Great Expectations

I started a new job last week and spent 1 1/2 days being trained. This week I've been basically on my own. For the first time in my life I've spent a whole week feeling totally lost and hopeless! Usually, after a couple of days I'm beginning to find my way around and understand at least a small portion of what's expected of me. This has not been the case here!

For the past couple of days I've just wanted to get out! A couple of times to even just walking out and not going back!

This morning I asked God to get involved. As I walked out to the car I asked God to help me through the day. I reminded myself of the jobs I hadn't got believing that they were not where God wanted me. Therefore if I got this job, it must be because this is where God does want me!

As I turned on the engine a new song began on the cd player.

Beautiful Lord, wonderful Saviour

I know for sure all of my days are held in Your hand.

Crafted into Your perfect plan.

You gently call me into Your presence

Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit,

Teach me dear Lord.

To live all of my life

through your eyes.

I'm captured by Your holy calling

Set me apart,

I know You're drawing

me to Yourself

Lead me Lord, I pray.

Take me, mold me, use me, fill me,

I give my life to the Potter's hand.

Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me

I give my life, to the Potter's hand.

I left work at the end of the day amazed at the difference I had felt today at work. I began to accept that I was able to do things. I no longer felt like a failing cog in a large engine!

I went over to The King's Lodge and met with a few friends. When I mentioned how my day had been different and told them of my prayer, one man of God said "You know why God answered your prayer? Because you expected him to!"

How often do we pray and not expect God to answer? Yet Jesus said

Mark 11:24

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer,

believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

I had to admint, that I KNEW God would answer my prayer today.

A simple lesson, yet one I'm sure I will need to keep learning until expecting God to answer my prayers becomes the norm rather than the unusual!

Let's raise our expectations!

A Pure Heart and Joy!

I've been struck recently by comments about being pure in heart.

Psalm 51:10 - 13 says

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will turn back to you.

There are 2 things that strike me.

First we need to be seeking God for a pure heart. We cannot be pure on our own. It is only by living God's way and continually acknowledging and accepting our need for forgiveness that we can have a pure heart.

The second has been niggling me for a while and came home more strongly last night. We heard about 2 women who had become Christians at the Alpha course this week. We prayed that their joy would be contagious.

Where's the joy of my salvation?? Why do I no longer live a life that overflows with joy for the salvation I received?

These verses are my prayer for the moment.

Restore to me the joy of my salvation, then I will be enthusiastic about spreading the good news of Jesus and the wonderful things he has done and is doing in my life!

Another new mission field?

Yesterday we viewed what could be our next new home. It's slightly smaller than our present home but in an area where we believe God is asking us to go.

If our offer is accepted, we then need a buyer for our present property!

God has a lot of changes He is revealing to us at present and it's almost too much to keep up.

I'm just glad He's got everything planned for our good and not to cause us discomfort and pain! Not getting the other jobs left me feeling slightly rejected, but almost immediately came a sense of calm knowing that those were not jobs He had prepared for me.

When we seek God in our decision-making we know all things will work together for good. At times it can still be frustrating and worrying whilst the wait goes on but our Father God tells us not to worry and by leaving things in His hands He will work them out in His time.

I'm so glad I have a hope and a future that is in His hands!

A new Mission Field

Today is a scary day! Today I begin work in a new place. A different environment. A different type of job.

I know I'll be able to do it, but there is this little niggle of doubt which I need to overcome. The recruitment agency sold me BIG time! I have a feeling I probably added to that at the interview! Now it's time to live up to a good reputation.

What if I fail? What if I'm NOT capable of doing all the things I said I could do? What if I'm not the person I said I was?

Everyone at the King's Lodge exclaimed: Oh fantastic! A new job, a new mission field!

One more thing to worry about?