MetCPA

Supporting officers and staff to be the best that they can be

Alex Coubrough

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Monday 24th July 2017

Today’s exhortation – baby steps

One day while in a friend’s house and saw his 1 year old son trying to walk for the first time. As he took his first steps, we all got excited. His father and mother along with the adults were watching him very closely to make sure he didn’t hurt himself. If he looked like he was going to hit the coffee table his father along with all the adults will jump up to make sure he didn’t hurt himself. Suddenly I got a picture of The love of God the Father for us and how He watches over us. To understand this a bit more, we’ve to look at how children begin to walk. The process of baby to toddler involves – Cruising which is a safe way for babies to practice their balance and strengthen their muscles. As the baby’s confidence grows, he will periodically let go of his support object, then grab hold again when he feels himself totter.

Eventually, he’ll venture out on his own. Usually he makes it only one or two steps at first before sitting down; But loving encouragement and his own sense of accomplishment will keep him trying until he succeeds. A baby’s first steps may accidentally get going too fast and fall when he tries to stop. A close eye is kept on him — not only for safety’s sake, but also to savour these special moments.
No matter what we may think of ourselves, we’re are still His children. He loves our baby steps and keeps a close eye on us not just for our safety but to savour us. The bible says, “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:11, 12). Amen. Hope your week gets off to a good start!

Francis Hans-Jorie

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Friday 21st July 2017

Today’s exhortation – enjoy today

There’s so much to be grateful and thankful for today. Even if things aren’t that great at the moment, we still woke up to see another day. It may seem like waking up was automatic but I beg to differ, we have been given today because God’s plan for our lives is still being worked out. Once upon a time, today was in our future! Back then God told us His plans for us was good, to give us a future and a hope and today is part of the hope He promised. Today is full of hope for us. The Lord in teaching us how to pray, also taught to pray to God saying, “Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew‬ ‭6:11‬). At the end of the chapter He also said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew‬ ‭6:34‬).

I believe the message God has asked me to give to you today is to enjoy today. This is the day that The Lord has made, we should rejoice and be glad in it. Whatever situation you may find yourself in, there’s always hope because there’s hope in today as well as in your tomorrow. “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew‬ ‭6:26-27‬). Have a blessed weekend.

Francis Hans-Jorie

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Thursday 20th July 2017

Today’s exhortation – forgive yourself

One day whilst in early morning prayer, The Lord asked me to do something I had not thought of doing before, which is “to forgive myself!” The reason being, I spoke at an event which didn’t go as planned and so I was very disappointed with myself. After that, I had been reliving the moment in my head over and over and each time I thought about it, I felt a huge pang of regret. There were many occasions this robbed me of my peace and happiness. The Lord pointed out to me that it was equally important to forgive ourselves too. How many fathers or mothers blame themselves for not being around to support their children or for missing parts of their childhood? How many divorcees are living with regret? Blaming ourselves repeatedly, living with regret or guilt can lead to bondage.

The story of the prodigal son in the bible, shows us God’s eagerness to forgive us when we repent. The prodigal son was a man who asked his father for his inheritance so he could move out. After he had wasted his inheritance and had nothing left, he regretted his actions and said to himself, “I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke‬ ‭15:18-20‬). God is The Father in this story and it shows His compassion, love and eagerness to forgive us. God loves us.

Francis Hans-Jorie

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Wednesday 19th July 2017

Today’s exhortation – forgiving others

Forgiving others may be one of the greatest challenges we may face and it takes God’s grace and help so if anyone is struggling to forgive, call on the enabling power of The Holy Spirit. He is also called the Helper and is the same Person who helped The Lord Jesus say “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” God promises to give The Holy Spirit to anyone who asks. It must be noted that Forgiveness does not depend on fairness, on whether we feel like it or not or who was in the right or wrong, God simply tells us repeatedly that we must forgive! This doesn’t excuse what people do but we must recognise that “hurt people, hurt people.” The person who offended us may also have been hurt and is reacting to their hurt.

When it comes to forgiveness, the word of God are non-negotiable and uncompromising. God covers all angles when it comes to forgiveness- we must forgive if we have anything against anyone, or if we know that someone is having a problem with us. Jesus said, ““if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew‬ ‭5:23-24‬). Just to re-iterate, forgiveness is not a feeling but a decision, it’s an act of the will. Again if you’re finding it difficult, start by asking God to bring you to a place where you can choose to forgive, God will honour that. When the decision has been made, eventually the feelings will follow. To be cont..

Francis Hans-Jorie

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Tuesday 18th July 2017

Today’s exhortation – forgiveness

Forgiveness is all about us and very little about the offender because ultimately it’s for our own good. Forgiveness doesn’t depend on the offender’s behaviour but on our desire to heal and be healed. (Romans 5:6-11). Also whilst we hold the offender in the prison of unforgiveness, we may find ourselves also held in the prison of bitterness and hurt. Sometimes the person is oblivious to our hurt and pain and we’re the ones who suffer. But it must be noted that Forgiveness is not the following:
1- “Excusing or condoning wrong!” It never approves or justifies evil, reprehensible or wrong behaviour. It’s not okay because everyone does it or they couldn’t help it.
2- “Treating a wrong as if it didn’t matter” or denying that we’ve been hurt.
3- “forgetting it,” as if we hit delete, our brains go blank. We can’t forget the evils of the past else we lose lessons from them

4- “it’s not given because the person deserves it or earned it.” Jesus forgave His executioners even though they didn’t repent or deserve it.
5- it’s also not necessarily “reconciliation or restoration”‘to one’s former position of trust or power. Eg, a wife who forgives her husband for abuse shouldn’t automatically be expected to return to him. It may not be the wise or safe thing to do depending on the circumstances. A real repentance on his part has to take place before a loving relationship is possible.
Having said all this, I believe forgiveness is letting go of a record of wrongs and the need for vengeance and releasing the associated negative feelings such as bitterness and resentment. It’s probably the most selfish thing we must do because it’s more for us than anyone else. I pray The Lord reveals to us areas of our lives we need to forgive so we can be free…..

Francis Hans-Jorie

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Monday 17th July 2017

Today’s exhortation – inner healing needed

Have you ever left garbage in the kitchen too long ? How can you tell? When you enter the house the whole place smells rotten right? With that kind of smell, no food or meal will be appetising in the house. In the same way, not resolving our bitterness, unforgiveness, shameful acts before or after receiving Jesus, broken or failed marriages, disappointments, past hurts, embarrassing circumstances etc can make us continually feel bad about ourselves just as the garbage in the kitchen can make the whole house smell. Although the Inner Healing process involves work on our part to get all resolved, it is well worth the effort to feel good about ourselves and fully understand who we are in Christ. So far, the areas of inner healing we’ve covered are generational curses, soul hurts, ungodly beliefs, soul ties, vows and inner vows.

The next areas we’ll be looking at are, forgiveness, sins towards others and shame, bitterroot judgements, bitterroot expectancy and then finally finishing off with breaking demonic oppression. I believe that the key to receiving inner healing is forgiveness and repentance. After The Lord Jesus taught us to pray in The Lord’s Prayer, He said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew‬ ‭6:14-15‬). So, it’s not an option, but a must! Nevertheless we thank God for The Holy Spirit who is our Helper and He will help us deal with this difficult area of our lives. God willing, we’ll go in depth on forgiveness tomorrow. Hope your week gets off to a great start!

Francis Hans-Jorie