You are NOT your own.

Picking up the story from Exodus 5 that I briefly touched on in my post entitled in the face of adversity (link below) https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3482641210446131940/7378710360550077638 For some context Moses had been to Pharaoh to deliver the message given him to say to the King, " let my people go, to worship me". In response the work load was increased and the people complain bitterly, Moses is distraught... Moses returned to the Lord and said, “ Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.” Exodus 5:22‭-‬23 NIV I can hear myself asking the same question " Why " as I am sure that many of us do. We want to understand. However it's not only of wanting to understand, but we are actually grieved, how could you let this happen ? Don't you love me ? We feel that we are entitle...

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8‭-‬9 NIV In keeping with the theme I find myself currently. I seem to find that I am hitting hard walls or barriers on every side.  The job front seems so frustrating, no offer yet except for scams to try and swindle money out of me.  Applying for a PDP permit is still proving a challenge to get an appointment online, can't get a slot at the local office.  Tried to fix the car so that I could use occasionally in need, sent to repair a crank shaft seal, turns out that the rear seal is the major problem and that needs to be replaced more urgently. However the cost is currently prohibitive to me, lol another brick wall.  It's unsettling not having a job, place to stay (more permanent) and having a place to settle down.  My view is that where God chooses to give me a job, is where I will put down roots...

This one is quite challenging but God is good, and I trust in his strength I am able to apply this. Are there areas where you feel God is not doing what you hoped for? Sometimes we can subconsciously develop the equation: God's commands + my obedience = only good results. Ask Moses, he must have felt frustrated in Ex 5, it only seemed to make Israel's lives harder, after he was reluctantly obedient to God's call.  It can be confusing when we feel that we have followed God's commands, either in general or specific, and the outcome is not what as we expected.  In a sense this happened to me recently, when I decided to own up to my stupid actions that led me to lose my job.  " All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. Sophocles" I felt prompted to be honest and face the music as it were, this was what I felt the Lord was asking me to do, and many of my friends agreed it was the only biblical way to handl...

I just want to remind you how special and unique you are. I saw and formed you long before you were conceived. I fashioned your whole body, the arms, legs, face, eyes and hair. I loved you deeply then, and still do now.  I have always had a plan and purpose for your life, and if you trust me, I will fulfill your deepest desires.  Yes I know your faults and failings, but that's not how I see you, they don't define you, I as your creator and father have the privilege to do so. Recall the days of youth, carefree and barefooted pleasure, in shorts, shirt off enjoying the warmth of the sun?  I want to take you on adventure like that once again. A refreshing cool swim in the lake, a huge smile on your face. The sunlight reflects, glinting off the gently moving waters. The squishy mud between your toes, face and eyes bright with expectation, the breeze gently caresses your unkempt hair. Taste and see that I am good, better than peaches and cream. More glorious than the fragrant ...

There is that saying, that what you watch you hit! Then there is this scripture reference below. In one of my latest blogs (Deny Who) I related to a decision that I took to uninstall two apps that were causing me to be distracted from the purposes of God. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:2 NIV Obviously the opposite is also true, I have found that I have relieved a certain amount of pressure from my life by taking this decision. When I engaged with the applications my focus was on my struggle and how I felt different to other guys, I found it highlighted the issues and gave them to much airtime in my thought life etc. On a prayer walk to church recently I was reflecting on the difference of that quality decision has made in terms of freedom from the pressure I felt previously. My focus was changed.  I also realised that it wasn't only because I was no longer subjecting myself to the issues that made me feel different, but I was actively look...

Often I find that I have a heart to reach out to the marginalised, isolated or people that appear ostracised, the misfit, socially excluded, the outcast and those who appear to be on the outside looking in.  They remind me of the lepers in biblical times, they were rejected, and had to declare that they were unclean and dress accordingly, living out of the camp, separated from family or normal life, certainly not free to participate in society, forever keeping a distance. Viewed with disgust and disdain, fear and suspicion, sinfulness was assumed and condemnation was their portion.  Have you ever felt rejected, secluded or marginalised, separated, like you were on the outside looking in, longing to be included and accepted?  Sometime later lepers had to carry a bell to announce their presence, everyone knew you were unacceptable.  I too have felt like I had a similar condition and isolated from mainstream acceptable society, like I have a warning sign of my sinful na...