August 2010

My Provider

But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19

Finally our long-awaited vacation was due, and the four of us were excited that we would spend it under the Spanish sun. After a two-hour flight the plane landed, we rented a car, and drove off to barcelona. We circled around, looking for a place to park our car so we could eat something in the nearby McDonald's. My husband, Martin, sat at a table to secure the space for the rest of us, while we went to select the food. Martin had gathered our passports from immigration at the time of our arrival and had forgotten to return them to us. As we returned to our table I saw Martin searching around, looking for something, and he looked very pale. We were shocked to learn that his bag which he had put down right beside him had been taken. He recalled a woman sitting down beside him. Soon after she left he noticed that the camera bag was gone too.

We went to the police to make a report stating that our documents had been stolen so that we would have something to show to the airline on our return home to Germany. The report would serve as replacement for the actual documents. We didn't want to ruin our vacation so we set aside the problem and had some fun. After a short while we headed back to the airport. Our airline wouldn't let us board the plane without passports, neither would they honour the police report with all the stamps on it. Another airline accepted the report, but even after they reduced the price for our sake, we were still 50 Euros short. We kept praying, asking the Lord to solve our problem. In my despair I went to show the agency my purse, which was already empty. But as I opened it up, there was a neatly folded 50 Euro bill- just the amount we needed to buy our tickets to fly back home. We couldn't say a word. We just looked at each other and the tears started to flow. We don't know how the money got in there because my purse was completely empty! For us one thing is sure- God had shown again a miracle to His children who trusted in Him. He provides for our needs in times of trouble.

O Lord Jesus, thank You for looking after our needs. You are worthy to be praised!

June 2010

A message to the youth
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Psalms 32:8

After the Christmas period is normally a relaxing time for people as most are motivated and excited for the New Year ahead. But for those who are studying, the reality of exams slowly creeps up on their conscience. Anxiety builds up as well as fear but this is a time as Christians that our faith is tested. Once one truly knows that they have revised sufficiently, asking God for guidance and his help throughout the testing period, then success should be on its way. Exams are over for university and college students, however for secondary students GCSE’s are still continuing. I would like to remind you that through Christ anything is possible, just wait to hear God’s answer which may be no, wait or yes.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:4-7

A message to the world
Through life we travel a journey which may be confusing, we feel depressed and troubled or saddened or vengeful. But God is always there whenever we feel he has deserted us, we are just being tested. When we eventually see the path Christ has lead for us and we travel down that road with a grateful heart, God will say to us ‘well done my good and faithful servant, welcome home.’ I just want to share some words of encouragement with you throughout the rest of the month. Some of us have lost loved ones, jobs, houses, families, trust or even our faith’s  but there is a balm in Gilead called Jesus who will supply our needs and make us stronger in Jesus name.

Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, 
courage to change the things I can, 
and the wisdom to know the difference

Lead Me (Susanna, John and Charles Wesley)
Preserve me from all those snares and temptations
which continually solicit me to offend Thee.
Guide me by Thy Holy Spirit in all those places
whither Thy Providence shall lead me this day,
and suffer not my communications with the world
to dissipate my thoughts,
to make me inadvertent to Thy presence
or luke warm in Thy service.
But let me always walk as in Thy sight, 
and as one who knows this life 
to be the seed-time of an eternal harvest.
Taken from "Hearts Aflame"
Michael McMullen 1995 
Triangle Press

March 2010

God..... Always Answers Prayer

 

When the idea is not right God says "No". No when the idea is not the best. No when the idea is absolutely wrong. No when though it may help you, it could create problems for someone else.

 

When the time is not right, God says "Slow". What a catastrophe it would be if God answered every prayer at the snap of your fingers. Do you know what would happen? God would become your servant, not your master. Suddenly, God would be working for you instead of you working for God.

 

Remember: God's delays are not God's denials, God's timing is perfect. Patience is what we need in prayer.

 

When you are not right God says, "Grow". The selfish person has to grow in unselfishness. The cautious person must grow courage. The timid person must grow in confidence. The dominating person must grow in sensitivity. The critical person must grow in tolerance. The negative person must grow in positive attitudes. The pleasure-seeking person must grow in compassion for suffering people.

 

When everything is all right, God says "Go". Then miracles happen: A hopeless alcoholic is set free! A drug addict finds release! Diseased tissue responds to treatment, and healing begins. The door to your dream suddenly swings open and there stands God saying "Go!"  

Dr Robert Schuller

February 2010

Praise Adoration from the Heart

 

Praising God is not something that comes naturally to anyone. Praise runs an aggravating interference pattern against your nature. Occasionally, praise feels more like a duty, an obligatory lip service performed at the opening of prayer. With persistence every believer can learn to praise God in all things.

 

Praise is your best weapon against Satan. When you praise God you are showing the heavenly hosts, powers, principalities, demons of darkness, and angels of light that your great God is worth of praise – no matter what your circumstances. Praise produces victory, and victory evokes praise. The process is cyclical.

 

Genuine praise must flow from your heart even during times of sorrow, discouragement, trial, and temptation (Ps.42:5). The praise of His people brings glory to God. What a privilege it is to bring God joy!

January 2010

3 Reasons to love JESUS!

Jesus loves you! He desires to have a relationship

with you, and to give you a life full of joy and

purpose. Why do you need Him in your life?

 

1.  Because you have a past

You can’t go back, but He can. The Bible says, ‘Jesus Christ the

same yesterday, and today, and for ever’ (Hebrews 13:8). He can

walk into those places of sin and failure, wipe the slate clean and

give you a new beginning.

2.  Because you need a friend

Jesus knows the worst about you, yet He believes the best.

Why? Because He sees you not as you are, but as you will be

when He gets through with you. What a friend!

3.  Because He holds the future

Who else are you going to trust? In His hands you are

safe and secure – today, tomorrow, and for eternity. His Word

says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you…plans for good

and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those

days when you pray I will listen’ (Jeremiah 29:11–13 TLB).

If you’d like to begin a personal relationship with

Jesus today, please pray this prayer:

 

Lord Jesus Christ,

I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask your

forgiveness and now turn from everything which I know is wrong.

Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins.

Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with

me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.

If you have made this commitment and would like to make contact

with a local Christian (UK and Republic of Ireland only), or if you do not

feel ready to make this decision and would like further help from a local

Christian, please e-mail: communications@myholloway.org