The cloud

In all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the Israelites went onward; But if the cloud was not taken up, they did not journey on till the day that it was taken up. Exodus 40:36-37 AMP

The Israelites were blessed to have the cloud, the Shekinah, God's visible presence, to direct them each day. The cloud showed them when they were to go, and where they were to go.  How much easier would it be for us if we had God's visible presence leading us each day? I wonder if we would be more obedient to His leading?

What we do have today to guide us in our daily decisions is God's written word, the Bible. However it is our responsibility to read or hear God's written word. It is our responsibility to make time each day to ensure we are available to receive revelation from God by immersing ourselves in His written word. Jesus reminds us in Mark, that to keep on the right path we need to know the Scriptures and the power of God.

Jesus said to them, Is not this where you wander out of the way and go wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? Mark 12: 24 AMP

Thankfully in today's world we have many ways to meditate on the word of God. We can do it the 'old-fashioned' way and read the paper book form of the bible. We can read the electronic book form of the bible (which I absolutely love for it's search capabilities). We can read a myriad of different versions of the bible to suit our writing style preference. We can listen to the bible as it is read to us from CD or podcast etc. The key thing to remember, is to do it!

I will meditate on Your precepts and have respect to Your ways [the paths of life marked out by Your law]. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live; and I will observe Your word [hearing, receiving, loving and obeying it]. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law. Psalm 119:15-18 AMP

Hearing, receiving, loving and obeying God's word. That is the place we want to be at. A place where we hunger for more and more of His truth for our life. A place where we are not second guessing what we are to do with our lives. A place where we have assurance in our hearts that we are exactly where God wants us to be, doing exactly what He wants us to do. What a blessed place! 

This place is available to all of us, if we surrender our entire lives to Jesus, including our busy schedules, and make time to meditate on His word. Earnestly seek a way in your life to daily hear His truth. Each day expect to receive a fresh revelation. Learn to love His truth for the freedom it brings. Submit and obey His truth, knowing it will bring you life.

Question for today, are you daily hearing, receiving, loving and obeying God's word? Do you have that assurance in your heart that you are exactly where God wants you to be, doing exactly what He wants you to do? If not, ask God to put a deep longing in your heart for His truth and to help you make a way to hear it, receive it, love it and give you the strength and courage to obey it.

Instead you thrill to GOD's word,

you chew on Scripture day and night.

You're a tree replanted in Eden,

bearing fresh fruit every month,

Never dropping a leaf, 

always in blossom.

Psalm 1:2-3 MSG

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to chew on Scripture day and night, so we can be replanted in Eden, bear fresh fruit each month and always be in blossom. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Then you instantly forgave me

I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told] - then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! For this [forgiveness] let everyone who is godly pray - pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely when the great waters [of trial] overflow, they shall not reach [the spirit in] him. You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 32: 5-7 AMP

So often we can want to 'hide' our sin, and not admit to others that we have done wrong, that we are not perfect. We especially don't want to tell God! Pride over comes us. What would He think if He knew what we had done, said or thought?

The truth is that God already knows! God doesn't need us to tell Him so He is aware of our sin, our transgressions. 

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! Psalm 139:16-17 NLT

God needs us to tell Him of our sins so we get the revelation of God's goodness and faithfulness despite our sinful nature. Acknowledging our sin and asking for forgiveness is an act of humility that  helps us to put God in His rightful place, and us in ours. Sinners, who by His grace, and His grace alone, have been made righteous.

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].  1 John 1:9 AMP

If we lay down our pride and humble ourselves, and seek His forgiveness, we can start to live in the freedom that only Jesus Christ can give us.

Now while they were talking about this, Jesus Himself took His stand among them and said to them, Peace (freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin) be to you! Luke 24:36 AMP

Questions for today, have you today, acknowledged your sin to God, asked for His forgiveness, and accepted that He instantly forgives you? Are you able to accept that you are made righteous because of what Jesus did for you? As Paul says in Hebrews, let's come confidently to God with our confession of sin, full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out.

He concludes, I'll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins. Once sins are taken care of for good, there's no longer any need to offer sacrifices for them. So friends, we can now - without hesitation - walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. So let's do it - full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promise that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Hebrews 10:17-23 MSG

There is no other

Know, recognise, and understand therefore this day and turn your [mind and] heart to it that the Lord is God in the heavens above and upon the earth beneath; there is no other. Deuteronomy 4:39 AMP

There is no other. Absolutely no other. He is sovereign over everything. Adonai, Lord and Master. 

Are there any among the false gods of the nations who can cause rain? Or can the heavens [of their own will] give showers? Are You [alone] not He, O Lord our God? Therefore we will wait [expectantly] for You, for You have made all things [the heavens and the rain]. Jeremiah 14:22 AMP

There is no other that has the wisdom and intimate knowledge of us, mere human beings on this earth. 

In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.... But [only] with [God] are [perfect] wisdom and might; He [alone] has [true] counsel and understanding. Job 12:10, 13 AMP

There is no other that can guide us through trials and tribulations, giving us courage and strength.

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be greatly moved. Psalm 62:1-2 AMP

There is no other that can transform us and bring life from death.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMP

There is no other! His name shall endure forever!

His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun [indeed, His name continues before the sun]. And men shall be blessed and bless themselves by Him; all nations shall call Him blessed! Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who alone does wondrous things! Blessed by His glorious name forever; let the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen! Psalm 72:17-19 AMP

Question for today, in your life, is there no other? Where is it that you seek shelter? Where is it that you go to be refreshed? Where is it that you seek salvation? In the presence of God is where shelter and refreshing can be found. There is no other.

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider and inquire of His temple. For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:4-5 AMP

But why me?

Moses answered God, "But why me? What makes you think that I could ever go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?"

"I'll be with you," God said, "And this will be the proof that I am the one who sent you: When you have bought my people out of Egypt, you will worship God right here at this very mountain."

Exodus 3:11-12 MSG

Sometimes when God asks us to do something, we ask him, 'why me?' We think to ourselves 'I don't have what it takes'. And that is absolutely true, we don't have what it takes, if we try to do it by ourselves. 

However, we can do it with God's wisdom and power. Daniel knew well that the wisdom and power of God would help him in his time of great need, when King Nebuchadnezzar had made a decree to kill all the wise men of Babylon.

Then Daniel went to his house and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and his companions, so they would desire and request mercy of the God of heaven concerning this secret, that Daniel and his companions should not perish  with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever! For wisdom and might are His! He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding! He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him! I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers, who has given me wisdom and might and has made known to me now what we desired of You, for You have made known to us the solution to the king's problem. Daniel 2:17-23 AMP

Daniel knew that he needed God's wisdom for this circumstance. Daniel knew that human wisdom was not going to get them out of this life-threatening situation.

For who [limited to human wisdom] knows what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow [going through the motions but accomplishing nothing]? For who can tell a man what will happen [to his work, his treasure, his plans] under the sun after he is gone? Ecclesiastes 6:12 AMP

So what did Daniel do when he needed to get God's direction? He made his circumstance known to some trusted friends, and together they sought God mercy to give them the understanding they needed for the situation. And God heard their prayer and answered them.

In my distress [when seemingly closed in] I called upon the Lord and cried to my God; He heard my voice out of His temple (heavenly dwelling place), and my cry came before Him, into his [very ears].....  He delivered my from my strong enemy and from those who hated and abhorred me, for they were too strong for me. They confronted and came upon me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my stand and support. Psalm 18:6,17,18 AMP

Question for today, But why me? Why not you? Why shouldn't God ask you to do this 'task'? He is with you, He has all that you need to do it. We just need to take the time to seek Him, His wisdom and might just as Daniel did. We need to trust that God has got it all covered, as Paul tells us in Ephesians:

He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth. Ephesians 1:8-10 MSG

Thank you!

Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!"
Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
and say it again: "Thank you!"
Thank you for your love, 
Thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
you made my life large with strength.
Psalm 138:1-3 MSG

Today, let's pause, take a breath, and simply say, Thank you. 

Thank you God for not leaving us or forsaking us because of our sin, but rather giving us a way to return to paradise with Him and have eternal life. 

But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets, Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and are falling short of the honour and glory which God bestows and receives. [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favour and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:21-24 AMP

Thank you to Jesus, Our Emmanuel, God with us. Thank you Jesus for your obedience to your Father and your unfathomable sacrifice that enabled us share eternity with you.

And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favour, loving-kindness) and truth... For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favour upon favour and gift [heaped] upon gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, grace (unearned, undeserved favour and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ). John 1:14, 16, 17 AMP

Thank you Holy Spirit for being our comforter, counselor, helper, advocate, intercessor and strengthener. Thank you Holy Spirit that you are continually revealing God's truth to us.

It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free - signed, sealed and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life. Ephesians 1: 13-14 MSG

Thank you Holy Spirit that you give us all we need to be witnesses for Jesus every where we go.

But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. Acts 1:8 AMP

Thank you God, that you I am forgiven me in the name of Jesus. Thank you that your grace is sufficient. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning. Thank you that the moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength. Thank you Holy Spirit that you have given me the power to be an effective witness. Thank you for all that You are, and all You are doing in my life.

Question for today, when did you last take the time to thank God for Who He is and what He is doing in your life? Why not take time right now to do that, and mediate on the scriptures I have shared today?  

Let's then take all God has done for us one step further, and ask God to help our lives to be made large with His strength, to use the power the Holy Spirit has given us, so we can be ready to respond with boldness to people's questions, just as Peter was.

Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?" Peter said, "Change your life, Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away - whomever, in fact, our Master God invites. Acts 2:37-39 MSG

He stayed with them to the end

After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. Romans 8:30 MSG

He stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what He had begun. He stays with us to the end.  We are reminded of that truth in Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9 AMP

The question is then, not, is God with us, but rather are we with God? Are we willing to make a stand and declare we have made a choice and are followers of God, as Joshua did.

Now therefore, [reverently] fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in truth; put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the [Euphrates] River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:14-15 AMP

And are we willing to declare that not only are we followers of God, but lovers of Jesus? How would we answer the question posed by Paul in Romans 8: 35?

Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? 

Would we answer this question the same way Paul answered it?

There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demomic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Romans 8:35-39 AMP

With Christians throughout the world being killed in cold blood, this can be a very challenging scripture to us who are not facing that circumstance. 

Questions for today, how would you react if you were in their shoes? Would you stand firm for Jesus, convinced of His unconditional love for you, and knowing the truth that God will stay with you until the end, and gloriously complete what he had begun? 

Maybe the circumstances you are facing aren't as 'life-threatening' as our brothers and sisters in Christ elsewhere in the world, but given your own set of circumstances, are you able to declare as Paul did, that you will press on and hold firm to your Jesus convictions?

Not that I have not attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also. Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that. Philippians 3:12 -16 AMP

Jehovah-rohi, my Shepherd

Today I want to share an excerpt from the book I am currently reading, Names of God, by Nathan Stone. This excerpt comes from the chapter explain God's name, Jehovah-rohi, meaning Jehovah my shepherd. For me, it is probably the character of God that has been most evident to me over the past few years. I pray that as you read this excerpt you too can get a greater appreciation of God as your shepherd and His ultimate plan for your life.

There were not only wolves and pitfalls for the sheep. There was another significant danger from which the shepherd protected them. As he went ahead his eye was ever on the alert for snakes whose sting was death, and with this staff he would crush their heads. So the great Shepherd, who has already sealed the serpent's doom, will deliver us from falling into his power. We are safe in the protection of His table spread before us even in the presence of the enemies. He knows everyone of His sheep by name. He knows the particular need of each one of us. He knows our peculiarities. He knows our weaknesses. Do we know His voice as we should? Do we trust Him and follow Him as we should? Is there the beautiful intimacy between us that there should be? Do we love the Shepherd's presence? Can we distinguish His voice from the voice of the wold I. Sheep's clothing who comes among us to wrest and wreck our faith?

And when we are sorely tried He will lead gently on. When we are weary and wounded He will anoint our heads and heal our wounds and refresh us with tender care. As His sheep we are led by many a way. Sometimes the path is throughout fresh green meadows; sometimes over rough, steep, rocky paths, perhaps through dark places where the sun scarcely shines. But we are ever being led to one place. After the heat and burden of the day, He gathers us into the fold,where there is no more fear of wolf or thief and where all is sweet repose and safety. And then we know that whatever the sufferings and sorrows, and trials and terrors of the day, His goodness and loving-kindness followed us.

So The Lord Jesus, our Jehovah-Rohi, will lead us into that final fold and rest "before the throne of God" where, John says, they "serve him day and night in his temple, and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd." (Revelation 7:15-17). So we "shall dwell in the house of Jehovah forever." (page 174-175)

God is our Shepherd, and as this excerpt said, we are ever being led to one place. It is so easy to forget about our ultimate destination as we get caught up in our circumstances here on earth. So lets take some time today to be still and meditate on that promise for our lives from Revelation 7:15-17.

For this reason they are [now] before the [very] throne of God and serve Him day and night in His sanctuary (temple); and He Who is sitting upon the throne will protect and spread His tabernacle over and shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun smite them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb Who is in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:15-17 AMP

Don't look for shortcuts to God

Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way of life - to God! - is vigorous and requires total attention. Matthew 7:13-14 MSG

Our western world is indeed 'flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life'. A quick search on the internet for 'how to have successful life' will show you that! In fact, when I did that search this morning, google returned 408,000,000 results! Indeed it does require our total attention to remained focused on God and God alone.

The Amplified Bible describes it this way, which some of you may be more familiar with, 

Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 AMP

The way that leads to life "is straitened and compressed". Straitened, a new word for me today, means, restricted in range or scope. Compressed, meaning, having a narrow shape as if flattened, especially sideways.  So the way to live God's life, is to restrict the range or scope of influences in your life. Limit them only to Him and His word. Don't go looking for alternatives, side paths. In terms of where you seek your answers to life, keep you world narrow, let there be one source alone, God. His way of living is the best way of living your life. His plan for you is for good.

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labour] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.  Romans 8:28 AMP

We have to make a choice. A choice to be vigorous and give God our total attention. A choice to seek him and all that He is.

Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and His strength (His might and inflexibility to temptation); seek and require His face and His presence [continually] evermore.  Psalm 105:4 AMP

Question for today, is there something in your life you have been seeking an answer for? Have you been seeking God for the answer, or looking elsewhere? Take time today, to spend time in His presence today and seek the Lord's answer and wait expectantly. The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him.

The Lord is my portion, or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore I will hope in Him and waiting expectantly for Him. The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God's word]. Lamentations 3:24-25 AMP

The Spirit of Truth

But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. He will honour and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you. Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He [the Spirit] will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you. John 16:13-15 AMP

Truth. The absolute truth. Jesus said, I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life; no one gets to the Father apart from me. John 14:6  MSG.  Before Jesus returned to heaven he promised to send a Friend, the Holy Spirit, to continue to always be with us reveal God's truth to us.

I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because is doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to lok for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you! John 14:16 -17 MSG

In this world today it is so easy to be drawn into thinking that is not God's truth. Influences on our 'thinking' surround us, family, friends, social media, books, television, movies, advertising billboards etc. Some influences are more subtle than others. As Christians, our main influence must remain God's truth. We need to be continually reading and meditating on His Word, expecting revelation from the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth.

Hold fast and follow the pattern of wholesome and sound teaching which you have heard from me, in [all] the faith and love which are [for us] in Christ Jesus. Guard and keep [with the greatest care] the precious and excellently adapted [Truth] which has been entrusted [to you], by the [help of the] Holy Spirit Who makes His home in us. 2 Timothy 1:13-14 AMP

Question for today, who is making a home in your heart, is it the Spirit of Truth, or is it the words of other influences? Who influencing your thinking the most? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you, who is the major influence on your thoughts? If it isn't the Spirit of Truth, repent and ask for help to put the Holy Spirit in His rightful place in your life. The Holy Spirit is the revealer of God's truth for your life, and His truth, as Jesus declares, will set you free.

So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. John 8:31-32 AMP

Seize and hold fast

Whereas this One [Christ], after He had offered a single sacrifice for our sins [that shall avail] for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, then to wait until His enemies should be made a stool beneath His feet. For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy ..... So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word. Hebrews 10:12-14, 23 AMP

The world is full of war and evil deeds. Full of sin. I find it can be very easy to be consumed with horrific nature of the atrocities that are being committed elsewhere in the world and lose any sense of hope for a world that lives in peace. The above scripture from Hebrews reminds us that because of Jesus single sacrifice for each of us and our sin. In Jesus, we are completely cleansed and perfected. We are also reminded that God's enemies will be made a stool beneath His feet. As we wait for this victory to manifest, we are called to hold fast to our hope in God and be strong in Him. These are spiritual battles taking place in our world.

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical components], but against despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Ephesians 6:10-12 AMP

Today, in your personal world, you may or may not be facing physical death as many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are around the world, but there is a spiritual battle underway for your salvation and place in God's kingdom. We need to make a choice to stay in the stronghold that is Jesus.

The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 AMP

Question for today, in your world, are you able to seize and hold fast hope in Jesus, who is reliable and faithful to His word? If you are struggling to find hope, ask Jesus to change your heart and fill it with hope. He loves you and wants you to have hope and be filled with His peace.


May grace [God's unmerited favour] and spiritual peace [which means peace with God and harmony and unity and undisturbedness] be yours from God our Father and from teh Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:2 AMP

All the black sheep.

Still, it's what God had in mind all along, 

to crush Him with pain.

The plan was that He give himself as an offering for sin so that He'd see life come from it - life, life and more life.

And God's plan will deeply prosper through Him.

Out of that terrible travail of soul, 

He'll see that it's worth it and be glad that he did it.

Through what He experienced, my righteous one, my servant,

will make many "righteous ones,"

as he himself carries the burden of their sins.

Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly -

the best of everything, the highest honours -

Because He looked death in the face and didn't flinch,

because He embraced the company of the lowest.

He took on His own shoulders the sin of many,

He took up the cause of all the black sheep.

Isaiah 53:10-12 MSG

Jesus, the Righteous one. Me, one of the black sheep.

But, because Jesus, carried the burden of my sins, because He looked death in the face and didn't flinch, He has made a way for me to be righteous too. He has given us an opportunity to be cleansed of our sin, so we can have a renewed relationship with our Heavenly Father. All we need to do is have true faith in Jesus.

Who God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment. It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has [true] faith in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26 AMP

For me it is a daily decision to believe and trust in Jesus and declare that I am made righteous in Christ. There are some days when I continually 'stuff up', mainly through lack of self-control and patience, which then leads to frustration, making me not the most pleasant person to be around! I am not perfect, I acknowledge that. I make mistakes. I acknowledge that, and ask forgiveness for them. But Jesus is perfect. Jesus doesn't make mistakes. Jesus is my advocate with my Heavenly Father. He is the One who is interceding for me. As the disciple John wrote, 

My little children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God's law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father - [it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father's will in every purpose, thought and action]. And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the  sins of] the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 AMP

Thank you Jesus that you are my Advocate. Thank you that you go to the Father on my behalf and present me as righteous to Him.  Thank you Jesus that took up the cause of all the black sheep.

Question for today, is there an area in your life where you are feeling like 'the black sheep'? Ask God to forgive you, and help you to have true faith in Jesus. Ask God to help you to know in your heart, that because of Jesus, you have right standing with Him. You are not the black sheep. You are His precious child,  filled with peace, covered with grace.

Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and enjoy] peace with God through out Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favour) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. 

Romans 5:1-2 AMP

Thank you Jesus

For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathise and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favour to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. 

Hebrews 4:15-16 AMP

Today, join with me in praying a prayer of thanksgiving ....

Thank you Jesus that you understand our weaknesses. Thank you that you have felt our infirmities. Thank you that you have been assaulted with temptation. Thank you that you know what it is like to be us, to be me! 

Thank you that you, Jesus, did not succumb to sin, as I so often do, but you remained pure and obedient to your Father's will. Thank you that because of you, I can draw fearlessly, confidently and boldly to the throne of grace and receive mercy for our failures. Thank you that you give me the perfect help at the right time. Thank you. Amen

Sometimes it is good to pause in the midst of our busy lives, and say thanks. The Bible is constantly reminding us to give thanks. In Psalms alone (amplified version) I found 39 scriptures calling us to 'give thanks'. 

Rejoice in the Lord, you [consistently] righteous (upright and in right standing with God), and give thanks at the rememberance of His holiness. 

Psalm 97:12 AMP

Or as The Message Bible simply puts it,

So, God's people, shout praise to GOD, Give thanks to our Holy God! Psalm 97:12 MSG

Our God is so worthy of our thanks and praise. He is our God, our Creator, our Shepherd, our Fortress, our Deliverer. 

You are my God, and I will confess, praise and give thanks to You; You are my God, I will extol You. O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. 

Psalm 118:28-29 AMP

Question for today, is there something happening in your life that you don't feel very thankful about? Why not take a few moments now to put that circumstance aside, and think about what you do have to be thankful for. Shout those things out to God, and give Him thanks for them. Then, thank Him in faith, for the good that will come out from the 'not-so-good' circumstance. Speaking from personal experience, the good does come, sometimes we just have to wait for a while, being firm and immovable in our faith!

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labour in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]. 

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 AMP

His servant body

He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls. 1 Peter 2:24-25 MSG

As I am writing this I realise that the worship music that is playing in the background is 'Once Again' by Matt Redman. The song starts with..

Jesus Christ, I think upon your sacrifice

You became nothing, poured out to death

Many times I have wondered at your gift of life

And I am in that place once again

I'm in that place once again

Yes, that is exactly what is happening in my mind and heart as I read the scripture 1 Peter 2:24-25. I am wondering again, wondering in amazement at all Jesus did for us, for me, on the Cross. The way Jesus came to earth to be with us. The pain that Jesus suffered when He had done no wrong, so we could be free to live the right way. His sacrifice for us. This scripture from Philippians describes His humility and sacrifice.

Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained.  But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Philippians 2:5-8 AMP

Jesus sacrifice was all part of God's master plan to reconcile us back to Him. A way for us to be in relationship with God again. God never gave up on us. Paul explains this truth in Colossians,

And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him [the Father] made peace by means of the blood on His cross. And although you at one time were estranged and alienated from Him and were of hostile attitude of mind in your wicked activities, Yet now has [Christ, the Messiah] reconciled [you to God] in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His [the Father's] presence. Colossians 1:20-22 AMP

It was always God's plan to bring us back into His presence, to commune with Him once more. One final scripture to 'wonder on', Jesus prayer when He was in Gethsemane,

And going a little farther, He fell on the ground and kept praying that if it were possible the [fatal] hour might pass from Him. And He was saying, Abba, [which means] Father, everything is possible for You. Take away this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You [will]. Mark 14:35-36

Thank you Jesus for your obedience to your Father and the sacrifice you made so we could be free to live the right way. 

Question for today, is there an area in your life that God is asking for your obedience or for you to make a sacrifice? What has your response been so far? Ask God to help you to come to the place where your prayer can whole-heartedly be the same as Jesus, yet not what I will, but what You will.