Who cares?...
No-one understands!...
What's the point of living?...
My life is a mess and doesn't make any sense...!

Are these questions and thoughts new?
In looking back over history—we can say most definitely—'no'!
The same thoughts have plagued us all at one time or another.
Some find the answers and others, sadly, do not.

You see, history tells us of the real answer, the real way and the real life.
Something tried and true, tested and reliable—not just a theory or fiction.
SomeONE to know and who, more importantly, wants to know us!
SomeONE who designed and made us and has a purpose for each one of us,
who knows ALL about these thoughts and wants to walk alongside us each day
and who says "Come, walk with Me …. this is the way!"

This is what we, as Christian women, want to communicate to you …
So, come along and let us share together and encourage one another,
learning along the way—it's for young and old, whatever stage and age!

It's for you!

"God blesses those people who want to obey Him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want."
Matthew 5:6 CEV

We have all sorts of desires. "Hunger and thirst" is simply another word for desires. You name the desires and we've got them. And it is just as well that most people don't know what we desire. Being honest with ourselves, we know that not all of our desires -- these hungers and thirsts -- are for what is right. There are so many things that clamour for our attention and present themselves as appealing. "Choose me" they are saying. A few more appealing actions and we are torn. So the question that should be on our minds is not how appealing a thing is, or how sweet or fragrant, or melodious, but how right it is.

What then should be foremost in our minds as we follow Christ? Surely desiring and choosing to do what is right. The beauty of doing what is right as compared to the other appealing things, is that we will be rid of all our frustrations or unfulfilled desires. Why? Because we will find that choosing to do what is right satisfies all our desires. Isn't that wonderful?

What is the "right" for which we are to hunger and thirst? The Good News Bible says, "Happy are those who greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully." Matthew 5:6. This suggests that right living or a life style that is in complete conformity with the will of God is what we should desire. It is a lifestyle that is not only pleasing to Jesus but one He approves of. For the Christian this means that all daily actions, everything that is thought about, every decision that is made, everything that is read or looked at will be done in the same way that the Lord Jesus Christ would have done them. The true Christian will know immediately whether something is right or wrong, godly or ungodly.

Hunger and thirst are appetites that return frequently and require that they be met often during the day. Just as the physical body needs daily food, so too, we need to ensure that we have constant meals of reading God's Word and talking to Him in prayer.

What then is the secret to life here and now? To desire what is right, to desire what pleases God. What is the promise? 'They will be given what they want', not just for the future but for the here and now. Provided, that is, if we choose right.
Lorraine Harvey

Matthew 5:5, "God blesses those who are humble.
The earth will belong to them!"

The Greek word for meek/humble, was used to refer to domesticated animals. The word does not refer to a wild, unruly animal; it refers to a strong and powerful horse or an ox that was trained and disciplined so that it could be controlled by a human. The word humble/meek used in Matthew 5:5 refers to a strong person who is under control--a God controlled person. A meek person is a man or woman of God whose strength is controlled by God. He or she is controlled by God in thought, word, will, emotion, and action. The meek person is one who submits, not to his own will or to the will of the world, but to the great and gracious will of God.

What makes a person meek? They see God and they see God in everything. No one becomes meek unless they can see this infinite, personal, almighty, all-wise, all-holy God, and when they see God they are immediately humbled. When we are able to see God by faith, then that is the time when the Holy Spirit allows us to become meek. Thus the meek person does not rely on himself, saying, I can do all things. I have confidence in myself. After all, I am strong and able. No, the meek person says, I see God, and He is able and willing to help me. I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.

In everyday life we are tested constantly as to the source of our strength. Are we truly relying on the Lord for our strength in all the situations we face?

Consider the following questions.

If someone were to interview your husband or your children, would they say you are treating them properly?

When you bump into people that irritate you how do you react?

If we asked your friends if you are a gentle person what do you imagine they would say?

Do you insist on your own rights?

Do you act as if you are perfect?

Do you treat someone that annoys or disappoints you better than they deserve?

Remember you are never more like God than when you treat a sinner with grace.
What a way to start each day!!
Lorraine Harvey

"God blesses those people who mourn. They will find comfort." Matthew 5:4.

What does it mean to mourn over sin?
It means to be sensitive to sin, to feel pain.

Jesus did not say blessed are the moaners, or the complainers.
He was saying the people who meet with God's approval are those who come to terms with their own hurts and the hurts of the people around them. To mourn is to acknowledge the overwhelming sinfulness of one's own sin, feel indescribable sadness and brokenness over the wrong that has transpired.

If we are humble and appreciate that all of our gifts and blessings come from God, then we grow in love and gratitude to Jesus Christ, our Saviour. But this, in turn, can only produce mourning and regret over our own sins and the sins of this world. Mourning in this context is called a blessing, because mourning our fallen nature creates in us a desire to improve ourselves and to do what is right.
Do you have that desire?
Do you want change?
Is your desire for holiness greater?
Has your hatred for sin increased?

By tolerating things we would not have allowed before and by allowing ourselves to become used to the things that go on around us, we become desensitised to sin.
Does this describe me?
If so will I mourn today?

There is a promise to those who mourn.
They will be comforted.
The person who mourns over their sin, Jesus says, will be blessed and there is no greater blessing than to receive divine approval. This kind of mourning brings unbelievable joy and hope to the believer.

Those who mourn will be comforted.
Why will only such people be comforted?
Because they alone know that Jesus Christ came to seek and save that which is lost.
They alone look to the cross of Jesus Christ and realize that Christ died for their sins.
Two questions to start your day:

Will I depend only on God today?
Will I mourn over sin today?

Next week we look at the third question:-
Will I Be Gentle with Fellow Sinners Today?

If you would like to know more please do contact us.
Lorraine Harvey

As we move into a New Year,
as we pull up the blinds to a new day,
there are three primary attitudes we need to adopt if we want
to experience what it really means to know God and live for Him.
Before we can do this, there are some questions we must ask ourselves.

What determines our attitudes?

What about our actions?

How we perform and how we look is so often foremost in our thinking, perhaps giving the impression of generosity to the needy, a person of prayer, a great reader of the Bible, one who has it all together and so on. How we act is how we are.

When it comes to true spirituality, what determines our actions and our attitudes? What is it that God is really looking for?

Is the Lord concerned with our actions?

Yes, but according to the Sermon on the Mount, the main thing God is interested in, is our attitude to Himself and to fellow sinners. But first we need to learn to live our lives before an audience of one, God Himself.

Matthew 5:3-5,
"God blesses those people who depend only on Him.

They belong to the kingdom of Heaven!

God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!

God blesses those people who are humble.

The earth will belong to them"

The most repeated phrase in the beatitudes is "blessed are", or translated "happy are", or "God blesses". The phrase, "blessed are" in each of the beatitudes implies a current state of happiness or well-being. To the people of the day the expression held the powerful meaning of "divine joy and perfect happiness". In other words Jesus was saying, "divinely happy and fortunate" are those who possess these inward qualities. By repeating this same word to His band of simple-hearted loyal followers, He assured them that tossing aside all the extra baggage that comes with religious hypocrisy and a performance orientated life-style, we will travel the road that leads to inner peace.

The first of the three questions to start the day is:-

Will I be depending on God today?

Matthew 5:3
"God blesses those people who depend only on Him.

They belong to the kingdom of Heaven!"

We do not like to think about being absolutely helpless in the hands of God. With all of our faith and with all of His grace we still prefer to maintain some semblance of control over our lives. When difficulties arise we like to think that there are certain steps we can take to alleviate our anguish and be happy.

To depend only on God is to realize that I have nothing, am nothing, and can do nothing, and have need of all things.
To be spiritually poor is a consciousness of my emptiness, the result of the Spirit's work within. It comes from the painful discovery that all my best performances are unacceptable.

Depending on God therefore means to be humble and completely empty and open to the Word of God.
When we are an empty cup and devoid of pride, we are humble. Humility brings openness and an inner peace, allowing one to do the will of God and allowing the grace of God to work in us.

How often do I need to return to this question,
"Will I be depending on God today"?

Next week we will look at the 2nd Question,
"Will I mourn over sin today"?
Lorraine Harvey

Yes you've guessed it - to lose weight. But sadly along with all the other resolutions all goes well for a while, then something happens and we resign ourselves to the fact that we are back to square one. Life was going to be so different!
Does this describe you?

Are you looking for inspiration to make life-changing resolutions this New Year?
The theme for the White House (USA) Christmas 2009 is Reflect Rejoice Renew. These three words can be just what you are looking for to help make those changes you so desire.
Reflect on the past year.
Be thankful to God as you count your many blessings. Reflect on God's love and grace, His kindness and goodness. Praise Him for His provision, for His care over you, for answered prayer, comfort and strength.
Rejoice with friends and family.
What a special time this is as we celebrate Immanuel – "God with Us". We rejoice that Jesus Christ came to 'save His people from their sins' as we read in Matt 1:21 us. Jesus came to give us a hope for the future just as Isaiah prophesied, so we rejoice as we worship and praise Him. Give thanks with glad hearts!
Renew our commitment.
Be willing to do what God wants you to do this coming year. Ask Him for strength to follow Him closely. As with resolutions we expect to do things in our own strength, but it is only when we acknowledge the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives that we can change and become the women we desire to be for the Lord.

NEW YEAR'S PRAYER
"Heavenly Father, for this coming year
Just one request I bring.
I do not pray for happiness or any earthly thing.
I do not ask to understand the way You lead me;
But this I ask—teach me to do the thing that pleases You.
I want to know Your guiding voice,
To walk with You each day.
Heavenly Father,
Make me swift to hear and ready to obey;
And thus the year I now begin
A happy year will be,
If I am seeking just to do
That which pleases You."
Anonymous
Lorraine Harvey

Isaiah 9: 6, "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

A young woman chosen to be the mother of the Christ child; a young husband who delivered Jesus. No hospital, only a dark stable, a dirt floor and an animal pen. Yet on that morning an angel appeared to shepherds and proclaimed, "Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord" and soon after wise men from the East came with gifts and to worship Him.

As the babe of Bethlehem grew we know little of Him. Luke however tells us, "Jesus became wise, and He grew strong. God was pleased with Him and so were the people." Luke 2:52.

At the age of 30 He began His ministry by choosing 12 men as His disciples and for 3 years he ministered to thousands of people - He healed many diseases, performed amazing miracles, taught about forgiveness, hope, peace, joy and love.

Living among His people, He walked and ate with them and the people wondered about this man who said he was the Son of God. He died a cruel death on the cross at Calvary. Three days later He rose from the grave. Yes this Jesus won victory over death just as he said He would.

What proof is there that he died and rose again? There is documented evidence and the witness of those who saw Him, ate and talked and prayed with him for 40 days before he was taken up before their very eyes into heaven.

A question we all must face and ask are, "do I believe that Jesus is the Son of God OR, do I think it is a myth perpetrated by man?"

If you are uncertain of the answer read the following verses from Romans 10:9-10, "If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from death, you will be saved. For it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved."

Jesus is the only one who can make it possible for us to stand in the presence of His Father, the holy God of Heaven. One day those who are saved will stand in His presence because Jesus has promised to come again and take us to the Father.

Celebrate this birth, with joy and gladness knowing that we who have accepted Christ as our Saviour are fully loved, fully forgiven, fully justified in God's eyes through his beloved Son Jesus - Immanuel - God with us. An amazing gift indeed!
Viv Webby

Lights are going up all over New Zealand as preparations are made for Christmas. Each year it seems more effort is put into making better and brighter displays -one set of lights for a city Christmas tree is said to be 6 kilometres in length. Soon there will be light displays, many depicting the true meaning of Christmas but the majority pointing us to images that promote the short-lived happiness of a Christmas where it seems receiving is better than giving.
History tells us that many ages ago Northern Hemisphere religions and cultures were subject to deep darkness and cold. To lend strength to the waning power of light they lit candles, fires and bonfires. There was a sense of helping light triumph over darkness. We do not have the problem of cold and darkness, we have daylight saving and summer. However we still light up and perhaps we should ask these questions:-

Does darkness still prevail?

Have we neglected the true source of light?

Jesus Christ not only came as the Son of God as a babe in Bethlehem, He came also as the Word of God. John Chapter1 tells us wonderful words about the true source of light in this dark world and reminds of a different aspect of Christ's coming.

"In the beginning was the one who was called the Word. The Word was with God and truly was God." 1:1

"The true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world." 1:9

"The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw His true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From Him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us." 1:14

Take time this Christmas to ask yourself:-

Do I know Jesus Christ the Light of the World as my Saviour?

How can I reflect His glory?

How can I witness to His truth, as I relate to family members, work colleagues, neighbours and those I encounter every day?

Next week "God With Us"
If you would like to know more or have any questions
please do contact us.
Lorraine Harvey

Would it make more sense if the events of 2000 years ago were visible and tangible? How is it that this age old event is celebrated year after year? Has it happened with such regular monotony that it has lost its real meaning?

Efforts to bring the real meaning back into focus have been overshadowed by the commercialism, the celebrations and the constant rush and busyness of the weeks leading up to Christmas. The realities of Christmas or the 'crazy season' as some call it however are quite sobering – one hardly dares touch on the statistics.
The way and what we celebrate has been made into something far removed from that first Christmas that many now ask, "What does of 'Son of God' mean?" To answer this we need to journey back to that first Christmas and take in that scene again. Luke tells us in Chapter 2:7,10,11, "Mary gave birth to her first born son. She dressed him in baby clothes, and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room in the inn." "This very day in King David's hometown of Bethlehem a Saviour was born for you. He is Christ the Lord."

Here is God Himself choosing to establish a tangible presence in the world where He like men and women would experience fatigue, pain and ultimately death. Yes God sent His Son to come along side each one of us – not just to love us at a distance. What is more His arrival moved the world, changed it and shook it. It shone light in dark places. It brought hope and love something far removed from what Christmas is today.

Refresh your lives with God's love story to mankind, ask God today to reveal to you what it really means to know the "Son of God" who came to seek and to save the lost.

Next week we will explore what "The Word of God", means to us at Christmas.

If you would like to know more or have any questions
please do contact us.
Lorraine Harvey

KYB Bible Study Guides

Influences from God!

Julie Alexander takes up the role of International President

Know Your Bible

Summer Retreats 2009 | Speaker: Liz Curtis Higgs

Our holy God lives forever
in the highest heavens,
and this is what He says:
Though I live high above
in the holy place,
I am here to help those
who are humble
and depend only on Me.

Isaiah 57:15