IN THE WHISPER

At the beginning of this year I felt the tug in my heart to get rid of social media for one month. Like millions of other people across the world I was looking at the year ahead and wanting to put some healthy habits in place. What I thought would be setting the habit of not being on my phone as much turned out to be so much more.

In this last month I have been amazed at how much more I have heard God speak to me and how I have felt His presence closer than ever before.

In our already busy lives, when we get a spare minute what do we choose to do…. We bury our face in our phone, watching other people live their lives whilst ours passes by.

During this month I have learnt that God is in the whisper and if we are not careful we can drown out His voice by occupying ourselves with the various other things in life that fight for our time and attention. By not being present we feel less of His presence.

11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 KINGS 19:3 -13 NIV

I love this moment between God and Elijah. So often we think God’s voice is loud but I have often found that God speaks to us in a whisper. I recently read that the reason God speaks to us in a whisper is because it’s intimate, He wants us to draw close to Him so that we can hear what He wants to say to us. God longs to have this kind of relationship with us, He wants to speak to us.

Maybe like me He has been trying to speak to you all this time but you are too busy to hear His whisper calling you closer to Him.

What’s one thing you could do today to stop and be present so that you can hear what God is trying to whisper to you?

With thanks to Katie Sutton 💕

Our new Blogger! Keeping it in the family!.

Before going to Australia in December to catch up with two very precious daughters and their families, I felt I needed to write my will. (Sure sign I am growing up) It is very simple but my most valuable eternal asset is the 'Joy for Life' web site including the studies. I do not want J4L to die with me, not that I am planning on leaving earth for my Heavenly home yet, but would like to plan and be responsible for an amazing tool Father God gave me back in 1993.

The world is changing in its attitude to Christianity, from within the Body of Christ, with the compromise on what the Bible says and how vital the Truth is. God does not dilute His rules and thank Him He does NOT dilute His LOVE either as we need His love and mercy more than ever. From outside the Church people are far more open to scoff belief in Jesus Christ than in years gone bye.

I know from the thousands who download J4L studies all over the world this tool is being used, and will be more and more as people want Truth from the Word of God.

I am so thankful to Father God for my granddaughter in Australia and her husband Keegan for all things related to the Word. For their daily up to date experiences of the work of the Holy Spirit in their world and their servant hearts. Every time I speak to them they challenge me, without realising it, about keeping my passion for Jesus and being 'real' and authentic. It is ok to talk about problems as long as we talk about the greatness of God Who is so much bigger than any problem we may have. Even if the battleground of our mind is arguing with us. Jesus is TRUTH. What He says goes. I love to include them when considering moving forward and they have many creative ideas especially with regarding social media.

After all the Word is the most exciting words to share as they truly are living and relevant to every single person, whatever age or gender. If you really do want to know just get hold of a Bible and ask 'if You are real please speak to me in this book'

To heal or not to heal?

During the last few months my body seems to be getting weaker; I have seen the GP; the Physiotherapist; tried a few changes of medication with no seeming positive result. Lots of questions, Is it grief? Psychosomatic? Sin in my life? Not pacing myself? Not obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit? And lots of the rest of the accusatory psychobabble that seems to come from my self pity or the liar from hell.


I had prayed and prayed for healing also others had prayed one on one, and in a group for me.

But then I read this 'Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me - so that I would not become arrogant. I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But He said to me, 'My Grace is enough for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness',2 Corinthians 12:7-9. When reading this verse in the past I had always focused on the 'messenger of Satan' part and felt there was an easy answer to that, just use the authority that Jesus had paid the price to give me. But hang on - this is Paul speaking and after three prayer sessions he was still suffering weakness. Twice in this single verse it says 'arrogant' and I realised Father God has been so good to me I can be very arrogant and lack compassion for people who are suffering. I am learning to fly above hardships, division, grief, disappointment and pain, as Father God told me He would teach me.



So then I will boast most gladly about my weakness, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions, and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak I am strong in Him, 2 Corinthians 12:9,10.

So gone are the days of the accuser telling me how inferior I am; God doesn't want to heal me; I am useless as I can't do everything! I now need to 'consider it nothing but joy when I fall into all sorts of trials, because I know that the testing of my faith produces endurance........' James 1:2 

Of course I would love to have healing by supernatural or natural means but until that time I choose life in all it fullness in this season, and learn all my Father wants to teach me as I focus on Jesus 'the author and perfecter of my faith'. It is so much easier to focus on Him when I am not rushing round and being over the top on my cleaning schedule. If I use this time to draw closer to Him, praying, worshiping and in the Word, this time will only last as long as it is doing me good.

Checkout https://www.joyforlife.org/index.php/real-church-12/

The Wall Part 2.

Having posted my last Blog 'The Wall' I was so excited to find out about the project 'the Wall'. This is a large monument being built near Birmingham UK. It is built of a million bricks each representing an answered prayer. It has two motorways going past so people will be able to see it and also to pull off the road and view close up. As you put your phone up to the brick you can read what God has done. What perfect timing for this Nation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhN-XxQHgZA

Also 10 facts about the Wall with a picture of the winning design.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5MPgUMfVVI

The Wall

I hit it, it hurts, I have nothing more in the tank!

but I must keep going---- what will people say if I am not at the next meeting? the next appointment ----- I have felt like this before and managed to push one foot in front of the other! As my granddaughter says who ran the London Marathon 'the Wall feels like you don't have any energy and don't really know how you're going to keep going!'

I feel so sad, I have so much to be thankful for, so why do I feel so miserable? Where is God in all of this? It hurts, everything! my psychobabble is ridiculous and just goes round and round. My body wants to stop, get off the treadmill of life. there is no strength, the pain is too much, I am on my own for this, people have heard my complaints over and over, they don't need it again.

Help! Help!Help!

This is the Marathon of 'life'. I know about the victory at the end, the crown I will receive if I can finish well. The 'well done you good and faithful servant'! But how can I get from here to there?

So I choose 'time out'! Can I learn how to not go this way again? Please Lord.
I humble myself and ask for prayer, admitting where I am at, not pretending to be the 'woman of power for the hour'!
I go away to a solitary place, reduce my calorie intake and disconnect the TV. That is a start! I have asked Father God to show me what study to do and any books to take and as I spend the time with Him alone and sleeping,......

I realise He has set me up to focus solely on His love for me and His close intimate relationship with me, through 'Song of Songs'. As I worship Him and allow Him to change my heart, I can feel the cloud lift. 'How enriched are they who find their strength in the Lord; within their hearts are the highways of holiness! Even when their paths wind through the dark valley of tears, they dig deep to find a pleasant pool where others find only pain. He gives to them a brook of blessing filled from the rain of outpouring. They grow stronger and stronger with every step forward' Psalm 84:5-7 I am learning to just 'be' His child and He doesn't love me more for being a 'doer'
Search www.joyforlife.org watch the video 'Burnout' 'Too Busy' and 'Are you a 'martyr' or a Mary?'

The words of my mouth!

Anyone who knows me knows how I am always pushing the power of the tongue. Our tongue is the most powerful muscle in our body, It can do the most harm and it is the only muscle that can benefit from not being used!

Starting with God in Genesis 1:1-3, the earth was without form and void, and the Spirit of God was moving upon the face of the waters, but God said.... and it was done. Words from the mouth of God formed the universe. And in Hebrews 1:3 it says all things are upheld by the Word of His power. So not only was the whole universe made by His Word but it is all being held together by the same Word.

Father God has put the same ability in us. We know if we feel miserable for what ever reason, if we rehearse this over and over to friends, family or on the phone, we continue to feel miserable. BUT if we say we feel miserable but know God is going to turn it round for our good, we can lift ourselves up from the pit of despair. 

A year ago I went to a weekend retreat and a lady who knew nothing about me gave me a word of prophecy about how 'God was going to teach me to fly'. I thought that was funny as I do not like flying at all, but it got my attention. She enlarged upon this saying I would learn to rise above harsh words, difficult situations....... I have been speaking it out since that time to burn it into my spirit. A few weeks ago I received a message informing me of something that could mean a change in my circumstances and immediately I went to the phone but inside me rose up the realisation that this was a great opportunity for me to 'fly' with Him. So after talking to Father God and claiming His promises to me, within about 20 minutes I felt completely different and quite excited that whatever my future looks like I know WHO holds my future.

Let us recognise the power in our words, even the world does that. But let us be serious about THE WORD of GOD that is living and active and goes right to the root of the problem. We can use it to transform every area of our lives, 'A gentle tongue (with its healing power) is a tree of life' 

Let us come into agreement with our Father about what He says about us instead of feasting our thoughts on any rubbish that has been spoken over us or to us!

We can encourage all those around us, family, friends and colleagues to be serious about words and see how it changes the atmosphere and can even change outcomes.
'Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God' Romans 10:17 So for our faith in Jesus Christ to grow we need to be speaking Life from His living Word and not death, Proverbs 18:21

What is pouring out of us?

Father God has done so much for all of us. He has poured out His Love and shown us at the Cross and resurrection how much, even if we don’t want to acknowledge it. This is our choice, we have no excuse (Romans 1:20)

I have been so challenged how much I allow all the Father has done for me, and shown me, pour through me OR do I keep it to myself feeling this is the God's blessing for me alone, Acts 3:6.

Very early in my Christian journey Father God showed me how my resentment was destroying our marriage. Dave and I got right with each other. Then my Bible study leader pointed out this blessing wasn’t just for me but for all other believers. I needed to swallow my pride and give my lesson away.

Never did Jesus teach His followers life lessons, so that they could keep hold of what He said. None of us would be following Jesus today if they had not laid down their lives, to share all that Jesus had done and taught them.

Am I stopping the work of the Holy Spirit Who is graciously showing me a truth and then I just hold onto it for myself. No every lesson God teaches me is to pass through me just like a stream of Living Water to change lives, giving wisdom and direction to all! Making sure He gets all the glory and not making me out to be 'holier than thou'.

There are lots of reasons and arguments in our heads that cause us to keep God’s goodness to ourselves but none of them are justified. We win the victory in life because of the blood Jesus shed, the bold word of our witness and we are not in love with ourselves but are willing to die for Christ, Revelation 12:11.

Imagine what would have happened to the early Church if the apostles had not allowed the Holy Spirit to pour out through their hands or speech, (Acts 5:12) we would be lost.

So go out into the world and set your friends and enemies free, not in your own strength but by His Spirit.

'Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. I plead with you on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God!"' 2 Corinthians 5:20.