"...Oi'll Be Walking By Faith!"

Last weekend, led of the Lord, I was to drive up north from Reading to visit a church in Manchester.
So, early Sunday morning just before 7am, I got in my car, started the ignition and on comes the oil warning light!

Oh, nooo...

Normally, I don't have to do a thing about my oil in between yearly services, and the next one was due in September. Meanwhile, it's Sunday so the garages are closed...also, the following day when I would be returning, it was Bank Holiday. Garages still closed..

I don't know much about cars, but what I do know is that, if there is a problem with the oil and you carry on driving, it can wreck your engine..

Speaking to myself, I said; '..The Lord told you to make this journey...you pray over your car every day..what are you going to do?!

There was nothing for it, I switched off the warning sign, foot on the accelerator..then off I went..

Arriving in Manchester on time, I stayed overnight as planned, then after a rather protracted 5 hr journey back avoiding roadworks and 'incidents,' I arrived safely home.

Meanwhile, every time I'd switched on the ignition...there the warning sign would be!

My faith had been sorely challenged..

So, today at the garage I told the man about my situation including how I always pray over my car every day..

He checked my oil levels, which were good. Also clean!
He said;

"..How much is your mileage..?"

"...I don't know.."

After enquiring as to how much I drove, he figured I'd probably only have done about 10,000 miles. But on checking found it was over 13,000!! (Eeeek!)

My car should be serviced after 12,000!

So I thank the Lord for His kind protection, particularly, for us ladies on our own..

'...For your Maker is your husband - the Lord Almighty is His Name;
And the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
He is called the God of all the earth..
Isaiah 54 v 5

'..God is our refuge and strength..
A very present help in time of trouble..'
Psalm 46 v 1

"Love, Love Me Do.."

The human psyche is an extremely complex thing. Each of us is a unique product of the way we've been raised, our personal experiences, various influences, not to mention the hurts, pain and rejection we may have suffered over the years..

All of this has played a part in forming the person we are today, - along with all of our 'irks and quirks!'

Oftentimes, we can react to a situation in a seemingly inappropriate way which we ourselves cannot properly comprehend.

This is all the reason why we need to give one another a break, and bear these things in mind whenever we ourselves have been hurt by some thoughtless action, or seemingly hurtful comment..

It's as well to remember also, that our adversary, the devil, knows exactly what winds us up or upsets us and is often the instigator of such attacks. Plus, he is working amongst Christians 24/7 to bring every kind of division in the form of misunderstandings and offence..

'...but we are not ignorant of his devices..' 2Cor 2 v 11

As Christians we are all being gradually transformed (or should be) as daily, we pray, study the word and obey what we know. But we are still 'a work in progress' and will not be made perfect this side of heaven!

Meanwhile, I need your love as much as you need mine!

1Cor 13 v 8 says that; '..Love never fails..'

It isn't easy, and will always be a constant challenge. But if God tells us to love, then it's doable..

Love is a command of God, a commitment, not a mere feeling, but when we choose to do the right thing, God's grace is always present to help us (and in some cases, we may need a lot!)

In the recent US and UK elections we saw (and still do) the heightened passions of Christian against Christian, in bitter disagreement about who should be in power over our land. Some of the comments were quite shocking. This should not be. When Jesus exhorted us to love one another, He meant in spite of our opinions, political, or otherwise.

In John 13 v 34-35 He said; "..I give you a new commandment that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you love one another (if you keep on showing love among yourselves.." (Amp)

Now we see why it's in the devil's interest that we are not united in love as the body of Christ!

So why is this another 'faith adventure?'

Well, let's see what we can do to 'out-love' one another!

"..Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted.
Stay wide awake in prayer.
Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it.
Love makes up for practically everything.
Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless..cheerfully.
Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around, so all get in on it.
If words, let it be God's words, if help, let it be God's hearty help.
That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and He'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything...encores to the end of time.
Oh, yes!"
1Peter 4 v 7 - 11 (Message)