Let him deny himself

And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me]. Mark 8:34 AMP

This life with Jesus comes with a very different perspective to that of most of the world around us. There can be a continual struggle between our own thoughts, our need for control, and God's thoughts and plans.

Calling to the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering, embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Mark 8:34 The Message

I recently listened to a sermon on God's promises being about releasing future grace into our lives. One of the points was about the importance of learning how to worship in the 'middle' - when you are waiting for the circumstance to change. The example cited was the way Mary approached Jesus when Lazarus had died (John 11:32). 

After over five years of being in the 'middle' and indeed being on a journey of learning how to worship God, a growing desire to be in His presence more than less, and learning how to better embrace the suffering, not that I have 'arrived' by any means, but it did make me wonder, how much longer God? How much more do we need to learn? Obviously a lot! It is a journey of constantly learning how deny oneself and how to follow.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also]. Matthew 16:24 AMP

Don't you love those words - deny himself, disregard, lose sight of, forget himself and his own interests.  What a heart challenge. And then the, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also - takes following to a whole new level.

For each of us the out-working of the 'follow me' journey looks different. Our inward 'follow me' journey's too are different as we walk along our life path with Jesus. But we always need to be checking in with God, asking are we following the way He wants us to follow, or have we let those fleshly desires creep in?

Today let's ask God if there is a new or different way that He wants us to follow Him? And if we have gone off course and need adjustment, let's have the courage to repent and obey.

The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 AMP

Who are you boasting in?

Behind and underneath all this there is a holy, God-planted, God-tended root. If the primary root of the tree is holy, there's bound to be some holy fruit. Some of the tree's branches were pruned and you wild olive shoots were grafted in. Yet the fact that you are now fed by that rich and holy root gives you no cause to crow over the pruned branches. Remember, you aren't feeding the root; the root is feeding you. Romans 11:16-18 The Message

What a key thing to remember - we aren't feeding the root, the root is feeding us. The Amplified Bible puts it this way...

Do not boast over the branches and pride yourself at their expense. If you do boast and feel superior, remember it is not you that support the root, but the root [that supports] you. Romans 11:18 AMP

We are nothing without God. He supports us. He guides us. Jesus, His Son, completely understood His relationship with God, His Father.

I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord - but only as I am taught by God an as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgement is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent me. John 5:30 AMP

We can easily look at the good things that are happening in our lives and take the credit, forgetting that our Heavenly Father has been alongside us, guiding us, carrying us, loving us. Let's think about who we are boasting in - us or Our God?

Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we will trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7 AMP

Question for today, are you conscious of the root that is constantly feeding you, in every aspect of your life? The One who is providing you with life, day in and day out. The One who loves you and is worthy of your boast.

In God we have made our boast all the day long, and we will give thanks to Your name forever. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 44:8 AMP

The Lord is ...

I Love You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength. The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer, my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower, Psalm 18:1-2 AMP

This morning, I have been thinking about God, Who He is and all He has done for me. Reading this scripture, thinking about all He is to me - my Strength, my Rock .... Here is a combination of different versions of these scriptures ...

my Strength - you make me strong
my Rock - bedrock under my feet
my Fortress - the castle in which I live
my Deliverer - my saviour, my rescuing knight
the Horn of my salvation - the power that saves me
my High Tower - my stronghold, my place of safety, the high crag where I run for dear life

I don't know about you, but when I read these scriptures and think about Who God is, I can then declare with confidence verse 3,

I sing to God, the Praise-Lofty, and find myself safe and saved. Psalm 18:3 The Message

We can have confidence that He is on our side ....

What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] Romans 8:31 AMP

We can have confidence that He has a plan ....

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

We can declare ...

For by You I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him. For who is God except the Lord? Or who is the Rock save our God, the God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect? He makes my feet like hinds' feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble]; He sets me securely upon my high places.  Psalm 18:29-33 AMP

Question for today, do you need to remind yourself, (just as I have had to) of Who God is? Remind yourself that He is on our side, that He has a plan, that His word is tested and tried, and that He is able to make our way perfect? If so, why not take some time to meditate on these scriptures, and any others God leads you to, and let Him minister His truth to you.

The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. Psalm 18:46 AMP

He cares enough

It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 The Message

As I am writing this, the worship song, Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin is playing in the background. The line, 'You are perfect in all of Your ways to us' is repeating. How hard this is to believe when we see circumstances we don't understand. How hard it is to believe that He cares when we see and experience heartache.

Somehow we need to be vulnerable enough to let God gently guide us back to the place that we can again believe that He cares. It may take days, months or years. Now my worship playlist is now playing, How He Loves . What a journey when pain has come, to be able to really know that truth in our hearts again - that He loves us.

But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul. Hebrews 10:39 AMP

Thankfully God's mercies are new every morning, and He is right beside us, encouraging us, loving us back to Him.

Question for today, is there something in  your life that is making it hard for you to believe that God is a good good father and that He loves us? If so, I encourage you to take some quiet time with Jesus today, tell Him how you really feel, cry, scream, whatever it takes. (He already knows anyway). Then be still, listen and wait expectantly to hear His voice. Let His love pour in.

Jesus, please help us when we are lost in pain. Thank you that you are the good Shepherd, you know and recognise us. Thank you that you are always there, and you don't leave us for forsake us. Help us to stick with You, always and especially when we don't understand. Thank you that when we are weak you are strong, and that your grace is always sufficient. Amen

Faith, hope and love

Yesterday I had the opportunity for an early morning ride around some of this beautiful lake, Lake Macquarie. As I rode, praying reverently  for people who need a touch of God's healing power, I was overcome by God's majesty. God, the creator of day and night.

And God said, Let there be light; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it; and God separated the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. Genesis 1:3-5 AMP

God, the One who thinks and does things so differently to us. We so often don't understand how or why. 

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

Eventually we come to understand that it is a blessing that His ways and thoughts are so different to ours, and that He is God and we are not! And that He always has a plan, a plan that ends in us drawing closer to Him, falling more in love with Him, desiring to be more and more in His presence. A plan involving faith, hope and love.

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. 1 Corinthians 13:13 AMP

The Message Bible puts it this way,

We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation; trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love. 1 Corinthians 1:12-13 The Message

Question for today, what is it that is drawing you closer to God? Are you able to trust Him, knowing that it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright? It is a journey of faith, hope and love.

Hope and expectation

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. The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God's word]. It is good that one should hope in and wait quietly for the salvation (the safety and ease) of the Lord. Lamentations 3:21-26 AMP

We all have things we are waiting for. Things we are all waiting to see manifest in our lives or in other people's lives. Good things - salvation, healing, prosperity, peace, joy and love. All things that God promises for every one of us.

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

We have a choice in the waiting - to go into fear and focus completely on our circumstances; or we can ask God to help us rest in the waiting, and show us how to live a life full of faith when our circumstances say otherwise.

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

Questions for today, for those circumstances you are waiting to see change in - where are you putting your hope and expectation? Who are you relying on? What are you doing in the waiting time?

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13 AMP

GOD has the last word

Mortals make elaborate plans, but GOD has the last word. Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; GOD probes for what is good. Put GOD in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place. Proverbs 16:1-3 The Message

Three big truths in these verses:

1. GOD has the last word

2. GOD probes for what is good

3. Put GOD in charge of your work

Truths that are quite contradictory to what the world around us promotes. 

How often do we want to have the last word? Whether with our spouse, our friends, in our workplace, or God? We want to be heard and understood. We want control. Total control. But that is not how life works when we become a Christian. We give our lives to Christ. We invite Him to become Lord of our lives. We make the decision to willingly let Jesus have the last word in every area of our lives. 

How quickly we can forget that we made that decision and what it actually means for our every day life. We slip back in to taking control, making our plans, doing things our way, and then get so disappointed when it doesn't work out. Let's always remember,

Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He's standing right alongside God, and what he says goes. 1 Peter 3:22 The Message

Looking good vs looking for good. The scriptures clearly tell us where God's focus is.

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). Proverbs 16:2 AMP

The thoughts and intents of our hearts - God sees them. This has been a challenging concept for me over the past few weeks as I have become more and more aware of a not-so-good attitude that was taking hold in my heart, causing resentment and dissatisfaction with my life. I had completely lost sight of all God has done for me, starting with my salvation. It has been a daily challenge to take those thoughts captive and pray through this wrong attitude, asking God for forgiveness and to create a clean heart in me.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12 AMP

It has been a humbling time, reminding me how dangerous it is for our well-being when we go down our own track of looking at our circumstances rather than keeping focus on God. 

'Take charge of your life and make the change' - a common mantra in today's world. Taking charge of your life may sound like a reasonable plan, until circumstances come and you cannot actually take charge of your life. Especially circumstances that no other human has the power or ability to change. Then what do you do - who takes charge then?

But even when you are taking charge and things are seemingly going well - how do you know that this is the best path for your life? Could there be a better path with a better outcome? 

Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed. Proverbs 16:3 AMP

Submitting to God's way is always best, sometimes we just need a heart adjustment (easier said than done, I know).

He who deals wisely and heeds (God's) word and counsel shall find good, and whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the Lord - happy, blessed, and fortunate is he. Proverbs 16:20 AMP

Question for today, as you read three truths, does the Holy Spirit speak to you about one in particular?

1. GOD has the last word

2. GOD probes for what is good

3. Put GOD in charge of your work

If so, take some time to meditate on it and ask the Holy Spirit what He wants to show or teach you. Whatever the revelation, listen, give thanks and let it draw you closer to God. Let Him have the last word.

Why does He bother?

I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewellery, moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?
Psalm 8:3-4 The Message

Blessed be GOD, my mountain who trains me to fight fair and well. He's the bedrock on which I stand, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. The high crag where I run for dear life, while he lays my enemies low. I wonder why you care, GOD - why do you bother with us at all? All we are is a puff of air; we're like shadows in a campfire.

Psalm 144:1-4 The Message

Why does He bother with us? Here are just a few reasons ....

1. He created us 

God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female. Genesis 1:27 The Message

2. He loves us

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. John 3:16 The Message

3. He has a plan for us

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. Jeremiah 29:11 The Message

4. He has not abandoned us

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever. John 14:16 AMP

So today, let's take time to meditate on these truths and get a deeper understanding of why God bothers with you and me, along with the other seven billion plus people on this earth. We are His children and He loves us.

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. Romans 8:15-16 The Message

No!

Last night I was reading to Alexandra from The Jesus Storybook Bible,

In the desert, Jesus thought about the Secret Rescue Plan he had made with God. Before the foundation of the world, they both knew what would have to happen. To rescue God's children, Jesus would have to die. There was no other way. It was the reason he had come.

Now, that old enemy - the one who have spoken through the snake to Adam and Eve, back in the garden, remember him? - he didn't want Jesus to rescue God's people. So he lied to Jesus. "Are you really God's own Son?" he whispered. "Poor you. God must not love you. You don't need to die. Do it my way. Yes and - "

In this children's version, Jesus interrupts the enemy and says,

"No!" Jesus said to the liar. "I will do what God says."

And from that moment on, nothing would ever be the same.

Jesus wasn't like Adam. Jesus was a new kind of man. He would not believe the terrible lie that the enemy spoke. Jesus knew God loved him. And he would trust God. No matter what.

Jesus knew what the plan was. He knew who He was. He knew He was loved. He knew who He could trust.

The Amplified Bible has Jesus responses to the enemy in the desert as,

But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 AMP

Question, when the enemy whispers to us, what are we responding with? Is it God's word, His truth for our lives?

.Jesus said to him, On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, test thoroughly, or try exceedingly the Lord your God. Matthew 4:7 AMP

Question, when the enemy whispers to us, are we standing and trusting God?

Then Jesus said to him, Begone Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve. Matthew 4:10 AMP

Question, when the enemy whispers to us, are we keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and using the authority we have in Him?

Today, let's remember who we are in Christ, and stand on the truth of John 10:10,

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.

But Jesus came ...

I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

Today, let's choose to respond to the enemy's whispers as Jesus did ....

"No!" Jesus said to the liar. "I will do what God says."

Sleep and God's peace

I lay down and slept: I wakened again, for the Lord sustains me. Psalm 3:5 AMP

Sleep can be under-rated, until you can't seem to get any. It sounds so easy, just lay down and sleep. If you have ever had a sleepless night, you will know what I am talking about it, the question goes out in frustration, 'oh why can't I get to sleep?' Sometimes it is physical pain that is stopping us sleep, or maybe emotional pain, anxiety,or an overactive mind, busy planning out the next day. What does God tell us to do with these 'things' that keep us from rest?

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 AMP

He cares for us. He wants to and is well able to sustain us. But we have to make the choice to cast our cares, to trust that He does care for us, and will give us His peace. 

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

So what does this look like at mid-night or in the early hours of the morning when you are desperately trying to get to sleep but can't. For me, I have been learning to call on the power of the Holy Spirit, my Comforter, to help me cast my cares and 'lay down and sleep'. It is a really simple but heartfelt prayer that comes from my lips, 'Holy Spirit, I give you my concerns, please settle my mind and help me to sleep now'. And literally within seconds, I am asleep. 

Questions for today, what is it that keeps you awake a night sometimes? What is your strategy for getting to sleep? Does it work every time? If  not, next time, why not try calling on the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. He is the Author and Giver of peace.

Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead of our Lord Jesus, that the 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 our 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

Living life whose way - our way or God's way?

It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.

Galatians 5:19-21 The Message

This passage of scripture contains a list of very interesting behaviours. I imagine that if we are really honest with ourselves, we can relate to some of them - grabs for happiness, divided lives, small-minded pursuits - all various degrees of selfishness. It can be a bit confronting if we seriously look at each area of our lives and examine the real motives for our actions.

Thankfully, as always, God not only gives us a 'picture' of what happens when we do life our own way, but He also gives us a 'picture' of a life of hope, showing us what life can be like if we make choices to live His way.

But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified. Galatians 5:22-24 The Message

I have verses 22 and 23 on laminated cards on my kitchen cupboards (yes, I know that is not the designer look, however it works for me) as I was reading them last night, I reflected on the changes that the Holy Spirit has made in my life, particularly the idea of 'not needing to force our way in life'. Before becoming a Christian, a lot of my life goals were driven by material success and achievement - not really for the benefit of anyone else other than myself. However since becoming a Christian almost 20 years ago, God has gently worked in my heart, teaching me His ways, enlarging my heart with a greater love for people, knocking off some of the materialism and selfishness that were strongholds in my life. There is still a long way to go, but that little reflection last night was so encouraging, reminding me that His way of living is definitely the best way.

Question for today, as you read the first passage of scripture -v 19-21, does the Holy Spirit quicken any particular behaviour to you? If so, I encourage you to spend some time asking Him what to do about it, and then do what He leads you to do. Because this life if so much better if we do it His way.

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. Galatians 5:25-26 AMP The Message

Where is your attention today?

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:33-34 The Message

Give your entire attention to what God is doing now - how difficult is that to do, especially when circumstances around you are screaming, 'look at me, look at me'? It requires complete tunnel vision - looking to God and nowhere else. It requires us to make choices in what we look at....

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 12:2 AMP

Where we position ourselves .....

How well God must like you - you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College. Psalm 1:1 The Message

What we read ....

Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. Psalm 1:2 The Message

What we say ....

Death and life and in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. Proverbs 18:21 AMP

The Message puts it this way, 

Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose. Proverbs 18:21 The Message

What we think....

fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5b AMP

Question for today, what choices are you going to make today to 'steep your life in God-reality, God-initiatives and God provisions today? For me, today is about taking all thoughts captive and aligning them with God's truth for my life. Choosing to be in faith, not fear. Choosing to look to God and live fully as He planned. Let's see Him first.

The humble shall see it and be glad; you who seek God, inquiring for and requiring Him [as your first need], let your hearts revive and live! Psalm 69:32 AMP

Near to Him

He has lifted up a horn for His people [giving them power, prosperity, dignity, and preeminence], a song of praise for all His godly ones, for the people of Israel, who are near to Him. Praise the Lord (Hallelujah!). Psalm 148:14 AMP

What a promise from our Heavenly Father- power, prosperity, dignity and preeminence. But as I read on from that list of gifts it is those words, 'who are near to Him' that resonate so deeply in my heart. And the question comes, just how near are we to Him? Psalm 73 reminds us of how important it is to be close to God....

For behold, those who are far from You shall perish; You will destroy all who are false to  You and like [spiritual] harlots depart from You. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all  Your works. Psalm 73:27-28 AMP

In this drawing near to God, Jesus reminds us of what Isaiah said, it needs to be more than words, it needs to be our hearts and minds that are continually drawing close to God.

You pretenders (hypocrites)! Admirably and truly did Isaiah prophesy of you when he said: These people draw near Me with their mouths and honor me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far away from Me. Matthew 15:7-8 AMP

And what draws our hearts and minds to God? 

Acknowledgement of our weakness, and His strength.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever. Psalm 73:26 AMP

Acceptance of His grace and mercy for us.

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favour to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:16 AMP

Question for today, are you going to make the choice to draw near, nearer than yesterday, to our Heavenly Father? If you are unsure how to do draw nearer, why not pray and ask God how to show you. 

For me, I always find a great starting point is taking time out to worship Him. Here are some of my favourite worship songs that help me to shift my focus from myself and my circumstances to our truly awesome Heavenly Father. 

No longer slaves - Bethel Music

Oceans - Hillsong United

Your grace finds me - Matt Redman

I need You now - Matt Redman

Beneath the waters (I will rise) - Hillsong

Holy Spirit you are welcome here - Bethel Music

Glory to the King - Hillsong

Desert song - Hillsong

Good Good Father - Chris Tomlin

You revive me - Christy Nockels

How He Loves - Passion

Healing is in Your hands - Passion

Amazing Grace, my chains are gone - Passion

10,000 reasons - Matt Redman