Light and Joy

Light is sown for the [uncompromisingly] righteous and strewn along their pathway, and joy for the upright in heart [the irrepressible joy which comes from consciousness of His favour and protection]. Psalm 97:11 AMP

Light and joy for the uncompromisingly righteous and the upright in heart. Who are these people who are uncompromisingly righteous and upright in heart?

The Message Bible puts it this way, 

Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil. Psalm 97:11 The Message

The uncompromisingly righteous and upright in heart are God's people. The people who are in right-standing with God.

For You, Lord, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favour). Psalm 5:12 AMP

And how is it then that we, you and me, the sinners, get to be in right standing with God, the creator of the universe, the creator of us? There is only one way - believing in Jesus and acknowledging Him as your Lord and Saviour.

May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right-standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honour and praise of God [that His glory may be both manifested and recognised]. Philippians 1:11 AMP

So, as believers in Jesus, we are in right-standing with God. We are righteous, so this scripture about light and joy is true for our lives.

Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.

Psalm 97:11 NIV

Maybe today, you believe in Jesus, but you don't feel like there is light shining on you, and you don't feel that there is any joy in your life. If that is you, I encourage you to declare Psalm 97:11 over your life - many times a day if you need to, until those feelings submit to God's truth. Be expectant of what God will do in you.

Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him. Proverbs 30:5 AMP

And always remember to give shout of praise and thanks to God.

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

Growing in understanding

But grow in grace (undeserved favour, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honour, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! 2 Peter 3:18 AMP

When walking daily with God there is always something else to understand, something new to learn. The question is are we willing to learn? Are we teachable? Or are we closed to understanding the ways of God as they don't fit with our 'neat, ordered' current understanding.

Right now God has me on this journey of growing my understanding of His healing ways. The number one lesson I have learnt so far is...

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 AMP

I am learning that with God, this scripture is always a good place to start - complete submission to His thoughts and His ways. The Message Bible puts it this way,

"I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." God's Decree. "For as the sky soars high above the earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think." Isaiah 55:8-9 The Message

Here is a healing testimony from Derek Prince's book, God's Word Heals. It is the sort of testimony that makes you think, when I declare this scripture, do I really believe that all things are possible with God?

But Jesus looked at them and said, With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God. Matthew 19:26 AMP

The testimony ..

Contrary to plan, I started to speak about legs.... So, at the end of my sharing, I said, "Now we'll do it. Demos, you take one chair over there, and I'll take one chair on this side." It seems the more nerve you have, the more God backs you up. The first person Demos prayed for was a chiropractor, and his leg grew out. From then on, he was our cheerleader. He would stand up there and say, "It's growing out. The ankle's turning. I can see it."  (page 223, 233)

Of course, this healing journey is a very personal journey with our daughter Victoria. But I am excited to learn and understand more of God's power in the area of healing, and what it will lead to in our lives, and the lives of others.

Question for today, what is it that God is wanting to grow your understanding in? Are you yielding to what He wants to teach you? Let's ask God to help us to listen more, and grow in the understanding of His ways, so we can be better vessels for Him in this world.

Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes! 2 Peter 3:18 The Message

The Lord on high is mightier

The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is robed, He has girded Himself with strength and power; the world also is established, that it cannot be moved.
Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.
Psalm 93:1-2 AMP

The first truth - The Lord reigns. Do you really believe this? Does He only reign when things are going well? Or does He reign no matter what is going on? These first two verses of Psalm 93 are a declaration of who our Lord is:
He reigns
He is clothed with majesty
He has strength and power
He is the creator.
He is - always.

The Message Bible puts it this way,

GOD is King, robed and ruling
GOD is robed and surging with strength.
And yes, the world is firm, immovable,
Your throne ever firm - you're Eternal!
Psalm 93:1-2 The Message

Sometimes we can lose sight of who He is, the King, surging with strength, because of the 'floods' that come into our lives.

The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up the roaring of their waves. Psalm 93:3 AMP

Our perspective changes as we see and hear the roaring of the waves around us. Once again in our lives, we have a choice - focus on those waves, or look up. Look up and see someone who is mightier that those waves.

The Lord on high is mightier and more glorious than the noise of many waters, yes, than the mighty breakers and waves of the sea. Psalm 93:4 AMP

I have had the literal experience of these roaring waves off the coast of Sydney. The relentless crashing of waves all around us - completely surrounding us for hours upon hours with no 'let up' in sight. There was only one thing we could do - call out to God - hours upon hours of singing (actually yelling) the words from Shout to the Lord,

'Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of your name.

Eight hours later we literally surfed in through the Sydney heads. The King had bought us through. The Lord showed that He was mightier and more glorious than the noise of many waters, than the mighty breakers and waves of the sea - in a very literal way. We were not one of those devastating 'drowned at sea' statistics. A testimony of His strength and power.

Your testimonies are very sure; holiness [apparent in separation from sin, with simple trust and hearty obedience] is becoming to Your house, O Lord, forever. Psalm 93:5 AMP

Question for today, are there floods and roaring waves in your life? They may not be the literal kind, like we experienced. They may be metaphors for other circumstances that appear to be relentless in your life. Be encouraged, our God is greater. He is stronger. He is the King.

Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly and said, Be praised, adored and thanked, O Lord, the God of Israel our [forefather] forever and ever. 

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and the earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and Yours it is to be exalted as Head over all.

Both riches and honour come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hands are power and might; in Your hands it is to make great and to give strength to all. 

Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name and those attributes which that name denotes.

1 Chronicles 29:10-13 AMP

Who are you close to?

The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent. Psalm 34:18 AMP

I have been reflecting on the wonderful celebration we had on Thursday night and the people that have come alongside us, stayed close, blessed us and helped to share the burden of this journey. We have been blessed by so many people in so many ways. Key message - when the going gets tough, don't isolate yourself for too long. We need each other.

My thoughts then go to the One who has been closest of all, every moment of the day and night.  The One who hears the cry of the broken-hearted and meets us in that place. The Message Bible puts it this way,

If your heart is broken, you'll find GOD right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath. Psalm 34:19 The Message

But it is always a choice. Just as we have the choice to isolate ourselves from people, we also have the choice to either isolate ourselves from God, or draw closer to Him. He always encourages us to come closer.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8 NLT

And look what happens when we choose to come close to God, when we choose to wait and rest in Him.

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 40:31 AMP

We will change. Our strength and power will be renewed. We shall rise up. We shall run. We shall not faint or become tired. I can testify to all these outcomes in my life - praise God.

Question for today, who is it that you are closest too? When the tough times come, who do you call out to? Who answers? God has given us His Holy Spirit to be with us always - to live in us - can't get much closer than that! He will always answer, we just need to make sure we are listening

However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. John 16:7 AMP

Our very own counselor, helper, advocate, intercessor, strengthener and standby, living in us. What a truly awesome God we have.

He turns it whichever way He wills

The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills. Proverbs 21:1 AMP

Earlier this week I went to a meeting. As I drove to the meeting I had a sense that my thinking on a particular 'topic' was going to be challenged - by God. As I walked into the meeting I said a silent prayer, 'God please help me to have a teachable heart and really hear what is being said.'

When the scoffer is punished, the fool gets a lesson in being wise; but men of [godly] Wisdom and good sense learn by being instructed. Proverbs 21:11 AMP

Sure enough, during the meeting some instructions were given that challenged my thinking on 'the way God does things'. Yes - very dangerous territory on my part. Who am I to 'know the way God does things'? Enter humility.

There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord. Proverbs 21:30 AMP

At that point I had a choice - keep 'stewing' in my mind, or surrender my thoughts to God, and let God be God. He was reminding me once again that He doesn't fit in a neat little box. He prefers to work outside the box - and do things His way. I just needed to be humble, listen and obey.

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord. Proverbs 21:31 AMP

Since surrendering my thoughts, the channel within my heart has been opened to hearing more of God's thoughts on the 'topic', and learning more of His heart for His people. It is amazing what He can do in us if we let Him. I am very expectant now for what He will do with this 'turning of my heart'.

Question for today, is there some area in  your life that you have put 'boundaries' around the way God can and will operate?  If yes, then why not take time today to ask God to help you remove those boundaries in your thinking, and give Him time and room to show you more of His ways.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgements (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)! For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts, or who has [ever] been His counselor? Romans 11:33-34 AMP

Together

For wherever two or three are gathered 

(drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, 

there I AM in the midst of them. 

Matthew 18:20 AMP

This photo is so much more than a picture of two little girls standing at the edge of the lake. From their gesture we can see a story of the love between them.  From the magnificent sky and it's reflection we can see the majesty of God's creation. 

And then we consider the 'back story'. Who are those little girls? Two sisters who  know that life isn't all 'roses', and have built a strong bond out of those circumstances. Two sisters who know they are children of God and that He is in their midst. Two sisters, who because of God's love for them, can laugh together.

Two sisters who know and have seen God's grace in their lives. Two sisters who have some understanding of the truth of this scripture.

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

Why are those little girls out so late? The next day one of them is going for a brain scan (her 20th one). She knows what is going on. There is fear. She is human. But there is also joy. Joy, when her focus is elsewhere, on life.

What a lesson for us all. 

Question for today, where is your focus? Is it on your circumstances or is it on the giver of life?

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. Hebrews 12:2 The Message

Christ is our example of how to do this life, together with God, and together with people. He is worthy of our praise.

Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). Romans 15:5-6 AMP

Blessed are those who dwell in Your presence

Psalm 84 - before we read, lets ask God to reveal more of Himself to us as we read.  Ask Him to help us be vulnerable to what He wants to show us about Himself, about ourselves. Let's read in expectation of growing closer to Him, and indeed yearning for more of Him in our lives.

How lovely are Your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!

My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God.

Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young - even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca) they make it a place of springs; the early rain also fills [the pools] with blessings.

They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God to Jacob! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Behold our shield [the king as Your agent], O God, and look upon the face of Your anointed!

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]; I would rather be a doorkeeper and stand at the threshold in the house of my God than to dwell [at ease] in the tents of wickedness.

For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favour and [future] glory (honour, splendor, and heavenly bliss! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

O Lord of hosts, blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, and that without fear or misgiving]!

Now, let's read it again, meditating on the phrases the Holy Spirit quickened to you.  These verses will be different for each of us. Here are some He quickened to me.

My soul yearns, yes even pines ......

Holy Spirit - Have you noticed that the more time you spend praying, reading and worshipping, the more time you want to spend with me?

Yes, the sparrow has found a house ....

Holy Spirit - Have you noticed your 'sense of belonging' growing stronger every day, the more time you spend with me?

Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs ...

Holy Spirit - Remember how your life was tough, so tough, and now it is so different. That is the God's goodness and mercy in your life.

For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield

Holy Spirit - I will always protect you.

No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Holy Spirit - this is my promise to you

O Lord of hosts, blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, and that without fear or misgiving]!

Holy Spirit - keep trusting in Me.

I pray that God has revealed more of Himself and His love for you, to you as you have read this scripture this morning. And that you have gained encouragement and strength from His word - No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Which way are you turning today?

Turn us again to yourself, O LORD God of Heaven's Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved. Psalm 80:19 NLT

"Turn us again to yourself" is an interesting phrase. I have a picture in my mind of us going one way (the wrong way) and God allowing something to happen in our lives that encourages us to turn around and go His way. The way that leads to salvation.

Another version puts it this way,

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; cause Your face to shine [in pleasure, approval, and favour on us], and we shall be saved! Psalm 80:19 AMP

Restore, meaning to bring back. God, our Heavenly Father wants to bring us back into relationship with Him. But He won't force us into that relationship. We have a free will. It is our choice. 

I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live and may love the Lord your God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 AMP 

It is our choice to choose life. To choose Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. There is one who tries to stop us making that decision.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10 AMP

The enemy doesn't want us to turn to Jesus. The enemy wants us to be confused and feel defeated. He is roaming around. We need to always be vigilant.

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a roaring lion [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 1 Peter 5:8 AMP

We need to learn how to stand firm in our choice to turn to Jesus. 

Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset - rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:9 AMP

Sometimes it is not easy, I know. Sometimes it seems it would be easier to run away and hide in a corner - but is that life? Is that what you were born for? To run and hide? No, I don't believe it was. God has a plan. We need to turn to Him, and keep turning to Him, and not give up.

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon  you, plans to give you the future you hope for...... When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and what it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." GOD's Decree.
Jeremiah 29:11, 13 The Message

Question for today, do you feel that God is asking you to turn back to Him? Or maybe turn a part of your life over to Him? Today, let's ask God for the courage to do what He is asking, trusting that He has a plan and it is good.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for 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

Jesus

He is dressed in a robe dyed by dipping in blood, and the title by which He is called is The Word of God. Revelation 19:13 AMP

Jesus. 

​IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. John 1:1-2 AMP

Jesus. God Himself.

And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth. John 1:14 AMP

Jesus. Became flesh among us.

Whereas this One [Christ], after He had offered a single sacrifice for our sins [that shall avail] for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, 

Hebrews 10:12 AMP

Jesus. Single sacrifice for our sins.

And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 AMP

Jesus. No other name.

Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus,

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 (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 10:19-22 AMP

Jesus. Our access to life.

Today, let's fully take hold of what Jesus is offering and all He has done for us. 

Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratifies] the ever lasting 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

The source of my confidence

For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence. Psalm 71:5 AMP

Only one question today, what or who is the source of your confidence? 

We have an eight year old child who has a brain scan in two weeks. She is anxious. Each night she is going to bed, praying to Jesus, asking Him to remove the tumour completely and bring complete healing into her body. Jesus is the source of her confidence. 

For the challenges in your life, what or who is the source of your confidence?

In July this year, after we received some not so positive news about the tumour, a friend sent me a reference to Ephesians 3:14-21. What an encouragement they were and still are. 

What a declaration of God's love, power and authority in our lives. Let's make this declaration today. Let's have confidence in our God and come to Him with childlike faith.

In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear). So I ask you not to lose heart [not to faint or become despondent through fear] at what I am suffering in your behalf. [Rather glory in it] for it is an honor to you.

For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are build together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name].

May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner many by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]-

To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

Ephesians 3:12-21 AMP

Until I entered the sanctuary of God

Still, when I tried to figure it out,
all I got was a splitting headache ...
Until I entered the sanctuary of God.
Then I saw the whole picture:
Psalm 73:16-17 The Message

Can you relate to this passage of scripture? I certainly can. This very morning in fact, when I woke up, my brain immediately started mulling over a problem - trying to figure it out - what to do etc. Thankfully God has taught me to take time in the mornings to sit and talk to Him - to enter the His sanctuary. And in that time, to lay down my burdens.

Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls]. Matthew 11:28 AMP

But this does not happen until we make the choice to enter His sanctuary. And furthermore, when we do sit with God, and listen to what He has to say, we are then able to understand more of His plan.

Until I went into the sanctuary of God; 

then I understood [for I considered] their end;

Psalm 73:17 AMP

We get an understanding that can only come from God. The preceding verse in the Amplified version says,

But when I considered how to understand this, it was too great an effort for me and too painful

Psalm 73:16 AMP

How often has this been the case for you? Our human mind just cannot cope with some situations. We need the wisdom of God to bring peace and order into our minds. It is as Jesus says to us,

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good - not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be bourne. Matthew 11:29-30 AMP

I don't know about you, but I love the thought of 'relief, ease, refreshment and blessed quiet' for my soul, no matter what is going on in my life. Jesus says, 'take My yoke and learn of Me' and how do we do that? One key part of His school of learning is entering into His sanctuary. It is not until we go into His sanctuary that we get that understanding. 

And what does that mean to us? It means time. It means giving up something (or things) in and throughout our day to spend time with God. For example, rather than taking five or ten minutes to read what is happening on Facebook, why not use that time to read a devotion app and expect God to teach you something? This is a habit God is helping me develop. I can highly recommend 'Jesus Calling' for this purpose.

Question for today, what changes can you make in your life to help you more regularly enter the sanctuary of God? If you are unsure what to change or how to make the changes, ask God. He is waiting and ready to commune with you and give you more of His understanding.

Nevertheless I am continually with You;

You do hold my right hand.

You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to honour and glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever. 

Psalm 73:23-26 AMP

Today is the gift

This is the day the LORD has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 AMP

This day, today is indeed a gift. A gift from God, ready to be filled with His life giving purpose. How easy it is to miss the joy of this day, especially when we are focusing on tomorrow and beyond.

We don't know what tomorrow will bring - another day of sunshine, or a storm brewing on the horizon. God tells us not to concern ourselves with tomorrow.

So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 AMP

I know from personal experience how difficult it is not to worry or be anxious about tomorrow. But I also know from personal experience that God is here in the today, and He is there in the tomorrow as well. We are not alone today, and we will not be alone tomorrow. Meditating on this scripture has helped me to get through many anxious days and nights.

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

We have this day, let's live it the way God wants us to live it. Let's love like He wants us to love. Let's show grace how He shows grace. Let's forgive like He forgives. Let's ask for His help in all these things, because we will need it. And after all, this is the day that the LORD has made.

This is the very day GOD acted - 

let's celebrate and be festive! 

Salvation now, GOD. Salvation now! 

Oh yes, GOD - a free and full life! 

Psalm 118:24-25 The Message

Whose plans?

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11

Plans, plans, plans. Whose plans? My plans, your plans or God's plans?

Over the past few days I have had the blessing of time to read The grace of yielding, by Derek Prince. What a challenging read! But a very necessary read. It has given me the opportunity to reflect on what we have had to yield in our lives, over the past few years and what a difficult process it has been. And made me ask the question, what does it take to lay down our plans and yield completely to God's plans?

From my experiences of yielding our daughter and our business, the main thing I have learnt is that it is better to yield quickly rather than taking your time. Being slow to yield allows time for an internal turmoil to grow in your heart and mind. 

However yielding quickly can be difficult when you are used to holding things or people tightly - as I was. It took time for me to get revelation in my heart that I could really trust God with our precious daughter. At first, I thought I had yielded as I could speak out the scriptures and say to God, 'I trust You'. But as various situations came and went I realised that I really hadn't yielded as I while I had some peace, I wasn't experiencing complete peace. It took time for that level of trust in God to grow in my heart, so I could get to the place of experiencing complete peace. Hopefully that lesson will not be forgotten the next time I have to yield something so precious.

We still do not know the full extent of God's plan regarding our daughter having a brain tumour, but we have seen and experienced enough to know that He is faithful.

Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is he who has the God of [special revelation to] Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God,

Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, Who keeps truth and is faithful forever,

Psalms 146:5-6 AMP

And His word is trustworthy. 

The works of His hands are [absolute] truth and justice [faithful and right]; and all His decrees and precepts are sure (fixed, established, and trustworthy). Psalms 111:7 AMP

His plans, His thoughts, His ways, are not our plans, thoughts or ways. However, when we yield, it doesn't matter that we don't understand, because we trust. We trust with all our heart. And in that trusting comes peace.

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 4:7 AMP

Question for today, is there something God is asking you to yield to Him? How are you going with the yielding? If you are struggling and finding it hard to 'let go and let God', like I did, why not ask God to show you want is causing the slowness and ask for His help to remove the barrier.