The Lord is your shade

Today, a couple of scriptures about shade.

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield]. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. Psalm 121:5-6 AMP

The Lord is our shade, lets 'stay in the shade' today.

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the group, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth; Yet after it is sown, it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade.
Mark 4:31-32 AMP

A thought - our faith provides a shade for us in times of trouble.

Be blessed.

You are Mine

Today, some passages from Isaiah 43 to help us remember Who we belong to, what He has done and that He is more than worthy of our praise. He is doing a new thing!

BUT NOW [in spite of past judgments for Israel’s sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. Isaiah 43:1-2 AMP

When You're Between a Rock and a Hard Place

​ But now, God's Message,

the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,

the One who got you started, Israel:

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.

I've called your name. You're mine.

When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.

When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you're between a rock and a hard place,

it won't be a dead end—

Because I am God, your personal God,

The Holy of Israel, your Savior.

I paid a huge price for you:

all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!

That's how much you mean to me!

That's how much I love you!

I'd sell off the whole world to get you back,

trade the creation just for you.

Isaiah 43:1-4 The Message

Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
The beasts of the field honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen,
The people I formed for Myself, that they may set forth My praise [and they shall do it].

Isaiah 43:18-21 AMP

This is what God says,

the God who builds a road right through the ocean,

who carves a path through pounding waves,

The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—

they lie down and then can't get up;

they're snuffed out like so many candles:

"Forget about what's happened;

don't keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.

It's bursting out! Don't you see it?

There it is! I'm making a road through the desert,

rivers in the badlands.

Wild animals will say 'Thank you!'

—the coyotes and the buzzards—

Because I provided water in the desert,

rivers through the sun-baked earth,

Drinking water for the people I chose,

the people I made especially for myself,

a people custom-made to praise me.

Isaiah 43:16-21 The Message

Distractions

Keep your eyes straight ahead;

ignore all sideshow distractions.

Proverbs 4:25 The Message

How easy it is to get distracted from what God wants us to be doing. One of my goals this week was to spend additional time with God in preparation for an event next week. 

Well, what do you know, not only has it been a huge week emotionally, a number of other 'seemingly' urgent and necessary tasks have come my way. It was only last night, when yet another 'activity' was asked of me, that I realised what was going on! Rather than being able to easily find time to have with God, I felt like I was being pulled and pushed in so many different directions. I had let myself get distracted.

But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]! Luke 10:40 AMP

And we know what Jesus had to say about that.

But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.  Luke 10:41-42 AMP

Question for today, do you find yourself getting distracted and moving your focus away from what and where God wants you to be? If so, let's ask the Holy Spirit to show us what are the distractions in our lives, and what are the God-tractions (yes, I made that word up).  And to give us the courage to put up the boundaries and say no to the distractions so we can focus on what God wants us to do with the time He gives us. Let's emulate Jesus, and do only what our Heavenly Father wants us to do.

So Jesus added, When you have lifted up the Son of Man [on the cross], you will realise (know and understand) that I am He [for Who you look] and that I do nothing of Myself (of my own accord or on My own authority), but I say [exactly] what My Father has taught me. And He Who sent Me is ever with Me; My Father has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him. John 8:28-29 AMP

I will not merely walk, but run

My earthly life cleaves to the dust; revive and stimulate me according to Your word!

I have declared my ways and opened my griefs to You, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes.

Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on and talk of Your wondrous works.

My life dissolves and weeps itself away for heaviness; raise me up and strengthen me according to [the promises of] Your word.

Remove from me the way of falsehood and unfaithfulness [to You], and graciously impart Your law to me.

I have chosen the way of truth and faithfulness; Your ordinances have I set before me.

I cleave to Your testimonies; O Lord, put me not to shame!

I will [not merely walk, but] run the way of Your commandments, when You give me a heart that is willing.

Psalms 119:25-32 AMP

Some scripture to meditate on and encourage us today. Let's receive that willing heart and run God's way - both in direction and attitude.

​THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the 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.

Hebrews 12:1-2 AMP

This is the day

All nations (the surrounding tribes) compassed me about, 
but in the name of the Lord I will cut them off!

They compassed me about, yes, they surrounded me on every side;
but in the name of the Lord I will cut them off!

They swarmed about me like bees, they blaze up and are extinguished like a fire of thorns;
in the name of the Lord I will cut them off!

You [my adversary] thrust sorely at me that I might fall, 
Psalm 118:10-13a AMP

As I read this Psalm this morning I was reminded of a conversation I had with someone yesterday. A conversation about the 'onslaught' of negative circumstances that come and attempt to erode and reduce our faith and hope in God (hence adding the italics to the 'circumstances'). What can we do, but call on the name of the Lord. The name of Jesus. 

The Psalm continues, 

  

but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my Strength and Song; 
and He has become my Salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents and private dwellings of the [uncompromisingly] righteous:
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly and achieves strength!
The right hand of the Lord is exalted;
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly and achieves strength!

He has become my Salvation - a reminder that Salvation is not just that time of making a decision to follow Jesus. But it is something we can experience every day, in every thing we face. As it says further on in this Psalm, Jesus is our Salvation and our Deliverer.

I will confess, praise and give thanks to You, for You have heard and answered me; and You have become my Salvation and Deliverer. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is from the Lord and is His doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 

Psalm 118:21-23 AMP

In reading this passage from the Psalms, we can see how the focus has gone from expressing the circumstances, to calling on the name of the Lord for deliverance, to complete acknowledgement and declaration of Jesus as the chief cornerstone. 

Next there is decision to be made by all of us, and it can be a hard decision for those of us in the midst of negative circumstances.

This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 AMP

We will rejoice and be glad in it. If you are struggling to rejoice and be glad today, possibly memories of the Sunday school song with the same words may help. Even if starts out as a whisper, keep declaring it and let it minister to your spirit.

Finally, lets go back to verse 17

I shall not die but live, and shall declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.
Psalm 118:17  AMP

In the midst of the negative circumstances, we have an opportunity to see God at work. Let's keep our eyes and hearts open for what He is doing, and get ready to declare and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.

Questions for today, are you able to move from focusing on your circumstances, to calling on the name of the Lord, to declaring Jesus Lordship? If not (no condemnation, I know it is hard some days), ask God to help you move along this path. 

Are you able to rejoice in this day? If not (again I know this is often difficult), ask Him to help you to see at least one thing that you can rejoice about, and then build on that. Maybe have a go at singing the Sunday school song - This is the day - and clap!

Are we looking for an opportunity to declare God's works in our lives today? Lets ask God for that opportunity and the boldness to declare His goodness in our lives.

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

Who are you leaning on?

And they who know Your name [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, Lord have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for)  You [on the authority of God's Word and the right of their necessity]. Psalm 9:10 AMP

We all need someone to lean on. Today's question is who or what are you leaning on? Throughout the Psalms there are many references to leaning on God, trusting and relying on Him.

Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 62:8 AMP

This scripture encourages us to 'pour out' our hearts to Him, something I have been doing quite regularly recently. I have found Him to be the best listener. And further, the best provider of much needed peace and comfort for my inner being.

They cried to You and were delivered; they trusted in, leaned on, and confidently relied on You, and were not ashamed or confounded or disappointed. Psalm 22:5 AMP

In the New Testament, we have a picture of one of the disciples physically leaning on Jesus.

But Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following - the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper and had said, Lord, who is it that is going to betray You? John 21:20 AMP

Why not take a moment now, to close your eyes and picture yourself physically leaning back on Jesus, hearing his heartbeat of unconditional love for you? We can do that because of what Jesus has done for us. We can lean on Him, because He made a way for us to be in right-standing with God. Let's not walk away from that truth, let's lean into it.

Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 AMP

So again, the question for today, who or what are you leaning on?

So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]. Isaiah 26:4 AMP

Praise the Lord

PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord!

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever

From the rising of the sun to the going down of it and from east to west, the name of the Lord is to be praised! Psalm 113:1-3 AMP

What do you do when you don't feel like praising the Lord? When you look around and think to yourself, 'I don't want this circumstance anymore, I want it to be gone. I am tired, so tired. I don't feel like giving praise to the Lord, even though I know that is the right thing to do, and that He is worthy of our praise.'

Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and dominion, for You created all things; by Your will they were [brought into being] and were created. Revelation 4:11 AMP

When I woke up yesterday, I felt tired on the inside. The disappointment of 'seemingly' unanswered prayer started to take over my thoughts and become consuming. However, by the end of the day I was praising God at the top of my voice with my daughters. How did this transformation happen? 

This morning I felt to share how God guided me through the day, taking from a place of huge disappointment and lack of faith and joy, to a place full of faith and overflowing with joy and a very thankful heart. I pray that it will be of an encouragement and practical help to you. 

God's word

4.45am - feeling a bit fragile - prayer and reading of psalm 112 and proverbs 21. 

Encouraged somewhat by the following two verses, although still feeling fragile

His [spiritual] offspring shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Psalms 112:2 AMP

Light arises in the darkness for the upright, gracious, compassionate, and just [who are in right standing with God]. Psalms 112:4 AMP

5.25am - daily activities start.

Prayer and God's people

8.45am - join other mums to pray for the school. I feel like crying during the entire prayer time, try not to cry, but some tears sneak through.

After the time of prayer, one of the mums asks me, 'Can we pray for you?' I say, 'No, I'm ok', but clearly I am not okay! So I dropped down my guard and said yes, and the beautiful mums prayed. I sobbed. They prayed.

More devotions

9.15 - driving home. Trying to have more purposeful quiet time with God throughout my day, so stop my car at a local park and read the Jesus Calling devotion by Sarah Young. Thankfully the crying has stopped now so I can read. Here is some of what it said for August 21,

Wait with me for a while. I have much to tell you. You are walking along the path I have chosen for you. It is both a privileged and a perilous way: experiencing My glorious Presence and heralding that reality to others. ......stay on the path of Life with Me. Trust Me wholeheartedly, letting My Spirit fill you with Joy and Peace.

After reading this I feel more encouraged, that God is with me and He knows how I feel, and exactly what I need.

Worship music

9.30 - at home, start working on bookwork for our business. I put on the worship music - out of habit, but not really wanting to connect with God through the worship. But hoping that if it is on, I will get to that place of wanting to worship Him fully. 

God's people

10am - Husband comes in and asks, are you okay? No, the tears start again. I try to explain how I am feeling without much success. He reminds me of some teaching of Charles Capps regarding the confession of our mouths. What he says resonates with me and my mind starts to shift and focus more on God rather than myself and my circumstances.

Creative Encouragement

12noon - toilet break. A friend gave us a poster of the Footprints in the Sand poem. It is in the toilet room. I don't even bother to read the top few verses, just go straight to the last verse.

The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, then I carried you."

My short prayer, 'Thank you Lord for carrying me today.'

Worship and the Word

2pm - time to go to school for the pickup. I don't really want to see or talk to anyone. If I get there early enough there will be time to 'just sit' listen to some more worship music and read some scriptures. 

With the worship music on, I read these scriptures on my laminated sheets:

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation!

The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! For the Chief Musician; with my stringed instruments. 

Habakkuk 3:18-19 AMP

[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete. 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 AMP

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 NLT

The breakthrough comes at last. The knowledge of Psalm 112:4, has now moved into greater understanding of God's love for me, Romans 8:35-39. His love is always there for us, no matter what is going on.

God's favour

2.50pm - pick up the girls from school. Make a stop at the local petrol station, who we have approached to help us with fundraising for Camp quality. We are blown away by their generousity.

3.15pm - helping out with kids creative group at church. All thoughts and feelings of disappointment and tiredness have gone. Praise God. Peace and Hope have returned.

Worship again 

6pm - heading home. One daughter puts on the worship music. We are all singing, My Lighthouse, at the tops of our voices. Here are some of the words

In my wrestling and in my doubts

In my failures You won't walk out

Your great love will lead me through

You are my peace in my troubled sea

In the silence, you won't let go

In my questions, Your truth will hold

Your great love will lead me through

You are my peace in my troubled sea

I won't fear what tomorrow brings

With each morning I'll rise and sing

My God's love will lead me through

You are my peace in my troubled sea

The joy has returned. His love has gently led me through this troubled day to a place where I can wholeheartedly sing praise to Him, with a thankful heart.

I pray that what I have shared today is encouraging and helpful to you. As I now reflect over yesterday, I can see that God is reminding me of how important it is to stay connected to Him through out day, via various ways. These ways include worship, His word, and positioning myself well in places and with people who are willing vessels of His truth and love. I realise that everybody's day looks different with different responsibilities and environments, but we have a creative God and He is willing and able to help us find ways to spend more time with Him throughout our daily lives. We just need to ask and listen.

Question for today, next time you don't feel like praising God, what strategies will you use to enable God to lead you to a place of praise?

Lift my eyes

The challenge - to 'gladly glory'

But He said to me, My grace (My favour and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. 

2 Corinthians 12:9a AMP

What comfort this scripture brings when we are feeling 'all out' - all done, like there is nothing left that we can humanly do. I love it. It is a great reminder of who we are and who our God is, and all He is able to do when we surrender to Him. However, the next part of this scripture poses a bigger challenge (for me, maybe not for you).

Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength). 2 Corinthians 12:9b - 10 AMP

The challenge comes with the words, 'I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities' and the 'I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses;'. I don't know about you, but I am nowhere near the point that I am able to gladly glory, be well pleased and take pleasure in these things. I can see that God uses these situations to bring about good, but my flesh still screams out, 'this is hard, I don't want this to be happening, I don't want this pain in my life.'

So what do we do? We run. We run to the strong tower.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong. Proverbs 18:10 AMP

And we let Him love us, refresh us, and be the strength that comes from our weaknesses. We let Him show us more of who He is and what He wants to do through us.

But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,

For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing: 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 AMP

As we get more understanding of what God can do through us when we are weak, perhaps that understanding is what leads us to be able to 'gladly glory, be well pleased and take pleasure' in our infirmities etc. We become more able to see God's bigger picture, rather than our own story. We can see His overwhelming love for all He has created. This wider vision then enabling us to become a more malleable and willing vessel for Him. 

Question for today, do you find it difficult to 'gladly glory, be well pleased and take pleasure' in the 'negative' circumstances of your life? Why not ask God today to give you more of His perspective of the circumstance? And ask Him to help you get to the place where you can 'gladly glory' in these things. I am asking Him for this today, and expecting that He will answer and help me mature more in this area.

Grace (spiritual blessing), mercy, and [soul] peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ (the Messiah), the Father’s Son, in all sincerity (truth) and love. 2 john 1:3 AMP

The longing soul

For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with good. Psalm 107:9 AMP

This week I have been reminded of how much God loves us, His children, and how He is willing and able to satisfy the longing soul. 

And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favour, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! Isaiah 30:18 AMP

There is a word of caution to us in the preceding verses. A reminder that we have a choice to make, we can flee or we can stay and stand.

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me]  you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not, 

And you said, No! We will speed [our own course] on horses! Therefore you will speed [in flight from your enemies]! You said, We will ride upon swift steeds [doing our own way]! 

Therefore will they who pursue you be swift, [so swift that] one thousand of  you will flee at the threat of one of them; at the threat of five you will flee till you are left like a beacon or a flagpole on the top of a mountain, like a signal on a hill. Isaiah 30:15-17 AMP

Questions for today, are you one who flees or are you one who stands like a signal on a hill? Are you one who longs for the Lord, for His victory, His favour, His love, His peace, His joy and His matchless, unbroken companionship? He longs for you. He longs to be gracious to you, to show you mercy and loving-kindness. So today, let's make be expectant that He will indeed satisfy our longing souls.

Peace

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6 AMP

A few weeks ago a friend text me this scripture, with the emphasis on Prince of Peace. As I re-read it this morning I started to cry, as greater revelation came that nothing or no-one else can give the peace that Jesus gives. What a blessing to know His peace. So today I am going to share some other scriptures about His peace. I pray that as you read them you will get a greater revelation of His peace, available to both you and me.

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] John 14:27 AMP

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:33 AMP

Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. Romans 8:6 AMP

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 AMP

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Colossians 3:15 AMP

May grace (God’s unmerited favor) and spiritual peace [which means peace with God and harmony, unity, and undisturbedness] be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.Ephesians 1:2 AMP

May grace (God’s favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity,and freedom  from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal,precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 

2 Peter 1:2 AMP

Do you not remember?

But Jesus, aware of this, asked, Why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? O you [men, how little trust you have in Me, how] little faith! Do you not yet discern (perceive and understand)? Do you not remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many [small hand] baskets you gathered? Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many [large provision] baskets you took up? Matthew 16:8-10 AMP

Today, let's start with the 'But Jesus, aware of this' portion of this scripture.  In the gospels we read about Jesus being aware of what was going on in people's thoughts, their intentions and purposes. Here is another example,

But He, [well] aware of their intent and purpose, said to them, Every kingdom split up against itself is doomed and brought to desolation, and so house falls upon house. [The disunited household will collapse.] Luke 11:17 AMP

Jesus is aware of what we struggle with in our thought lives. He knows that we sometimes lack faith and understanding. He knows that we fall short and that sometimes our flesh is weak.

All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 AMP

Sometimes there is a temptation to take the 'easy' route, to give up, instead of pressing on, watching and praying. We forget what God has done for us. We can lose perspective of what Jesus did for us on The Cross, because we are too busy looking at our circumstances. 

But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.  Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.  Romans 5:8-9 AMP

So today, let's focus on Jesus, not our circumstances. Let's not get upset and angry with ourselves about where and when we fall short. Jesus is aware of what we are thinking, He knows we are not perfect. Yet He still died for us, so we could have the opportunity for a loving relationship with our heavenly father, and eternal life. Let's choose today to live in the freedom Jesus gives us.

If when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it is plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah! Romans 5:10-11 The Message 

You remain the same

At the beginning You existed and laid the foundations of the earth; the heavens are the work of Your hands.

They shall perish, but You shall remain and endure; yes, all of them shall wear out and become old like a garment. Like clothing You shall change them, and they shall be changed and pass away.

But You remain the same, and Your years shall have no end. Psalm 102:25-27 AMP

Those words, You remain the same, are thought provoking. Can you think of anything in your life that 'remains the same'? Buildings are built and then get knocked down, or fall down. Most of our material possessions do not last forever. They get worn out from over use, or unintentionally broken. Few physical things get passed on from generation to generation. I have a bible that was owned by my great grandmother, but I am hesitant to open it due to its fragility.

And what about us, people! Well we can take people off the list straight away - we are born, we grow, we die and leave this earth. Aside from the physical change, there is the change that happens as we (hopefully) mature and draw closer to God, dying more and more to our own ways and living more and more of God's way. We certainly do not remain the same. But there is One who does.

And [further], You, Lord did lay the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the works of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain and continue permanently; they will all grow old and wear out like a garment.

Like a mantle [thrown about one's self] You will roll them up, and they will be changed and replaced by others. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end nor come to failure. Hebrews 1:10-12 AMP

I don't know about you, but when I read, 'But You remain the same, and Your years will never end nor come to failure', I get a sense of stability. So when we are wavering, He remains the same, providing the stability that we can rely on and trust in.

And I say, Perished is my strength and my expectation from the Lord. [O Lord] remember [earnestly] my affliction and my misery, my wandering and my outcast state, the wormwood and the gall. 

My soul has them continually in remembrance and is bowed down within me. 

But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation:

It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.

They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. Lamentations 3:18-23 AMP

We are unreliable. God is stable and faithful.

Question for today, what or who are you putting your faith in? Is it something or someone that you can trust to be always stable and faithful? For me, there is only one I can truly always trust - 

Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today [yes] and forever (to the ages). Hebrews 13:8 AMP

So today lets' choose to trust Him, and receive this prayer for our lives.

Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who bought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament), strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it). 

Hebrews 13:20-21 AMP

We are His people

Know (perceive, recognise, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 100:3 AMP

If you are wondering today how you fit in and where you belong, have another read of the verse above. We belong to the Lord God. This is how The Message bible puts it,

Know this: GOD is god, and God, GOD.

He made us; we didn't make him.

We're his people, his well-tendered sheep.

Psalm 100:3 The Message

He made us. What an incredible statement. The God of the universe, creator of the heavens and earth, made us. Us, that means you, me, our families, our friends, our neighbours, our work colleagues, our politicians, all people in our nation, all people living in this world, all people that have lived in this world and all people that are yet to live in this world. He made us.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. 

I thank you, High God - you're breathtaking! 

Body and soul, I am marvelously made! 

I worship in adoration - what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

how I was sculptured from nothing to something.

Psalm 139:13-15 The Message

He made us. We are His people. And here are just some of the things that He has promised His people.

The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. 

Psalm 29:11 AMP

I will listen [with expectancy] to what God the Lord will say, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints (those who are in right standing with Him) - but let them not turn again to [self-confident] folly.

Psalm 85:8 AMP

For the Lord will not cast off nor spurn His people, neither will He abandon His heritage.

Psalm 94:14 AMP

He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant to be forever; holy is His name, inspiring awe, reverence, and godly fear.

Psalm 111:9 AMP

He made us. We are His people. We belong to Him. 

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things centre is and tend to consummate and to end in Him]. To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it). Romans 11:36 AMP

So today, let's remember Whose people we are, and the promises He gives His people. Let's do all we can to live for His purposes in a world that so often ignores it's creator.

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]. Romans 12:2 AMP

Don't shrink back

Oh, that I might have my request, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

I even wish that it would please God to crush me, that He would let loose His hand and cut me off!

Then would I still have consolation - yes, I would leap [for joy] amid unsparing pain [though I shrink from it] - that I have not concealed or denied the words of the Holy One!

What strength have I left, that I should wait and hope? And what is ahead of me, that I should be patient?

Is my strength and endurance that of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze?

Is it not that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom is quite driven from me?

Job 6:8-13 AMP

Have you ever felt like Job, completely without the strength to continue to wait and hope? Completely unable to help yourself and lacking wisdom for your circumstance? What do you do? Do you shrink back, running from the pain of the circumstance, or do you chose to persevere, live in faith, and  live out of the salvation that has been freely given by Jesus?

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, 

"In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay." And, "But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back."

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. 

Hebrews 10:36-39 AMP

Who do you belong to - those who shrink back and are destroyed or to those who have faith and are saved? A friend gave me this scripture a few months ago, and it has stayed front of mind ever since. What a hope we have in Jesus. Let's not disgard it on the tough days, but rather let's embrace it. Let's immerse ourselves in His Word. Let's be full of praise and worship. Let's go there and let ourselves feel and express the unsparing pain inside, and be expectant of the good work God will do in us and through us. As I said in my previous post, let's get ready to sing a new song!

Question for today, is there something in your life which is causing you to shrink back from your real feelings? To shrink back from the hope that Jesus offers? If so I encourage you (and me) today to stand up, take a deep breath and declare:

I do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.  Hebrews 10:36-39 AMP

And continue to declare it all day, all week, all month, all year if you have to. Ask God to help you to embrace the hope that is in Jesus. Be expectant that He will help you to stand firm, and not shrink back.

And now, little children, abide (live, remain permanently) in Him, so that when He is made visible, we may have and enjoy perfect confidence (boldness, assurance) and not be ashamed and shrink from Him at His coming. 1 John 2:28 AMP

Sing to the Lord a new song

O SING to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! 

Sing to the Lord, bless (affectionately praise) His name; show forth His salvation from day to day.  

Psalm 96:1-2 AMP

Sing to the Lord a new song. To do something new there needs to be a change. The change may be one you have initiated or it could be one that is 'given' to you. Change can be difficult, especially if it is the type of change you do not want. What I am finding is that in that time of unwanted change, there is a real opportunity 'to sing a new song' to the Lord, if we continue to seek His face and open our hearts honesty and completely to let God work in them.

You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word]. Psalm 27:8 AMP

A book I am reading, Emotionally healthy spirituality by Peter Scazzero, says this of Job's story,

This account is meant to encourage us to trust the living God with the many mini-deaths that we experience in our lives. The central message of Christ is that suffering and death bring resurrection and transformation. Jesus himself said, "I'll tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (John 12:24). But remember, resurrection only comes out of death - real death. Our losses are real. And so is our God, the living God. (Pages 151 and 152)

Thankfully most of us don't experience the magnitude of 'change' that Job did. But we still experience changes, both wanted and unwanted. If we let God minister to us through the change, every change provides us with the opportunity to sing a new song to God. A song born out of a heart transformation.

Questions for today, if you are in the midst of change are you allowing God to do a heart transformation in you? What would be the new song that you would sing to God? What would be the theme of your song?

And [now] they sing a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to break the seals that are on it, for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

And You have made them a kingdom (royal race) and priests to our God, and they shall reign [as kings] over the earth! Revelation 5:9-10 AMP