I have just started a Precepts study called "Spare Your People, Lord". It is a study on two of the minor prophets, Obadiah and Joel.
Over the next few weeks, I will share my thoughts and what I am learning. These are my personal thoughts and not, necessarily, those of Kay Arthur, who authored the study.
I have done a couple of Kay's studies before and am in awe at what God teaches her. She is passionate about encouraging people to dig into Scripture. If you have not done any of her studies, I encourage you to find out about them.
Saying that, this week's study was on the book of Obadiah. This book is only one chapter in length and, to my shame, I had never read it before!
Oh my goodness, was I convicted about pride and arrogance! That has been key for me this week - beware of arrogance and do not gloat over others' misfortunes, even if they are doing ungodly things; even if they "deserve" it. Ultimately, the Lord God is in control and He will judge people and the nations.
The encouraging thing for me is that it is not too late to repent of my sins. The Lord wants me to come to Him in humility and He wants me to return to the path of obedience when I wander away from it (which is pretty much every day!!).
Trust and obey.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Blocked...
If you look back to see when I last wrote a post, you will see that has been three weeks! I have felt, and am still feeling, totally blocked.
I feel blocked creatively, inspirationally and in my communications with God. The cause of all this is unknown to me. Maybe it is because the general situation in the world is unstable and unpredictable (end times??). Maybe it is because I am in need of a break from Lagos - we expats are a spoilt breed here in Nigeria; most of us have chance to go away at least three times a year. However, since my better half has been pretty much self-employed, we do not have the luxury of "free" air flights, so I have not been out of here since January. Sad, I know, as most people in the world do not even get one holiday a year! Anyway, back to possible causes of my block - maybe another reason is that I am hoping that we will retire next year and move to our yet-to-be built home in South Africa. So many of our good friends have already left and I am really finding it difficult to feel settled here. I am longing for the future and not living in the moment.
Note to Rachel: Live in the moment!
This morning when I looked at my blog I saw that today's verse is Hebrews 13:8.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV)
For Jesus doesn't change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself. (The Message)
How comforting it was to read that. The world may change, my world may change, but God does not change. No matter what I am feeling, God does not change. He may feel far from me; I may feel far from Him, but He does not change. I have to believe that and trust Him, no matter what my feelings or circumstances are. Jesus, God, is ALWAYS the same.
I feel blocked creatively, inspirationally and in my communications with God. The cause of all this is unknown to me. Maybe it is because the general situation in the world is unstable and unpredictable (end times??). Maybe it is because I am in need of a break from Lagos - we expats are a spoilt breed here in Nigeria; most of us have chance to go away at least three times a year. However, since my better half has been pretty much self-employed, we do not have the luxury of "free" air flights, so I have not been out of here since January. Sad, I know, as most people in the world do not even get one holiday a year! Anyway, back to possible causes of my block - maybe another reason is that I am hoping that we will retire next year and move to our yet-to-be built home in South Africa. So many of our good friends have already left and I am really finding it difficult to feel settled here. I am longing for the future and not living in the moment.
Note to Rachel: Live in the moment!
This morning when I looked at my blog I saw that today's verse is Hebrews 13:8.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV)
For Jesus doesn't change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself. (The Message)
How comforting it was to read that. The world may change, my world may change, but God does not change. No matter what I am feeling, God does not change. He may feel far from me; I may feel far from Him, but He does not change. I have to believe that and trust Him, no matter what my feelings or circumstances are. Jesus, God, is ALWAYS the same.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Devote...
Recently I have been reading through Colossians and have reached Chapter 4. For several days I have not been able to get past v2 which says:-
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
The key words for me are - devote, prayer, watchful, thankful.
Why can't I get past this verse? Hmm...obviously God is saying something to me!
Am I devoting myself to prayer - methinks not! Ok, God is telling me to do so.
A definition of devote from the Oxford Dictionary is:
To give one's time, energy etc to somebody or something.
The definition tells me that prayer requires time and it requires energy. Why is it easier to devote my time and energy to watching tv, taking photographs (that often takes a lot of energy!), doing puzzles etc etc, whilst prayer, Bible Study and spending time with God gets put on the sidelines?
That is a hard question to answer. The answer would reveal my selfishness, my short-sightedness and my weakness. Surely I am not those things?? The stark reality - yes I am. Of course, I also know that there is an enemy who makes sure that there are things to distract me from devoting myself to prayer.
I cannot work and strive to suddenly become a devoted prayer warrior, but I can begin by asking the Lord to place a desire in my heart to do so. As with any discipline in life, I can also start with small steps, even if it is only devoting 5 minutes a day to prayer.
Now I am going to write out this verse on a card and keep it next to my chair where I sit and watch TV!
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
The key words for me are - devote, prayer, watchful, thankful.
Why can't I get past this verse? Hmm...obviously God is saying something to me!
Am I devoting myself to prayer - methinks not! Ok, God is telling me to do so.
A definition of devote from the Oxford Dictionary is:
To give one's time, energy etc to somebody or something.
The definition tells me that prayer requires time and it requires energy. Why is it easier to devote my time and energy to watching tv, taking photographs (that often takes a lot of energy!), doing puzzles etc etc, whilst prayer, Bible Study and spending time with God gets put on the sidelines?
That is a hard question to answer. The answer would reveal my selfishness, my short-sightedness and my weakness. Surely I am not those things?? The stark reality - yes I am. Of course, I also know that there is an enemy who makes sure that there are things to distract me from devoting myself to prayer.
I cannot work and strive to suddenly become a devoted prayer warrior, but I can begin by asking the Lord to place a desire in my heart to do so. As with any discipline in life, I can also start with small steps, even if it is only devoting 5 minutes a day to prayer.
Now I am going to write out this verse on a card and keep it next to my chair where I sit and watch TV!
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
God Likes To Talk To Us...
Today I am posting a link to an excellent message by James Robison from Life Today. I found it very encouraging, especially as I am feeling a tad far from God at the moment. It is good to be reminded that He does like to talk to us!
Life Today has very graciously allowed me to post the link to this message, so please go to the Life Today site and read James' message for yourselves.
Life Today has very graciously allowed me to post the link to this message, so please go to the Life Today site and read James' message for yourselves.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Security...
Living in Lagos, many of us know what it is like to live with security around us. There are security guards posted at the gates to our compounds, homes, places of work etc. Some people have to have guards in their cars whilst driving around or an armed escort following them.
Royalty and heads of state have security posted around them. As a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords, I have security guards posted around me.
"For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways." - Psalm 91:11
Royalty and heads of state have security posted around them. As a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords, I have security guards posted around me.
"For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways." - Psalm 91:11
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Reflect On...
Reflecting on, thinking about, filling one's mind with positive, good, honest and beautiful things is not easy. Well, not for me, that is. In today's world where there is so much ugliness, bitterness, anger and sorrow, the beauty seems to be disappearing.
However, in Philippians 4:8 Paul tells us to meditate on, to think about good things. This takes time; it is not a quick flash in the mind. Therefore, as we take time to look for the positive in the murky waters of life, we will begin to see the gems. We will see that tiny, perfectly formed flower amongst the weeds; we will see the pearl in the oyster; we will see the smile on the face of a passer-by and we will begin to see God's touch in our lives and in our hearts.
Meditate on, reflect on the treasures...
However, in Philippians 4:8 Paul tells us to meditate on, to think about good things. This takes time; it is not a quick flash in the mind. Therefore, as we take time to look for the positive in the murky waters of life, we will begin to see the gems. We will see that tiny, perfectly formed flower amongst the weeds; we will see the pearl in the oyster; we will see the smile on the face of a passer-by and we will begin to see God's touch in our lives and in our hearts.
Meditate on, reflect on the treasures...
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
A Voice Behind...
Ok, this is not going to happen everyday. Writing a post, I mean. However, I happen to have a couple of thoughts squirreled away, so I am taking advantage and using them.
Isaiah 30:20-21 tells us that we will hear a voice behind telling us which way to turn. For quite a while I puzzled over this. After all, we are meant to follow the Lord, not walk ahead of Him.
Then the light bulb came on...He is ALL around us. As we are following Him, so He is also able to guide from behind.
Don't you just love God? He is so much more than we can ever imagine!
Isaiah 30:20-21 tells us that we will hear a voice behind telling us which way to turn. For quite a while I puzzled over this. After all, we are meant to follow the Lord, not walk ahead of Him.
Then the light bulb came on...He is ALL around us. As we are following Him, so He is also able to guide from behind.
Don't you just love God? He is so much more than we can ever imagine!
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