No respecter of persons

And Peter open his mouth and said: Most certainly and thoroughly I now perceive and understand that God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he who venerates and has a reverential fear for God, treating him with worshipful obedience and living uprightly, is acceptable to Him and sure of being received and welcomed [by Him]. Acts 10:34-35 AMP

I have heard people say that 'Cancer is no respecter of persons', well guess what, neither is God. He is willing and able to accept us all if we do what He says. The Message Bible puts it this way.

Peter fairly exploded with his good news: "It's God's own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favourites! It makes no difference who you are or where you're from - if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel - that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again - well, he's doing it everywhere, among everyone. Acts 10:34-36 The Message

God loves us all, His creation. He wants to have a daily, living, loving relationship with each of us. This is how much He loves us.

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-17 NLT

The action that God took opened the door for all of us, not just one select group of people, to be in right standing with Him. He really, really loves us - you and me.

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 

And that is grace. Available to us, today.

So that [just] as sin has reigned in death, [so] grace (His unearned and undeserved favour) might reign also through righteousness (right standing with God) which issues in eternal life through Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) our Lord. Romans 5:21 AMP

After reading these scriptures, we are reminded of many things, including that

1. God is no respecter of persons

2. Because God loved us, He sacrificed His only Son, Jesus.

3. That sacrifice, Jesus's blood, enables us to have right relationship with God, our Heavenly Father, now and eternity.

4. Through Jesus we have God's unearned and undeserved favour.

Now there are four things to give thanks for and celebrate today!  These truths remain the same regardless of what is going on in and around us. 

I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it. And God does it so that men will [reverently] fear Him [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is]. Ecclesiastes 3:14 AMP

Question for today, can we lift our eyes from our circumstances and our feelings, and focus on Jesus. Jesus, who is no respecter of persons. Jesus who has made a way for us to live for eternity with our Heavenly Father.

My spirit is overwhelmed

For the enemy has pursued and persecuted my soul, he has crushed my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in dark places as those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed and faints within me [wrapped in gloom]; my heart within my bosom grows numb.

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I ponder on the work of Your hands. I spread forth my hands to You; my soul thirsts after You like a thirsty land [for water]. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Answer me speedily, O Lord, for my spirit fails; hide not Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit (the grave). Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You.

Psalm 143:3-8 AMP

There are some days that you think, what is going on here? Yesterday was one of the those days for our family. In the morning my husband and I had a difficult conversation about our business and where it is heading. As part of the conversation we read a devotion about God only giving you what you can handle.

For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads) has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. 

But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure,  but with the temptation he will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.

1 Corinthians 10:13 AMP

I half jokingly said to Ken, 'God must think we can handle a lot,' as we were pressing into God, trusting Him with the outcome of our daughters' scan this week, and now we were feeling the squeeze with our business. I am not saying we believe that God caused these things to happen, but rather He is using them to grow us and teach us that He can be trusted. We thought those two rather major life circumstances were enough.

However, thirty minutes later we found ourselves at hospital with what has turned out to be a dislocated and fractured kneecap for Ken (after a fall at home). After eight hours at hospital yesterday, covered in prayer by friends, and with the help of friends looking after the children, we are now home and again finding ourselves trusting God for a long-term good outcome.

The Psalm above pretty much sums up the journey of my soul yesterday - immediately after Ken's fall, the feeling of being crushed to the ground in desperation - how much more can we take? Sitting in the Emergency Department, memories flooding back of 4.5 years go, feeling completely overwhelmed by what we could be facing here. Feeling numb and both of us literally crying out to God, how much more?

'I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I ponder the work of Your hands.'

Psalm 143:5 AMP

Then, as the hours went by, we started to remember and talk about all God has done for us, how faithful He has been, and what He has bought us through. 

'Answer me speedily, O Lord, for my spirit fails.'

Psalm 143:7a

And then our mood begins to change, we even manage to joke that with all the waiting around for scans and doctors, we are actually having lots of uninterrupted quality time together. Quality time is one of Ken's love languages. I pull out the notepad and pen and we continue with our business meeting, brainstorming and formulating a plan for the future. 

Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You.

Psalm 142:8 AMP

God had caused us to hear His loving-kindness, in a way we hadn't expected - much needed quality time together. God had reminded us once again that He is in the midst. We had lifted up our inner selves to Him in desperation, and He was showing us how to walk through it. This new journey will be on-going for a while and it will be interesting(?) to see what God will teach us both individually and as a married couple as we walk with Him on it.

Question for today, when you feel as though you have reached your limit, what do you do? Who or what do you call?

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

1 Corinthians 10: 13 The Message

Since we are justified...

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 to enjoy] peace with God through our 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. 

Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.

And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.

Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. 

Romans 5:1-5 AMP

Amen, Amen and Amen.

That I may dwell among them

And the Lord said to Moses, speak to the Israelites, that they take for Me an offering. From every man who gives it willingly and ungrudgingly with his heart you shall take My offering. ..... Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.

Exodus 25:1,2,8  AMP

For Moses and the Israelites, they had to undertake the task of physically building a sanctuary for the Lord.

Today, because of what Jesus did for us, the sanctuary looks quite different.

Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God's temple (His sanctuary), and that God's Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]? 

1 Corinthians 3:16 AMP

We, in Jesus, have become a dwelling place for God's Spirit.

You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves are also being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.  Ephesians 2:20-22 AMP

These phrases, 'joined together harmoniously', and 'in fellowship with one another', give us a picture of perfect loving fellowship within the sanctuary.  And in a perfect world, that may happen, but we are not in a perfect world.

The foundation of the structure, Jesus Christ, is perfect and unchanging. But we are not. Maybe that is why a bit further on it says, 'you yourselves are also being built up', which tells us that we are a work in progress. We, as the potter's clay, are continually being molded and remolded.

And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me: O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? says the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. Jeremiah 18:4-6 AMP

We have the privilege, through the grace of God, to be a dwelling place of God's Spirit. We have the challenge of surrendering our life, every part of our life, to God, the potter, so we can be all that He wants us to be. So we can hear His Spirit clearly, and be obedient to His calling.

Question for today, is there an area of your life that God is wanting to rework? Are you aligning with or resisting the prompting of the Holy Spirit? If you are tending to be resisting more than aligning, why not ask forgiveness, and ask the Holy Spirit to show us what action to take today to move forward in God's direction for us in that area. Remember, God's grace is sufficient for us, He is patient, and He has chosen to dwell in us.

Where is your faith?

And the disciples came and woke Him, saying, Master, Master, we are perishing! And He, being thoroughly awakened,censured and blamed  and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; and they ceased, and there came a calm.

And He said to them, [Why are you so fearful?] Where is your faith (your trust, your confidence in Me—in My veracity and My integrity)? And they were seized with alarm and profound and reverent dread, and they marveled, saying to one another, Who then is this, that He commands even wind and sea, and they obey Him? Luke 8:24-25 AMP

Where is your faith? What a challenging question this can be, especially in the times when you really need faith. 

Jesus is asking us, do we believe that is He trustworthy? Do we have confidence in Him, that He will do what He promises?

It can be difficult to answer, 'yes' to these questions when you have experienced disappointment, and life hasn't turned out as you expected it would. And there is one of our biggest problems - our expectations. We expect that life will be pretty much plain sailing, maybe a few hiccups, but nothing major. But that is not how life goes, and James explains quite clearly how we are to react to the trials and temptations that come our way.

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. James 1:2-3 AMP

However, there is one expectation we can have when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour - the expectation of eternal life.

Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)—[which will bring you] unto life eternal. Jude 1:21 AMP

And let's not forget that, in making the option of eternal life a reality for us, Jesus faced immense trials and opposition.

Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.

You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood. Hebrews 12:3-4 AMP

Jesus, suffered all that for you and me. He didn't give up when the going got tough, instead He cried out, and sought His Father's will for His life. He knew his Father was trustworthy. He had confidence is His Father and His plan. He had faith.

And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw and knelt down and prayed,

Saying, Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done.

Luke 22:41-42 AMP

And here is God's response to His Son,

And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him in spirit.

Luke 22:43 AMP

So for us, when our faith is lacking, we too can cry out to our Heavenly Father, surrendering our life to His will, expecting to receive His strength. 

Question for today, is your faith lacking in some area of your life? If so, why not take time right now to cry out to God, surrender to Him and expect to receive a strengthening in your spirit.

Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.  Psalms 27:14 AMP

He knows, and He is always there

O Lord, you have examined my heart

and know everything about me.

You know when I sit down or stand up.

You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

You see me when I travel

and when I rest at home.

You know everything I do.

You know what I am going to say

even before I say it, Lord.

You go before me and follow me.

You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too great for me to understand!

Psalms 139:1-6 NLT

He knows it all. The past, the present, the future. Our past, our present, our future.

On a personal note, He knows already the news we will hear about our daughter in two weeks time. He knows already what our response will be. He knows what we will be thinking.

I'm an open book to you;

even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.

Psalms 139:2 The Message

He knows what we will say.

For there is not a word in my tongue [still unuttered], but, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

Psalms 139:4 AMP

He knows what will come into our lives as a result of that news. He knows the changes that will take place. He knows what we will do.

You sift and search out my path and my lying down, and You are acquainted with all my ways.

Psalms 139:3 AMP

But we know that on that day, without a doubt, that He is with us

I look behind me and you're there,

then up ahead and you're there, too—

your reassuring presence, coming and going.

Psalms 139:5 The Message

And about that, we can say,

This is too much, too wonderful—

I can't take it all in!

Psalms 139:6 The Message

Question for today, do you have a 'day' or 'event' coming up that you are feeling anxious about? If yes, I encourage to meditate on the above scriptures (as I have been) and know that you know that you know, God is with you in it, His reassurance presence, coming and going.

You will revive me

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever—forsake not the works of Your own hands. Psalms 138:7-8 AMP

Question for today, what do you to be revived? 

The scriptures have a few ideas on how we can revive our souls.

​WAIT and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing].
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness [the profuseness of spiritual joy].
Incline your ear [submit and consent to the divine will] and come to Me; hear, and your soul will revive; and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with you, even the sure mercy (kindness, goodwill, and compassion) promised to David.

Isaiah 55:1-3 AMP

There is definitely a lot to meditate on in that passage of scripture. And so much we can learn by reading and re-reading His truth, letting it soak into us, letting it revive us.

Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.
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. Psalms 119:24-26 AMP

Heavenly Father, please help us to better understand that it is You alone who can revive our soul. Please help us to incline our ear to you more often in our day, and hear you. Thank you for your everlasting covenant and your sure mercy in our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Deliverance and victory are of the Lord

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.

Proverbs 21:31 AMP

You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord [Who is] with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.

2 Chronicles 20:17 AMP

Prepare, take your positions, stand still and see - deliverance and victory are of the Lord.

I said to the Lord, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my supplications, O Lord.

O God the Lord, the Strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.

Psalms 140:6-7 AMP

He has us covered in the day of battle. We, His sheep, are covered for eternity.

The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.

John 10:27-28 AMP

Jesus - our Shepherd, able to save us for eternity.

But He holds His priesthood unchangeably, because He lives on forever.

Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.

Hebrews 7:24-25 AMP

Question for today, how will you prepare and position yourself so you are ready to see the deliverance and victory that are of the Lord?

By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh,

And since we have [such] a great and wonderful and noble Priest [Who rules] over the house of God,

Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (bythat 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.

So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering thehope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.

Hebrews 10:20-23 AMP

Imprinted on His heart

To Him Who [earnestly] remembered us in our low estate and imprinted us [on His heart], for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; Psalm 136:23 AMP

Yes, there is a God, the creator of heaven and earth, who remember us, and has imprinted us - you and me - on His heart. Sometimes it may feel as though He has forgotten us, and that we have been left to deal with our circumstances by ourselves. But that is not so. 

[And the Lord answered] Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget you.

Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me. Isaiah 49:15-16 AMP

The truth is that the Lord does not forget us. I know that in the midst of trouble and trials it can be so easy for own feelings of self-pity and insecurity to become consuming and take the place of His truth. The trust we have in God is challenged by our feelings and our circumstances. We need to hear His voice and listen to what He is telling us, just as Moses and Joshua did.

And Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong, courageous, and firm, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to possess it.

It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit—depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm]. Deuteronomy 31:7-8 AMP

Moses and Joshua weren't perfect, but they knew God's heart was for them. They knew they were imprinted on His heart. They knew that God would go before them. They trusted God.  From my experience it is only by spending time in His presence, through worship, His word and silence, that we can return to that place of complete trust in Him. 

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

Someone once said to me regarding our journey with Victoria, "it must be very lonely for you." After hearing this I went around for a few days saying to myself, "Yes, it is very lonely for me, nobody really understands what this is like." I started to feel even more sorry for myself about our circumstances. Then I heard a small still voice, saying to me , "You are not alone, I am always with you, and I know your pain." 

And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice. 1 Kings 19:12 AMP

What comfort that voice bought to me. It was a gentle, very timely reminder that I was not forgotten. I am imprinted on His heart. 

Question for today, are you struggling with a circumstance that is causing you to have feelings of doubt, loneliness and self-pity? If so, why not take time to meditate on these scriptures, speak to your soul, reminding it of the truth that you are not forgotten, you are imprinted on the heart of the creator of the universe. Take time to worship and then be silent, ready to hear his gentle, still, small voice. Be expectant that you will hear from Him and be reminded that you are not forgotten and you are not alone. 

Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel—which, when translated, means, God with us. Matthew 1:23 AMP

Bless (affectionately and gratefully praise) the Lord

BEHOLD, BLESS (affectionately and gratefully praise) the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, [singers] who by night stand in the house of the Lord.

Lift up your hands in holiness and to the sanctuary and bless the Lord [affectionately and gratefully praise Him]!

The Lord bless you out of Zion, even He Who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 134 Amp

We often pray for God's blessing on people. They may be our family, friends and ourselves. It may be a more general prayer for blessing on our church, workplace, school, neighbourhood, city and nations. And let's not forget God commands us to pray for blessing on people who have wronged us.

Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble).

Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God—that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].

1 Peter 3:8-9 Amp

But how often do we pray asking God how we can be a blessing to Him? I clearly remember a conversation I had with a mature Christian not long after I was saved. We were staying with him and his wife for the weekend. As we were driving to church he was talking about the worship time in the service being a time when we had an opportunity to bless God, rather than a time of asking God to bless us. That conversation started a thought path that continues today, how can I be a blessing to God, not to gain His approval or love, as Jesus has already done that on my behalf. But rather as an act of appreciation and gratitude.

​O GOD, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is.

So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary to see Your power and Your glory.

Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.

So will I bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

My whole being shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips

When I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches.

For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice.

My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me.

Psalms 63:1-8 Amp

From reading this passage from Psalm 63, we can see some ways we can bless the Lord

1. Earnestly seek Him (don't get distracted by other things and people)

2. Look upon Him ( keep our eyes focused on Him, no matter what is going on)

3. Praise Him (even when you don't feel like it)

4. Lift up my hands (an act of complete surrender to Him and His ways)

5. Remember (remember all that He has done for you, with a grateful heart)

6. Rejoice (in all He has done, is doing and has promised to do)

7. Follow hard (always look to Him purposefully to see where the next step is to be)

8. Cling closely ( as if your life here and for eternity depends upon Him, because it does)

And in desiring to bless the Lord, let's always remember

We love Him, because He first loved us. 

1 John 4:19 Amp

We are abundantly blessed, so today let's seek God on how we can be a blessing to our Him, and the world we live in.

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not onlybeing useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers].Galatians 6:9-10 Amp

Have you not known?

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Isaiah 40:28-31 AMP

Last night, another reminder that God is always ready to speak with us, we just need to take the time to listen. Two children and I sat down and watched Louie Giglio's How Great is our God DVD. Towards the end of the DVD he spoke out Isaiah 40:28-31, such a powerful reminder of Who God is and what He can do for us when we hope and wait in the Lord. Thank you Jesus. 

Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?

God doesn't come and go. God lasts.

He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.

He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.

And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired,

gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don't get tired,

they walk and don't lag behind.

Isaiah 40:28-31 The Message

Today, let's wait upon God and get fresh strength.

Have you never heard?

Have you never understood?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of all the earth.

He never grows weak or weary.

No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

He gives power to the weak

and strength to the powerless.

Even youths will become weak and tired,

and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31NLT

Let's declare that we will soar high on wings like eagles. We will run and not grow weary. We will walk and not faint, because we trust in the Lord and we can do all things through Him who strengthens us.

Amen.

Love and Unity

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body]. It is like the dew of [lofty] Mount Hermon and the dew that comes on the hills of Zion; for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly]. 

Psalm 133 AMP

Currently I am reading a psalm each day, and this was the one scheduled for today - how interesting given the changes in the Australian Federal political scene last night. Unity seems to be a little bit elusive in that sphere, no matter which side of politics you support. The leaders of our country, and indeed the world, definitely need our prayers.

Let's consider unity, as it relates to our thoughts, words and actions, as brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible tells us that we are all united together by the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, for [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). For by [means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 AMP

The scripture then goes on to explain about the various parts of the body and guidelines for how we are to interact. The chapter finishes with verse 31.

But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all - love]. 

1 Corinthians 12:31 AMP

Love. The focus of the following chapter, Chapter 13, a favourite reading at weddings. Here are of the few verses from that chapter.

Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealously, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. (verse 4)

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. (verse 7)

And so, faith, hope, love abide [faith - conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope - joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love - true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love. (verse 13)

Love. The focus of the entire Bible - God's love for us, despite all our failings. This kind of love, is the love that brings unity. 

Chapter 14 starts with,

Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; (verse 1a)

Obviously we are not perfect, so today, here on earth, we cannot be a perfect representation of God's love. But we can make a commitment to eagerly pursue and seek to acquire this love. We can ask God  to create a clean heart within us, to help us to learn to love the way that He wants us to love, and help bring greater unity in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.  

Psalm 51:10 AMP

And remember, we have the ultimate picture of unity - the trinity.

God said, Let Us [Father, Son and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. Genesis 1:26 AMP

Question for today, what can you do to more eagerly pursue this love that leads to unity within yourself, your family, your church, your workplace, your country, your world? For me, prayer is always a great place to start, listening for direction from the Holy Spirit.

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. John 14:26 AMP

For God alone

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

In this scripture David is telling us that his soul is focused on one thing - God, and that he will not be distracted from that focus. What a challenge that can be for us today, in a world of continual distraction.

Later in that passage, we read that David is using 'self-talk' to remind his soul to stay focused and wait upon God.

My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him. 
Psalm 62:5 AMP

David then goes on to make some powerful declarations about who God is in his life.

He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved. With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God! 

Psalm 62:6-7 AMP

As you read these scriptures, can you feel faith rising within you? For me, as I read them over and over I feel as though I am moving from a curled up ball to a tall, straight tower, not growing in confidence in myself, but rather growing in confidence in my God and His purposes.

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

Let's pray. 

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for the times when we seek after people and things other than You. Please help us to come to that place where it is You alone that we seek and wait for. The place where we can declare with confidence that You are our Rock, our Salvation, our Defense and our Fortress and that we shall not be moved. Thank you for your grace that enables us to draw near to You and have Your victory in our lives. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favour and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgement and made partakers of Christ's salvation). 

Ephesians 2:5 AMP

He has a plan

This morning let's remind ourselves that He has a plan.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for your welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 AMP

It is a plan 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

Sometimes we just need to wait for His plans.

But they hastily forgot His works; they did not [earnestly] wait for His plans [to develop] regarding them, But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tempted and tried to restrain God [with their insistent desires] in the desert.

Psalm 106:13-14 AMP

And remember that God's plan always has an eternal focus.

Grace and spiritual blessing be to you and [soul] peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), who gave (yielded) Himself up [to atone] for our sins [and to save and sanctify us], in order to rescue and deliver us from the present wicked age and world order, in accordance with the will and purpose and plan of our God and Father - to Him [be ascribed all] the glory through all the ages of the ages and the eternities of the eternities! Amen (so be it).Galatians 1:3-5 AMP

He has a plan.

A place of refuge

In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge. Proverbs 14:26 AMP

Who are we? We are His children. 

For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent] - [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favour and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:5-6 AMP

And what do His children always have? A place of refuge.

On the tough days, as God reminded me yesterday, He is always there. We can always run to Him and He will cover us.

[Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. Psalm 91:4 AMP

It is interesting what we find when we take refuge in His wings. For me, each time I run to God for refuge, it is as though by letting myself be more vulnerable and needy of Him, I get a greater revelation of His love for me, the Father's love. And when I emerge from His shelter, I emerge with a greater revelation of His truth and faithfulness, and an increased hope for the future. 

Accordingly God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan, intervened (mediated) with an oath. This was so that, by two unchangable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us]. Hebrews 6:17-18 AMP

Thank you Jesus for all that you have done for us. Thank you God that you have provided us with a way to come directly to you at all times, and especially when we are in need of refuge. Thank you for what You do in our hearts when we let ourselves be vulnerable to You. Thank you for the hope that is appointed for us and set before us. Amen.

Questions for today, where do you go for refuge? what happens when you are there? do you emerged changed from the experience? 

For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence. Upon You have I leaned and relied from birth; You are He Who took me from my mother's womb and You have been my benefactor from that day. My praise is continually of You. My mouth shall be filled with Your praise and with Your honour all the day. 

Psalm 71:5-6 AMP

Thus shall the man be blessed

Some encouragement for all husbands and fathers (and future husbands and fathers).

​BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who fears, reveres, and worships the Lord, who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments.

For you shall eat [the fruit] of the labor of your hands; happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) shall you be, and it shall be well with you.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house; your children shall be like olive plants round about your table.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you out of Zion [His sanctuary], and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life;

Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!

Psalm 128 AMP

Who is at the center?

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 in and tend to consummate and to end in Him]. To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it). Romans 11:36 AMP

I don't pretend to understand everything in this verse. And I am okay with that because this I do know in my heart - God is at the centre of everything. The Message Bible has this to say,

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.

Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what do to? Anyone who has done him such a huge favour that God has to ask his advice?

Everything comes from him;

Everything happens through him;

Everything ends up in him.

Always glory! Always praise! 

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Romans 11:33-36 The Message

And not only that, I know that God is good. Look at what He did for us, for you and me.

You must know (recognise) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot. 

It is true that He was chosen and foreordained (destined and foreknown for it) before the foundation of the world, but He was brought out to public view (made manifest) in these last days (at the end of the times) for the sake of you.

1 Peter 1:18-20 AMP

We have a loving heavenly Father who has given us the choice to live a life of hope and faith in Him. A choice that involves trusting Him even when we don't understand what is going on, and why. We have the choice of Jesus.

Through Him you believe in (adhere to, rely on) God, Who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him honor and glory, so that your faith and hope are [centred and rest] in God.

1 Peter 1:21 AMP

Jesus, a choice for the long-term, the very long-term - eternity.

For all flesh (mankind) is like grass, and all its glory (honor) like [the] flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower drops off, but the Word of the Lord (divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever. And this Word is the good news which is preached to you.

1 Peter 1:24-25 AMP

Question for today, who or what will you choose to put at the center of your life today? Will it be yourself, your circumstances or will it be Jesus? 

For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen (honoured), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be disappointed or put to shame.

1 Peter 2:6 AMP

Faith is

Now Faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. 

Hebrews 11:1 AMP

A reminder from God this morning to all of us who are living with this assurance.

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see.

Hebrews 1:11 The Message

He is our firm foundation.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 
Hebrews 1:11 NLT

Who do we have faith and hope in?

For in You, O Lord, do I hope; You will answer, O Lord my God. Psalm 38:15 AMP

Who is guiding your boat?