Recently I read an article by someone who had climbed Mount Everest. Some things struck me about their journey.

They encountered someone struggling on their way - they did what they could to help, but supplies were to a point where they could not give anymore, without jeopardising their own safety. At which point they shouted to the person, 'Fight for your life, fight for your life!' I was relieved to read they had made it back down the mountain again to safety!

I'm learning that there are times when I can lean on others, the journey feels too hard, and I have no strength to hold my arms up. I'm thankful for the people in my life who have held my arms up when I had nothing more to give. There has also come a time, where I needed to dig deep myself, to persevere, to seek God, like I've never seeked him before, and to literally, fight for my life.

More and more I'm being challenged that it's what I do with what God has given me that matters, it is the moments of intimacy with Him that count, not necessarily the public, Sunday morning me.

Every step towards Him is a step towards the fullness of life He has promised, and will fulfil in my life. Each wrong step or distraction, is an opportunity to stop, take stock and adjust course again, back to the goal ahead. I do not need to linger in the place where I put a wrong footing, but simply adjust course and keep climbing and keep fighting.

I'm so thankful to God that He is the one teaching me and guiding me through it all, and that my climb is never done alone, even at times when there is seemingly no other people in sight.

Here is song for you today!

I have been a Christian a little while now but I'm still learning and God still has to remind me of a thing or too.

I was listening to someone speak recently and it struck me that I've not had a conversation with God for a while.

You see, I try to regularly speak in tongues, pray, say thank you to God and so on. But I don't often try to just speak to Him.

If I don't speak to Him, why should I expect Him to speak to me?

I felt convicted and in years gone by I would have felt extremely guilty too. But…

'The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.'

Lamentations 3:22‭-‬23 (ESV)

So. Instead I felt grace and mercy.

So, tomorrow is a new day. Chat to God. Give Him some of your time. And enjoy His fresh mercies and constant faithfulness in it!

Be blessed

Trust in God

I have been listening to this song which in part is based on the verse below...

"I sought the Lord [on the authority of His word], and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears."

Psalms 34:1‭-‬5 AMP

The funny thing is this was a Psalm written after David had acted insane to save his own life, but he praises God saying he sought the Lord; this comforts me very much because I feel that issues in life can sometimes make me feel like I'm going crazy *BUT GOD* is always there with me.

He never leaves me no matter where I am or what I'm doing and proof of that is in the verse below written by Paul, who also went through some very insane things for the love of Christ.

For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38‭-‬39 AMP

Be encouraged today and praise him for he is with you no matter where you are going or whatever you are going through HE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH...

The 10k race is happening today in Caerphilly so there is no official church gathering this morning but there will be some members of Love Caerphilly running the race. I am sure lots of us be out cheering them on.

Sarah shared in lifegroup on Wednesday how she remembers as a little girl running in schools sports day and someone on the sidelines shouting at the top of their lungs "Go Sarah Go" it gave her such confidence and she remembers it to this day.

So this week I encourage you to encourage those around you. Cheer and spur one another on. You never know what truly is happening in someone's mind and heart. An encouragement at the right time could change their day, week, year or life.

Hebrews 12:1

So, we have learned about many people who trusted God long ago. They are like a very big crowd all round us and we should copy their example. We must be like people who run in a race. We must throw away everything that stops us from running well. The sins that we do make us fall down very easily. We must not let those sins rule us. God has prepared the way that is in front of us. We must continue to be strong while we run along that way. We must choose to run that race well.

Philippians 3:14

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.