When the Waves come in...

I am very happy to announce that my exams for 2011 are now complete! 


They went well and I feel the two months hard revision was worth it :)


As you can imagine, having become a bit of a social recluse over the last two months it is a big relief to be able to go out with friends and have free time again with no feeling of obligation to revise or guilt if I don't or am unable to do as much as I think was possible.


What has surprised me though is the feelings of relief and freedom have shown me how stressed I actually have been the last month or so. It scares me a little bit that, without realising, my attitude has been impaired by the weight of determination to do well and pressure to succeed that was on me. I am already praying that God would help me handle it better next time.


But what really pleased me is that I actually didn't notice the stress. It didn't overcome me and, actually, didn't even come close. It's like God lifted me up above the worst of it.


It reminded me of a Parable Jesus told:-

Matthew 7:24-29 : The Wise and Foolish Builders

 ²⁴ Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

    ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

    ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

    ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

   

 ²⁸When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,

    ²⁹ because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

I am blessed because by giving my life to Jesus and trusting in Him my life is built upon the Rock that Jesus is in our lives. He supports us, encourages us and helps us all the way to the amazing things He has given us to do, even when we don't see it or know it.


When the waves such as exam stress comes crashing into my life, Jesus lifts me up above it and I can go on through the storm.


What is your life built on? A rock that can lift you above the biggest of storms or the sand that will take all the punishment helplessly?

Jesus : The Truth

John 14:6 -  Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.


The Gospel of John records Jesus as referring Himself as being the 'Truth'. What does this mean for us?


John 1 describes the 'Word' being with God in the beginning. This passage clearly is referring to Jesus, meaning Jesus was there at creation. The existence of a God is the only way absolute truth can be rationalised and since everything on this earth is created by God, it is sensible to suggest that truth was also created by God. Jesus is the truth because He created the truth.


There are many voices calling out to us in today's world and it probably wasn't too much different in Jesus' time or at any other time. Adverts call on us to buy this and buy that and imply it will make us happy. Richard Dawkins and his Militant Atheist cult tell us there 'probably isn't a God' despite no evidence to suggest that and plenty of evidence to suggest the Universe was created. Peers tell us if only we wear this, or do this or live like this then we will be acceptable and right with the world. Actually, there is only one truth and that truth is Jesus Christ.


Jesus existed (37 records excl. the Gospels, some critical but show He existed!), Jesus died for us, Jesus paid for our sins and through Him we will have life to the full (John 10:10).


Jesus is the true key to peace, contentment, fulfillment and happiness. People who meet Jesus and get to know this rarely, if ever, go back, because it is true!


Don't believe the lies, believe Jesus. But don't take my word for it, take His. Don't trust me, Trust Him!


You can thank me in Paradise.