psalm 23

      https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33349/33349-h/33349-h.htm

Day Of Declans Court Appearance...

This morning I was anxious. I was getting ready to go over to hamilton because Declan has a court appearance for that Stacey. I didn't want him to be alone so I wanted him to know that I am there to support him. 

I was putting my trust in the Lord to give me strength because I don't really like going to court. I actually got down on my knees at the side of the bed and asked God for help.This scripture came to mind so I posted it on face book.

 I was getting my stuff ready to leave the house when Declan phoned. He said that I didn't need to come and that it was an old case from 2020 it wasn't to do with the last altercation he had when I went over to help him.

It's so funny how things work out differently when we put God first. I am truly thankfull to God for it working out this way. At first I could feel a resistance and I wanted to do it my way and still go over but what would that achieve especially when declan said I didn't need to go. 

So I lay on my bed and I seen a notification for todays verse from my bible app and as usual I was blown away. The verse was Philippians 4:6-7.

https://bible.com/stories/6539

isaiah43:11-12...Adonai

11 I, yes I, am ADONAI; besides me there is no deliverer.

12 I have declared, saved and proclaimed - not some alien god among you. Therefore you are my witnesses," says ADONAI. "I am God.

Ecclesiastes Explained

          

The word ‘meaningless’ is actually used 38 times, which is taken from the Hebrew word ‘hevel,’ which means smoke or vapour. So the teacher is not offering that our lives are meaningless, but that our lives are but a whisper of smoke, they are beautiful, mysterious, yet fleeting and short. Smoke is an enigma, it can appear solid yet if you try to grab hold of it, there is nothing there. The teacher is communicating that life is changing, confusing and uncontrollable. Life isn’t without meaning, but often the meaning is not clear at all. The teacher is helping us to come to terms with the march of time, the reality that all humans will die one day and that our lives are often left up to chance. Taken from Everything is meaningless! – Overview of Ecclesiastes

Forgiven by Jennifer Neely

I used to imagine I was a good person.

I measured my behaviour and life-style choices against a moral code I'd devised based on what I felt was right, just and good. I was largely regarded as a nice person with a "strong moral compass." I was kind to people; I went out of my way not to offend people; I helped others when I could; I was liberal-minded and tolerant, and prided myself in being open-minded.

The hardest lesson I had to learn when I became a Christian is that I'd been living in open rebellion against God all my life and was sinful from beginning to end. By rejecting His principles as antiquated and irrelevant and setting my own standard of goodness, I had chosen to live in defiance of the perfectly holy and just Creator God. The Bible is quite clear on the result of this decision: the wages of sin is death (ROMANS 6:23).

The most beautiful lesson I have learned since becoming a Christian is that despite knowing the depths of our sinfulness, God has provided us a way out. You see, as well as being holy and just, God is merciful, because though the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (ROMANS 6:23). In Jesus' death on the cross, God has secured the means of forgiving us and purifying us of our sinfulness, and in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (EPHESIANS 1:7). 

The means of obtaining this forgiveness is simple: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (ROMANS 10:9).

There is nothing you could have done, no action so awful, no choice so despicable that debarres you from God's offer of mercy: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 JOHN 1:9). No caveats, no hidden clauses, no exceptions.

Behind door number 17 of my Advent calendar is forgiveness. 

Do you feel the need for it?

#advent2018 

#itsallaboutjesus

#nogreatergift

Day 1 Today I Choose...To Change

TODAY I CHOOSE ...CHANGE

But while Joseph was there in the prison. the Lord was with him: He showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the Lord was with Joseph and him success in whatever he did.  Genesis 39:20-23

During the period of what became lockdown, everything familar seemed to change. Everyone was referring to the 'new normal'. It's easy when changes are happening around you to think Chang is taking place within you. Yet now the season of lickdown is over, how many can say: I really have changed. 

Thats because there's a big difference between the changes that we choose and the changes that choose us. Events happen that we cannot control. But actually. it would be really sad if the only change that happened in our lives was external I want to ask you where there's a lot of change happening around you, what is the change that you are choosing within you?

So lets reframe change and for a moment lets see this season that you are in as God- given changing cubicle. Changing rooms can be uncomfortable. Have you ever been in a communal changing space? Then you will know what I mean: you are exposed and vulnerable and these are the reasons why you would rather not change. However God in His grace provides you with the shelter in which to work through your changes. His presence and grace covers you and the Holy Spirit guides and empowers you

So my challenge to you is: what needs to change? The Bible is full of stories of those that didn't choose the external changes in their life but they did get to choose the internal changes they made. Joseph didn't choose to be betrayed by his brothers. he didnt choose to be thrown in a pit. He didn't choose the change of his life from free to slave. He didn't choose to be falsely accused by Potipher's wife. He didnt choose to be placed in a prison cell.

Yet when he was in that place of confinement, he created a cubicle for change: he began to change his attitude and change his behaviour. He had to change from being bitter about what had been done to him, to actually becoming someone that blossomed in that season. He chose to be a faithful steward in the prison cell and he had success in whatever he did.

The changes he made were helping him get ready for the life God had already planned for him: when Joseph left that time of confinement, he had a strategy he had wisdom and he entered the office of Prime Minister. If Joseph, in a season where he felt betrayed and wrongly judged, could choose to change his mind, his heart, his attitude and his confession, then so can you.

Let's think about Esther. Esther didn't choose the change in her life that made her an orphan. She didn't choose the change that placed her in a harcem with all those other young women. But there came a moment when she realised that there was a change that she did get to make. As her Uncle Mordecar said: Esther you have a position right now where you get to make a change, not just for yourself but for all our sakes

The Bible records that when Esther realised. I get to choose this change, she changed what she was wearing

Esther 5:1

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall.

Why was that important? Because she needed to clothe herself in the garments that spoke of the authority she carried. She needed to make some changes that reflected what was happening on the inside of her as she risked her life and approached the king From that moment. her change led to everyone's change

When we see David in 2 Samuel, he's in a season of living with the consequences of his own sin. His son, born from his relationship with Bathsheba, is lost. They are mourning and grieving the death of their child. Then David decides to make a change:

2 Samuel 12:20 (MSG)

David got up from the floor, washed his face and combed his hair, put on a fresh change of clothes, then went into the sanctuary and worshipped. Then he came home and asked for something to eat. They set it before him and he ate.

David said; I cant change the loss but now I chose to change my confession my clothing, my expression. He chose to change his posture from one of mourning to one of worship. What is the change that you can chose to make right now? You may have put off some changes for a long time: it's time to remove tjose excuses. Maybe you need to change your attitude or your confession. Perlaps you need to change in an area where you have been offended for too long.There's a season right now you might not have chosen to be in, but you are. So take back the power and choose to change

I'm asking you today to make a list of some things you want to change about you. As you choose those changes remember. God is with you. He is for you. He is going to help you. Just as He was with Joseph His favour and His kindness will be towards you. You are not in this alone the Holy Spirit is your helper. If you choose to change, you can take a step into the changing room of God's grace and begin to take off what is no longer beneficial and start to put on something new

Let's not get so comfortable with the way things have always been that we never get to embrace the way things could be. Today, take the change challenge and re-enter this next season with the change you choose.

WOW!!!!!!! what a start to 2023...Ecclesiastes

 so much insight this morning its going to take me all day to process it. This reminds me of the Reflection of the Gospel from my Halo app this morning.

Luke 2:16-21...."Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart"