Frances Blog

Frances Message 20th April

Good morning,

It is hard to believe that in less than two weeks I will be home..

God has done so many wonderful things in such a short space of time and as I reflect on it all this morning several things come to mind..

God’s timing is always perfect
Psalm 31 verse 14 and 15 says

But I trust in you O Lord, I say You are my God My times are in your hands..

We often struggle and strife trying to accomplish things in our own strength, with our own timeframe in mind.. But often all it leads too is added stress and pressure in a life that is out of balance and sync with God..

Psalm 31 ends with this verse
Be strong and let your hearts take courage all you who wait for the Lord..

We are not good at waiting…
We live in a world that is now now!!

Here waiting is a part of everyday life..an occurrence that at times for me is like an endurance test.. I have had to physically wait for hours at times.. Even slow my pace of walking, my talking, my cooking..
But in all this waiting did God not show up and do it anyway!!!!!!

In His time… Abundantly more than I could imagine…

So a big lesson is being learnt by myself….

Today as I again find myself waiting.. God gave me this verse..

Exodus 33 vs14
My presence shall go with you and I will give you rest..

As we wait… We have an opportunity to just simply lean in on God’s shoulder and rest in His arms…
To press the pause button and just BE in His presence

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My thought in general for today as I reflect..

I can expect to be loved but I can’t make anyone love me…

But who can stop me from loving, when I choose to love.

In times of struggle and distress I can expect to be comforted and encouraged but I can’t make anyone do it…

But who can stop me from giving comfort and encouragement when I choose to do it..
The word I so small but so big in our world..

I want….
I need…
I desire…
I demand…

As always as I prepare for to preach God’s word He never ceases to challenge me first

Frances Easter Message

As we reflect in the cross coming up to Easter I am reminded of all the important lessons Jesus gave us.
It was not just about the amazing gift of salvation but it was so much more. These are some of the things God is teaching me

1. Forgiving those who hurt us (as Jesus did as He hung dying)
2. Reaching out to others even when we are suffering ourselves (as Jesus did to the criminal hanging beside Him) it is often when we reach out to others God ministers to our own heart.
3. Taking care of those who depend on us (regardless of Jesus suffering He was not blind to Mary’s need to be looked after. Jesus was always more concerned about others than His own needs.
4. In difficult times direct the hard questions to God. Jesus poured out His heart as He felt abandoned by His Father. God is the one who can pour His healing balm into a breaking heart.. Even if we don’t get the answer we want He always sends the answer that is in our best interest, so we can trust Him.

May God challenge us as we reflect on the cross this Easter, I know I will learn more.

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