I am blessed to work at Cardiff University and this week I have been seeing lots of new first year students coming to campus. Lots of them look lost, unsure of where they are and where to go. For many it is their first time away from family and for some it's their first time living in a new city or even country.

After a while though they will start to get to grips with their identity as a student, they will learn about themselves as well as the subjects they are studying. When they get their students cards this will grant them entry into parts of the building not open to the public. They will be able to access learning and resources only available to Cardiff University Students and because of this learning and resources they are given a new direction for their careers. All of this will be available to them because they have paid their student fees.

This got me thinking about our lives as Christians. How because of the blood spilled for us we have new identities as sons and daughters of God. We get to learn more about what this means for us and how amazing God is. Because of this new identity we are and free to enter into God's courts and into his presence.

We are filled with the Holy Spirit who knows everything there is to know, and He gives us wisdom, guidance and knowledge, for us, our families and others.

We are given a new direction, purpose and a mission; to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation (Mark 16:15).

All of this is made available to us because of the price that He paid for us on the cross. How amazing is that?!

I love being at peace, peace is such a wonderful feeling, happy, content and relaxed. A feeling all will be ok and all will work out for good.

Jesus said ...

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 14:27 NLT

In this world of ups and downs, highs and lows, I pray peace on every home and every heart.

Peace is a precious gift that we can hold on to, thank you God.

The Bible tells us to expect different seasons in life (Ecc 3) and boy have there been a few seasons in my life this year! Change is not looked upon well by the world but as there have been so many changes during and still to come this year I've had to think about how I view Change.

We all have 'set' changes like the school year start/end, changes in jobs/families, retirement, the list goes on. BUT God trells us that He is unchanging (Malachi 3:6). He is our rock and shelter. Jesus said He will never leave us (John 14:18).

So I'm looking at Change and I'm remembering that throughout it all, I'm not alone, I'm not lost, I'm not finished, I do not need to waiver in my faith.

Change comes to us all but the challenge is how we face each Change.

Even though I've been saved for a while there are some lessons I need to learn again (and again!).

Today I remind myself that the Lord is my refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust (Ps 91:2) and I am more than able to continue because of who God is. Being faithful to God in this way I hope to give Him the glory.

For this weeks encouragement I’d simply like to share a song with you.

I have been listening to it on repeat for a few days now and trust it will bless you as it has me.

Our thanksgiving to God is the greatest antidote to so many of life’s troubles.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=488HEflx2ao