Clean your spiritual lens
Sunday 28th October 2018
'Be clean, you who bear the vessels of the Lord.' Isaiah 52:11 NKJV
We need to clean our glasses, windows and windscreens regularly in order to see out of them clearly. And the same is true for our 'spiritual lenses'. The lenses we're looking through determine what we see, and how we see it. When we look through the lens of envy, we lose sight of our blessings. When we look through the lens of judgement, we speak and act without mercy and grace. When we look through the lens of fear and unbelief, we limit God and don't experience everything he has for us. When we look through the lens of selfishness, we put ourselves first and our loved ones suffer. When we look through the lens of negativity and cynicism, people avoid us because we're not enjoyable to be around.
The Bible says: 'Be clean, you who bear the vessels of the Lord' (Isaiah 52:11 NKJV). We need to be cleaning our attitudes, perspectives, hearts and minds regularly. How can we do this? By asking God to show us: 'Search me, God, and know my heart...see if there is any offensive way in me' (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV).
If we're focused on God, through prayer, reading his Word and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus (see Hebrews 12:2), our perspective on life is kept correct. We see what we've been blessed with, we remain hopeful through the trials and we become more like Jesus.
So what now? Clean one window of your house (or more if you're feeling productive!). While you're cleaning, ask God to show you where your spiritual lens needs cleaning.
Promises for challenging times (1)
Monday 29th October 2018
'The word of our God stands forever.' Isaiah 40:8 NKJV
We all face challenging times. Sometimes they are inconvenient, and we get through them easily. Other times, they threaten to entirely swamp us. But whatever we go through, God's promises to us remain unchanged. For the next few days, let's remind ourselves of some of the promises from his Word.
When we need God's help and strength in our lives, let's remember: (1) 'Weapons made to attack you won't be successful; words spoken against you won't hurt at all... I, the Lord, promise to bless you' (Isaiah 54:17 CEV). (2) 'Never again will you fear any harm...The Lord your God is with you...He will...deal with all who oppressed you' (Zephaniah 3:15-19 NIV). (3) 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged...with us is the Lord our God to help us' (2 Chronicles 32:7-8 NIV). (4) 'My soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him...he is my fortress, I will never be shaken' (Psalm 62:1-2 NIV). (5) 'Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4:6-7 NCV). (6) 'I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us' (Romans 8:38 GWT).
So what now? Which of those promises do you feel God's saying to you right now? Write it down and fix it somewhere you'll see it regularly, like your bedside table or on the fridge.
Sunday 28th October 2018
'Be clean, you who bear the vessels of the Lord.' Isaiah 52:11 NKJV
We need to clean our glasses, windows and windscreens regularly in order to see out of them clearly. And the same is true for our 'spiritual lenses'. The lenses we're looking through determine what we see, and how we see it. When we look through the lens of envy, we lose sight of our blessings. When we look through the lens of judgement, we speak and act without mercy and grace. When we look through the lens of fear and unbelief, we limit God and don't experience everything he has for us. When we look through the lens of selfishness, we put ourselves first and our loved ones suffer. When we look through the lens of negativity and cynicism, people avoid us because we're not enjoyable to be around.
The Bible says: 'Be clean, you who bear the vessels of the Lord' (Isaiah 52:11 NKJV). We need to be cleaning our attitudes, perspectives, hearts and minds regularly. How can we do this? By asking God to show us: 'Search me, God, and know my heart...see if there is any offensive way in me' (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV).
If we're focused on God, through prayer, reading his Word and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus (see Hebrews 12:2), our perspective on life is kept correct. We see what we've been blessed with, we remain hopeful through the trials and we become more like Jesus.
So what now? Clean one window of your house (or more if you're feeling productive!). While you're cleaning, ask God to show you where your spiritual lens needs cleaning.
Promises for challenging times (1)
Monday 29th October 2018
'The word of our God stands forever.' Isaiah 40:8 NKJV
We all face challenging times. Sometimes they are inconvenient, and we get through them easily. Other times, they threaten to entirely swamp us. But whatever we go through, God's promises to us remain unchanged. For the next few days, let's remind ourselves of some of the promises from his Word.
When we need God's help and strength in our lives, let's remember: (1) 'Weapons made to attack you won't be successful; words spoken against you won't hurt at all... I, the Lord, promise to bless you' (Isaiah 54:17 CEV). (2) 'Never again will you fear any harm...The Lord your God is with you...He will...deal with all who oppressed you' (Zephaniah 3:15-19 NIV). (3) 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged...with us is the Lord our God to help us' (2 Chronicles 32:7-8 NIV). (4) 'My soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him...he is my fortress, I will never be shaken' (Psalm 62:1-2 NIV). (5) 'Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4:6-7 NCV). (6) 'I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us' (Romans 8:38 GWT).
So what now? Which of those promises do you feel God's saying to you right now? Write it down and fix it somewhere you'll see it regularly, like your bedside table or on the fridge.
Hey everyone! Let’s lift up 
God bless!
Hello everyone! Let's lift up 
ἔρχομαι in Jesus' name.
Let's lift up 
**Prayer Warriors!** Let's lift up 
