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Embracing Ordinary Moments: Finding God in Daily Life
If you’d prefer to listen to this rather than read, click on the link below and post it in your browser. Alternatively, you can listen to The Jesus 4 Generations Podcast on your favorite streaming platform, e.g. Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.
https://ozsazzles.podbean.com/e/embracing-ordinary-moments-finding-god-in-daily-life/
As I write this, my daughter is sitting with her daughter, Phoebe, in a hospital pre-op room. As you can imagine, I’m experiencing a strong sense of déjà vu.
It brings back memories of so many seasons of waiting in my own life.
Waiting impatiently for the school bell to ring.
Anticipating my very first pay cheque.
Yearning to be old enough to get my driver’s licence.
Expectantly waiting for the birth of a child.
Hoping and praying for the Lord to deliver me from an unpleasant or painful situation.In those seasons, I often felt a mix of anticipation and urgency. A longing for the “event” to finally arrive, along with an undercurrent of uncertainty and fear that things might not go as planned.
Isn’t it interesting how easily we put life on hold while waiting for the next big moment?
And yet, in doing so, we often miss the small, seemingly ordinary moments we’re already living in. Moments that are filled with opportunities to notice God’s presence with us in the everyday and the mundane.
They have lyre and harp, tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts, but they do not regard the deeds of the Lord, or see the work of his hands.
Isaiah 5:12 (ESV)This morning, as we drove to the hospital, the sky greeted us with the most beautiful sunrise. Soft pinks, glowing oranges, and warm golds spreading across the horizon. My daughter pointed it out to Phoebe, her four-year-old daughter.
I couldn’t help but add something my own mum used to say, “that the glowing golden parts of the sky were God looking at us through the clouds.”
What a precious memory that stirred in me. A reminder of my mother’s love for me, and her deep love for God. It made me pause and ponder.
Do we take the time to “stop and smell the roses,” so to speak?
Do we marvel at God’s creation?
Do we bring our thoughts back to Him and wonder what’s on His heart today?Or are we so focused on what’s coming next that we miss living fully in the here and now?
So often, busyness crowds out awareness. We can miss the gift of living moment by moment in God’s presence. The joy of knowing Him, drawing close, and sitting at the feet of the great I Am. It is there we encounter His peace, His love, and His enduring hope.
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)God is with us always. He isn’t hiding.
We only need to turn our hearts toward Him and allow His love to overwhelm us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You are with me in every moment, not only in the big events, but in the quiet, ordinary spaces of my day. Help me to slow down, to notice Your presence, and to recognise Your love woven through the simple things. Turn my heart toward You and quiet my spirit with Your peace. Amen.
Activation
Today, pause at least once and intentionally notice something ordinary, a sunrise, a conversation, a child’s laughter, a moment of stillness.
As you notice it, simply whisper:
“Thank You, Lord, for being here with me.”Let that moment become a gentle reminder that God is present, attentive, and delighting in you, right where you are.
My prayer is that today you might pause, even briefly, and consider what’s on God’s heart.
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Embracing Ordinary Moments: Finding God in Daily Life
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-gm44c-18d8d3c
Encouraged by a sunrise, the piece emphasizes the importance of living in the present and recognizing divine love amid life’s busyness. God remains ever-present for those who seek Him.
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Embracing God’s Goodness in Daily Life
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-dz5cr-188777b
The content reflects on the goodness of God, emphasizing His unchanging nature and the importance of embodying His love through action. The message highlights the necessity of practicing faith daily.
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Finding Fulfillment Beyond Material Desires
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-bk2fi-188460c
The pursuit of fulfillment often leads to material desires and fleeting accomplishments that may mask a deeper spiritual craving for connection with God. True satisfaction arises from an intimate relationship with Him, shifting desires from worldly pursuits to spiritual growth.
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Finding Fulfillment Beyond Material Desires
If you’d prefer to listen to this post you can do so by clicking the link below and listen for free on Podbean. Alternatively, you can listen to The Jesus 4 Generations Podcast on your favourite streaming platform, e.g. Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.
https://ozsazzles.podbean.com/e/finding-fulfillment-beyond-material-desires/
During our journey through life, we may find ourselves searching for the next great thing.
Sometimes this takes the form of a purchase: a house, the latest fashion, a new car. At other times, it’s about an experience we hope will satisfy us. Perhaps a holiday, running a marathon, or floating peacefully in a hot air balloon.
We might explore hobbies, hoping to find the perfect fit. Perhaps something creative like singing, music, or writing, or something more practical such as gardening. Maybe more nuanced, like model trains, or woodwork. Or are we driven by ambition: completing a master’s degree, landing our dream job, or finally reaching retirement.
Many of these desires are not wrong in or of themselves. But they can easily become superficial and quietly feed a performance mentality. If we don’t master the skill, achieve the goal, land the job, or finish the marathon, we may feel a sense of failure. Even when we do succeed, the satisfaction often fades quickly. The joy is fleeting, and before long, another pursuit replaces the last.
I’m not suggesting that owning a home, driving a car, enjoying holidays, or having hobbies is wrong or unspiritual. These things are not evil. However, if we find ourselves constantly lurching from one desire to the next, it’s worth pausing and asking a deeper question.
Are we trying to fill a spiritual longing, a hunger for connection with God by using material possessions, status, achievement, or pleasure? If that’s the case, we will never truly be satisfied.
For He satisfies the longing soul,
Psalm 107:9 (ESV)
and the hungry soul He fills with good things.The hunger we feel for communion with our Creator is real. And it can only be fulfilled by spending time with Him.
The good news is that this isn’t complicated. God is not distant or disinterested. He is continually offering us a deep and intimate relationship.
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.
Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me.We simply need to open the door.
It’s easier than we think. God is always available. We lean in just a little, and He meets us with abundance. He is that good. And He loves us deeply and desires to give us good things.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
Psalm 37:4
and He will give you the desires of your heart.Many ungodly desires can often be traced back to greed, the pursuit of status, immorality, or a desire to control. When we examine our longings through this lens, it helps us gently sift out what will never truly fulfil us.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
James 1:17 (NKJV)
and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.We can ask God what’s on His heart, and He always has something to say.
As we spend time with Him, we begin to notice a shift. Our desires slowly change from worldly pursuits to Kingdom priorities. We find joy in fellowship, generosity, worship, and time in His Word. What once felt urgent loses its grip, and what truly matters comes into focus.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You alone satisfy the deepest longings of my heart. Forgive me for the times I’ve looked to things, achievements, or experiences to fill a place only You can fill. Help me to delight myself in You, to seek You first, and to trust that You know what I truly need. Align my desires with Your heart and lead me into lasting fulfillment.Amen.
Activation: A Heart Check
Take a quiet moment today and ask God this simple question:
“Lord, what am I truly longing for right now?”Sit with Him for a few minutes and listen without rushing.
Then offer that desire back to God and say:
“I trust You to meet me here.”Notice over time how your desires begin to shift as you draw closer to Him.
My hope is that this post encourages you to put Jesus first and to love Him wholeheartedly. I’d love to hear how God has provided for the desires of your heart. You’re welcome to comment and subscribe below so you don’t miss any future posts. God bless you.
Sources:
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Understanding Godly Peace: Beyond Worldly Views
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-xrhnf-1879941
The concept of peace can vary, often perceived as the absence of conflict. We discuss the biblical context of peace and how God defines it. Godly peace, bestowed through Jesus, offers strength amidst chaos. Cultivating this peace involves deepening one’s relationship with God through worship, obedience, and fellowship.
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Overcoming Disordered Eating: A Spiritual Journey
If you’d prefer to listen to this blog, click on the link below and listen for free on Podbean. Alternatively, you can listen to The Jesus 4 Generations Podcast on your favourite streaming platform such as Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
https://ozsazzles.podbean.com/e/overcoming-disordered-eating-a-spiritual-journey/It would be wonderful if everything went perfectly once we became a Christian. However, most of us quickly discover that following Jesus doesn’t exempt us from trials and struggles.
At times, we may be tempted and fail the test. Some battles are short-lived, while others linger for years. We may experience moments of breakthrough, only to find the same issue, or something similar, resurfacing later. Shame can creep in, convincing us to hide our struggle, fearing rejection if anyone knew the truth.
Although I would love to say I am living a victorious life in every area, that wouldn’t be honest. For over forty years, I have struggled with disordered eating.
Throughout that time, I sought help in many forms. I spent years in therapy and worked with psychologists, dietitians, nutritionists, and naturopaths. Twelve years ago, I underwent gastric surgery in an attempt to improve my health. I’ve tried countless diets, invested thousands of dollars in gym memberships, programs, and “miracle” supplements that promised freedom, yet none brought lasting change.
I received prayer many times and sincerely hoped I had been healed. While I experienced temporary relief, the struggle always returned, often in a different form. What began as anorexia nervosa later shifted into bulimia and then nighttime binge eating — the same root issue wearing a different disguise.
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
Matthew 12:43-45 (NIV)Over time, restricting my intake became increasingly difficult. Eventually, I found myself unable to follow a diet even for a single day. My health suffered, and I lived under a constant weight of shame and embarrassment.
Recently, the Lord gently convicted me of a lie I had unknowingly believed for many years, that comfort and peace came from food. The realisation was immediate and confronting. I repented of believing that lie, renounced my agreement with it, and commanded it to leave. Though the battle continued for several days, something had clearly shifted.
Two days later, I attended an intensive weekend at School of Faith, a Christian school that teaches and activates the gifts of the Spirit. On the Saturday, they announced that those who were willing were invited to fast lunch the following day.
For many, this would have seemed insignificant. For me, the thought of fasting filled me with dread. Fear whispered that I wouldn’t cope, that it was impossible. I even considered not attending the next day. That evening, my husband and I talked and prayed, and in the morning we decided to fast together.
To my surprise, it was far easier than I had imagined. I felt hunger briefly, but it passed quickly. The fear had been completely unfounded. That simple act of obedience broke the lie off me entirely.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)If you’d prefer to listen to this blog, click on the link below and listen for free on Podbean. Alternatively, you can listen to The Jesus 4 Generations Podcast on your favourite streaming platform, e.g. Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.
https://ozsazzles.podbean.com/e/overcoming-disordered-eating-a-spiritual-journey/
It would be wonderful if everything went perfectly once we became a Christian, however, it’s not uncommon to undergo trials and tribulations. We may be tempted and fail the test. Occasionally, we battle the same temptation for many years. At times we may experience breakthrough and sometimes the same issue returns or something similar does. We may be so embarrassed we try to hide the struggle, fearing rejection if anyone discovered the truth.
Although I would like to say I am living a victorious life in every aspect, that wouldn’t be true. Unfortunately, I have struggled with disordered eating for more than forty years. During this time I’ve undergone many years of therapy and sought support from psychologists, dietitians, nutritionists and naturopaths.
Twelve years ago I underwent gastric surgery in an attempt to lose weight and gain health. I’ve probably been on every diet known to man and paid thousands of dollars in gym and diet memberships. Not to mention supposed “miracle supplements and foods” that claimed to cure this issue. None of which did.
Many times, I’ve received prayer and hoped I’d been freed. Although I received some temporary healing, it always returned, often in a different form. What started as anorexia nervosa, flipped into bulimia and then night time binging disorder. Same problem in disguise.
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
Matthew 12:43-45 (NIV)Over time restricting my intake became harder and I found myself unable to stick to a diet even for one day. My health was affected and I constantly suffered from a sense of shame and embarrassment.
Recently, the Lord gently convicted me of believing a lie – all comfort and peace come from food. Instantly, I realised the truth of it. I repented of believing the lie and renounced all agreement with it. I commanded the spirit to leave, and continued to battle it for three more days.
Two days after praying, I attended an intensive weekend at School of Faith, a Christian school where you can learn about and practice the gifts of the spirit. As they planned to talk about fasting on Saturday, they invited those who were willing, to fast lunch the following day.
To most this would be a simple task. However, the mention of fasting filled me with a sense of dread. Fear is an awful thing, insinuating it would be impossible to fast and I wouldn’t cope. I had thoughts of not attending the Saturday. My husband and I spoke about it that night, and I explained my reluctance to participate. In the morning we both decided fast.
Surprisingly, it was as easy to do as it sounded. I occasionally felt hungry but that was momentary. The fear was totally unfounded. The practical act of fasting broke the lie off me completely.
Our loving Father speaks to us always in many different ways. I read and listen to The Verse of the Day on the YouVersion app Holy Bible, daily. The following day, the God of all comfort and peace reminded me to lean on Him and this was the verse of the day:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1Cor 10:13 (NIV)Today, eight days later, I can attest that I have not experienced intrusive thoughts about food, nor indulged in disordered eating. I’m actually experiencing normal hunger prior to eating. It’s been a blessing. A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The guilt and shame have evaporated.
Many will read this as a dreadful failure on my part and judge that I have suffered from a lack of willpower. Perhaps they are right. For me, disordered eating and body dysmorphia was a forty-six year battle since I was 13 years old. I know I am now healed. I rejoice in my loving God who never gave up on me.
Prayer
Loving Father,
Thank You that You see every hidden struggle and meet me with compassion, not condemnation. I bring You the places where I have sought comfort apart from You. Heal what is wounded, renew my mind with truth, and lead me gently into freedom. Help me to trust You as my source of peace, strength, and life. Amen.
Activation
Today, take a quiet moment and ask the Lord:
“Jesus, what lie am I believing, and what is Your truth?”Sit with Him for a few minutes without rushing.
When a thought or truth comes to mind, thank Him for His kindness and care.If this is an ongoing struggle for you, consider sharing your journey with a trusted, God-loving friend or faith community. You were never meant to walk this path alone
I hope this post encourages you to seek God and good supportive friends, churches and faith based schools that can encourage and help you to overcome temptation.
I’d love to hear how you have defeated your past issues. Please leave a comment below. If you’d like to subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes, please do. God bless you!
Sources:
All scriptures used were downloaded from Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/
If you are interested in joining a Christian faith community teaching and practicing using the gifts of the spirit, follow this link to School of Faith – https://www.schooloffaith.com.au/
If you would like to download a free Bible app with a verse of the day and other Bible plans, click on this link to You Versions Bible app –https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/
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Overcoming Disordered Eating: a spiritual journey
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-mvea8-186971a
This podcast shares my 40-year struggle with disordered eating. Recently, through prayer, repentance, and a School of Faith intensive weekend, I experienced a breakthrough. I encourage others facing similar challenges to seek God and supportive communities.
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Gratitude: Embracing God’s Goodness in Daily Life
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-t9a6y-1849279
This podcast emphasizes gratitude towards God, highlighting King David’s example of thanksgiving. The author shares personal blessings, illustrating God’s constant provision despite challenges, urging readers to journal and reflect on their blessings to nurture faith and joy.
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Finding Peace Amid Life’s Struggles
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-xz6gw-183c06d
Life can present challenges and issues, overwhelming us with helplessness. In these moments, turning to God is essential. We are encouraged to cast our burdens onto Him and trust in His powerful, loving presence for guidance and solutions, waiting patiently for His answers.
Jesus 4 Generations
Revealing our loving God to generations
Jesus 4 Generations 