There are roadworks on my way to work, with an abundance of traffic cones. At one junction where I stop, I noticed a traffic cone had been thrown amongst a group of plants and these plants were about 8 inches tall. As I looked at the cone, I noticed one of these plants sitting on top of it and my first thought was: ‘why would somebody dig up one of those plants and place it on top of the traffic cone’?

Then I realised what had actually happened; the plant wasn’t withering, it was alive and vibrant! The cone had been dumped on it, and rather than give up, it had looked up and seen light through the hole at the top of the cone and gone for it, growing over two and half feet to push through and then bloom. That plant was now the tallest in the area.

A traffic cone is used to restrict and control traffic and how often will people and circumstances dump on us to attempt to flatten, restrict and control us. But when we look up and pursue the light of God’s reality there’s strength to grow in the toughest circumstance and come out on top!

It’s interesting to think, that that plant would have been lost amongst all the others, if it had not been for the cone. An enemy thinks they can flatten, restrict and control, but God has this amazing way of causing us to actually grow much further through the challenges thrust on us. The defining factor is our choice to pursue the light of his presence or not.

Whatever your situation today, may you get a glimpse of His light, pursue it and don’t give up, for He works all things together for your good and his plan is to bring you through stronger!

An encouragement to us all to feel and be secure in this life.

The day we asked Jesus to be Lord of our lives a covenant (promise) was made to us by God and Jesus.

Jesus - Hebrews 7:21“The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow:

25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save[e] those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

Heb 6:

17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

An unbreakable promise to us! Be confident and feel secure.

Let's put this promise on like a coat today and every day.

God's loves you! 🙌💕

Jez exhorted us all on Sunday in the meeting to be all in with God, to live whole-heartedly for Him.

Off the back of that I just want to encourage you (and myself) to be whole-hearted in our faith, to give our all to God, to love Him and seek to know Him better, to obey Him and above all to trust Him. He is good, all things are possible with Him and he cares for us. Here's some Bible verses to encourage us in this....

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me." Matt 16:24

Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. Luke 10.39

"There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matt 13:45-46

When God and His plan for us is first above everything else we become more who we were designed to be. We become more of a blessing to everyone around us and they are able to see God's love shining through us.

If we put God first...

Above our spouses

Above our friends

Above our work, what needs doing

Above what we want

Above our fears

Above making things happen

Above what we think and feel

Above what society says is right

Above everything...

He will pour out his blessing on our lives and take care of all those things and people for us.

We also grow ourselves; becoming more loving, patient, kind, good, gentle, merciful, joyful; a city on a hill that shines out for all to see, salt and light in this world, healing for the nations... we become unstoppable!

God placed the scripture below one morning which left me with some questions and an encouragement hope you will be encouraged too...

Now when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and when he lowered his hand [due to fatigue], Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy and he grew tired. So they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and one on the other side; so it was that his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed and defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Exodus 17:11‭-‬13 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/exo.17.11-13.AMP

The scripture struck me to ask the question why Moses had to raise his hands and why would that determine the course battle if God could win it/won it already? Why did the scripture say they found a ROCK and that he had brothers on either side holding his hands up?

Sometimes the battles we face seem long and relentless, and while in the fight we can get tired & weary so much so that praying/praising can feel a difficult task. "BUT GOD" did not leave us without hope, He gave us a ROCK on whom we can stand on and brothers and sisters who we can stand with, to keep the posture of praise (arms raised).

God has won every battle and every fight, He conquers them all. Let us therefore be encouraged to continue praising Him that we may see the victory for ourselves, in ourselves. On this journey I am encouraged that if any of us feel tired, we have brothers/sisters in Love Caerphilly whom to walk with, pray with and PRAISE with.

For we are on firm (ROCK) foundation and we are more than conquerers.

Be blessed.