When I bow...
The Gift sent for you!
It's hygge to us!
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12
Where will you go?
In life, we don't have a say how we were born, or who our parents are, but in death, we do have a say. Either we will be in Heaven or hell. Either our Father will be God or the devil.
While we wait for Jesus
Resolve to keep close to Christ and to share to others whenever possible that they need to know Jesus as their Saviour NOW. But, be glad for whatever calling you are in now, and keep on keeping on.
Either way is fine!
But really I think we are all at the end of our rope living here in this cess pool... we have far out sinned Sodom and Gomorrah and it is deeply saddening/sickening to those who long for righteousness and holiness... He has to come soon. Which I hope for. I want to be raptured not fall off the vine... but really as long as I am with Him- either way is fine !
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:10
Faith stronger than fear
As soon as I made my way to a seat in the ICU waiting room, I felt a peace wash over me like a cloak around my shoulders.
I knew that she was going to pull through- which she did and I still can remember the feeling of faithful assurance and peace that defied the situation.
Give your cares to Jesus and feel His peace in your life. No matter what the situation. Let your faith become stronger than your fear.
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
He delights when we call on Him
Jesus was born 100% human and 100% God. He was a Man acquainted with sorrow and He wept. He comforts us and keeps our tears in a bottle.
Many times we are told to come to Him- in good times and in bad, He will not turn us away.
Wanting a deeply personal relationship with us, He says of Himself that He is as a father and as a shepherd. He comforts us as a mother and promises to carry us through our trials. When we come to Him, He gives us not only comfort, but peace- the kind of peace that is beyond human understanding.
Don't ever be too much in pain, too sad or too ashamed to approach God for help, encouragement or comfort. He delights in being there for us and delights when we call on Him.
A delightful cuppa
Closer than ever!
- I believe we should be in prayer for those people suffering under authorities such as the Taliban and for all those Christians who are in danger.
- We need to intercede for the Ukrainians who are being invaded as we speak.
- We should be praying for those who are still unsaved.
- Keeping the faith can be difficult for some, especially as the world gets darker. We need to pray for ourselves too.
- We should bring our thoughts and minds under the control of the Holy Spirit by focussing on good things that are still here
- We must remember that Christ is in control, no matter how bad a situation becomes.
- We must bring everything we see, hear and read in to the light of the Word and we must remember that all these things, though disturbing, are temporary.
- We must maintain an attitude of gratitude for all things in our life and dwell on God's goodness.
- We simply must be a person of worship and praise.
- We must be in the Word.
- We must remember that Jesus has promised to take us Home before the Great Tribulation. Revelation 3:10 see below
Crying happy tears!
Are you appropriately dressed?
There's a lot happening in the world today, both in the natural and the spiritual world. The times are fast paced and frightening.
There is a movement (though not a new one) of the evil one to make being a Christian even harder and we can see and feel the battle between good versus evil.
We cannot stand without putting on the full armor of God. But what exactly is this? Let us find out.
In Ephesians 6, we are told what to do to withstand the evil in each day by making sure we are dressed appropriately for spiritual battle...
- Firstly, we are to strengthen ourselves in the LORD so that through Him we will have strength.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. This means we are to spend time with Him. In prayer. In worship. In the Word.
- We are to put on the whole armor of God, preparing ourselves for battle, for we are in a battle with the forces of darkness.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. We have all experienced the cunningness of the devil. The appeal to the senses, the drive to try to separate us from the good Shepherd. It is a constant battle to resist him.
- We must recognise that the battle is not carnal, but spiritual in unseen wicked spiritual hosts in the heavenly places. Our enemy is unseen, but very real- and active.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Although our enemy is unseen, he is not unfelt nor are the results of his influence unnoticed. Where there is hatred in all its forms, deceit and lies and confusion, there we will know that the enemy is at work, doing what he does best.
- At the end of the day, we must be able to stand. To endure. To live for God another day
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. We are to be strong and resolute and daily putting on the armor is the way we can do this!
So what are we to put on exactly in order to stand in the evil day?
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, We must remember that we have Truth on our side, our heart protected by the breastplate of righteousness.
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; We are to be peaceable people, bringing the gospel of peace to all, living it, breathing it, sharing it.
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. We must have our faith intact, a shield that will quench the darts of doubt, fear and double mindedness
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; We must go in the joy of our salvation, having been redeemed by the precious Blood of Christ, wielding the sword of the Spirit, deeply ingrained by and knowledgeable of the Word of God.
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints We are to be a person of prayer, in the Spirit and watchful. Constantly praying for ourselves and the saints of God.
If we faithfully dress in the armor of God, we will stand, knowing that:
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We have been told how to withstand the evil in these days and it is imperative that we do what the Word says in order to stand until our fight is done. Are you appropriately dressed?
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
It's not about how fast we spin our wheel
But that doesn't mean that resting will make it better. Nor does it guarantee that you will gather more spoons to use when you rise up from your sickbed.
When you are chronically ill, you don't get better and rest definitely doesn't leave you feeling refreshed and full of energy.
The most rest can do for us is give us a temporary respite from forcing ourselves way beyond our comfort zone to serve our family.
Needing to rest can make those who don't understand chronic illness to make us become the victim of nasty retorts stating that we are lazy and putting it on in order to take to our bed.
Being that fibromyalgia is one of many invisible illnesses, we are often maligned as malingers and the angst that this creates can cause us to become depressed as well as angry.
We didn't ask to be sick and most of us in fact push ourselves way beyond our comfort zone to prove to ourselves and others that we are not lazy.
I think as fibromyalgia is often a prolonged illness that we would do well to take thoughts of others directed at us to be taken into the captivity of Christ Who doesn't condemn us but Who loves us at all times.
He understands and doesn't condemn us. We have to take His Word that He loves us as we are.
We need to learn to switch off from those who condemn and criticise us for taking frequent breaks and nana naps. We know we are doing the best we can and our worth is not about how fast we spin our wheel.
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. -Psalm 91:14-16
God's love is a healing balm
It would behove us all to remember to be Christ-like to these suffering Children of God and comfort them, pray for them and encourage them. Those of us who suffer like this are prime candidates for panic attacks and meltdowns. We should do unto others as we would have them do unto us: pray for them, help them back on their feet and never judge them. Anxiety and panic are no respecter of people: but by the Grace of God, go I.
Mercy. Grace. Compassion. Love. Prayer. All are healing balms for the poor one having a meltdown. We need to tell them there is hope and there is healing and that nothing can separate us from God's love.
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Not with little sparrows
Lately I have been feeling a bit down and today it looked like more sadness was in store for me.
Our cat Xena was outside sunning herself. Chris noticed that she had something in her mouth and called out to me.
To my horror, it was a little brown sparrow. And Xena was determined not to let it go. She ran from me as I frantically called her and tried to get her to drop it.
Finally she dropped the quivering bird and I quickly picked it up. It didn't look too damaged, but there was some blood on its neck.
Knowing sparrows usually die from a shock, I called out to God and asked Him to spare it. I didn't want to take it inside the house, as it would undoubtedly add to its' stress.
Cupping it with my hands to give it some feeling of safety, I walked up the back of the garden and put it gently down in the bushes.
Unsure if it would make it. I lingered near it in case Xena came back for her prey. She was pretty ticked off with me for taking her catch off her.
I bent down to examine it for injuries and I thought it had passed. Then I saw it blink. As I got closer, it was quivering...
After a few minutes, I checked its leg and put it on its feet and quick as a flash, it flew up and over the fence away from me.
Immediately I gave thanks to God for answering my prayer and saving the bird. It gave me confidence as I remembered that God knows even when a little sparrow falls to the ground.
Its life is even important to God and we are worth far more than a sparrow.
And another light note to finish this post on- I managed to move pretty fast when it was needed... another thing to be grateful for. It wouldn't have had a chance if I hadn't acted quickly.
I guess Xena will come round when she's hungry tonight. She knows Mum will always feed her.. just not with little sparrows...
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. -Matthew 10:29-31
God has broad shoulders
A Spotless Bride
- Pornography invalidates the one flesh relationship of the covenant of marriage.
- It denigrates married love to animal baseness and allows women to be used as sex objects instead of loved tenderly.
- Women who engage in pornography also tend to treat men with little respect.
- It encourages selfish love making and greater expectation of the act
- It can make a woman feel dirty and effects her relationship with her husband if he watches it
- It creates a lustful mindset that overflows into the heart and becomes sinful actions.
- It encourages a roving eye and Jesus says that is adultery in the heart therefore sin.