Birthday Thoughts

Be joyful always,  pray at all times,  be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. Do not restrain the Holy Spirit;  do not despise inspired messages.  Put all things to the test: keep what is good  and avoid every kind of evil. May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-23 GNT

Joyful, thankful, praying and spirit driven with an ample dollop of discerning ability! God please help me in this.  You have brought me this far on an amazing journey. I have experienced your joy and your great peace in the midst of huge variety of circumstances. But there is more! More to come and bigger steps to take.

You honour all the attempts that I make to progress in the spiritual life. No matter how tiny they have been - you have been there. Jesus my brother and friend. Leading me on in this adventure called life.

You haven't finished with me yet and I suspect that the best is yet to come, you are encouraging me to move forward in your grace. To take steps that I have never taken before.

I have come to believe in the strong power of your true love and compassion for mankind. Your unquenchable love for each and everyone of us. No exceptions. No love withheld from anyone. Your abundant love inspires me, heals me and embraces me.

Remove every proud obstacle in me that prevents me from being fully your servant. What would happen if I  simply let go and let you have your way?

Give me a servant heart O Lord, a heart that thirsts for you. With a passion for the Word of God, let me share the Good News about Jesus our saviour.

But above all I want to "Live a lovers life" as it says in scripture, to love my children, my wife, sisters and extended family with the same tender hearted love that you have for me.

Send your Spirit to us all again O Lord, Renew us again with your strong Holy Spirit power that brings with it Love, Joy and Peace. And let me be an enabler of your kingdom. Someone who doesn't restrain your Spirit but who instead brings it and unleashes it! Amen

In the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets,  but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. He is the one through whom God created the universe, the one whom God has chosen to possess all things at the end.  He reflects the brightness of God's glory and is the exact likeness of God's own being, sustaining the universe with his powerful word. After achieving forgiveness for the sins of all human beings, he sat down in heaven at the right side of God, the Supreme Power. Hebrews 1:1-3 GNT