Saying Thanks

Oh how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge!  How impossible is is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
For who can know the Lord's thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?
For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.  All glory to him forever.  Amen (Romans 12:33-36)(Emphasis mine)

Saying 'Grace' or 'Thanks' before eating is not something that is looked upon with much favour today.  To those who don't know God, it is seen as merely a religious routine with very little meaning.  To those who know God it is much more than that. 

In the above passage we read that 'everything' comes from God.  All that we wear, eat, do, work, love and live comes from God.  This means that we shouldn't just thank God for the food we eat, but for each and every blessing he bestows upon our lives.  Our lives should be lived in constant thankfulness for our good health, our warm bed, the chocolate in our cupboard, the running water from our taps, the friends and family whom you love and even those who test you patience.  God provides all things, not all of them may seem to be good at the time, but in the end they will bring God glory.  Sometimes it can be difficult to be thankful when you are having a rotten day.  Make a point of thanking God for at least one blessing each day.

Sometimes you can't see the rainbow because you are focusing too much on the storm.

This does not mean that while you are running a bath for the kids that you hit your knees in fervent prayer for hot water and soap.  If God leads you to, that's great.  The thankfulness I am speaking of is your soul's recognition of all of the blessings God has brought to your life.  God will bring little things to your remembrance, and when he does, thank him for them.  When I am bathing the boys I watch them laugh and play, and inwardly I thank God he created them just the way they are.  God is with you every second of the day, he never leaves.  Delight in the things he has blessed you with, and watch him smile with pleasure.  He is our Father.  All Fathers love to hear thank you and get a hug from their children.  Have you given your heavenly Dad a hug today.  He is waiting with open arms.

I Need Answers

When I wake up in the morning and I am still tired...God says

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

When I struggle to get out of bed because I don't feel inspired...I say to God

     Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
      for I am trusting you.
   Show me where to walk,
      for I give myself to you.(Psalm 143:8)

When I can't find anything to wear and  I look in the mirror to see that my eyebrows need waxing...God says

 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.(1 Peter 3:3-4)

When I am running late and the house is a mess..God says

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

When I am frustrated with my children because they always want my attention...God reminds me


... the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. (Mark 10:14)

When I am home alone at night and I hear a strange noise...I remember God says

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)

When we need money for the rego, rates, insurance and mortgage all at the same time...God says

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. ( 1 Timothy 6:17)

When I am hurting from the harsh words someone has said...God says

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

God's Word, the Bible, is the handbook for life.  There is nothing that will happen to you in your life that will come as a surprise to God.  Therefore all of the answers needed to life's questions can be found in the Bible.  If you are looking for a reason to fault God, I'm sure you could come up with all sorts of questions that you would say there is no specific answer for.  For example I do not know specifically why Sam was born with half a heart.  But God's Word does tell me:

 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.. (John 9:1-3)

Translation:  It is not your fault that Sam has half a heart.  He was born this way so that I can heal him and bring glory to my name.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
      and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
      Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
      as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
 You saw me before I was born.
      Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
   Every moment was laid out
      before a single day had passed (Psalm 139:13-16)

Translation: I knew Sam,  I know Sam, and I will know Sam forever more.  I love him more than you will ever know. 

Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. (Matthew 15:28)

Translation: Keep on believing!  I will heal your son.

The Bible is full to the brim with God's works and promises.  So when tumultuous times come, I know my feet are planted firmly on a solid foundation, one that can never be moved.  The world has no absolutes to offer, no solid ground on which to stand.  And more than ever, people's lives are being shaken and stirred up, the reasons are endless; relationship breakdown, illness and disease, disasters, financial difficulty...

Look down at your own feet.  Where are they planted?  Are you standing on unshakable ground?

Fruit Bowl or Compost Bin?

When I read the the latest headlines on the news websites I often browse to the bottom to read people's comments on the stories.  More than ever the comments are becoming more offensive and uncaring.  Showing malice toward not only the story itself, but lashing out at the others who dare to leave a comment.  The same can be seen on our roads in the form of so called 'roadrage'.  There seems to be an ever increasing hostility in this world in which we live. When I was talking to God about it this week he reminded me it was no surprise that what is coming from people's mouths is often abrasive.  He started off by leading me to this scripture.

But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you.(Matthew 15:18)

This is very confronting isn't it?  In this passage Jesus plainly tells the religious leaders of the day, as well us us, that it doesn't matter what we eat. It doesn't matter if we follow all of the rules for cleanliness etc.  If our hearts are full of darkness that is what will come pouring out of our mouths. What does that tell me about the words coming from people's lips? It tells me the condition of their heart.  If I speak negatively then negativity is what is hidden in my heart.  If anger and abuse comes from my mouth, then anger and bitterness is what I have welled up in my heart. If lewd comments and dirty jokes is what comes out of my mouth then that is what will be found in my heart. 
If we claim to be children of God, born again by his Holy Spirit.  This is God's promise to us:

..and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.(2 Corinthians 1:22)

If we  truly have God's Holy Spirit in our hearts,  his Holy Spirit will convict us very quickly of sin in our hearts.  He will let us know when we hold unforgiveness, anger, jealousy, bitterness, negativity, unbelief etc.  Because where there is light, darkness cannot not exist.  God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5)

And also

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper  than the sharpest two edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.  It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12)
You cannot claim to know Jesus as your Saviour and live in the darkness.  You cannot profess to know Jesus as Lord of your life, and let words of condemnation and criticism spill from your lips.

Jesus says that we will know his followers by their fruit.  You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (Matthew 7:16).  If God's Spirit lives in your heart and you spend time with him daily you will bear good fruit. You can read more about them in Galations 5:22.

Check your heart. Check out your fruit. Does it have a good aroma or is it fit for the compost bin?  This world is searching for answers, searching for God.  We need to make sure that we are showing the fruit of the Spirit so others will want to eat.  If we don't act what we profess, then all we are blowing is a lot of hot air.  God is in the process of checking hearts.  Make sure your heart is right with with him.  He is looking to make your life a fruitful vine, reaching into a world that needs light and life.

Win a Free Copy of Sam's Heart!

With only a month to go until Sam's Heart is released, I am offering a free book to my blog and Facebook followers.

• Simply recommend the blog or Sam's Heart Facebook page to a friend and when they join/follow, I will send both you and your friend a copy each!
• To enter, leave a comment (on blog or facebook) with you and your friend's name, and a short note telling me what you like about the blog or Sam's Heart.
• The winning entry will be drawn on Friday 25th March, 2011.  The winner will be posted on the blog and Sam's Heart Facebook page on this day.  Remember to check back to see if you've won!

Help me to spread the word of the upcoming release Sam's Heart, and share a story of hope in the process.


Blessings to you all

Nicole

The School Day Struggles

Home school is not easy.  I had an inkling to begin with, and now it is confirmed.  In fact there are days when it is very challenging.  This last week there was one day, when Jack would just stare off into space, and getting an answer from him was next to impossible.  He was tired just like all other Prep kids this time of the term.  Then there is Sam who is great most of the time.  He joins in when he wants to and then just plays while he waits.  There are some exceptions however, days when he wants my attention, and screams until he gets it.  It is usually the day when I am desperately in need of sleep because Jack or Sam were awake in the night wanting drinks and whatever else they can come up with.

Thankfully the good days far outweigh the bad.  All of the school work gets done and we have much fun and games in the process.  We do a myriad of things that you wouldn't do at school like make balsa wood aeroplanes, gardening, regular cooking and this week we even did meals on wheels for our local area.    And if we need to, we have a rest and know it will all get done some other time.  Jack now has an outbox and an inbox, so once he gets through his tasks for the day, our time is our own. 

I don't want to say it too soon, but I think we may be starting to relax and actually enjoy this home school experience.

Avoiding the Truth

And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic.  Yes these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately.  Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.  But this is only the beginning of birth pains, with more to come.  (Matthew 24:6-8)

I have had many people comment of late on the state of the world and the disasters that seem to be coming upon it.  There is a noticeable increase in the intensity with the chaos unfolding in various parts of the world.  Often when I remark that this is all to be expected, or that it is no surprise, I get an odd look from the other person.
'Ah, global warming they say, nodding their head.
'I say 'Ah no, Jesus has said this will all happen.  He said it  2000 years ago when he walked on the earth.'
I sometimes lose them there.  However of late I have noticed that there is also a great level of anxiety, fear and concern.  Before you leave this blog now, shaking your head in disbelief, I ask you to go and read Matthew 24 in a bible yourself.  While you are at it, also read Revelation Chapter 6.  It will only take 10 minutes.  It may give you the answer you have been looking for.

God is not a man, he doesn't lie.  When he promises something it always happens.  You can go back through the Old Testament of the bible and read the hundreds of promises God made to Israel in that time.  Not one of them was unfulfilled.  There are hundreds of promises in the Old Testament about Jesus coming to Earth to save his people.  Every single one was fulfilled when he came and died on the cross.  And now in the New Testament Jesus has given us many new promises, some of which have already come to pass, and some which are still to come. 

Our future is written.  Jesus is coming back to save all who know him. God is love, but he is also just.  He has given us a way to escape death, to have life eternal and yet many do no choose life.   He will not contend with unbelief for ever.

You know he has been knocking on your heart.  How long will you wait?
'Oh I will give him my life tomorrow', near the end, when I am really sure, so then my family don't think I am nuts and my friends still want to hang around.'
I know the voices, I've been there.  When I gave my life to God at age 16, it was not easy in the beginning, but now I would not give it up for anything. I have his love inside of me, spilling out to touch those around me.  I have his peace that remains, even in the darkest of situations.  And I know he will never let me go.

I will not avoid telling the truth.  I will not be silent when God has shown me how his heart aches for those who are still lost.  This is not about 'doom and gloom' but love and life.  God wants me to tell you that he misses you, that the time is growing short, all of these things that are happening to the Earth are going to increase.  You don't need to be anxious if you know Jesus.  The people in Christchurch did not have another day to make their promise.  The people in Japan didn't have another day to give God their life.  You don't know the plan that God has mapped out for you, so let him lead you.  God has given me such a love for all of you who read this blog.  My heart breaks for those of you who do not yet know Jesus.  He waits for you.

If you would like to know more about knowing Jesus and giving your life to him please visit http://www.samsheart.com.au/ and click on the HOPE button on the sidebar.  Send me an email if you would like to know more or if you would like me to pray with you.

Oh! To Be Like A Little Child

I know I have said it before, but I learn so much from my children.  God has impressed upon my heart to share a few of his lessons, learned through my boys.

It began a few months ago.  Jack and I were talking about Heaven while he tried to go to sleep. It is a bit of a routine with us, that goes kind of like this:

I lay down with Jack

Jack whispers, "Let's talk about Heaven hey?"

Ok darling, let's talk about Heaven

"What sort of animals will be in Heaven Mum?"

And so we go on to talk about all of the different creatures that will be in Heaven and how he will be able to pat them and ride them.  We talk about the river that runs through the city from God's throne and how you can't drown in it and it's never too cold.  We talk about how everything in Heaven will worship God, even the flowers and the grass.  We talk about how there will be no sickness and you will never get tired. 

I love these times.  After our most recent talks Jack gets frustrated that Jesus hasn't returned for us yet.  He prays for him to come quickly.  He told me he wants to go now.

In light of this I will now tell you about another event. 

We were at a busy shopping centre carpark.  Jack wanted to show me how brave he was and so he crossed the road by himself without waiting for me.  Thankfully there were no cars and he was safe.  When I reached the other side, this was our conversation:

'Jack, don't you ever do that again.  That is really dangerous.  You must always wait for me.  Do you understand.'

'But I was brave Mum.  Did you see me?'

'It was not about being brave.  You could have been run over by a car and got really hurt, even die.'

'Oh Mum.  That's ok, then I would be in heaven and Jesus would send you a new Jack.'

(Gobsmacked by a 4 year old)

'But Mummy would miss you so much.  You must promise me never to do that again.'

'Aww..ok Mum.  Don't worry Jesus would look after you.'

How can you be angry with that?  I have told my son not to fear death.  He knows where he is going is better than where we are now.  God has confirmed it in his heart.  He knows it is true. 

I want my faith to be this black and white.  I am no longer content with half believing God's word. I want to believe it all, and God is teaching my by  his Holy Spirit to no longer doubt.    More and more God is impressing upon me the importance of our unwavering faith.  God cannot move in our lives if we continue to doubt his promises.  Will you be bold enough to trust him and believe no matter what it costs you?  Our family's journey is not an easy one, but I wouldn't change any part of it.  For it is through our trials that we have learned God is the only steadfast thing we know.  All else may fall apart around us, but he remains unchanging, his love never wavers.  It is the reason I love and live each day.