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Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. Acts 2:46

Our good friends Phil & Kim showed us a short film that their small group made, which was basically like a mini ad for small group. It was great! It had a backing track called “We’re all in this together” by Ben Lee and this song just got stuck in my head!!! It’s a month later and it still keeps popping back up when I’m thinking or praying about small group.

That little song holds a key truth to living our lives the way Jesus did – I know I’ve said it before, but I’m going to say it again – WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER! Jesus hung out with his disciples and they shared life with each other, the ups and the downs, the crowds and the quieter times.  We should do the same! I’m not saying we should only be in our little Christian bubble, NO! That’s not what Jesus did. But when we love our brothers and sisters in Christ, we share their trials as well as their joys and subsequently we are being witnesses of God’s love and provision. We cannot go solo as Christians, it wasn’t part of God’s plan. Jesus didn’t, so we shouldn’t fool ourselves into believing we can either.

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Acts 2:44

It’s in community that we are taken care of, encouraged, prayed for and loved. It’s also where we can take the besy care of others. That way we can share the load, enjoy life together and have real relationships that aren’t just based on a Weds evening bible study, instead being about on truly caring for those God has put on our path. As we love and serve within our group, we will also look out and want to bring others in to be loved and supported to. That way we are reaching out to the lost and the broken with God’s love and healing touch. Doing it together and making a bigger impact than we could ever do alone.

I don’t know where you are at with God or if you are in a small group or not, but I encourage you today, if you aren’t in a small group and want to feel more part of God’s plan, as well as having the opportunity to share life with others who want to share life with you, please do pray about it and consider joining a group at your church (or creating one if there’s not one at your church at the moment!).  If you don’t yet know God, go find some people who do and hang out with them for a bit. Ask them questions and see first hand what it’s all about!

May God help you to bless others with his love, and may you be blessed by Him as well as your brothers and sisters in Christ!

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

I’ve had a few conversations with people recently who are finding their walk with God a bit of a struggle. Perhaps it’s the winter blues, the thought of all that dark, cold weather. Perhaps it’s tiredness or perhaps it’s spiritual attack. Either way, we all know what the “correct Christian answer” is– seek God. Yet we all also know that sometimes it’s really tough to do this when we’re tired, fed up and don’t feel like making any effort at all.

So I thought I would give you (and me!) a few tips on how to beat the blues by seeking God!

Tip 1) Remind yourself that it’s not about feelings. I think this is the biggest trap we can fall into. Because we don’t feel “it” or feel like worshipping or feel like praying, we give up before we’ve even started. Feelings are unfaithful – God IS faithful! Therefore, let us trust in God & his Word more and in our feelings a lot less!

Tip 2) Remind yourself of the Truth in scripture. Pick out some encouraging verses of who God is and who you are in him (even if you feel it’s not true.. it IS true, so start claiming it).

Read them OUT LOUD, not in your head. The spoken word has power. Your spirit responds to the spoken word (faith comes by hearing) and you will find yourself being built up just by speaking out words of truth.

Try some of the verses below as a starter, but on a good day try to pick out some scripture for yourself so that when a bad day comes along you can look at your personal list on the wall/fridge/in your diary and read them out-loud to yourself and to God. Turn them around too, so you are talking to God through the scriptures and thanking him for his blessings…

For example:

Thank you Father God that in ALL things you work for the good of those who love you, who have been called according to your  purpose. Romans 8:28

Thank you Jesus that you promise that you are always with me, by the Holy Spirit, and that you will never leave me. Matthew 28:20 & John 14:16

Thank you Jesus that I can do everything through the strength that you give me! Philippians 4:13

Thank you Lord that you know the plans you have for me. Plans to prosper me, and not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Thank you Father God  that you have given me victory over sin and death through Jesus my Lord and my saviour. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Even if you don’t feel these scriptures and you actually just feel like your being a bit of a parrot, keep on going! You’re talking to your soul and feeding it with the truth, your also demonstrating to the enemy that you are choosing God’s word over his lies or your feelings. Remember that whether you feel it or not, God’s word IS the truth and it doesn’t change depending on where you are at or the day you have had.

Tip 3) Don’t listen to the lies! You know what the lies are – anything that speaks against the word of God. Anything that destroys rather than builds, anything that undermines who God is, what Jesus has done, or your relationship with Him. Choose not to dwell on these things. Like it says in Philippians 4:8, we should be thinking about whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy.. If it doesn’t fit into these categories, decide not to let yourself dwell in those negative thoughts. Even more so, don’t keep speaking them out over yourself!!! Just as the word of God spoken out-loud is powerful for building up, speaking lies over yourself has exactly the opposite effect.

Tip 4) God is always worthy to be praised. (Even if you don’t feel like it.) Pick a worship song that is easy and that you like (when you’re in a good place!) And sing it out loud to God.

Pick one that shows the greatness of God, or what he has done for you (rather than your response to him, which you may not think you can sing at that moment) For eg. “How Great is Our God” or “In Christ Alone.” And Thank God for being God! Thank Him for being constantly faithful, loving, compassionate and forgiving (even when you are not!). Thank Him that His mercies are new everyday Lamentations 3:23 (which means that even if we feel bad / fall into sin, he always has enough mercy to cover it all because of the blood of Christ, and He has the grace to give you a fresh start in Him every single day!)

Tip 5) Don’t give up easily! If you quote a couple of scriptures and attempt to sing a song and don’t get immediate results remember that although we live in a world that wants everything instantly, life really doesn’t work like that. (Just look at how awful instant coffee is! Yet people put up with it because they forget how good the real stuff is!). Press into God. Wait on Him and know that he’s listening to your prayers and he loves you with an unending love. Remember too that you may need to repent to get that connection back with God (esp. if you’ve been feeling negative as this can cause you to fall into sin more easily) Check your heart and ask for forgiveness, then go back and start again!

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15 (Amplified Bible)

This verse just jumped up and hit me. Okay, not literally, although if a verse could really do that, then this one would have !!!

Since becoming a Christian do you believe your walk has consisted of returning & resting in God, and your strength based on quietness and confidence in Him? Well I’m the first to admit that my walk has not been like that!

I don’t know about you but usually I feel more like I’m running and working in nosiness and worry. Why? Where have I missed the quiet resting place that God has for me? Usually I am just too busy rushing ahead of God rather than returning to him for rest.  I am too busy talking instead of taking the time to listen to that still small voice, I am too busy worrying instead of trusting God with it all, and putting my confidence in Him.

Sometimes (Okay a lot of the time…!) I need reminding that God can do perfectly well on his own. He includes me in his plan not because he needs me, but because he wants to share things with me and help me grow. He doesn’t need me at all. He doesn’t need me to be busy busy busy about His business. He’s got it all under control.

That’s why today he’s saying “return to me” Lindsay, don’t run on ahead. “rest in me” Lindsay, you don’t need to rush around all the time. He’s saying “hush…” quieten down your worries and all those thoughts in your head, put them to one side for a while and trust in me.  “Trust in me” he whispers again, and I will strengthen you. Then those worries will seem so small, because I am so big! Bigger than any concerns you may have, bigger than any jobs you have to do.  “Return and rest in me.”

Could God be saying the same to you today?

I think it’s time to step out of the whirlwind of life once again and to turn back to our father God..
And to rest.
And to trust.

In doing this we will be saved from thinking that the world revolves around us.
Saved from being sucked into “doing” rather than “being.”
Saved from being worn out and weary
Saved from losing sight of God in the busyness before us.

Thank you Lord that your ways are not our ways! Help us Lord to listen to your still small voice and to rest in you and return to you before doing anything else. Help us to follow your ways, instead of making up our own. Amen!

In our small group we have been going through the book of Ephesians. Last week we got to Ephesians 4 and it spoke to me again about how we are all “in it together” so to speak. God has put us into a church, or we could say, built us into his body, so that together we might use the gifts he has given us to bless, encourage and spur one another on to maturity.

Ephesians 4: 11-16
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Sometimes we can feel like we can “go it alone” with our faith, as if our faith is a private matter just between us and God. Even though this is partly true – each one of us should have that personal relationship with Jesus, and pray behind closed doors – we should also acknowledge that without other believers we won’t grow in the same way. Why? Because that’s the way God made us! God chose for us to be in his family, in His body, all working together to build each other up, help each other to stay on track, and to ultimately bring him glory!

We therefore need to see our purpose for being part of God’s church. It’s not just getting together on a Sunday morning to worship (which is important) and it’s not just about turning up to other meetings to receive what God / other people have to say (also important). It’s also about using whatever God has given us to support & encourage others, whether we feel weak or strong, ready or no-where-near ready!

This often works best in a small group setting where we can know each other better and be more involved in the daily lives of others. Small group is a fantastic place to start – ask God how you can help others in your small group! Yet don’t stop there! Ask God to point out people who are new / on the edges of church / not being supported by others and ask Him to show you how you can help them to take their next steps with God. Each and every one of us has a vital part to play in order that the whole body is united and held together. God has given us each other, so that each one of can be loved, supported and encouraged to keep growing and maturing in God.

You may think you don’t have any of the specific gifts listed above, or that God can’t use you yet until… but this is not true ! He has given you ears – therefore you can listen. He has given you arms, therefore you can give someone a hug if they are feeling down…And he’s given you so much more besides which you can use!!!

You may feel like you don’t have the “right” things to say, but you have the Holy Spirit in you who will help you and guide you. Remember that people will be blessed and encouraged just by you caring enough to take the time to listen and find out how they are doing.

As you start doing the small things in love, to care for another person, God will then grow the gifts you have, and give you more gifts so that you can continue to bless and encourage people in new ways!

God is so eager to give you gifts to bless others with! Just ask Him!

Bible gateway have recently published the top 100 verses that are viewed through their website. I was really interested to see what they were. I then thought that it would be good to send the Top 10 out to you guys to have a look too. Perhaps this week you could read through the top 10, see which ones you know and which ones you don’t and maybe learn one or two off by heart to encourage you in your walk with God?

Why not give it a go?!

John 3:16 : For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Jer 29:11 : For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Rom 8:28 : And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Phil 4:13 : I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Gen 1:1 : In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Prov 3:5 : Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Prov 3:6 : in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Rom 12:2 : Do not conform any longer 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.

Phil 4:6 : Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Matt 28:19 : Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.”- Deuteronomy 7:9

“God is God” – He rules & reigns over everything!!

God is “the faithful God” – we can trust him to never let us down

God “[keeps] his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his command” – he’s not ever going to turn his back on us or break any of his promises. He loves us and offers us salvation when we turn to him for forgiveness and choose to follow his ways.

Praise God that he is a Faithful, loving God who doesn’t change according to feelings and circumstances like we do. Praise God that he has promised us good things and that he will never let us down! Praise God that he has authority and power over all things and nothing is impossible for him!!

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.“ Mark 10:27

So if you are facing something which feels like an impossible circumstance or situation, !remember! – God IS God, God IS faithful, God loves you and will help you. With God all things are possible – even those that seem impossible for us.

Hold onto this truth and don’t give up asking God to help you, guide you and give you strength!

In fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 1Cor12:18

I just wanted to encourage anyone who feels like a spare part or a broken part or a part that’s still on the shelf. God wants you to know that you’ve been designed by Him and put in the right place for the right time. God has placed you where you are intentionally, it’s not an accident on his part or by some mistake you are doing what you are doing, or are going through what you are God through. God has a reason and a purpose behind it. God can use you where you are at, he can use you right now for his plans and purposes because you’re exactly the person he wants for the job he’s given you.

Whether you are a foot, an ear, a hand or a mouth, even if you feel like a tiny insignificant part and you’d much rather be like someone else or doing something that other people are currently doing. Do not be dismayed. God has arranged each and every one of us in his Church to make up the Body of Christ and he needs each and every one of us to make up his glorious bride.

You are just where God want’s you to be – so make the most of it – take every opportunity to be you and to do what you do best, and don’t waste time looking to the left or right worrying what others are doing, but instead fix your eyes on your Creator and he’ll show you where you fit – what he’s designed you for and who he’s designed you to be.

Praise God that he has an awesome plan for each of our lives and that none of us are a mistake!  We are all unique, perfectly designed by God for his plans and purposes!

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today. Hebrews 3:13

There’s a lot of encouragement going on in the bible, especially in the New Testament. God gave us relationships with one another, so that we might encourage others and be encouraged.

Personally, I think I can be a bit rubbish at encouraging people, usually I look at situations, things we are working on etc and I see many things that could be improved, always looking to suggest how we could do things better next time, but I don’t often stop to see all the things that went really well. I don’t often take the time tell others how well they did, or how supportive they’ve been to me or how helpful/kind/encouraging I find them to be. Yet, how will they know unless I tell them?

Doesn’t it make your day when someone says something encouraging to you? Wouldn’t you like to be the person that makes someone else’s day by being encouraging?

In Hebrews it says to “encourage one another daily” now there’s a challenge (esp. for me!!)

So this is my encouraging prayer for all of you (taken from 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Guest Bible Study by Adam White
While I was out running the other day I was listening to a sermon from North Point Community Church in Atlanta (USA). In this preach the pastor was talking about the amazing impact a kind word can have on someone and do we realise that what you say to someone today could have a lasting impression on their life. He gave an example from his youth but I can easily come up with many examples of my own where someone has said something to me which they probably forgot about five minutes later but have stayed with me for the rest of my life!The verse that was used to illustrate this was also a verse that I have pinned up on my wall at work:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29

This made me think: I can have such a huge impact in other peoples lives solely based on what I say to them. As I think about how I react to people, if I just said more positive things I could have such an uplifting impact on other people’s lives. How much better would it be if we built each other up more rather than always focusing on the flaws?The pastor’s challenge at the end of his preach was to ask God to bring someone to your mind for this week and go and say something to them to build them up. I am going to accept this challenge but I don’t want to just do it once. I want to go out there and build lots of people up. I know I benefit greatly from positive talk in my direction. I should aim to give it back more and more.

Don’t you feel like doing the same?

Isaiah 41:10 (The Message)

I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you. (v9)

Don’t panic. I’m with you.

There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.

I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.

I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

I love the Message translation of this verse in Isaiah, but do look up the verse in the NIV or whatever other translation you use, as this is just to give you the sense of what it being said, and isn’t a word-for-word translation. You can do this on www.biblegateway.com By the way, the “picked/chosen” bit is at the end of verse 9, if you are looking it up in other translations.

I love the way that the message words this verse, it’s like when you’re having a panic and you look around you and you feel like you’ve been dropped in it and you just don’t know how you are going to cope – this is the advice that God would give us.. “Don’t panic. I’m with you”

I can so imagine, when I start to panic and worry and take things on my own shoulders, God telling me “Lindsay, calm down, take a deep breath….it’s all going to be ok, I’m right here with you” And you know what? It’s true! He always carries me through!

The other line I really like is “I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you” Just think about that for a minute or two..

God

picked

me

Now I don’t think we can fully understand why and how we’ve been “picked” or “chosen” but the bible tells us we have and I believe the bible*! So, God says he has chosen us, he loves us and he’s not going to drop us. You have been picked out by God as someone who can bring him glory, someone who he looks at and says “she’s one of mine” or “he’s one of mine.” You’re a child of God, and by being so, God promises that he’s with you always and that you have nothing to fear because he’s your God. He says he will give you strength, he will help you, he’ll hold you steady and keep a firm grip on you to stop you falling.

What a wonderful God we have!

So when you feel out of your depth, when you face circumstances that threaten to shake you and make you fall, remember this verse. There’s no need to fear because God is with you, not only that, he picked you and hasn’t dropped you. He promises to help you, to give you strength and to hold you steady. God’s got a firm grip on you so no-one else will be able to take you from his hands or make you fall. You are safe, you are secure, you are loved by your father in heaven.

Read it again..

I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.

Don’t panic. I’m with you.

There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.

I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.

I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

(Isaiah 41:10)

Isn’t it great to be a child of God!! Thank God for the promises he has given us in this verse and ask him to help you to remember this verse for the times when you need it! May he give you that peace of knowing that he’s with you in all situations and that he has promised to help you and support you as you go through them.

* You can also check out Ephesians 1:11, Colossians 3:12, Romans 8:33, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 1 Peter 1:2, Luke 18:7 for more references about being “chosen” by God.