Author: Sophia Peart

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**Wisdom Wednesdays**

man raising his left hand

‘Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves…

Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good…

They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them…

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.’

– Wisdom from Paul – Romans 13:1-10

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**Wisdom Wednesdays**

brown cardboard box on white wooden door

Our word for today is procrastination. It means the act or habit of putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention.

Are you putting something off that needed to be done a few hours, days, weeks, months or even years ago?

This something could be as serious as your health, finances, family, relationships, work, business or ministry. Or it could be as simple as cleaning up your house. It needed your attention before now. Time has lapsed. Now, your excuses seem to justify your inactivity. You’ve allowed fear to paralyse you. You’ve allowed what people might say to delay your progress.

The lazy man, in this bible proverb, didn’t follow through on his actions but instead allowed procrastination to steal his attention from the care and effort required to get things done this laziness cost him. Do not procrastinate any longer or things will become more difficult to deal with. Now is the time to get it done.

You will be glad you did ? – Pastor Sophia Peart

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Passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

close up of gate of buckingham palace

Good morning Everyone, We have all heard the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

She served this country for 70 years and demonstrated her faith in Jesus through these years. I personally thank God for the dignity, grace and humility in which she served.

At this time, I would like to share my condolences to everyone for I recognise we are all impacted by the passing of the Queen. I would also like to encourage us all to be kind and compassionate to each other as we acknowledge and process this loss, as we reflect on the end of an era and the beginning of an unknown era.

Let us be reminded of our call to be the light and salt of the earth when there is so much uncertainty. Let us be living representatives of God’s love for all mankind.

Let’s hold on to the faith and hope that we have in Christ Jesus that He is coming again, sharing this love and hope with others so that they too will know – we serve a living Saviour.

God bless you Church of the Living God. Pastor Sophia Peart

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Wisdom Wednesday: Be honest…

How Can You Trust Christianity Is True When There Are So Many Unanswered Questions?

When you work, do you always give 100%? Or do you just want to get it and get out? In this text, we are reminded of the temptation to work just as hard as we have to, thinking we only have to please a man. However, a Christian who is a dishonest, lazy, or unreliable worker doesn’t just have to deal with a reprimand from his earthly supervisor. His heavenly supervisor may prepare a reprimand as well.

As Christian employees, we have the highest of all motives for faithful and conscientious performance of our work. Why? Above all else, we are servants of Christ and work first and foremost to please him.

Ultimately, God wants every worker to see that they work for Him. A change of motive. Therefore, they should do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. For that God promises to reward those who work with that kind of heart.

– Pastor Sophia Peart

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**Wisdom Wednesday’s**

Are you ever tempted to doubt? I know I have.

The reality is doubt is very common to our human experience. Doubt comes in varying degrees. There is the doubt of a proud skeptic, who delights in their own intellect. There is the person who wants to believe, but is struggling with difficult questions. Then there is the believer who has drifted away from the Lord in the midst of a difficult situation. At the foundation of doubt is fear. Fear can be debilitating, disorienting and depressing.

The only antidote for doubt is faith. Faith, in the bible, is defined this way “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” The object of our faith is God and his promises. 

Faith is putting your trust in God and having confidence that he will fulfill his promises. Trust that God is working on your behalf and in your favour. Have confidence in His promises. Know when you trust Him, goodness and mercy will chase after you all the days of your life! 

- Pastor Sophia
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**Wisdom Wednesday’s** In order to grow you have to let go.

Spiritual growth requires change, and the only thing that is holding you back is your resistance.

Even though you try really hard to hang on to places of comfort and stability, it is not possible to keep things the same and grow. You must be willing to release the past and make peace with your current reality. Circumstances of life test your ability to adapt and thrive.

Let go and go.

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Marsha BURNS, Small Straws

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Wisdom Wednesday’s Lets talk about the ‘F’ word.

Forgiveness “is” an act or process of healing, reframing, letting go, and moving on from an offense or negative experience. It can be one of the most difficult things we are commanded to do. It requires us to trust God completely with the future of our lives in a way that restores, reconciles, where necessary, and regains trust.

Let’s dispel some myths about forgiveness…

1. Forgiveness is not forgetting.

2. Forgiving does not mean you no longer feel the pain of their offense. 3. Forgiving doesn’t mean you cease longing for justice.

4. Forgiveness does not mean you make it easy for the offender to hurt you again.

5. Forgiveness is rarely a one-time event. We are called by God to forgive. When we do, it can lead to deeper levels of intimacy and vulnerability in our relationships.

The fact is Satan gains ground in our lives when we don’t forgive. So maybe it’s time that we regain ground by choosing to forgive?

– Pastor Sophia Peart

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Wisdom Wednesday

In the 25 years I've travelled I have always taken out travel insurance but never had to make a claim. That was until this trip. I have been tested to the limit and it is still not over. As I write, I am at a hotel in Washington Dulles after missing my flight back to the UK.

My thoughts are... 'Lord, are you with me because I can't see how you are in this and I'm struggling to trust you.' 
I feel guilty for even thinking this... my faith should be strong, after all I'm a Pastor?
 
Yet I have to be honest in this moment. I can’t pretend when all the while God knows my heart. Even as I write, He is providing a fresh revelation of Himself to me. 

Jesus becomes the author of our faith as He initiates powerful promises that challenge us to trust in Him. Our faith is developed as we choose to trust His promises daily. When we trust Him we learn that He is a God of His word. A God who will never break His promise. All we are required to do is trust Him in whatever circumstance. - Pastor Sophia


Soph: **Update**
Thank you so much for your prayers yesterday. I've just arrived back safely. 

But let me share with you what happened after I texted you my devotional... I decided to wear my 'Purpose' T-shirt. As I was going through the airport I noticed that people were reading the print, some even made comments and we were able to strike up a conversation. 

My faith throughout the day was strengthened and it began with being honest about where I was. Not only that... your prayers and the promises, power and presence of God made the difference. 

The biting point of transformation is where honesty meets the Jesus who is the truth, the life and the way.

Have a blessed day!
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**Wisdom Wednesday’s** If Any Of You Lacks Wisdom You Should Ask God

Indecision is no man’s land. There are no answers there and no place to go. You need to fill your thoughts with Me, seek My face, and come into My presence where I can give you direction and guidance. Wait for My wisdom about every situation. Stand still until you have clarity, and do not fret. James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
SMALL STRAWS by MARSHA BURNS
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**Wisdom Wednesday’s** Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart

God is the Master Orchestrator. He really understands everyone of his instruments in detail.

Yesterday, I had the amazing opportunity to spend time in Kingston Jamaica with a friend I only met this April at a conference. 

When we met we realised very quickly how much we had in common and had a deep sense that God had a special purpose for our connection. We didn't speak about our holiday plans back in April yet God had impressed on our hearts separately that we needed to be in Jamaica during the month of July. 

So He orchestrated the rhythms of iur lives to cross. Yesterday was a day like no other, we laughed, shopped till we dropped, ate good Jamaican food and discovered really cool hang out spots with my cousins. It was a day the manuscript of our souls. I saw how God composed the major and minor chords of my vacation into a sweet lullaby. 

Why not allow God to be the Master Orchestrator of your life. - Pastor Sophia Peart
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**Wisdom Wednesday’s** Keep Your Minds On Whatever Is True, Pure, Right, Holy, Friendly And Proper

**Wisdom Wednesday's** This bible text speaks so clearly to the power we have to govern our own thoughts. The truth is our thoughts are one of the most powerful tools we have. Our thoughts can create something beautiful or cause death. Our thoughts direct our feels, our actions and our behaviour. 

How much time do we spend thinking about what or how we are thinking? I challenge you to take sometime each week to reflect how you are thinking about yourself, God, others and life. 

I'd also encourage you to use this Scripture as a guide for your thoughts.

I believe this text can help us govern our thoughts in a positive way to bring about life, love, joy and creativity. 

Have a great and thoughtful day! ????
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**Wisdom Wednesday’s** Cast All Your ANXIETY On Him Because He Cares For You

Did you know that you can throw your worries, concerns and issues at God? 

It's true, whatever challenges you maybe going through right now, no matter the complexity, whether it just happened or you contributed to it. The Bible says 'Cast your anxiety on Him'. The word 'cast' means literally to throw or fling. So we can throw our issues in the direction of God. Notice what happens...  you release it and no longer hold it. Instead, you let it go into the hands of Our Father who is able to do exceedingly abundantly far above all what we can ever ask or think. He can handle it. 

We can do this with full confidence knowing that Our Father cares for us. He loves us, His intentions are good towards us and He is able to cause all things - the good the bad and the ugly - to work for our good. 

So what are you waiting for throw your worries, concerns and challenges into Our Hands and watch Him deal with them because of His great love for you. Just let it go ?? - Pastor Sophia Peart
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Wisdom Wednesday: Indecision is no man’s land

Indecision is no man’s land. There are no answers there, and no place to go. You need to fill your thoughts with Me, seek My face, and come into My presence where I can give you direction and guidance. Wait for My wisdom about every situation. Stand still until you have clarity, and do not fret. James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

SMALL STRAWS by MARSHA BURNS
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Have you ever thought…

Have you ever thought... 
God, I want to please you but just don't know how or if I keep on doing the same thing that dishonours you, those around me and myself? 

This Scripture provides us with hope. It speaks of God doing something transforming inside of us. He is working inside of you and me. 

He is giving us the desire, the willingness and the longing to please him. He gives us a vision of what that would look like, feel like, and be like—this desire gives us hope. 

This is the best part. The desire comes from God, but we may not have the ability to fulfil that desire. We may try in our own power, but each time we experience massive failures. 

God never intended for us to fail. He wants us to experience the desires he has placed in our hearts. He wants to help us experience the fulfillment of every single desire we have. How does he help us? 

He gives us his power. His power is able to move us beyond physical realities into a supernatural reality in which He exists. He is able to do far more than we could ever ask or think. His power can bring life to death and strength to weakness. 

His power is all we need for the desires of our hearts to be realised today. And this will empower us to do what pleases him. 

You know the desires God has placed in your heart. Why not claim His power today to experience the fulfilment of these desires and make God pleased with you.

 

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