by Grethe Stanley | Apr 4, 2020 | encouragement
The meaning of struggle according to the Cambridge English Dictionary is to be in danger of failing or being defeated.
The meaning of surrender according to the Cambridge English Dictionary is the act of giving up something, or giving control of something to someone else.
So many are struggling with the restrictions that COVID-19 has forced upon us. This Pandemic will affect each of us in different ways. The world the way we knew it will never be the same again. But we know that God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Isaiah 40:8 ESV The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.
Psalm 119: 90 ESV Your (God) faithfulness endures to all generations; You have established the earth, and it stands fast.
What ever you are struggling with concerning the circumstances you find yourselves in, take a moment and ask yourself, “will my struggling change anything?”
Can I encourage you today to list your struggles and then surrender them to God and declare HIS SOVEREIGNTY over them. Don’t allow your struggles to defeat you, instead lay them down at the feet of Jesus and surrender them to HIM.
God is the supreme authority and all things are under His control, even COVID-19
Remember THIS TOO WILL PASS and then there will be a new and living way for us to walk in.
by Grethe Stanley | Mar 30, 2020 | encouragement
For a few days now I have had the words” it’s a new and living way, walk ye in it” running around in my head. I hadn’t thought too much about it until I spoke to my son who is in hospital recovering from a bad motor bike accident this morning. He said to me “you know mum, when this is over (COVID-19) life is never going to be the same. There will be a new way of doing life in so many ways.” I think he spoke prophetically without knowing it.
God said at the beginning of the year “Behold I will do a new thing”, that confirms to me that after COVID-19 life is not going to go back to the way it was. “Behold I will do a new thing, will you not be aware of it”.
A new thing!!! New wine!!! There is a new and living way walk ye in it!!! all this is running around in my spirit. What are you saying Lord???
This self isolation and social distancing is giving us more time. I am enjoying having extra time to spend with the Holy Spirit. This Epidemic has cut right across our “busyness” etc. I believe it is because God is wanting to prepare us for the New Wine, for the new and living way post COCID-19.
I do not know what this New Wine or new and living way looks like, but I do know that I want to be part of it, how about you? Are you prepared to step out of the old and comfortable into the new, even if it is uncomfortable?????
The Bible says in Matthew 9:17 NLT Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.
Isaiah 30:21 NIV Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,”This is the way; walk in it.”
I decided to look up it’s a new and living way etc and I discovered it is actually an old hymn (author unknown)
It’s a new and living way walk ye in it,
It’s a new and living way God has planned
It’s a new and living way I am walking day by day
I am guided and led by His right hand.
This is just my Sunday afternoon musings, I would love to hear your thoughts.
by Grethe Stanley | Mar 27, 2020 | encouragement
To say that we live in extraordinary times is an understatement. I firmly believe that God is getting us ready for revival and as daughters of the King, we need to prepare for what God is getting ready to release into earth. When revival comes, it comes first to the church
(you and I). That means revival is coming our way!
The Lord is calling us to get ready and be radiant because his glory is rising upon his people. Listen to what the Word of God says in Isaiah 60:1–2 Arise, and shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the God rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and think darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you.
In our society today we see darkness everywhere, but we have to remember that God’s light will expose all the darkness. We need to make ourselves ready for His light to come upon us first and then He will realise us to gather in the great harvest.
Get ready, get ready, get ready those words are ringing in my ears, the trumpet of revival has blown, the Heavenly host is poised and ready to be released!!! you and I need to get ready.
by Grethe Stanley | Mar 25, 2020 | encouragement
Never in a million years would I have believed that in 2020 most of the world would be in lockdown, however it is, and that is now our new normal for now. Let us remember though that “this too will pass”.
It is not the first time that there as been a lockdown; You can read the story in Exodus about the time that God commanded a lockdown during the Passover in Egypt. He told every Israelian household to stay home, hidden and protected under the blood of the lamb.
Exodus 12:12-13 On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the housed, where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
That same power is in the shed blood of Jesus, we as believers do not have to succumb to fear, we can symbolically apply the blood of Jesus to our doorpost to protect us and our families from the pandemic that we are facing.
Off course we have to be sensible and do what we are asked to do such as self isolation and social distancing, but we don’t have to live in fear.
The words running around in my mind as I am typing this is:-
There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the lamb.
There is power, power, wonder-working power in precious blood of the lamb.
JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. AMEN
by Grethe Stanley | Mar 23, 2020 | encouragement
On my early morning walk I saw this sign written on the side of a boat “expect the unexpected” I walk this way at least three times a week and I have never seen this before. It seemed to jump right into my spirit. How do we prepare to expect the unexpected?
I pondered this for the rest of my walk and the thoughts that came to me were, if we are to get through the unexpected (corona virus) we have to have our feet firmly planted on the Rock of Jesus.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God the Rock in whom I take refuge.
Psalm 62:6 Truly He is my Rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Only a short time ago, no one expected that today almost the whole world is in lock down. The way we do life today is totally different to the way we did it a few weeks ago, and it is changing all the time. There will be many more unexpected things that can and will come upon us in these uncertain days. But one thing you can be ABSOLUTELY sure about is that God will never change, His Word is trustworthy and true.
I want to encourage you, do not give into fear, stand on the ROCK of your salvation and put your trust in God. This chorus just came into my mind “On Christ, the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
by Grethe Stanley | Mar 22, 2020 | encouragement
Who would have ever thought a few weeks ago that most of the world today is in isolation!!!
This morning our church went live on line, this is the first time Andrew and I have ever experienced church on line. At the end of it we decided to play some more worship songs and end our service with having communion together which was lovely.
As I was listening to the song “raise a hallelujah” I sensed that a lot of people might be feeling isolated, especially if you live alone. I want to remind you that if you have made a commitment to Jesus, you are never alone, ever. His word says in Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them (coronavirus) for the Lord your God will never leave you or forsake you.
Don’t allow a feeling of isolation to overtake you during this time, instead sit quietly with the Lord and have communion with Him. I looked up the meaning of communion and this is what it said. “the sharing or exchange of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially on a mental or spiritual level” (off-course it also means The Lords Supper).
You can be sure that the devil will put thoughts and feelings of being isolated into your mind, and if he can get you to dwell on that, you will feel very alone. Tell him he is a liar and Jesus is the truth, then sit down and have communion with Jesus.
Father I pray in Jesus name, if there is any one who reads this blog that is feeling isolated and alone, would you wrap your loving arms around them and remind them by Your spirit that you never leave them or forsake them. Amen
Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future = nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the Loe of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
by Grethe Stanley | Mar 19, 2020 | encouragement
Due to the Coronavirus Schools and kindergartens in Australia are teaching the children to wash their hands properly; they do that by getting them to sing the Happy Birthday song twice. I was thinking about that this morning as I was walking along the beach having my early morning walk with Jesus. This thought popped into my head, seeing we all have to now wash our hands frequently and throughly, why not quote scripture out loud as we wash our hands!!!!
God is my refuge and my strength. He will never leave me or forsake me. I am safe and secure under the shadow of His wings. No weapon formed against me will prosper. God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.
It is the word of God that will counteract the spirit of fear that is trying to overtake us. The children of God have nothing to fear. The coronavirus has not taken our Father by surprise, regardless of what the media tell us, Jesus is still in control.
Next time you wash your hands try quoting scripture, most people know psalm 23 why not start with that. If we do that every time we wash our hands, we will be feeding our spirit, which in turn will make us stronger and take away any fear.
by admin | Mar 14, 2020 | encouragement
A pandemic has been declared in the world. These days we are constantly listening to the news to find out where the COVID-19 virus has spread. Borders are closing, trips are being canceled, schools are being closed, store shelves are empty…and there is little more than a month till our conference. We want to let you know that we are aware of the situation and we are monitoring its development. It is possible that we will postpone this year’s conference. IT’S VERY POSSIBLE that we will postpone it. But recently at a team meeting, we decided to pray and wait. We believe God is not surprised by this situation and that He is still in control! With this letter, we call upon you to join us in prayer for the world around us.
Someone recently put this quote on Facebook from Martin Luther at a time when the black plague was sweeping Europe: “You ought to think this way: ‘Very well, by God’s decree the enemy has sent us poison and deadly offal. Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person, but will go freely.”‘ Powerful, isn’t it?
Dear Daughters of the King, we pray that you shine in these dark times. We should do everything in our power to protect ourselves and those around us. Don’t give yourself over to panic, nor judge those around you who are frightened, instead encourage them. Tell them God is in control. Help those who are older and at greater risk from the virus. Bring them supplies, call them, send them messages…We can show them our King through our deeds, words, thinking…We in the Balkans know very well how much a kind word, a smile, or when someone sees and meets your need can mean in a time when everyone is looking out for themselves. We can show the world around us what it means to be a daughter of the King. We can be brave, faithful, caring, and ones who bring hope.
Also, we would like to encourage you with a few verses of Scripture:
Psalm 139 – God knows your days. He created you. He holds your life in His hands. His timing is perfect.
Psalm 91 God is your refuge, you dwell in the shelter of the Most High. You are safe under the shadow of His wings. You fear nothing.
2. Timothy 1:7 God didn’t give us a spirit of fear. We are filled with strength, love and a sound mind.
Philippians 4:4-6 We don’t worry. We give everything over to Him in prayer with thanksgiving. He gives us peace that passes our understanding.
Psalm 46 – God is our Shelter. Our Fortress. He is an ever-present help in trouble. The Lord Almighty is with you right now!
We could list many more. Is there a verse especially helpful to you? Or a song that encourages you?
We pray that during this time you grow closer to God and that you get to know Him better. We will let you know about the developing situation. Many of you have already paid the deposit, which of course we will return in the case that the conference is postponed.
Be blessed.
DOK Organizational Team
P.S. Maybe you want to listen to this song by Jesus Culture and proclaim it in your life
by Grethe Stanley | Feb 8, 2020 | encouragement
An offence is only an offence, if I choose to be offended.
definition of offence: (annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself).
To take offence or to be annoyed and resentful, only hurts me and drains me of all energy and joy. The Holy Spirit whispered to me one day, “Grethe an offence is only an offence if you choose to be offended).
Are you carrying an offence towards someone or do you get annoyed and resentful, stop and think about what the Holy Spirit whispered to me. Today make the CHOICE to not allow offences, annoyance and resentment into your life. They become like a heave Cloak that is worn 24/7. Choose to take it off today
This is what the Bible says about offences:
Proverbs 19:11 ESV Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his gory to overlook an offence.
Ecclesiastes 7: 21-22 ESV Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many tines you yourself have cursed others.
Proverbs 18:19 ESV A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarrelling is like the bars of a castle.
by Grethe Stanley | Jan 18, 2020 | encouragement
I really do not believe in making New Years resolutions, because they are doomed to fail. However I do believe in setting my self a new challenge at the beginning of a New Year.
This year as I sat and talked to my Heavenly Father about what He would like me to challenge my self with in 2020. I had no sooner asked Him and immediately came these words into my mind “speak only words of LIFE“. I knew in my heart that this was the Holy Spirit speaking to me.
So with God’s help I am going to do my very best this year to speak only words that bring life and encouragement to others.
Proverbs 15:4 (NLT) Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 16:24 (NLT) Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 18:4 (NLT) Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
Will you join me in this challenge?
Dear Lord Jesus, Would you help me and any other person who reads this and takes up the challenge with me. Lord convict me by the power of Your Holy Spirit, if I speak words that are not life giving I ask in Jesus Name. AMEN
