Dear Bible Readers, we have just witnessed a profound week in the life of our nation, with the very sad loss of our Queen. One of the overriding senses of the nation is the realisation that someone who was so constant and unswerving in their commitment has now gone, despite the feeling they would always be there as a constant in our lives.

Again we are all faced with the reality of our mortality, the devastation of loss and the uncertainty of the days ahead, but when I read my Bible, I find a God who is unfazed and able to take what little we think remains and do something awesome.

Moses was raised in the palace of Pharaoh, as a Prince, yet he lost it all and ended up in the dessert with just a staff in his hand. God said to him ‘What have you got in your hand?’ That insignificant staff in Moses’s hand became the instrument of God’s liberation of a Nation. Elisha the prophet at a time of national crisis asked a widow ‘What have you got in your house?’ and a tiny amount of oil and flour that she had left, turned into a great deliverance. Jesus, when faced with feeding five thousand asked ‘what food do you have’ and we know what just a few loaves and fishes in his hands did. Nehemiah and Ezra rebuilt the Temple and walls of Jerusalem with a mere remnant of a great nation with just the rubble of a devastated time. The stories go on and on.

The word remnant appears over 500 times in the bible, and the stories surrounding them speak of a God who can do awesome things with what little remains, when put at his disposal!

In Revelation, the church of Sardis was told by God to ‘Strengthen what remains’

Today I hear him ask ‘What have you got, that’s available for me to use?’ It doesn’t matter how small, time limited or insignificant we view it to be, He still has a great plan. Will we strengthen what remains by putting it at his disposal?

Hello wonderful family. Here is this week's encouragement to us all.

Keep it Simple!

It's too easy to to get sucked in, embroiled and caught up with the pressures and worries of life.

This morning I found myself stripping it all back to Paul & Timothy's encouragement to the church in Philippi.

Philippians 4:4 (AMP)

4 *Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]* ; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 *Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.* 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, *[that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].*

8 Finally, [b]believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, *think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].* 9 The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, *practice these things [in daily life]* , and the *God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.*

In verse 9 paul refers to what they've *learnt, received & heard & seen in him... Practice them.*

Rob and I have practiced this many times in life where we have gleaned from others who show strength in this ways that we have lacked.

Let's us continue to draw encouragement and be an encouragement to one another in these ways.

God is so good.

Annie 😊💕

https://open.spotify.com/track/2TmKgQy6If0wrPHtLKbmWp?si=__tQL7-7QhOu0uxoz8Wmkg&utm_source=whatsapp

He is still God

I've been listening to the above song on repeat and I believe at this time God wants to remind us *He is in it with us*.

I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].

Philippians 1:6 AMP

He is still God and some way somehow He will come through regardless of the political, economical or personal pressure that is infront.

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20‭-‬21 AMP

Be blessed, and may the song give you a different praise and stir your faith.

Read Gods word in a peaceful/sanctuary setting.

But Jesus would often go away from the crowd to pray in quiet places.

Luke 5:16

I know most of you are probably doing this already but God has been speaking to me of late about going back to reading a physical copy of the Bible. (I do listen and read the Bible on my phone, doing plans but I find I can get quite distracted not always concentrating on the Words being said). It's good to find a quiet place in the house and read in peace. A little sanctuary a little daily me and God time.

Jesus withdrew himself to have some quiet time with his Father and seek his will.

The World we live in can be quite a busy place so we need our homes to be a sanctuary of peace a place of refuge after the busyness of the day.

Wherever we are, we can spend time with God and bring him into our day, for example I find I can have quality time with God whilst travelling in the car on the way to work listening to worship music. But I find making purposeful quiet time with God has changed my life and my whole day.

If you have not picked up a physical copy of the Bible of late I encourage you to do so and get reading.

Be blessed and enjoy quality time with God ☺️