Carol Purves

In these present time are we allowing our worries and concerns to overtake our thinking? We do not need to conform to the world and it’s standards. We need to lift our eyes up and live more by faith.

‘Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body , we are away from the Lord. We live by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:6-7

It’s not to difficult to be strong and courageous in short bursts, but with this virus we are in it for the long haul. We need to persevere and keep being unafraid. We look to God for our strength.

‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ Joshua 1:9

‘The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.’ James 5:16

We know the truth of this statement so why are we so reluctant to prayer. Sometimes we do everything but. We try self-help, consulting others and then come to prayer. Prayer should be the first thing we do. I am so bad at relying on the Lord in prayer, when I know His power and strength.

Was discussing with a friend yesterday that we might live for another twenty years or God might call us into heaven that day. What we do know is that God will care for us whether our time on earth be short or long. We can rest in that promise.

‘The Lord watches over the way of the righteous.’ James 5:16

As Christians we want to do God’s will but we need to know what that will is. This can only be found by searching, through reading God’s word, praying to Him and listening to what He has to say. Then we will flourish.

‘His delight is in the law of the Lord, That person is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields it’s fruit in summer.’ Psalm 1:2-3

We want to be blessed by God. We want His love and guidance in our lives. We can have Him in our lives more by talking to Him more, reading what He had written to us and seeing Him in everything because He is in everything.

‘Blessed is the one …. whose delight is in the Lord and who meditates on His love day and night.’ Psalm 1:1

‘I will instruct you and teach you in every way you should go. I will counsel you with My eye on you.’ Psalm 32:8

God knows all about us and cares. We need His instruction and His care. We can’t manage this life without Him. He has got His eye on us. We do not need to worry.

We are all getting older. Maybe we have felt it even more as we have been in lockdown. Many things that we depended on have been stripped away, especially financial support. But our God is so well capable of carrying all our burdens; He is able to sustain us, to carry us when we can’t support ourselves and rescue us from every ill.

‘Even to your old age and grey hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you, I will carry you. I will sustain you and carry you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

‘There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment..’ 1 John 4:18

God must love us so, so much. He still loves us when we fail again and again. When we mess up and forget him, he still loves us. I’m trying to work out how fear has to do with punishment! Some of the Bible takes so much thinking about.

Our future has always been uncertain, whoever we are. In the past we sometimes thought we were in control. These last few months have taught us that we have little choice over the future. It makes sense to trust in someone who is unshakeable and also knows all about the future.

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6