A DOSE OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM MY HEART TO YOURS

Honestly speaking, the journey of the Christian is not all fun and games. Sometimes you will just want to put your head under a pillow and cry your heart out, and other times you will wonder whether God has given you a blackout!

I have recently gone through a challenging period, and during this time, God spoke to me in his own way, at his own pace. It has not been an easy ride, but I have learned that God is always close by, even when I don't feel His presence.

Below are a few verses that have gotten me through this tough period. I hope and pray that these words will encourage you in your journey.

1. Are you facing a situation that seems too big for you to handle? A giant-sized problem, perhaps?

Psalm 118:6-7 "The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the LORD is for me, he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me." (NLT)

2. If you are going through a period of darkness where you cannot see any light ahead, this verse will encourage you.

Psalm 27:1 "The LORD is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?" (NLT)

Jesus is your light in the darkness, and he will protect you, just as a fortress protects one against the enemy!

3. Perhaps you are too scared to sleep at night, and you fear what the night has in store for you?

Psalm 4:8 "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety." (NIV)

4. Do you feel like God is far, far away, and that he cannot hear your cries? Do you know that if you keep on looking for him, you will find him in all his fullness?

Jeremiah 29:13 "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." (NLT)

Keep on looking for him; he is right there waiting for you to find him.

5. Discouraged? Weak? We have all been there, right? The point where your heart is tired, and you don't have the strength to trust – is the point where God steps in.

Psalm 73:26 "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." (NLT)

6. Sometimes I feel confused, and I wonder who around me has the right answer. During such periods, it is difficult to hear God's voice, isn't it?

2 Samuel 22:31 "God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection."(NLT)

Focusing on HIS promises always sets me back on track, and points me in the right direction. After all, these promises come from our faithful God!

7. Help! Help! Where do I get help when I need it so desperately?

Psalm 121:1-2 "I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." (NIV)

My help comes from the LORD, the one who made heaven and earth!!! How encouraging!

I hope that the verses I have shared above will encourage you not to lose faith in God even in the hard times.  I pray that when you finally get out of the rough patch (and you will), these words from Psalms will be on your lips.

Psalms 13:5-6 "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD's praise, for he has been good to me." (NIV)

Missed our last reflection? Here it is - LOOKING FOR THE ‘RIGHT' ONE?

Another topic, perhaps? WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?

ARE WE CONDEMNED TO BAD LEADERSHIP?

Today's reflection starts with a personal vent. I am tired of the way this country's leadership is treating its citizens. People are starving, and those who have access to food can barely afford it. Clean drinking water is a luxury in arid areas, yet it is a basic need for survival. The culture of selfishness is deeply entrenched in our government, rather than the culture of service and selflessness. Think about it – why do you have to pay a bribe to get a basic service?

Why am I venting? I'm venting because the people ‘up there' are not affected by drought, water shortages, cost of living, joblessness, poor market conditions and lack of health services. They do not feel the pinch at all!

Dear Church of Christ, we have two choices. We can sit back and watch our country go to the dogs, or start praying for our leaders. God is waiting for us to call on him to change things in our government.

Hold on - why should we pray for our leaders?

1 Timothy 2: 2 "Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity." (NLT)

If we pray for our leaders, they will do things the RIGHT way, and we can all live in peace!

So, what should we pray for?

1. Pray for God to guide the hearts of our leaders.

Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases." (NLT)

Although God has the power to control the hearts of our leaders, he requires that we pray and ask him to do so. Get on your knees and pray for God's will to prevail in the actions of the leaders around you.

2. Pray for the leaders to submit to God.

Every leader must recognize that God put them in power. The guiding verse for every leader should be;

John 3:30 "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. " (NLT)

If you listen to some of the leaders' utterances carefully, you will note that they are full of themselves. Pray for each one to remember where they started from, to acknowledge who put them in power, and to look to God for guidance as they lead.

3. Pray that our leaders treat us the way they want to be treated.

Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would like them to do to you." (NLT)

Many leaders forget that they cannot lead forever and that they will one day go back to regular status. Every leader must, therefore, treat those under him with the respect that they deserve. Note that leaders who treat their people well are spoken of fondly and treated with respect even when they are no longer in leadership.

4. Pray for our leaders to rule justly.

Proverbs 16:12 "A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice." (NLT)

If you firmly believe that our country is not founded on justice, pray. Pray for our leaders to gather the guts to stand up to injustices and fight for what is right. Also, pray that those in influential positions will say no to corruption. Pray for our leaders to set an example of integrity for the rest of the nation, no matter what it takes.

Proverbs 29:4 "A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it."  (NLT)

Pray for the restoration of justice and righteousness within our leadership.

5. Pray for wise leaders.

Every leader needs wisdom to make decisions that are in the best interests of the citizens. God's wisdom is, therefore, something that every leader should desire. Pray for our leaders to realize that they need God's wisdom to help them succeed in their endeavors.

Proverbs 11:14 "Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers." (NLT)

Do not forget to pray for the people who surround your leaders; the ones they turn to for advice.

Back to the title – are we condemned to bad leadership? Yes, we are, if we do not do anything about it. If you are already in leadership, the points above will show you how to be a leader who pleases God. If you are an ordinary person like me who believes in the power of prayer, get on your knees and pray for your leaders. 

The future of this country lies in our hands.

Did you miss last week's reflection? Here it is - It's time to grow up!

Interested in reading about something else? Check this out - Life Lessons from the Ant

THE SPARROW

THE SPARROW

Have you ever seen a sparrow? I am sure you have seen them. They are tiny birds, with a dull and bland colour. A sparrow is the kind of bird you would easily ignore because it doesn't stand out. Jesus referred to them several times in the scriptures. 

Jesus knew that people in that era had no time for sparrows. They would be chased and eaten by cats and birds of prey, tormented by children and treated like common pests by adults. The sparrow was a symbol of insignificance. In Luke 12:6 we read the following words about them; "What is the price of five sparrows - two copper coins?" (NLT) The sparrow was so insignificant that if you went to the market to buy four sparrows, you would be given one free! 

That is not all that the book of Luke had to say about them, though. Luke 12:6 continues, "Yet God does not forget a single one of them". Now, see what the next verse says. 

Luke 12:7 " And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a flock of sparrows."(NLT)

There are similar words in the book of Matthew.

Matthew 10:29 "What is the price of two sparrows -  one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are numbered. so don't be afraid, you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." (NLT)

Jesus was trying to make a point here. The sparrow, despite being as insignificant as it was, was still important to the Father. The Father had an enormous universe to take care of, yet he still had time to remember every single sparrow He created.

Do you ever feel like a sparrow? Insignificant, unloved, and ignored? Do you feel like things are not working out for you, like the sparrow who is always being chased by people and animals? There is good news. If God has time and space in his heart for a sparrow, he has the same for you. The Bible says he knows the exact number of hairs you have on your head.

As you start a new week, remember you have a Father in heaven who cares for you. He's watching over you and taking care of every detail. The next time you see a sparrow, think about how God loves that little bird, and how much he loves you as well.

Have a great week!