What we think and believe dictates what we do, what we say, how we behave. What we feed our minds with is important!

Ephesians 5 says,” …Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word…” To be holy is to be set apart. When we were saved, we were set apart from the world and our minds were washed by the word that was preached to us – the truth on which we believed. But “washing” is an ongoing process – we don’t only wash once in our lives! If we do not wash, we do not remain clean, so washing our minds is an ongoing process that must be done regularly and often, or we will easily succumb to deception and lies.

When was the last time you really reminded yourself who you are in Christ, according to the word? The last thing the enemy wants is for you to stand confident and unafraid! So, what does scripture say about who you are in Jesus?

I am saved by grace, through faith… Ephesians 2:8
I am a new creation in Christ… 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am the righteousness of God in Christ… 2 Corinthians 5:21
I am God’s handiwork… Ephesians 2:10
I am an heir of eternal life… 1 John 5:11
I am Jesus’ friend… John 15:15
I am redeemed from the curse… Galatians 3:13
I am more than a conqueror… Romans 8:37
I am blessed with every spiritual blessing… Ephesians 1:3
I am a saint and a member of God’s household… Ephesians 2:19
I am a loved child… 1 John 3:1

Ephesians 1:3-14 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.

With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment – to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.”

Take time to meditate on these truths… a few words at a time.

Praise the Lord, who has restored us to the place of sonship (yes, even the ladies – for the son was the one who inherited!) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs…” Romans 8:14-17

Be washed with water through the word and have CONFIDENCE in all that has been bought for you at the cross!

Father, I believe your word is truth and it washes me clean. I KNOW who I am in Christ Jesus!

If you’re familiar with either The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy or Dad’s Army, you’ll know that the most famous quote from both is, “Don’t panic!!” But what happens to you when something alarming and unexpected happens? Do your stress levels rise as your mind works overtime exploring all the possible (and worst) scenarios? Do you have that horrible feeling of tightness in your gut that makes you feel sick and anxious and desperate? And, if you do, what can you do about it?

I remember when I was a new Christian, our cell group leader’s teenage son had not yet come home from an after-school sports event. Our group was arriving at their house and it was 8pm – they were becoming concerned! My first reaction was let’s go look for him. His parents’ reaction was let’s pray together and put the situation in God’s hands, THEN go look for him. I was concerned about wasting time and eager to go, but their experience told them that God is faithful and they could trust him to keep their son safe and guide us, since David could be anywhere between school and home, a distance of about 4 miles, or somewhere else entirely! No cell phones in those days!

So we prayed, then set off, all taking different routes to the school. His mum and I drove together, scanning pavements and side roads and, as we approached the school gates, suddenly we saw him standing at the bus stop outside! He’d been waiting for over two hours but the bus never arrived! When we said, “It’s getting dark, weren’t you scared?” he said, “No, because I knew you’d come.” That was a big lesson to me, both in the power of prayer and faith!

Do we know with certainty that someone will come and rescue us when we’re alone and the darkness is closing round us? David had complete faith in his parents, but they had put their faith in God, rather than their own strength, to keep their firstborn safe from harm. The Lord never leaves us nor forsakes us. There is no “might or maybe” about it – He WILL be with us! Always.

Do you recall a time when you were overwhelmed by fear? Sudden bad news, a loss, a poor diagnosis, a financial disaster, a crisis in your marriage or family…? Are you facing something now?

Do you know that the Lord is your strength, your shield, your defender, your strong tower, your fortress and refuge in times of trouble? He stands with us and for us.

Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you. Deut 3:22
Do not be afraid of them because the Lord your God…will be with you. Deut 20:1
Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. Deut 20:3
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut 31:6
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deut 31:8
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Josh 1:9

These are just a very few of the encouragements that God gives in his Word. Even as he was talking then to Moses or Joshua, in the old testament, his Word speaks to US today because he is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Do not be afraid, put your trust in the God who delivers you.

Picture this…

You are floundering in the ocean. You have no boat, no point of reference. You have no idea how you ended up there or how deep the water is, but you’re way out of your depth, overwhelmed by fear, and you’re drowning.

Suddenly, you catch a glimpse of someone – a rescuer! You try to grab hold but he’s just out of reach. You start to panic and thrash about, but instead of coming to get you, he waits. Your strength is all but gone… you cry out! Then, as the water is about to close over your head and you are lost forever, strong arms take hold of you and a voice whispers in your ear, “Be still. I will save you.”

In your exhaustion, all you can do is let go and stop struggling. You tried everything, but you couldn’t save yourself.

And now you’re moving through the water, but you can’t see where you’re headed. All you can do is be at rest and feel the arms supporting you and know that as long as you remain still and trust your rescuer, he will take you through this “sea of troubles” to safety. He said he would. It’s what he does…

How many times do we try to save ourselves from all sorts of situations and feel overwhelmed with fear, as if we are about to drown..? Jesus is the only one who can save us, who never lets us sink, who moves at just the right time when we’ve exhausted our own efforts and finally look at him. He is right there, so close, waiting for us to let him BE our Saviour. It’s not just what he does – it’s who he is…

Does anyone else find the LED headlights of some newer cars absolutely blinding and downright offensive?!! The other night I was driving on a country lane and literally had to stop and put my hands over my eyes as I was so dazzled! I’d flashed my headlights briefly, in case their main beam was on accidentally, but no – the blinding searchlight continued to approach. Just as well there was nothing behind me but, nonetheless, that’s a dangerous situation to be in.

As I drove home, I reflected on how God’s Word (Jesus) is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. He walks beside us and illuminates our way, keeping us safe on the narrow path. The world wants to stop us in our tracks, dazzle us so we can’t see where we’re going and then leave us lost in the darkness!

This article so eloquently says what we don’t always see until someone points it out to us!

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/are-you-in-a-real-relationship-with-god-or-just-going-on-a-bunch-of-first-dates

I like getting bargains in our local charity shop and had a look round recently as they had put a lot of Christmas stuff out. One of the items I bought was a little bag containing four wooden letters which stand up individually to spell the word LOVE. Or so I thought!

At home, I got the letters out and put up the L and the O. As I looked at the two remaining letters, I couldn’t work out why I had N and E left and no V! I thought, how silly, did they not realise it had the wrong letter in it? I can’t put these letters up spelling “LONE”!! It must have taken me a full minute to realise they were supposed to spell NOEL!

I did have a chuckle at myself but it got me thinking. I had made an assumption about what was in the bag. I then assumed it was someone else’s fault that my expectations were not met. But however you look at it, it was all in MY mind and nothing to do with anyone else!

We often think we know what’s going on, what people are thinking, why they behave a certain way or say what they do and that nothing is ever our fault or responsibility. But it’s our PRIDE that puts us and our feelings at the top of all other considerations and makes us assume we must always be right. We need to change our way of thinking – then we might be more often patient, kind and loving and less often cross, upset or disappointed!

Romans 12:2-3 NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Watched the whole film on Amazon Prime today. Very thought provoking!

I just read a Halloween themed advert for Sky TV which says, “Are you afraid of the dark?”

My answer to that would be no, but I would be afraid if there was an absence of light! Where there is light, darkness cannot co-exist! Light always overcomes darkness, since darkness is not a thing in itself but an absence of something else.

Having said that, I have a sense that “Darkness” (should I capitalise it?!) is currently doing its best to push light out of our lives and society! It will never win! Even the teeniest flame from a lit match can be seen for a very long way in a completely darkened setting.

John 8:12 ESV
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:14-16 ESV
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus says both he AND his followers are the light of the world. Our job is to shine until he returns, to hold the darkness at bay, to OCCUPY! He is coming soon and, after the Church is removed from the earth, a darkness, as never before experienced, will take hold.

If you do not know Jesus, please come to him before it’s too late and all that is left is the darkness. Come as you are, he has already paid your debt. But hurry!