External, superficial customs

It is three days after Christmas Day, and in my devotions time this morning I was led to this verse Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed)  by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

During the school holidays our children have been staying up a bit later in the evening. They have watching many of the 'Christmas' movies on TV which have been running for the past 2 weeks. Not one of the 10 movies they have watched centered around the real meaning of Christmas, Jesus birth.  I can't recall any of them even mentioning Jesus. Perhaps they should be known as 'Santa' movies!

I am not a big TV watcher, but whilst doing ironing early on Christmas Day, at 6am, I did stumble upon a program entitled, A Wise Man?  It was a very interesting look at the first Christmas from the eyes of one of the magi, and is presented in an everyday Australian setting. Such a shame it was on at 6am and wouldn't have had nearly the audience that the 'Santa' movies had. But well done to those people who made the movie, and those who contributed funds so that is could be aired at all.

This 'Santa Christmas' TV programming, coupled with the fact that it was very difficult to find any mention or display of Jesus birth in any shops' decorations shows just how far our world has moved away from the real meaning of Christmas. It seems that in today's' world, certainly in Australia anyway, the church is now primarily the only place you will find a mention of Jesus in relation to Christmas. 

When your senses of sight and sound are being bombarded with these non-Jesus 'Christmas' messages, it can be very challenging to 'not be conformed to this world, [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs].

For myself, I find it is a time when I need to be reading God's word more and more, sharing God's word more and more with our children, so that Jesus remains at the center 

of our celebrations. And then questioning what we are doing to celebrate the wonderful event of God's son coming to earth. Are we as a family getting too caught up in external, superficial customs? Definitely some soul searching to be done there!

As the sign outside of some churches says, Jesus is the reason for the season. I thank God there are some people bold enough to get the truth of the matter out there into the world!

Why not take a few moments post the Christmas celebrating to reflect on your own Christmas customs? Are there enough to help you remember that Jesus is the reason for the season?

Looking away

Some days I find myself looking away from Jesus. I find myself getting distracted from the real purpose and meaning of life. During my devotions this week Hebrews 12v2 reminded me of where I should be looking, 

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and Source of our faith [giving first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Some days it is so easy to start looking toward people and things. It is so easy to start problem solving in my own strength and then have everything come crashing in a heap! Because my strength is not enough. My wisdom is incomplete. My grace in insufficient. 

Rather it is Jesus 'Who is the Leader and Source of our faith'. It is Jesus who is the strength. It is Jesus who is the wisdom. It is Jesus who is grace. It is Jesus who I should be looking to, not looking away from.

Jesus, please forgive me for looking away from you, when rather I should be looking to you. Thank you for your strength, wisdom and grace that is sufficient. 

Is there an area in your life where you have been looking away from Jesus? Is there an area in your life that really needs His strength, wisdom and grace? Why not ask His forgiveness and accept all the help He wants to give you today? Jesus is the Leader and Source of our faith.

No dissensions or fractions

And here is another challenge ...

God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or fractions, or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your opinions and judgements. 1 Corinthians 1:9,10 (AMP)

What does it take to be "perfectly united in our opinions and judgements"? How do we know that our opinions and judgements are in line God's plans and purposes. Some might say that this is very tricky ground. And it is! Unless of course as the the previous scripture says, we are in 'companionship and participation with His Son.'  When we are living a life in Jesus, grace, love, wisdom and discernment are hopefully just some of the fruit we bear. This fruit, in combination with the leading and power of the Holy Spirit, should be helping us to move towards that position of perfect harmony and full agreement.

So there lies the challenge, are we living life in Jesus, allowing His grace and love to penetrate every are of our lives? Let's search our hearts today, and ask God to show us where we need to surrender more to Him, so we can keep moving towards perfect unity in Jesus Name.

An encouraging God

This morning during my devotions, doubt began to creep into my mind. Questions such as 'why are you doing this blog? who reads it anyway? what do you know about God?' The Holy Spirit then lead me to this scripture in The Message bible from 1 Chronicles 16:23-27...

Sing to GOD, everyone and everything! Get out his salvation news every day! Publish his glory among the godless nations, his wonders to all races and religions. And why? Because GOD is great - well worth praising! No god or goddess comes close in honor. All the popular gods are stuff and nonsense, but GOD made the cosmos! Splendor and majesty flow out of him, strength and joy fill his place.

Reading this encouraged me to speak out aloud the truth of this scripture and tell those doubts to leave in Jesus name.  There are so many people in this nation, this world that haven't heard that God. Our daily newspapers certainly aren't publishing God's glory! So it is up to us, who have a relationship with Jesus and have experienced God's grace to get the word out! The challenge for me 'Get out his salvation news every day!' 

Thank you God for this encouraging word today, and that you have helped me to push aside the doubt and focus on you and you alone!

If there is doubt creeping into your mind about something, why not ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to a scripture that can encourage you in your situation. He wants to help you keep your focus on His promises and purpose for your life.

Godly reverence

For He who is almighty has done great things for me - and holy is His name [to be venerated in His purity, majesty and glory]! And His mercy (His compassion and kindness toward the miserable and afflicted) is on those who fear Him with godly reverence, from generation to generation and age to age. Luke 1:49,50

Let's go on a bit of a word search today, what is godly reverence? The Australian Concise Oxford dictionary defines godly as 'religious, pious, devout,' and reverence as 'the act of revering', and revering as 'hold in deep and affectionate or religious respect.' So from my perspective I would interpret the phrase 'godly reverence' as 'devout deep and affectionate respect'.

What a challenge that is, especially in today's society when 'respect' is so often an unused or misused in many of our daily interactions. How do we show devout deep and affectionate respect to God? Three questions to specifically consider today...

What is in our heart that shows devout deep and affectionate respect to God?

How do our words show devout deep and affectionate respect to God?

How do our actions show devout deep and affectionate respect to God?

My prayer today is that at least once during this precious God-given day, I will show Godly reverence to Him, who is more than worthy. Why not make it your prayer too?

Taking a long deep breath

The Message bible says in Exodus 31:17, It is a fixed sign between me and the Israelites, Yes because in six days God made the heavens and the Earth and on the seventh day he stopped and took a long deep breath.

I don't pretend to understand how God made the heavens and the Earth, I just believe that He did. I don't pretend to understand how He felt at the end of those six days. 

The Amplified bible says for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day He ceased and was refreshed.

In my little life I am quickly learning the value of taking a long deep breath, of ceasing and making time to be refreshed. Yesterday I had the opportunity to 'cease' for almost three hours, by way of sitting on a train, in a 'quiet carriage', listening, uninterrupted to worship music. It was a much needed time of reflection on how good God has been to me, how perfect His timing has been. It was a time of drawing strength from meditating on the character of God and getting a great understanding of His essence.

The wave of emotions that passed through me in those three hours of ceasing and taking a long deep breath were most interesting. Starting with a time of 'getting settled', then moving to grieve and despair as I reflected on my circumstances. Then, aided by the song Sing Along from Passion's White Flag album, the Holy Spirit lifted my faith and filled me with hope for the future. 

As I alighted the train almost three hours later I felt like a completely different person, assured of God's love and reminded of His faithfulness. How important it was to take that long deep breath. Again God's timing was perfect.

Question for today, when was the last time you ceased and took a long deep breath, taking time to reflect on God and His character? How did you feel after that time of rest? If you feel like you need to rest again now, why not ask God to help make a way for that time to happen for you?

Do this with humility and discipline

In the light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk - better yet, run! on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline - not in fits and start, but steadily, pouring yourselves our for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. Ephesians 4:1-3 The Message

What a challenge I felt this morning as I read this scripture, run on the road God has called you to, no strolling off, no fits and starts. That certainly is a challenge as other things in life can sometimes so easily become all consuming and distract us from the path God has called us to. 

The words 'humility' and 'discipline' really stood out for me, as two of the key character traits required to help one stay true to God's calling on your life.  As I started to ponder these two words and think about how difficult it can be to live a life exemplifying them, I felt God say to me, 'You don't have to strive in your own strength to be humble and disciplined, remember the fruit of the Spirit I have given to you.'

So my mind traveled to the scripture in Galatians 4:22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience  kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV)

This moment of revelation reminded me that God never asks us to do something that he hasn't equipped us for, or provided the help for us that we will need along the path. 

The Holy Spirit will help me to run on the road God has called me, and to run with humility and discipline, if I continually submit to His promptings. And that submission is another challenge for another day!

Yes, that is my prayer today, God, Thank you for providing all I need to stay on the path you have called me. Please help me to operate out of the fruit of the Spirit, so I do as you have called me to do, in the way you want me to do it.

Question for today, how are you travelling on the road God has called you to travel? Are you as humble and disciplined as you could be? Or are you like me, needing to constantly ask God for help to live out the fruit of the Spirit? Why not ask God for that help too?

Your eyes focused and clear

But I do more than thank. I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work is us who trust him - endless energy, boundless strength. Ephesians 1:16-19

What a great prayer for us to offer up to Jesus, asking to keep our 'eyes focused and clear', so we can move into a closer relationship with God and gain insight into His plan for our lives and the inner character He is building in us to help us fulfill his purpose.

For me there used to be many many times in the day when my eyes were not focused and clear on the purposes of God. Rather they were focused and clear on the purposes of Wendy! This selfish focus would cause all sorts of problems, especially when I was less than considerate of the people around me, in order to achieve my purposes! 

However, thankfully for me (and those around me), times have changed as I have begun to understand God's grace, and learn how to live out of grace, and extend grace to those who live life with me. I thank God that He is slowly making me more 'intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally', helping me to knowing and understand His amazing grace.

Of course there are still times when I am focused on the purposes of Wendy, but the more discernment I have about God, the more I recognize the nudge of the Holy Spirit, gently saying, 'whose purpose are you focusing on now?' 

Thankfully most times nowadays I stop and listen to that nudge, and check back in with God regarding my actions. When I do stop and listen, and often alter my plans in response, I find that I have the 'endless energy, boundless strength' that I need to complete the plans. I thank God that He always knows best.

Question for today, what are your eyes focused and clear on?  Do they need adjusting, if so, ask God to help you to be intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally. 

Interceding in behalf of all the saints

Ephesians 6:18 says Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).

When it comes to prayer I have been both a giver and a very grateful receiver. Prayer is so vital to my well-being. I praise God, my heavenly father, that He is always available to listen to my prayers and He knows exactly what to do! In great contrast to myself, when our children want to ask me some things, I am not always available, and certainly I do not always know what to do! 

Regarding praying for other people, sometimes it can be "obvious" what they need prayer for. Either through a specific request for prayer, or a conversation with them might reveal a circumstance that requires prayer.  

Sometimes it is the whisper of the Holy Spirit in the middle of the night, or when I am hanging out the washing, that says, 'pray for this person'. In most instances nowadays I recognize the Spirit's voice. However I have no idea why or what to pray, so I immediately start to pray in the Spirit. Often once I start praying in the Spirit, a specific word, such as 'peace', or 'wisdom' will come to mind. I claim that word over that person's life, in Jesus Name. If it is a reasonable time of day, I might even text the person to say, "praying for you" and give them the word that God has given me for them. 

When I next see the person I was prompted to pray for, it sometimes transpires that there was a need for prayer and encouragement at that specific time the Holy Spirit prompted me to pray.  I get so excited when I hear that, as it reminds me how God can use us, if we make ourselves available to Him. What a network of support if we would have if we always listened and obeyed the promptings of the Holy Spirit to pray for others.

A couple of challenges for us all, are we available to hear the Holy Spirit?  Are we being obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to pray for those He puts on our hearts?

God's weapons

For a number of years now it seems that my life has been played out on a battleground, with attacks in many different ways, but all coming from one source, the Devil. These attacks have not been minor inconveniences. Oh no, they have been of major proportions ranging from having a daughter with cancer, to the challenges of helping my husband to keep a business viable in today's economy.

There has been many a time when I have asked God, "When will this all end and we can go back to our pleasant little life we had 5 years ago?" So far I haven't gotten a specific answer to that question! The response I have received however, has been, "keep seeking Me, keep reading My Word, keep spending more time with Me, keep trusting Me, keep putting Me in the driver's seat of your life. Don't give up on Me."

I have had little choice other than to do exactly what God has told me to do. Everyday I make that choice to spend time with God in the morning before I start on my list of jobs. In fact, I ask Him what I need on that list, and what can go! It is then with confidence that I can go about my day, knowing that I have at least started it the right way. Sometimes by the end of the day everything is more than a little pear-shaped, but that's okay. I just get up again the next day, spend more time with God and start again!

Getting back to the idea of life being a battleground, as I was reading this scripture a few days ago, it reminded me of the daily fight we face, and just how important it is to have God in the driving seat of your life. 

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devils throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:10-18 (The Message) 

I pray that this scripture will encourage you to seek God through His word and prayer. He is the only option.

Who or what has first place in your life?

Here is a question to ponder today, Who or What has first place in your life? 

I found myself asking that question as I was reading my bible this morning, reading 1 John 5:21

Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods) - [from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be). (AMP)

The New Living Translation simply says, 

Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your heart.

Sometimes our lives get so cluttered with things that we think are imperative. Imperative that we "have this". Imperative that we "do this".  But are these things really so important in the big scheme of thing? Are they taking up space in your heart and mind that is meant to be filled with the things of God?

Sometimes I get despondent about various parts of our house that could do with renovating. Thoughts of how the house could be different and what we could do about it start to consume my mind. This "project" becomes top of mind for the day. As soon as I wake up i am writing down ideas about what improvements can be made that day.

And then I feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit as He reminds me that firstly Jesus didn't have a magnificent home here on earth that He spent hours getting 'just right', but rather He focused completely on doing God's will. And secondly the Holy Spirit reminds me that there are many many people in this world who barely have a room to live in, let alone a 4 bedroom house. The Syrian refugees come to mind this morning. 

I then realise that "our house" has subtly taken first place in my life. It has consumed my mind and heart. It is time to ask forgiveness and put Jesus back into first place in my life!

The question for today, who or what has first place in your life today?

My personal guide

But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them - sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute. Isaiah 42:15,16

This has certainly been my experience of God, a personal guide. There have been many times in recent years in my life when I have been in an 'unknown country'. Circumstances I never dreamed I would be in, and they weren't what you would call positive circumstances! They were circumstances in which no person around me could give me a full understanding of what was happening, or likely to happen in the future. God was the only place I could go to.

In those times, I felt like God was literally taking my hand, leading me to the right people at the right time, giving me the right words to speak and write. There were some very very difficult moments. Sometimes I felt like I was only a step away, but I didn't fall in the ditch, because of God's guidance and grace.

For my part I had to totally surrender to God. I had to acknowledge that I had no answers, no plan, no solution to resolve these situations. I was completely reliant on Him. It was a time of me moving to a new level of trusting God, to knowing more and more in my heart that He does work all things together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.

Question for today, do you believe that God can be your personal guide through life, helping you through the good and the bad times? And if so, are you going to let Him be your guide?

Let this be made known to all the earth

And in that day you will say, Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name and by means of His name [in solemn entreaty]; declare and make known His deeds among the peoples of the earth, proclaim that His name is exalted! Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done excellent things [gloriously]; let this be made known to all the earth. Isaiah 12:4-5

A question for all Christians is how are we letting 'this be made known to all the earth'? 

In today's world the internet certainly provides a way for us to communicate widely about the deeds God is doing here and now! At least to the peoples who have access to the internet and are searching for more about God. 

We all have a sphere of influence. However big or small your sphere of influence, next time you post a facebook entry, comment on a blog, or use some other type of social media, why not be bold and declare what God has done for you. And then trust that God will use that declaration to encourage and help someone else.

For my part I am learning to take every opportunity that God gives me to declare what He is doing in my life. With every new opportunity to communicate, my boldness grows. From various feedback I receive I know God is using the testimony of His faithfulness and goodness in my life to encourage and inspire other people. What an honour and a privilege to be used in that way. Thank you Jesus that you truly do work all things together for good!

A challenge, in this next week, why not use some aspect of social media to declare what God has done and pray that it will encourage whoever reads it.

Angels watching over me

Do you believe in angels? What does God's word say about angels?

Psalm 91:11,12  For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Hebrews 1:14  Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the services [of God for the assistance] of those who inherit salvation?

Psalm 103:20 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments hearkening to the voice of His word.

I believe in angels. I can think of at least four occasions in my life when I have been in physical danger, but a major accident was mysteriously avoided.  However I don't think it was that mysterious at all. I believe it was His angels bearing me up on their hands. How utterly grateful I am for God's provision of angels.

I often ask God's angels to protect members of our family. For example, protecting my husband as sometime twice a week he drives for at least 5 hours to Sydney and back. When I put our children to bed each night, I call God's angels into their bedrooms to protect them.  From personal experience I know that the angels come and do not leave them. This was evidenced by the protection they gave one night a couple of years ago, saving the lives of two of our family members. Protection that I will be ever grateful to God for.

Questions for today, do you believe what the bible says about angels? How have they protected you in the past?

A God-fashioned life

Let's start with scripture today .... from Ephesians 4:20-24, The Message bible ...

'But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! 

My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything - and I do mean everything - connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life - a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.'

As I read this passage this morning I reflected back on my priorities in life before I became a Christian. I can see how God has been changing my priorities so they line up with His plan for my life. I say 'changing' as this is a continual process. 

I certainly experienced change on the inside when I made Jesus Lord of my life, about 17 years ago. However, it has been the past 5 years of financial stress and ill-health in our family that has led me re-evaluate 'my' priorities again! 

In the period prior to the past 5 years, we experienced a time of great financial prosperity and abundance. In that time, 'my' priorities had begun to overshadow what I had previously learnt about God's priorities for my life. I had become less God reliant and more Wendy reliant.

Well our circumstances of these past 5 years have certainly re-aligned those priorities and re-taught me where my reliance is meant to be. These trials have caused me to seek God every day, and some days every hour.  He is the source of and in my life. And whilst these trials have been very tough, I thank God that He did not give up on fashioning me, and I thank Him that He will continue to fashion me. 

The question for today, what is God currently doing in your life to help you live a God-fashioned life?

Church on Holiday

Normally when we are on a family holiday we try to find a Sunday service at a local church to go. However yesterday the holiday mood overtook us in the morning, so we decided to have our own church service in our holiday cabin.

Our service went something like this ......  firstly some creative worship.... we each made a cross from coloured ice-block sticks. Some of us were a little more creative than others.

For the scriptural part of the service, we read a story from the book, Sophie and Sam - When to day "yes" and when to say "no". This book is written by the authors of Boundaries, Drs Henry Cloud and John Townsend. It is essentially a children's version of Boundaries. We read the story called 'Say yes to thanking God'. It is about different things we can talk to God about through the day, and things we can thank him for.  The story is based on the scripture: 

Spend a lot of time in prayer. Always be watchful and thankful. Colossians 4v2.

I have also been using this book for devotions with our younger children whilst we have been on holidays, and have added a review to the Kids Books page of this blog.

After the reading everyone shared about something they had prayed about recently.

Then came the most colourful part of the service, free worship. One child sang 'Jesus loves me', another sang their own original creation, 'Jesus loves my family', whilst another danced. The finale was Ken and I doing a duet of 'Jesus, lover of my soul.'

The service was then closed in prayer by our 3 year old! It was a very very special family time, and a church service we will all remember for a long time!

This relaxing holiday has given me the time to finally finish reading Something More, by Catherine Marshall. I have updated my review notes on my Current Reading Pile. This book has a very thought-provoking last chapter, asking the question how much control have you surrendered to the Holy Spirit?

Don't take yourself too seriously

Whilst doing my devotional reading on Saturday I was reading from the book of Micah, chapter 6. 

But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate and loyal in your love. And don't take yourself too seriously, take God seriously. Micah 6v8 The Message

This last part of the verse, don't take yourself too seriously, take God seriously, has stayed in my thoughts since reading it. I am by nature generally a serious person. I would much rather have a deep and meaning conversation with someone, than have a "joke-telling fest". 

In fact, this is a bit sad, but I can't actually remember the last time that I had a good old belly laugh. Perhaps God is trying to tell me something here. Something like, cut yourself some slack, enjoy life, don't make life one continual list! Whoa, now that is a big challenge for me!

I guess with school holidays having just started I will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy just hanging out with the kids, do some crazy things in the kitchen, in the park, at the beach, that will generate some of that belly-laughing. Or it may be a case of really listening to the kids' conversations among themselves. Sometimes that is enough to start the laughing, particularly comments from a 3 year old who thinks she is a 10 year old.

Thank you Jesus for speaking to me about remembering to laugh and enjoy this wonderful life you have given me. 

The question for today, when did you last have a good old belly laugh? If like me it has been awhile, I pray that you will be laughing in the very near future.

He refreshes and restores

Whilst having a wee break away from everything earlier this week a friend encouraged me to spend some time reading and meditating on the 23rd Psalm. Verse 2 and the beginning of verse 3 describe exactly what God did for me during that time away .....

"He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my self);" (AMP)

The Message version of verse 3 describes exactly how I felt as I drove away from the Hotel on Wednesday morning ...

"True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction." (The Message)

Whilst I was away, there was the temptation to "veg out" on movies. I am glad I did not succumb to that temptation, but rather spent time reading God's word and worshiping. I wasn't looking for specific answers to anything. I just wanted to taste His presence.  

I was so blessed in that I was able to catch my breath, and receive assurance that I am going in the right direction. I love it how our Heavenly Father so loves us and wants to see us totally refreshed and restored.

The question for today for you (and me), what will you do this week to allow God room to refresh and restore you?

The beachhead trick

If you have ventured on to the page on my blog called "Current Reading Pile", you will be aware that I am currently a book called 'Something More - in search of a deeper faith' by Catherine Marshall.

A few nights ago I read something in this book that has stuck in my mind. It has been particularly relevant at this time as I am considering the impact of modern day technology on our children. Rather than attempt to explain what Catherine has written about, I have taken the liberty of doing a direct quote from pages 149 and 150 ....

"When we understand the factuality of this free will, then we'll be more likely to perceive why it's so dangerous to hand over to Satan any ground in our life on which he can stand. What I have come to call "the beachhead trick" is a favorite of the enemy.
During World War II the term "beachhead" came into popular usage. A beachhead is that first landing on an island or a shore on which the whole battle may depend. Once that toehold on land is secured, it is usually only a matter of time until the rest of the island or country or even empire falls.
Just so - my life, my body, my affairs are as an island empire that the unholy spirit hopes to win en route to his ultimate objective of my eternal soul. To do that, he too must first gain a beachhead in my life. With that toehold, then he can take his time about gaining control of the rest of me and my affairs, yard by yard, decision by decision. But the analogy breaks down at one important point. In war, through physical overpowering, the victor can force his opponent to bend to his will, whereas God has kept from the unholy spirit the ability to force any human being against his will. Either Satan has to be granted permission by God (as in Job's case), or we have to give Satan the beachhead voluntarily, else he can't have it."

This morning I felt I had to repent of giving Satan an opportunity to gain a beachhold in my children's lives via various computer and television programs and ask forgiveness for my naivety.  Due to my tiredness and lack of emotional energy, gradually in our home there has been more of the ungodly television and computer programs, and less of the God media. How subtle Satan can be.

I am grateful for the Holy Spirit bringing this to my attention, and am now gearing up for the challenge of change! Knowing though that God is on my side!  Victory is ours in Jesus name.

A question for today, have you given Satan a beachhead in your life, and if so, what are you going to do about it?

Enslavement to God

This morning when I was doing my devotions I read this scripture from 1 Corinthians 7v18-37...

 

Stay where you were when God called your name. Were you a slave? Slavery is no roadblock to obeying and believing. I don't mean you're stuck and can't leave. If you have a chance at freedom, go ahead and take it. I'm simply trying to point out that under your new Master you're going to experience a marvellous freedom you would never have dreamed of. On the other hand, if you were free when Christ called you, you'll experience a delightful 'enslavement to God' you would never have dreamed of.

 

I remember when I was moving toward the point of making a decision to become a Christian thinking to myself that if I became a Christian I would lose so much freedom. I had the idea that if I became a Christian I would be subject to so many rules and 'don't do's'!

 

However, my experience since becoming a Christian has indeed been the complete opposite to what I thought it would be.

 

Here is what I mean. Prior to becoming a Christian I was enslaved to what other people thought. Both consciously and sub consciously many of my actions were driven by a need of approval from people around me. I was starting to lose the essence of who 'Wendy' was as I melded more and more into the world around me.

 

Since becoming a Christian, under the covering of God's unconditional love and beautiful grace, I have slowly but surely come to understand the unique person that God made me, and learn to love that person. More and more my actions are driven by God and my desire to achieve the purpose He has for my life. Less and less are they driven by the need for approval from family and friends.

 

Thank you Jesus for bringing me to a place where I am experiencing a delightful enslavement to you. Thank you for allowing me to start becoming all that you made me for. I love you.

 

A question for today, who or what are you enslaved to?

 

 

A work in progress

If you are a parent you may have faced the great challenge of what to do with all your children's wonderful artworks! I don't have any solution to that challenge.

 

However our children have bought home a few pieces of art work that I definitely want to keep. This is one such piece. It is hanging in our kitchen.

 

 

I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Psalm 139:16

 

 

I absolutely love it. Every time I look at it, it reminds me that  it's ok that I made that mistake, or did the wrong thing in this situation, because I am a work in progress.

 

Yes, I need to seek forgiveness and ask God to help me to do it better next time, but I don't need to come down hard on myself.  

 

I can rest in the knowledge that God is still working on me and I don't have be perfect. I won't be perfect until I get to heaven. I will have to be content to be a caterpillar cocooned for a long time yet!!!!

 

 

 

Expanding prudently

Last Sunday night a friend asked me if I have some more modern translations of Proverbs 31:10-31, as she only had the King James version available to her.  So I went home and checked out The Message translation, the New Living Translation and The Everyday Life Bible translation.

I hadn't read this passage of scripture for about 12 months. I was keen to see what God was going to 'speak' to me about as I read it. There were a few verses that I definitely felt drawn to, one was verse 16 from The Everyday Life Bible:

 

She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.

It was the amplified portion of the scripture regarding expanding prudently and not courting neglect etc, that spoke directly to my heart. How often had I gotten side-tracked pouring time and energy into something that really wasn't God's plan for me to do? Or more commonly, not God's perfect timing for that activity?

 

The trigger for me knowing that I was entering the territory of 'neglecting of my present duties', was seeing a decline in our children's behaviour. For example, they would become less patient, and more reactionary to unexpected changes to routine.

 

Through the children's behaviour God was graciously reminding me that there was a couple of key purposes for me to fulfil at this time in my life and everything else could wait.

 

Sometimes it would take days, weeks or even months for me to get this message. Often God would use a gracious friend to help me understand what was happening within our home. Praise God for girlfriends!

 

Eventually I would come to a point where I was able to surrender 'my plans', ask for God forgiveness, apologise to my family and seek their forgiveness too. A very humbling time!

 

Slowly, slowly I am learning to give all "my ideas" to God and then wait!  Wait until I get the green light from Him to proceed. I am praying that my wisdom will increase so that I can indeed 'expand prudently'!

 

Why not be bold and ask God if there is an area in your life that perhaps has caused you to neglect your present duties? Open your heart, ready to hear the answer. Ask God to help you get to that place of surrender. It isn't easy, but the rewards are great, and often they are very unexpected rewards.

 

Stepping out, making a start

The idea of writing this blog first came to me about 3 years ago, but with everything that has been going on in our lives, it got put on hold.

However over the past couple of months in my devotion time with God, and with encouragement from friends I feel the time is now right to start blogging about this wonderful relationship I have with my heavenly father and all He continues to do for me and teach me.

The timing was confirmed on Thursday last week I read the scripture, Psalm 73v28, But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works. (AMP)

And then an hour later a friend texted me Psalm 71v14-24, verse 15, 'My mouth shall tell of Your righteous acts and of Your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is more than I know.'  and verse 18, 'Yes, even when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not, [but keep me alive] until I have declared Your mighty strength to [this] generation, and Your might and power to all that are to come.' (AMP) particularly spoke to me.

So I am being obedient. Only God knows what I will write and when I will write it (hopefully at least once a week), but I am trusting Him that it will be encouraging to all who read these words, and will help people to draw on Jesus for the strength and courage to live a life of peace and love.

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