Jesus was faced with temptation after forty days without food in the wilderness – yes, forty days! Weak as He was physically, Jesus declared these words before proclaiming God’s truth to defeat His spiritual oppressor.
We can use them too when discerning God’s word in spiritual battle, but they’re also a helpful prompt to declare God’s truth, love, character & promises, in and over unsettled feelings, anxious or doubting thoughts and challenging circumstances.

Not that we take God’s word out of context, but as we proclaim
i) foundational truths regarding His character, purpose, presence or power that are true for us all in all circumstances, or,
ii) scriptures that He prompts to our minds for a specific reason or season,
we can believe for God to fulfil His living word, in His perfect way and time.

Which truth from God’s word is resonating in your spirit as you read?
For example:
If you’re worried for provision, you may like to declare: It is written [Matthew 6:33]
If you’re feeling alone, you may like to declare: It is written [Matthew 28:20b]
If you’re afraid, you may like to declare: It is written [Isaiah 41:10]
If you need guidance or wisdom, you may like to declare: It is written [Proverbs 3:5-6 & James 1:5]
If you’re struggling with a difficult situation, you may like to delcare: It is written [Romans 8:28]
If you’re faced with your own temptation, you may like to declare:
It is written ‘Choose life’ [see Deuteronomy 30:19]

It’s not essential, we don’t have to pre-empt speaking truth with these words and we certainly don’t do it ‘by rote’. But when we declare these truths in faith it brings a pause into the moment. It helps to still racing thoughts, settle unruly emotions, build up our heart to believe the truth, strengthen our resolve, and so open our soul to receive.

I am continually amazed by the priceless gift God has given us through His written word. Messages and teachings about Himself and our life in Him, right from His very own heart. God would never give us a book that we could not trust; He breathed its words into being, and by His Spirit, He breathes their divine life into our being. 

Whatever resolutions, aspirations or ‘words for the year’ that are meaningful to you at the start of 2024, can you make room in your heart and mind to receive more of God through His living word? To yield to its transforming and enabling power?

How might that look like in practice?

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There are many opinions about who Jesus is,
but who do you say He is?

It’s a good question to keep in mind during these weeks of preparation for celebrating His birth. It’s a good question to be mindful of if you feel overwhelmed by the frantic pace &/or financial implications; if you’re haunted by memories of missing loved ones no longer sharing your Christmas; if you’re crushed by hopes for 2023 that never materialised; if you’re fearful about the times in which we live; and, if you’re excited, filled with anticipation for the festive season.

Whatever you’re feeling, facing or enduring, knowing the answer to that question, knowing who Jesus was – and is – will lift the eyes of your heart and soul to Immanuel – God with you – and infuse His peace and measured pace into the days lying ahead.

If you’re not sure who He was – or is – do reach out to ask someone who does.

With my warmest wishes to you all
for a Christmas filled with Christ’s presence, peace & perspective.

“What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.” Psalm 104:24 [TM]

So many species of dragon fly to enjoy in our garden this summer. This one even posed for a photo shoot on its clothes-peg platform. A few days later I watched – totally distracting me from prayer – a woodpecker scurrying up a tree, then another & another in a hunt for breakfast bugs. I could go on…

In Genesis 1 we read how “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good”; a creation that reveals its Maker and invites our loving delight and care (Psalm 19:1-2; Romans 1:20).
How might you pause to delight in creation in your town, city, countryside or coastal setting this month? Keep your heart open to how God might reveal some aspect of Himself to you, or whisper an inspired word to your soul.

Is there another small step you can take to help care for and maintain this beautiful, life-giving world?

Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

I love gardening, though growing veg is my thing. I’m not very good with flowers.
But a new thing has happened to our ‘flower garden’ this year, all because we had to chop down a large but diseased Eleagnus shrub last summer. I was sad to see it go as it inspired how we shaped the garden around it. Besides a couple of small plants in front of it, however, the ground beneath was sparse. Nothing but weeds would grow.
It looked like a raw scar earlier this year, a blotch of brown, but as spring turned into summer, the soil sprung up with all kinds of new growth. Some were plants I popped in at random, but many came up of their own accord having lain dormant until new conditions prevailed, giving them space, light and water not just to grow, but to flourish.

And that’s what’s inspired our August “Word for the Month”.
Some of us need to keep pressing on with what we need to do right now. Head down, focused, step by step moving forward. We can’t force God’s hand out of season.

Others of us, however, may be sensing a sparse brown wilderness blotch in the landscape of our lives. If that’s you, take time this month to pray into and over the ‘new thing’ that God is preparing to raise up.

What a pleasure and I must say, a privilege, to be invited to be one of a number of speakers at this year’s national conference for the International Christian Chamber of Commerce, UK & Ireland. As it ‘hit’ the weekend I would normally prepare a Word for the Month, I couldn’t help but reflect on this verse.

ICCC is a fabulous organisation envisioned to help us see God’s love and power manifest in the business marketplace. If you’re not aware of them, do check out their website(s) (https://iccc.net/ or https://uk.iccc.net/)

Meanwhile, you might like to reflect on Paul’s words to the Colossians:
What is the “whatever” that I do?
Do I work at it with all my heart? If not, why not…?
What inspires me to work conscientiously and with integrity?
How am I infusing my work and workplace with God’s kingdom love and values? Is there greater scope and opportunity for this, and if so, how might I pursue that?

God’s presence doesn’t come and go. It’s with us – always – so we can pray on the run and know that he hears. But it’s in stilling anxious thoughts, and in turn fretful emotions, which may sometimes be helped by literally stilling our physical motion, that we silence the ‘noise’ of deadlines, expectations, problems, fear …
And it’s in the stillness of mind, heart, soul – and where needed, body – that we refocus on and recalibrate to God’s wisdom, enabling, guidance, provision… that reassures and infuses peace.
Circumstances may not change – but knowing God with us IN the circumstances makes all the difference.

Do you need to make time to ‘be still’ this month?
How might you take moments in the day to ‘still’ your thoughts and ‘know’ him with you, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing?

I wasn’t expecting to post my ‘Word for the Month’ on Social Media this month. I’d thought I’d be using a new means of communication. But that’s taking far longer to set up than I’d anticipated; partly because it’s not included in my scheduled work, and partly, because learning something new about technology, isn’t one of my gifts!
So, in short. It’s been an uphill struggle.

I’m getting there, slowly, so perhaps this will be sent out in its new format next month. If it doesn’t, I’ve learned to be kind to myself. To accept my various limitations and to go at my own pace.
But I refuse to give up.
I’ve been advised it’s important to do this “new thing”, but I do actually believe it will be a “good” thing too 🙂

In context, the scripture teaches us to ‘throw off’ anything that holds us back from persevering in our life of faith (v. 1-b); that may be an ungodly habit or character trait, apathy, or being too quick to give up on what we’re called, impassioned or gifted to be and do.
So, whatever you’re facing this month, whether learning how to fulfil a new task, role or job, whether you’re looking to drop a bad habit, begin a new one, or whatever it may be – Don’t give up.
If you know that you know it’s the right thing to do – and the right thing for you : Persevere.

Life isn’t a sprint, as a pastor friend wisely advises us; it’s a marathon.
So whatever you’re feeling up against, keep going, one step, one day at a time.

And if I can pray for you in that, do let me know….