Today’s journal (Strength) – 08 November 2019

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (Psalms 19:1-2)

This is one om my many favourite verses. The night sky declares the glory of God and the universe shouts out His existence. It is amazing to know we worship a loving and merciful God that showers us with grace every day. I have looked at that night sky so many times and so many times have I gotten that extra little confirmation that He is with me.

I am in the fitness world and strength is something we deal with on a daily basis. Strength to do one more rep or to push a heavier weight. Each ounce of our strength is directed at the exercise, we are busy with. Finally, all the strength and effort you put into will reward you with results. You gain muscle or you lose weight or whatever your goal is. 

But strength in our spirit is something way different. You see the enemy wants to break you emotionally, because it has a lasting effect. Exhaustion can be short term whereas emotional exhaustion can lead to depression. The enemy is a master at manipulating and lying. He loves to dig up the past and to gossip and hurt, but mostly hurt you on the inside. You see we can see physical pain, but we can’t see the pain we have inside. The struggles we face each day and the world that continuously work to break down moral values. 

How do we overcome emotional exhaustion? The answer lies in the heavens. You see we are not strong enough. We cannot carry the burden of emotional attacks on our own. We need help. Believe me I have tried, and I have failed. Pride is not a good thing; it is a worldly idea that distances us from God. Put your pride away and listen. Jesus did not just give His life so that we can have a fairly tale life, He gave His life so that sin has not more hold on us. The first step here is to understand that your strength comes from God. It flows through us like an unstoppable river with no end and no beginning. This power is there, you need to accept it. When you accepted Jesus as your saviour you accepted the fact that you are an unperfect person needing a perfect God. You accepted that you cannot do it alone, you need to put those worries in God’s hands. You accepted the fact that with God all things are possible. So, when you reach that point where you just can’t take another step, fall down to your knees and look up at the sky above you and know that your strength comes from God and His strength is unlimited. Stand up and fight on, because life is a mere moment and life with Jesus is forever.

Have an awesome day. 

I love you, my friend in Jesus.

Cheers

Today’s journal (Forgive) – 07 November 2019

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

It has been a while since I have written to you, my friend. I do not know if you saw the movie “I can only imagine” portraying the life of Bart Millard the lead singer of the band MercyMe.

Now first off MercyMe is one of my favourite bands and I love their music, but the story behind the song is absolutely amazing and a true reflection of how God can change a person. I have written so many times about forgiveness but when I saw that movie it felt as if I still have no idea. Forgiveness and by that, I mean real forgiveness. The kind that not only sets you free, it completely transforms you. Out of immense and deep pain comes the purest and most astounding forgiveness. Jesus said that you must forgive seventy times seven each day. I know hurt and loss and suffering can build a rock like heart and tough skin. I know years of neglect and abuse can make people unforgiving. I know how unforgiveness can burden us and just keep on hurting. It is not easy and believe me forgiveness is not something you should take lightly. Jesus said that how can we expect the Father to forgive us if we cannot forgive. How do we do that when that pain is so deeply rooted that we ourselves do not see it anymore. We just carry on each day and we just keep doing what we do to protect what is left of the person inside that rock. 

When I get to that point (and it happens a lot) where you just feel the world collapsed on you and you have nothing left. That moment when it hurts everywhere, and you do not even know why. That moment is when I see that cross and my saviour hanging from it. It is in that moment when I look up to that cross and I hear Him say “It is done”. He overcome this world so that we can be free from it. Transformation is never a quick fix and brokenness does not heal over night, but it can heal, and it can transform. We are quick to forget the power of prayer and faith. With faith you can move mountains and with prayer you can sink the enemy. Healing, forgiveness and transformation takes time, but you have to start it. You do not have a spirit of fear, you have one of power. Letting go and forgiving is unbelievably powerful, but it goes hand in hand with prayer. You are not alone, and you must always remember that. Come with me as we forgive, love and heal one soul at a time. Jesus gave His life for you and in the same way He gave His life for each one of us. 

Have an awesome day. 

I love you, my friend in Jesus.

Cheers

Reflections of faith (Clear) – 10 May 2019

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

I have not written in some time. I am so busy with my business and my work and all the other things going on in my life. I think the enemy has cleverly devised a plan to keep me so busy that I can’t share my thoughts with you. In the midst of all of this I have seen my God so clearly that I still stand in amazement by the wonders of His hands. God has been so visible in my life the past few weeks and how He fills me with courage and peace is just amazing. He truly blesses all that I do and all that I am. I know that I am nothing without Him, so I live to be the best I can be for Him. My one desire is that my reflection in this world should reflect the wonders of His love and grace. I have gone through challenges and I seen pain and fear, but what I have gained is so much more. My relationship with the Lord and my trust in Him has grown into something great and I see it in my kids. I virtually live in grace in every moment of every day. He is my strength and He is my salvation. When I look at my past, I do not see the pain, but instead I see the cross and the forgiveness that I have in Him. I may seem lost, but in fact I am so much stronger. I am more because of Him and I am loved. I can call myself a child of God and that is so amazing. There may be still places in my life that needs healing, but the process is well under way. I am in Him as He is in me and the knowledge of the God that lives in me makes me courageous and fearless. He is my wisdom and He is my light and my path. I walk in faith.

Have an awesome day. 

I love you, my friend in Jesus.

Cheers