Posted on by Loretta · 2 Comments

New life

My youngest woke Saturday morning to a frost and wanted to go on an ice walk in the garden.

While in the garden although there was not much ice to see, I did notice new life popping through in nature. Shrubs starting to spring green leaves. Bulbs poking their leaves through the ground. Flowers hiding in buds. And fungi forming out the side of a pot.

A lot of people will have said at the beginning of the month that they will have made a resolution for a better lifestyle.

However in reality as people we do not need to wait till spring or new year to have new life in us. We can accept a new life any time.

The moment we accepted Jesus as our saviour we were receiving new life. The moment we rose from our baptism pools we had a new life. It didn’t matter what the time or date was. We received new life.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

As Christians, we always seem to say that we are going through a season. However whatever the season God is changing, developing us and bringing us new life.

We just need to be mindful and pray for wisdom in our lives. As we bud and flower in our new lives, weeds can also grow and take hold. We need to keep them at bay.

Whether we are in a place of needing new life, wanting a new life or happy with our life as it is, we need guidance from the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit keeps us in the armour of God. The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and discernment when we ask. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us. We need the Holy Spirit to stay in our new life. The Holy Spirit  keeps weeds away so we can bud, blossom and be fruitful for God.

The cherry on the cake. When we have a relationship with Jesus and our days on earth are over. He is waiting in heaven to embrace us into new eternal life. 

Dear Jesus 
Please keep us close living with you in our new lives. 
May your Holy Spirit lead us, so we can bud and bloom. 
Help us to share your gospel, spreading the good news. 
For we long to be fruitful bringing others to your kingdom. 
Yet sometimes we struggle in this task. 
Just let us be bold and daring for you, in sharing your story of bringing new life. 
Amen.
Posted on by Loretta

Live in the moment

My husband is a huge Jeremy Camp fan and was listening to some of his music at the weekend. Keep me in the moment was playing and as I was squallingly singing along when the line ” Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me” really spoke to me.

Like many others I really believe that God has something special in store for our family this year. God has broken so many chains for us over the last couple of years and it feels like the last hurdle to climb is in sight and we are nearly at the finishing line.

However in all our plans, ups and downs I wonder how much of God’s goodness I am missing out on by focusing on the one goal.

I am not saying dreams and looking to the future are bad but if they are still in my head and not in  reality yet what am I missing out on by not living in the moment.

 oh Lord, keep me in the moment

Help me live with my eyes wide open

‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me

Singing oh Lord, show me what matters

Throw away what I’m chasing after

‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what you have for me

Jeremy Camp

It is good to have dreams and believe God will get us there but we have to live in each moment with God whatever that looks like.

We need to make the most of each moment. Conversations over coffee, hugs and wiping each other’s tears. Sharing the love, laughs and smiles while we can. These opportunities we do not want to miss.

We can have the world in the world’s eyes but if we do not share Jesus with friends, families, colleague’s and strangers we are missing out on something  very special.

Let’s be wise with our precious time and ask God how we can use it wisely and not miss a single important moment. 

Dear Jesus 
Let us live each and every moment with you. Let the spirit guide us showing us what we need to do. From enjoying your creation to fellowship with others.  
Let us know when to hug, when to speak and when to rest. 
What ever the path let us follow and never miss a God filled moment here on earth. 
Amen
Posted on by Loretta · 2 Comments

No new heroes needed for 2022

Over the holidays I watched the new James Bond movie. No spoilers, but as the end leaves things wide open, it got me thinking. Does the world really need another hero?

We may all be heroes in our own way, helping and saving individuals in distress but when it comes to saving the world we already have the hero we need.

JESUS

Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever. We need nothing else.

As we start 2022 and look forward to a more hopeful and better year ahead. Are we looking for a person to save us from everything we are running from in 2021?

That person is here. The issue is people mock and turn their backs from him because their answer from him doesn’t match their own!

Instead of looking to your own powers, fantasies or the government to complete your 2022 dreams, look to the baby whose birth we have just celebrated.

Life is never promised to be easy. But we are promised that we do not have to be a victim of our circumstances. In Jesus we have a hero that frees us from shame, fear, poverty, addiction, sickness and much much more if we just let him in.

If it is the only thing you do in 2022, make sure you search, ask, seek and commit to the only hero the world needs, Jesus. The transformation will be life changing and possibly world changing!

On the silver screen
Heroes are plenty 
Saving the world
With imaginary powers 

In reality 
Our hero does exist
But many prefer imaginary ones
Not wanting to believe 

The hero already exists 
We need no other 
A supernatural being 
Who has already saved the world

To be saved
All you have to do 
Is accept Jesus
And live for him each day

There is no other hero
No more are required
Just the son 
Who became one of us

The hero who loves us so
Takes away all sin
No shame in us
Just freedom

Our hero has set us free
To live in joy, 
Peace and hope 
Each and every day