Reading through the new testament books or letters of the bible, Paul, Peter or whoever is writing, always say, 'may the Lord give you grace and peace'. God wants to give us his grace and peace in everything we do, in other words his unconditional love and power to do what we need to do, and more, and his peace that comes from trusting Him.

In my new job I've had the cosy, first week induction and now I'm out in the real world actually doing the job and I'm out of my comfort zone in many ways. Reading 1 Timothy 1 this morning, again Paul says, 'May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace'. I also read the scripture, where it says, 'For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.' I thank God He holds our hand and helps us like a parent with their child on the first day of school, when we are out of our depth, in whatever way, He is there.

I pray the same for you today, his grace and peace in all situations.

Recently, at work, I felt criticised and misunderstood by someone I normally have a great working relationship with.

Afterwards, I went into defensive mode, listing all the reasons in my head of how unjust it was!

Then God spoke to me from Hebrews 12. He said, 'Sarah, sometimes feeling pain isn't always a bad thing, if we learn to look at what is painful and what lesson we can learn from it.'

He reminded me that, we have two choices in how we can react in situations when we are hurting;

We can:

1. Look outwards & blame others

Or we can,

2. Examine ourselves & grow in love.

This quote I saw a few days ago sums it up really nicely:

“Make sure the things that hurt your heart work together to humble it - not harden it.” Morgan Richard Oliver

I would also recommend reading Hebrews 12, if this resonates with you.

A few days ago I went swimming and I was really out of sorts. My coordination was off, breathing out of sync. I must have looked a mess! I kept going but I was getting really frustrated. I was thinking about God and what to do. I heard this verse from Zechariah 4:6:

`Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.

I did not start swimming perfectly immediately! But. I did relax, think more upon God and at the end of the next length I felt more coordinated again.

God has used this example for me with my daily life and the issues I am going through currently. I'm thankful for His gracious reminders.

So, lean into God, do what you need to but it's not by you alone, we get to work through with the Holy Spirit. This always lifts me up and spurs me on. Have a great day !

God has been highlighting this verse to me of late ...

Why do you look at the [insignificant] speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the [egregious] log that is in your own eye?

Matthew 7:3 AMP

(This verse is even better in the Message version)

Jez encouraged us recently to look for the gold in each other, the treasures God has placed in all of us. We all have flaws and failures as we are not yet fully matured in Christ.

All of us have gifts and treasures given by God. They are all different and all can be used by him. One might be anointed in worship but hopeless in hospitality. Another gifted in sharing the good news but doesn't has the same joy serving in another area. All I know is when someone is serving in the area they should be, God really works through them. It's like they have such an ease and a joy serving in this area. Everyone is blessed by them serving.

Don't look at the faults in our brothers and sisters. Seek out the gold, the treasure and fan into flame the gifts inside us all.

I encourage us this week to see the gifting in someone and tell that person how awesome they are. Why they bless you so much and why by them serving they are extending God's kingdom.

Let's always see the gold, see the potential and look at others the way God sees them.

Be very blessed