Carol Purves

For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. Psalms 50:10

I live a few hundred metres from Hadrian’s Wall, the remains of a Roman wall in the north of England. Because of the historical interest in the area, it is not allowed to build on the land, therefore it is given over to fields. The field I pass daily usually contains cows. I always think of this verse. Every animal belongs to God, as well as the earth we live in.

Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us and prosper for us the work of our hands – O prosper the work of our hands. Psalms 90:17

So often we call to God to ‘prosper the work of our hands.’ Maybe we don’t so often call to Him and say ‘thank you.’ He is always prospering the work of our hands and we don’t always realise it.

The body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:14

Because of increasing age there are various task at church which I am having to give up, but I need to remember that I am only one part and there are others tasks which I can do. Other people will be doing the things I used to do.

I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8

This was a text which guided me at one time in the past when I had a difficult decision to make. As I’m about to go to A and E with a serious chest infection I think the ‘ I know you have little strength’ applies to me right now.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

There are so many words of encouragement in the Bible that there is no need to go to mindfulness classes or talk ourselves into positiveness, just read God’s encouraging words.

My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness. 1 Corinthians 12:9

If we really think about this it’s a tremendously big statement. We often feel weak and inadequate to face the problems in life, but God can give us power to cope with anything.

When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flames shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

Life is sometimes like walking through fire. We can be suffering physically, mentally, financially and emotionally. But God gives us a promise, the flames will not consume us.

When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. Isaiah 43:1

There are times in life when we feel we will overwhelmed. But here is a promise from God; we just need to hang in there.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

When sleep is an impossibility, how about going through the Bible and counting how many times God says ‘Do not fear,’ or words meaning the same thing. Sleep is sure to come before you’ve finished, and you will be comforted.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

We all need something we can absolutely depend on and we know from bitter experience that we can’t depend on ourselves. We keep on mucking up.