Words of life | God’s Perfect Care

Words of life | God’s Perfect Care

Posted on By Emma WilsonIn Words of Life

Psalm 55:22 (NLT)

“Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”

Reflection:

In this time where many have been self-isolating, there has been a bigger need for people to be taken care of. There has been a dependency on other people’s kindness and care. So many have selflessly and sacrificially taken care of those who have fallen ill and needed treatment of any kind. And to different measures, we have all carried a burden together to see this virus pass.

Yet in this time, we have also seen that we cannot bear the burdens of this life on our own. And in many ways, our care is so limited. Yet there is One who is able – and willing – to carry each and every one of our burdens. He desires to care for us and will do so with a perfect care that “does not permit us to slip and fall”. What a promise in this time where everything else has shown itself fallible. God’s arm will never be too short to care for us when we reach out and give our burdens to Him.

Prayer outline:

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your unlimited care for me. You invite me to give You my burdens, because You care for me. You desire to be my strength and my sustainer, my courage and my care. I choose again today to put my trust in You and to give You my burdens, for You are able and You care for me. Holy Spirit, help me to let go of control and put things into Your capable hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | A Strong Tower

Words of life | A Strong Tower

Posted on By Emma WilsonIn Words of Life

Proverbs 18:10 (ESV)

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

Reflection:

The scripture above caught my attention following the horrific attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in 2001. That tragic event proved that those towers were not a strong or safe place. I was reminded that Jesus Christ is LORD, which means that His name – the name of Jesus – is a “strong tower.” That “strong tower” will never become “ground zero” – no attempts by the powers of darkness using misguided people will obliterate the name of Jesus. Therefore believers can take refuge in that name and be safe. We are now under another attack – from Coronavirus – and society has been asked to stay home in order to be safe. Wise advice indeed but let us not forget the eternal safety provided in the name of Jesus. His name is ABOVE every other name, so the name of Coronavirus, of Covid-19, must submit to the name of Jesus. Glory!

Prayer outline:

Thank You, Father, for the protection found in Your “strong tower”, the name of Jesus. We thank You that there is eternal safety in His name, that no weapon, no pestilence, no disease can remove us from the “strong tower.” Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | Sing His praises

Words of life | Sing His praises

Posted on By Emma WilsonIn Words of Life

Psalm 147:1-6 (ESV)

“Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure. The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked to the ground.”

Reflection:

What strikes me in these few verses is the pictures that are painted of who God is – from the macro to the micro. He is the God who “determines the number of stars” and also He who “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds”. As we have been looking at the Trinity, I am continually so amazed at the vastness beyond understanding of our God and at the same time incredibly humbled at His regard for me, little old me. What kind of God who holds all power in His hand would choose to invite me into His perfect relationship of love? Surely to this God “a song of praise is fitting”. At the start of this new week, I decide to choose to sing those songs of praise and turn my heart to the truths of who my God is; star-breather and healer of my heart. And as I do so, I want to encourage all of us to do the same – this week, let us declare to one another the praises of our God. Send someone a message, share a verse or a song; let’s point one another to the truth of who God is and “sing” His praises in our situation.

Prayer outline:

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, how truly majestic You are in all Your ways. When my mind tries to understand the fullness of who You are, I feel so small and incapable, so humbled. Yet You, Creator of the universe, care closely enough to notice and know my pain and sorrows and to “heal my wounds”. How truly majestic is Your name in all the earth. I sing Your praise, for You are worthy. Let Your name and Your fame be known in all the earth. Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | God, my refuge and my fortress

Words of life | God, my refuge and my fortress

Posted on By Emma WilsonIn Words of Life

Psalm 62:1-8

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah. For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah”

Reflection:

Like it has for everyone, lockdown has stripped much of my life as I knew it away, and replaced it with a strange new ‘normal’. It’s been a big adjustment relinquishing control of pretty much everything and having to rely on the kindness and help of others. During this time of uncertainty and the unknown, I’ve found real comfort in this psalm, knowing that God is my refuge and my fortress. He is my mighty rock. When uncertainty and whispers of fear swirl around me, and things seem out of control, God is the calm in the storm. He is in control and He is the hope in our future.

Each of us has a different day-to-day reality in this storm. As I read somewhere the other day: “We are not all in the same boat, but we are all weathering the same storm”. The amazing truth is that God is interested in us as individuals. He meets each one of us in our individual circumstances. We don’t have to strive to find Him, or go out looking. He comes to us and meets us in the place we are in. Whether you are content and at peace, frightened and lost, stressed or exhausted; He is your refuge. He sits beside you, holds your hand and restores your soul.

Prayer outline:

Have a listen to the song “Find You on my knees” by Kari Jobe.  Be encouraged; no matter how hard and dark your circumstances may seem (or indeed may be), your almighty Father can and will lift your spirits, restore your soul and lift you up. Trust in Him and receive His love. Find Him in the place you’re in.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | Full Acceptance

Words of life | Full Acceptance

Posted on By Emma WilsonIn Words of Life

Romans 8:14-16 (The Passion Translation)

“The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit. And you did not receive the ‘spirit of religious duty’, leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the ‘Spirit of full acceptance’, enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as He rises up within us, our spirits join Him in saying the words of tender affection, ‘Beloved Father!’ For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as He whispers into our innermost being, ‘You are God’s beloved child!'”

Reflection:

There is something about the need for belonging and acceptance that is deep in the hearts of all mankind. I love this translation’s description where it contrasts “the spirit of religious duty leading us back into the fear of never being good enough” with a “Spirit of acceptance that enfolds us into the family of God”. How quickly do we find ourselves operating from a deep fear of not being good enough, both towards God and one another? All too often I discover I have somehow strayed and crept back to this place of distortion. It is often marked by feelings of isolation and non-belonging. But the truth is that if we have received the Spirit of God we have been adopted into His family, the ultimate place of belonging.

Prayer outline:

Take a moment to reflect on this truth. The challenge here is two-fold – firstly, am I living in the joy of this truth that I belong and am accepted? Secondly, as a part of God’s family, am I playing my part in embracing others and welcoming them in the same way Father God welcomes me?

Dear Abba Father, I pray today that I will know afresh your Spirit affirm to me that I am your child. Let this fatherhood become real to me as you whisper into my innermost being that I belong to You, and help me, from this place, extend my reach to invite others into your family of belonging too. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | Piece of the Puzzle

Words of life | Piece of the Puzzle

Posted on By Emma WilsonIn Words of Life

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Reflection:

I have completed two 1000-piece Jigsaws during this lockdown. At times I was convinced that someone had mixed two puzzles together and was having a laugh!
here are a lot of puzzled looks on faces at the moment, aren’t there? So many questions in all our hearts. When will things get back to normal? When can I see my loved ones?  It can feel overwhelming and even a bit scary as we try to make sense of everything. In our verse today God reminds us to ‘Fear not’. We need that reminder, we really do. We need to remember that He knows what the picture on the lid looks like.

Imagine each puzzle piece represents one year of your life. You can zoom right out, take the 2020 puzzle piece and know that it has a place in the Jigsaw; it isn’t a mistake. It’s a significant, pivotal, memorable year whose pattern and colour seeps into other years, but it’s a year ordained by God which He oversees. He knows how this year fits into your life and He invites you to rest in the truth of that as you navigate all the challenges it brings.

Prayer response:

Father, thank You that You see my life from the beginning to the end and every day of it is ordained by You. Thank You that You are always with me, always for me and always working everything together for my good. Help me to trust that Your strength within me is enough and that I can rest in the truth that You uphold me every single day. Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | In Perfect Peace

Words of life | In Perfect Peace

Posted on By Emma WilsonIn Words of Life

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

Reflection:

There is an expression that says “mind over matter” – in other words, if you only will it enough in your mind, you can overcome anything. There is definitely truth in the fact that our minds are very powerful and it is where change and even transformation begins. But we cannot do it in our own strength. The Bible isn’t a self-help book. It doesn’t give us instructions on how to make ourselves better people. This verse is a great reminder that God is the One who keeps us in perfect peace, as we set our “minds” on Him. In this time of confusion, frustration and inner turmoil, as we are surrounded by not much else other than our own thoughts, God promises to “keep those in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him”. What a promise! So no matter what goes on around us, when our mind looks to Him and chooses to trust in Him, we are kept “in perfect peace”.

Prayer response:

Father God, thank You for Your promise of perfect peace. When my mind is so easily distracted and overwhelmed by all that is going on around me, I choose to focus my mind on You. Help me in this. Give me the grace and strength to keep my “mind stayed on You” and my heart trusting in You. I love You. Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | God Knows

Words of life | God Knows

Posted on By Emma WilsonIn Words of Life

Acts 17:26 (ESV)

“And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place”

Reflection:

“Why did it have to happen now?” I am sure everyone of us has asked this question and did so with a little angst as well. Maybe it was in a traffic jam on the way to the airport, or a delayed train service the day of your big interview. Those moments never seem to happen whilst on the way to the dentist or church celebration, unless you are running late of course. Time. No matter what we do, the sun rises and the sun sets. Day after day, time rolls on. Have you asked that question during the COVID-19 pandemic? “Why did it have to happen now?” I am sure that many of you have had flights, holidays, business meetings etc. cancelled. You name it, people have experienced it. I am quite amazed by the whole debacle we are in. I wonder what it will be like in the years to come, remembering what it was like to have lived through this time… Once again, the Word of God lays for us a foundational truth. God, in His wisdom and great love, has set the times and places of our life. He knew full well that each and every one of us would be here, on planet Earth, at this time, facing the challenge of COVID-19. There is comfort in knowing God’s all knowing. We may not know outcomes, but we know Him who knows the end from the beginning. We may not know reasons, but we know Him who works all this for our good. We may not know how, but we know Him whose word accomplishes the purpose for which it was sent.

Prayer response:

Take the time now to rest in Him. Reflect on His wisdom, His love and His care for you.Ask God to show you the things that get in the way of you resting in Him. Make note of whatever comes to your heart and mind. Reflect on these things prayerfully. Ask God to work in your life.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | God’s Treasured Possession

Words of life | God’s Treasured Possession

Posted on By Emma WilsonIn Words of Life

Deuteronomy 7:6-9 (ESV)

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set His love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that He swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations”

Reflection:

I don’t know about you, but I like being picked. I like being selected and made to feel like I’m specially chosen. When someone notices that I’m worth choosing for their team, as their friend, for a specific job to do, etc., it gives me a sense of value and significance, acceptance and security. There is something inside of me that wants and needs to know that ‘I have what it takes’. These verses above tell me/us that that is exactly how God sees us. He picked us to be His very own possession, called by His own name. If there is a little voice telling you that, ‘you don’t deserve to be picked; you’re not good enough’, then I have some good news for you: in many ways, this voice is right. BUT, praise be to God, because it is because of HIS unfailing love, HIS lovingkindness and mercy that He DID choose you. You ARE chosen by Him, because He is ‘the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love’.

Prayer outline:

Thank You, Lord, that You have chosen me, that You picked me to be Your treasured possession, holy to You. What an overwhelming thought that You, the God of the universe, chose me to be a part of Your very own people. Father God, this is too marvellous for words. Help me to understand afresh how deep Your love goes. Help me to live in the truth of Your love afresh today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | Our Lord never slumbers nor sleeps.

Words of life | Our Lord never slumbers nor sleeps.

Posted on By Emma WilsonIn Words of Life

Psalm 121:1-4 (ESV)

“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. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He Who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

Reflection:

God never “slumbers nor sleeps”. What a thought. I find that very hard to get my head around. On the one side because I can’t imagine there not being a “break” in my day or weekly routine, but also because I get so incredibly tired and weighed down by things around me. Yet God, “Who made heaven and earth”, never gets tired. He doesn’t need a break from the cares and burdens of the day. The worries, prayers and complaints of millions of His children rising to Him each day don’t weigh down on Him. There is no limit to Him. He doesn’t need to take time to “switch off” or “wind down”. This means that there isn’t a moment in the day where He is not 100% aware and attentive to what happens in your life. Every single second is registered in His mind. Because He cares. He is able and capable. And He is the One Who “keeps you”. What incredible comfort and help we find in that: in our LORD.

Prayer outline:

Lord Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, You made me. You keep me. Every hour of every day, Your eye is on me and Your thoughts for me. Thank You that I don’t need to fret or worry, because You are my help and my defender. I look to You as the One who sustains and carries me. And You won’t grow tired or weary. Holy Spirit, help me to lift up my eyes above the circumstances to You, my Keeper. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here