Be Blessed

By Oliver T. Spedding

This book comprises 87 inspirational thoughts about our relationship with God, how it affects our daily lives, how to approach such a relationship and what is necessary for this relationship to prosper. Each thought is followed by a hand-written extract taken from the Bible. A positive relationship with God requires effort and is not simply a matter of asking for and receiving that which we want. A positive relationship with God is an active relationship based on trust. God's love is infinite and everlasting and is devoid of partiality.a

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oliver Spedding
• Release date: Mar 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393774358

Oliver T. Spedding

I'm a freelance designer, writer, book illustrator and cartonist and artist.

Book preview

A LITTLE QUIET TIME

By

Oliver T. Spedding

Throughout history there have been remarkable and influential people that we can use as role models. Jesus was one of these great people.

But what we need to do is look beyond their achievements and learn from their daily habits.

There are countless books that expound on the daily habits that are the foundation of these amazing people.

One habit that Jesus followed was the quiet times that he used to reflect and pray.

He started early each day by seeking a quiet place where he could establish his priorities and recharge his faith.

If you look back on your life you will probably find countless times where you made flawed choices as a result of haste.

Perhaps this year you can establish a habit of creating a quiet time for reflection.

Undoubtedly you will begin making better decisions coupled with a greater strength to continue towards your goals.

What we need to ask ourselves is not Have I the time to stop and reflect? but rather Can I afford not to stop and reflect?

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GOD’S LOVE

By

Oliver T. Spedding

It is a general belief amongst religious people that God loves certain people more than others and that this relates to the religious beliefs of these people.

This is rarely vocally stated but the implication is there.

Each religion is inclined to believe that it is God’s favorite and this is not unique to any particular belief.

In the scriptures though, John3:16 says, For God so loved the world... and Psalm 139 affirms that God wove us together in our mother’s womb.

The truth is that God loves all eight billion people that live on our planet because God created all of them.

God even loves those people that we would consider worth hating.

Without doubt God loves all people equally, from kings and queens to paupers and beggars.

There is no truth in the belief that God loves good people more that evil people.

God doesn’t categorize people.

In God’s eyes all people are equal.

Jesus said that the shepherd left the ninety nine to find the one.

All of us are that one.

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SEEDS

By

Oliver T. Spedding

Many school children experience the excitement of placing a seed, usually a large bean seed, in moist cotton wool and watching it germinate.

Every day they ensure that the cotton wool remains moist and part the cotton wool carefully to observe any progress.

And suddenly a tiny green shoot appears, then a short stem and finally a leaf.

Eventually, with a parent’s help the seed is planted in the ground and allowed to flourish.

The Bible tells us that Paul planted and Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. This is so true.

The miracle of growth is a Holy thing, be it a baby in its mother’s womb or a seed in cotton wool, it is a miracle of God.

Seeds are many other things though.

They can be ideas, words or happenings and they can be the beginning of a miracle from God.

These seeds have been planted in our minds and hearts by God and, just like bean seeds, need to be cared for so that they can grow.

Unless we do our part these God-given seeds will never flourish and bear fruit.

We need to take care though that we don’t nurture seeds that will grow into plants that are harmful to us.

But, by trusting in God, we will only notice seeds that will grow and bear wonderful and valuable fruit.

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GOD IS WAITING

By

Oliver T. Spedding

God‘s help always comes in the form of guidance and for God to guide you, you need to activate your dreams and aspirations by doing something.

You need to start doing something positive that will begin your road to success.

If you are taking someone in your car to a destination that is unknown to you and that requires your passenger to guide you, he or she cannot do this until you actually begin the journey by starting the car and driving off.

Only then can your passenger give you directions that will end in you arriving at your destination.

This obvious parable applies to your goals and aspirations just as it applies to your journey to the unknown destination.

God can only guide you once you have started on the journey to your goal.

You have to be doing something positive about reaching your goal before God can begin to guide you.

It’s not important that you start with a foolproof plan; but you have to start.

Once you’re moving, God’s guidance will become clear and the best way to reach your goal will begin to appear.

It’s important to understand that very few, if any, goals are ever reached without some failures along the way and that each failure has to be treated as a lesson, even if the only lesson is that what you were trying to do wasn’t the correct way to proceed.

And when this happens, make yourself receptive to God and the new direction will appear.

This is an ongoing process so don’t ever give up.

Giving up is the same as stopping your car.

When you’re standing still you can’t receive directions, so keep going until you finally get to where you want to be.

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A SECRET PLACE

By

Oliver T. Spedding

When situations arise in our lives that are difficult to accept, most people have a secret place that they can withdraw to.

For some, a good book serves the purpose, for others it’s the TV or a movie or a popular social venue such as a tavern or the local pub.

Still others find solace in a park or in their own gardens.

But one of the most popular places to find peace, although many people are reluctant to admit it, is the church.

Even though churches have their quota of hypocrites, the person seeking relief in his or her church, goes there to be with God and not with people; just as people go to supermarkets to buy food and other essentials and not to see the other shoppers.

The important thing is that a secret place is where a person can feel at one with the peace that such a haven provides.

The bible mentions that Jesus also needed a secret place and developed the habit of frequenting a deserted place early every morning where he could evaluate the problems he faced and put them into perspective.

In this way Jesus was able to go out into the world each day with an attitude of sympathy and understanding.

Have you got a secret sanctuary where you can retreat to when life becomes too complex?

Or do you simply carry these burdens with you in the hope that they will go away by themselves?

If you don’t yet have a secret place then take a little time to find one.

It’s very likely that you do have such a place but aren’t yet conscious of its existence.

Find it and give God the opportunity to give you the two things that all of us need; direction and hope. 

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WRITING OUR OWN STORY

By

Oliver T. Spedding

At the beginning of every year most people make resolutions that they believe will make that particular year special.

But what actually determines what we will encounter as the year progresses?

Unfortunately there are myriad powers that are beyond our control and that will influence our progress throughout the year.

But these seemingly inflexible forces can be