted & catastrophizing thoughts overwhelmed me day & night.

This verse helped me to settle- I repeated the words often. Don’t worry- I told myself-pray instead. 

Thank God for what He has already done in your life in answer to prayer. For gratitude shifts our focus from anxious thoughts.

If we do this,instead of tossing & turning, there will be calm. Instead of stress there will be reassurance.

God’s amazing peace will overflow into our heart & minds (Phillipians 4:7)His love overcomes fear. And faith in God will get us through!

Of course, we may also need medication & counselling (I did) 

But the God of peace will be with us day by day & we can keep on casting our worries onto Him (1Pet 4:7)

Blessings,

Ruth x

A Hint of Spring

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I love to see the emergence of spring flowers at this time of year-a glimpse of the changing seasons.

This week I dandered past scattered clumps of snowdrops. And wondered how these delicate yet tenacious flowers had pushed through the frosty soil.

They’re a sign that spring is on the way.

No matter how dreary we feel, winter is not forever. No matter how dark the night feels, the sun will appear at daybreak.

Our winters of the soul may happen due to discouragement & disappointment. They may be brought about by physical sickness or mental anguish. Bereavement & unexpected loss bring long dark winters in life.

Yet, with God, we can trust that the freshness & new life of springtime will arrive.

Our God will usher in new things- hope & loving-kindness. Grace & goodness. Encouragement & second chances.

‘For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness.’

‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Blessings,

Ruth x

Consider the flowers

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One sunny afternoon I visited my local garden centre. The flowers there were brightly blooming in an array of colour.

I especially liked the red dahlias! And the growing sunflowers too.

As I wandered around, the words of Jesus, the Master Gardner came to mind:

“And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”

(Matthew 6:30 NLT)

God cares for the flowers & cares infinitely more for us.

“Oh you of little faith,” He whispered gently to my heart.

So often we have little faith.

We have little faith when we get tangled up in our worries.

We have little faith when we focus on our problems rather than God.

We have little faith when we try to sort out tomorrow’s issues today!

We have little faith when our mind is filled with fear.

Our faith needs to be bigger than our anxieties.

We often have little faith as we go through life- particularly when things go differently to how we planned or expected. Especially when things aren’t going our way.

Yet God can grow our faith- turning little faith into a lot. We can trust Him with the garden of our souls- tending to our issues there.

Later in Matthew chapter 6, Jesus says this:

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

(Matthew 6:34 NIV)

We humans live in 24 hour chunks. We live day by day with our Father & there’s no need to worry about tomorrow!

Just trust!

Blessings,

Ruth x

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

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

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

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