Tag Archives: Bible

Know the Truth

Posted in Family, Motherhood, My thoughts, Nature, Thoughtful Thursday by

Happy New Year to all my readers. Everyone wants to win the lottery. Everyone would not refuse money. I am offering you today something that is better than fine gold and it is free.


I’ve started reading from my daily Bible again. A little bit of scripture every day. Why not start the New Year with reading from the scripture. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

I have studied at university but I didn’t find out the truth about how to live on the earth with others. I studied about history, nature and gained much knowledge. My first essay was on the Origin of Man. My teachers were denying the truth that God created man and woman and that they were created in God’s image. They tried to tell me we evolved from apes!

I am on day five of reading the Bible. There is so much basic truth for life on the first chapters of the bible. God spoke to me when I read Genises 1 forty six years ago. I learnt that God who created the heavens and the earth made me in his image and told me to increase and multiply. God blessed me with fourteen children and twenty five grandchildren since I read that word. I received faith when I read those words.

I can assure you that if you pick up a bible and start reading it God will speak to you through the words you read. You can start anywhere. Your mind will be renewed.

Our countries in the west are proud of their universities. They are sources of knowledge. Poorer countries are envious and would love the opportunity to go there. But our centres of learning fill us with more knowledge. God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of good and evil. They disobeyed. We are descendants of Adam and Eve. We are full of the knowledge of good and evil. We are gods in our own mind. We feel we don’t need to submit to anyone. We know what is good and evil.

When I open Facebook I see advertisements for how to live better, loose weight, look younger, heal yourself, eat this, don’t eat that. The best way to live is by doing it according to God’s will and not our own. Not by might, not by power but by His Holy Spirit.

One can live on the earth but if we don’t submit to the One who is God of gods and Lord of lords we will not have eternal life. Read the Bible and you will get to know the truth.

Study the Bible. From the mother at home, the factory worker, the prisoner to the lorry driver you can listen or read the Bible as you work. There are so many ways of accessing the bible, radio, cds, pod casts etc.

I found much of the truth I know about child rearing and healing from reading the Bible, a little every day. Start your new career today by reading the Bible for yourself in this New Year. I’m giving you a gift that is better than fine gold.

Writing Down

Posted in My thoughts, Prayer by

It’s the last week of school for children here in Northern Ireland. University students have finished their year’s study and have finished their exams. Then comes the waiting time. Will I pass my exams? Will I get the grades I need to get to further education or get the job I desire?

I was blessed to have to opportunity to get a good education. I obtained a degree at university fifty years ago. I got a job as a teacher. I had reached the top. Many young people across the world would love the opportunity I had.

I got married and had two children. Should I go back to work as a teacher and earn money and pay someone to look after my children? My heart was not in going back to work. I wanted to care for my children. I soon realised that getting a degree at university did not prepare me for being a wife or mother.

Something was going to happen that changed my life forever. Brendan and I would spend time in our local pub at the weekends. Every Saturday night someone from the Salvation Army would come into the pub and he would sing a Christian hymn. He would leave behind some Christian literature. The publican called for order when the Salvation Army man would speak. He respected the messanger who came to his pub every weekend.

This same publican gave me my first bible. I began to read it. I couldn’t leave it down. I started on a new course of education. I began to write down significant words that applied to my life. One that stood out for me was Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life.

Down though the years I have made many notes. I have shelves full of notebooks. Brendan calls them my rewrites. I was listening to a program on a radio station this morning. The speaker shared the importance of writing down by hand what one reads from the bible. It’s a way of remembering and letting what it says sink into my heart. This confirms to me the importance of what I have been doing for years. The Word of God has become my teacher about life. It is indeed true that Jesus is the way the truth and the life.
To be continued.

It’s Good to Remember.

Posted in Family, My thoughts, Nations, The Poetry, Thoughtful Thursday by

I wasn’t that interested in history at school. I did not have any favor with the history teacher. I have since learned the importance of learning about the past.

My favourite history book is the Bible. I love reading it. It tells the history of mankind. Man is created in God’s image. God gave us guidelines on how to live together. He gave marriage for man and women to enjoy. He gave marriage for children to be born and raised with parents to care for them. It tells the genealogy of one family in particular, Abraham’s family, covering many hundreds of years till the coming of one of his descendants, Jesus Christ.

It is a love story. It shows the care and kindness of God who looked after mankind. He blessed Abraham’s descendants even though they didn’t always thank or appreciate Him. Yet He forgave them and waited patiently till they responded to His love.

It is a thriller. The Bible records battles and wars. Men going to fight their enemies. The good news is when the people fought God’s battles they always won because God was with them. Joshua and the tribes of Israel always defeated their enemies when they followed God’s guidance. None of David’s soldiers died in battle. They always won their wars.

Today we remember the men and women who died in the First and Second World Wars. Many millions died from the nations. They died in the fight against evil.

On Sunday I was listening to an interview with two Jewish men who live in Ireland. My son was listening with me. He was not aware of what happened to ordinary families during the war; families like his own. Young men like him went to fight in the war.

I told my son that people in Europe were living at ease before the world war. They were enjoying prosperity, music, theatre, eating and drinking. They did not honor God or care for the poor and needy. Sounds a familiar scenario of our society today. . Revolution occurred in Russian and Germany. Leaders rose up and controlled their countries killing many of their own people who didn’t agree with them.

Telling the story of the Holocaust of six millions Jews and others who were killed during the Second World War helps one realise what evil mankind can do. Many millions of Christians and soldiers died in the war. It’s good to remember today the people who have lived and died before us for us to enjoy freedom

My generation was born after the Second World War. I did not have to suffer the hardships of people who lived during those years. I did not know that part of history. We have lived at ease. We have had good health care, plenty of food and clothing, good housing and free education. We have had it so good. We have become selfish. We don’t want to make any sacrifices.

Another holocaust is happening in our prosperous nations today. The law allows developing human beings to be killed in the womb. The innocent are being sacrificed instead of the parents making sacrifices to have their young. This is the new evil one needs to fight against.

Let us learn from history the consequences of war, hatred and selfishness. Let us do good to others who need help. Let us fight our spiritual enemies. We are sure of victory if we fight The Lord’s battles like David and Joshua did.


Don’t Be Despondent

Posted in Family Friday, My thoughts, Prayer by

Strangford Lough waters were like a mirror early today.  The boats, newly parked in the bay below, are still. This morning I read these words from the Bible.
Proverbs 15 v 15
For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

These words shook me out of feeling heavy laden and down. I looked up the meaning of despondent in the dictionary.  Dejected, sad, depressed, disheartened, lacking hope or courage.
One can be despondent because of unhappiness due to difficulties that you think will not be able to overcome.
I was prone to despondency and despair before I had cancer. I definitely got depressed and it deepened. Situations in my life seemed insurmountable. But God saw me and had mercy on me. He healed me from cancer.
I can’t afford to let myself get down or despondent. This word this morning shook me. I want to have a merry heart and a feast instead. I have so much to be thankful for.
Another scripture says ,
“Do not be downcast. Hope in God for I will yet praise him.”  I began to thank God for all his blessings.  I got washed and dressed. I decided to go out in the beautiful morning and let the cobwebs blow away. The warmth of spring is here. I praise God for life.

Jesus Cried Out, ” If You Are Thirsty Come To Me.”

Posted in Cancer, Dreams, Healing, My thoughts, Restoration by

Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, celebrated by Christians all over the world.  We remember when the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples in the upper room, in the form of tongues.  The Holy Spirit gave them power to go out into the streets to speak boldly about Jesus being the Messiah who had been crucified only days before.  The Holy Spirit  is the Living Water that I am referring to in the following passages.

Isaiah says 
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! 
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭1-2‬ NIV)

I believed this word in the bible.  I came to Jesus without money and without hope and he has provided for me down through the years.

In Jeremiah 17 The Lord is referred as “The Living water.”

Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water.

When Jesus was nearing the time when he was going to leave this earth, he spoke these words.

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds,
“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. (John 7:37-39 NLT)

Jesus, when he was talking to the woman at the well said,
People soon become thirsty again after drinking this water ( from the well).
But the water I give them takes away thirst all together. It becomes a perpetual spring within them giving them eternal life. (John 4 v 13, 14.)

Jesus is still appealing to us loudly, “Come to me to receive living water and you will not thirst again.”  

In my Spirit I want to shout out, Come to Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit.  He will lead you into all truth.  I went to church today.  The numbers of people there are dwindling.  They don’t know that Jesus can give them refreshing.  He is alive.

It is by the power of the Holy Spirit I am rearing fourteen children.  It is by the power of the Holy Spirit I am healed of Malignant Cancer.  It is by this power lives are changed and people get second, third and even more chances.  It is by the power of the Holy Spirit my children have been saved from danger.

Many people know what it is like to be drunk with beer or wine. They know the joy the drink gives. Their worries are forgotten and they feel free. They love their friends and the world looks happy. But next day where are the friends? Who can help with the hangover? Do I remember what I said or did last night. Fear and dread come in. The next weekend a friend rings and invites one out for another drink. One is thirsty again. The same cycle occurs. I have been there, done that.

Jesus gives us The Holy Spirit. We will not be thirsty again. No guilt, no regret, no hangover, no damage done, no death to relationships, no lies to cover up. Jesus is the Living water. He brings life, healing, forgiveness, no hangover, good friends who build you up, restores love and relationships.

Jesus cried out “Come to Me”. Let THE PERPETUAL SPRING flow out of your heart today. The joy of The Lord will return to replace the sorrow, sadness and sighing. That living water is within all of you.  Let there be water on your tongue instead of ashes.

The gift of tongues is to build you up, and who doesn’t need built up. Pray in the Holy Spirit at all times and you will not thirst again.

The locust has eaten enough years. The Lord is pouring his spirit out on all flesh. Flow again. Don’t be robbed of any more years.  In Joel, God promises to pour out his spirit on all flesh.  

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. 
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. (‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭28‬ NIV)
God promises to touch every generation.  He is moving in the next generation right now.

God who made the Moon and Stars cares for You

Posted in Cancer, Healing, My thoughts by

I looked out the window this morning.  It was still dark with the bright moon high in the sky and a star above it.  
I was reading Psalm 8 later.  This is what I read.

O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? (‭Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭1, 3-4‬ NLT)

The God of heaven who put the moon in place cares about me and you this morning.  He keeps all things in place.  The sun is not falling out of the sky.

A headline in the BBC News caught my attention yesterday.  A telescope has discovered new planets.
I quote from News.com.au, Science, Space.

“Three new planets, roughly the size of Earth, have been found in the ‘not too hot, not too cold — just right’ zone around their stars, significantly boosting the numbers of potentially habitable worlds.
And one of them may potentially be the most Earth-like yet discovered.
NASA’s Kepler mission early this morning made the announcement at a presentation marking the discovery of its 1000th exoplanet — the name given to worlds found orbiting stars other than our own. The results will soon be published in The Astrophysical Journal.
Each result from the planet-hunting Kepler mission’s treasure trove of data takes us another step closer to answering the question of whether we are alone in the Universe,” said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission.”

Man is discovering how vast the universe is.  But let man look for the One beyond the heavens.  He created the universe and there is no God like him.  He created us and cares for us.  He made himself know through Jesus his son who came on earth as a baby.  We just celebrated his birth at Christmas time.

All Christians pray the prayer Jesus taught us, “The Our Father.”
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be your name.

That means to thank God, honor him for who he is, praise him and magnify his works.  

I declare that God made the sun, moon and stars and all the universe, whether discovered or not yet discovered.  He is God yet he cares for mankind.

As I read about Moses, Daniel and other bible characters when they prayed they praised and magnified God for his power and works in creation first of all.  Then they asked for God to intervene in the difficult situations they found themselves.
I have discovered as I lift my eyes off my immediate circumstances and look up to God and magnify his works and power, then I find my worries seem small and He can take care of them and answer my prayer.

As I magnified who God is he reached down and touched me and delivered me from Malignant last stage Bowel Cancer

what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? (‭Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭1, 3-4‬ NLT)

The God who made the Stars is a Nurse!

Posted in Healing, Ireland, My thoughts, Nature by

There has been a full moon and a clear sky these past few nights in Bright where I live in Ireland.
I look up at the stars and I am amazed that God called each one by name.

He made all the stars—the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky.
Job 9 v 9

King David looked up at the stars as well and wrote

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” (‭Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭3-4‬ NLT)

God cares for the individual.  Even though he is Mighty he reaches down to our level to touch us.

In another Psalm it is written

“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!”
Psalm 147

Why is healing mentioned alongside the stars?

The God, who made the stars for everyone to see everywhere on the earth, is the one who heals the broken hearted and binds up our wounds.  

When anyone anywhere looks up at the sky and sees the stars he can be encouraged that the God who made them, will heal his diseases and heal his broken heart and care for him.

I was reading in God’s word that God cares for us like a gentle flowing stream.
“My care for the people of Judah is like the gently flowing waters of Shiloah.”
Isaiah 8 v 8

When I was in hospital waiting to through a long operation I read this word from the Bible.

The LORD nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. (‭Psalms‬ ‭41‬:‭3‬ NLT)

I took great comfort from this word and as a result I went into the operation without fear. God brought me through the operation safely and I was restored to full health.

Everyone wants to be in good health. You can have good health by trusting in Jesus. He will restore you to health when you are sick.

What a mighty God yet he will nurse us back to health.

I Never Thought I Would Be Writing Blogs

Posted in Cancer, Healing, Ireland, My thoughts, Nations, Travel by

Some years ago I was travelling home from America.  I was sitting beside a lady who was writing on a small computer.  She was making notes for a book she was writing.  I was returning home to a houseful of children to be reared and there would certainly be no time for writing.  Have you watched the film cheaper by the dozen?  The mother of the children wrote a book!  I wondered if I would ever write a book.  The only writing I was doing was jotting down notes about my daily readings from the bible.  My husband called them “My Rewrites.”  He teased me saying “Are you going to rewrite the bible.”

Ten years on, I was on my way home from Canada to Ireland.  What was I doing?  I was writing notes for my blog.  I would never have dreamed that I would be doing this.  With the quick advancement of technology over these last years one does not have to make reams of notes in books with a pen.  I can do much writing on my i Pad.  Brendan bought it for me on my last birthday.  As I sit to write, memories come flooding back to me.  The Holy Spirit brings things to mind.

I watched the movie “Julie and Julia”.   The movie was made from the blogs a young lady wrote.  I loved the movie, especially Meryl Streep’s acting.

I have resisted writing before.  I resisted thinking back to the past.  I did not have good memories.  I resisted writing letters to anyone because I wanted only to write if I had some good news to tell. I did not have the peace, confidence or courage before.  God promises he will make a way when there is no way.

I was embarrassed at first when I visited Canada.  Waitresses in the cafes were friendly and smiling.  People talked about having fun.  A husband would call his wife honey.  A wife would call her husband sweetie.  I was embarrassed.  I have never called my husband sweetie in my life.

Maybe the Irish are too numb from pain to express genuine love.  It can be embarrassing to hug someone you don’t know.  We can be sharp to tear someone down with our tongues.  I want to speak  kindly and be pleasant to others.  Very often we don’t say anything and retreat into silence because of fear of being rediculed or someone retorting in anger because they dont agree with your opinion.

There is a saying that goes if you can’t say anything good don’t say anything at all.  Perhaps trust is broken and one cannot be open again.  One puts up the defences to protect ones heart from wounding.

But God is healing my heart and mind of past traumas.  I can now look back and remember the good.  A friend has come back into my life this last week.  As we talked she remembered good times when we met together with our children.  More restoration and healing for me.

There is a Psalm that describes how I feel.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. (Psalm 126:1-6 NIV)

The Moon will Shine as Bright as the Sun

Posted in My thoughts by

 

Last night, the fifteenth of April, at seven thirty my daughter called me into the kitchen.  Outside low in the sky was a full moon.  It had a glow around it like the colour of the sun.  It was the Lunar Eclipse.  This glow lasted as the moon rose higher in the sky.  My neighbour said, “It is like the sun rising!”

Image

The area we now live in called Bright.  It is well named.  The sun and moon rise in the east behind our house.  The sun shines all day and sets in the west at the front of the house.  If there are no clouds in the sky we have sunshine and warmth all day.  There are no trees, houses or mountains to cast a shadow.   I awoke through the night.  The moon was shining.  It was not dark outside.

I am reminded of the passage from the bible,

The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted. (Isaiah 30:26 NIV). 

Yesterday the sun shone all day.  It was brighter than normal.  I believe these signs are showing me that God is healing and restoring me and our family.  It indeed is the Year of The Lord’s Favour when we are being healed of wounds we don’t even know we have.  

This promise is not only for me but it is for you.  It is the Year of The Lord’s favour for you.  Call upon The Lord and he will hear.  He is near to the broken hearted and those who are downtrodden.  

We remember Jesus death on the Cross this week.  He died and shed his blood to set us free from sin, sickness, curses, oppression of the devil and restore mankind to wholeness.  Believe and receive Jesus and he will make you whole.  

I am healed of cancer.  I made a choice to believe that Jesus could heal me and I received it even against what the doctors said.  I was in a place of hopelessness, brokenness and despair when I had cancer.  He is now healing all my family from all these things and is restoring them.  We do not deserve this, but God wants us to receive his mercy, goodness and blessing so I can tell you about Him.

When Ibrofen and Paracetemol could not Help me when I had the Flu.

Posted in My thoughts by

 

One has highs and lows in life.  When we returned from our holiday in Jerusalem we hit a low.
 
Thursday the twentieth of February I was laid low with the flu.  My husband had not been well for a few days and had complained of aches and pains.  I had not been very sympathetic.
For three days I was aching all over and had a temperature. I took some paracetamol and ibrofen.  They did not agree with me.  I felt even more wretched.  My husband was sympathetic and comforted me as he knew how unpleasant this flu was.  I needed his reassurance.

 
I was fearful during this time and felt very vulnerable.  When one is weak one’s fears come rushing in.  Despair took a hold of me.  Would I get better.  I was not thinking reasonably. I appreciated my family who visited and prayed for me to get better.
 
In the moments in the night I lay awake and reminded myself how God had helped me before.  I remembered some of his promises.
 
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16 NIV)
 
The next day a friend sent me a text.  It was another Psalm,
 
Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. (Psalms 41:1-3 NLT)
 
This word really comforted me.  I just relaxed into God’s arms and let him care for me when no one was around.  When one is sick one is not in control.  I could not be independant.  I needed others to help me.  I needed a kind word of reassurance.  
 
I read this Psalm many years previous when I was awaiting surgery for a knee injury.  The words were balm to my pain at that time.  I came through the operation and was restored completely then.
 
Psalm 1 v 2 says Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 
 
I believe what the bible says.  I read it regularly.  It is like bread to my soul.  So when I was sick I was able to remind myself of God’s promises and claim them for myself.  This is faith, believing what God says he will do and wait for him to do it, not doubting.  He will do the same for you.  Believe what you read in the bible and God will bring it to pass.
 
Yes I did despair recently when sick. I doubted if I would get better.  Despair is an evil spirit that makes one hopeless and sad.  It makes one think things will never change.  It has been an enemy of mine.  Before I was diagnosed with cancer I had lost hope that things would get better in my life.  But God is good.  He did answer my prayers and renewed my hope and healed me.
 
On Sunday my husband was praying for me and I realised I was suffering from despair.  I refused to think that way and I rebuked this spirit.  I chose to believe that I will be healed.  I got a breakthrough that afternoon.  We were invited out for dinner.  I enjoyed a lovely comforting home made dinner at a friend’s home.  I have been feeling better and getting stronger since.
 
I know I need to continue to meditate on God’s Word to nourish my soul and continue to Praise and Thank Him.  As I have said before from John’s gospel I can nothing without Jesus.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NIV)
 
My iPad sat lonely for a couple of weeks.  My chair sat empty.  My room in which I write was quiet and cold.
 
Praise God I am healed and writing again!