You're blessed

Matthew Chapter 5. It is full of truth - sometimes the opposite to what the world we live in promotes. As you read these scriptures, ask God to show you what areas in your life He wants to see greater alignment with His truth. And ask Him how to go about that because remember, we are blessed to be a blessing.

When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.

"You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperated instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. 

"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 

"Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Matthew 5, THE MESSAGE

 

Fight and stand

Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 AMP

Fight the good fight of faith. What does that mean? The Message Bible puts it this way...

Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 The Message

When I read this scripture I think about what Paul says in Hebrews ....

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:39 NIV

Fight is a verb - a doing word. It requires us to make the choice to not shrink back, or as The Message Bible says, to not quit.


But we're not quitters who lose out. Oh no! We'll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way. Hebrews 10:39 The Message

We have to make the choice to continue to trust in God no matter what the circumstances look like.

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 11:1 The Message

Sometimes the fight is just that - a fight to keep trusting in God, trusting that He has the situation in hand. 

Often God asks us to fight differently to how we think we should fight.

You won't have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch GOD's saving work for you take shape. Don't be afraid, don't waver. March out boldly tomorrow - GOD is with you. 2 Chronicles 20:16 The Message

Now that doesn't mean we don't do anything. On the contrary, God asks us to:
1. Stand firm and watch
2. Don't be afraid
3. Don't waver
4. March out boldly

None of these things are easy to do when the heat is on. They all basically require us to 'not stress' but rather to take all the fearful thoughts captive and replace them with God's words of life; and have complete confidence in His sovereignty over the circumstance.

You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you. 2 Chronicles 20:17 NKJV

Question for today, is God asking you to fight for something? If yes, how is He asking you to fight? What specifically is He asking you to do? If you are not sure, spend some time with Him today, asking and listening for His guidance. And always remember,

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:27 NKJV

Pure grace

Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ. Ephesians 6:24 The Message

There is a song by Matt Redman that I love, Your grace finds me. Throughout the song he sings about different aspects of our lives that are filled with God's great grace. There are two lines that always stand out to me,

There in the darkest night of the soul
There in the sweetest songs of victory
Your grace finds me

How true is that? God's grace is there in every moment of our lives. Sometimes we don't see it immediately as we are overwhelmed by circumstances. But as we lift our eyes to Jesus, we can see His grace all around us.

It doesn't matter who we are or what we have done, as Paul tells us,

I'm so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were invective and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn't know what I was doing - didn't know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. All because of Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:12-14 The Message

Questions for today, can you see God's grace operating in your life? Can you see God's grace operating through you? If not, ask Jesus to help you see His grace in every moment of your life. And watch how your heart becomes overwhelmed with the greater revelation of Jesus love for you.

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making a new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. 2 Corinthians 4:16 The Message
 

Hope

"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 call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." GOD's decree. Jeremiah 29:11-14 The Message

Reading this scripture always fills my heart with hope. Hope that the future is good, regardless of what is happening in the present. Hope that God is listening. Hope that when we do seek Him wholehearted we will find Him.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart. Psalm 119:2 AMP

For me, this hope has not been unfounded. I can look at the past and see that God did have a plan. I can see that God was listening. I can see that in getting serious about finding Him, I have not been disappointed. But that is not to say that it has not been an easy journey to come to that place. No it has been a long and painful journey of continually surrendering all to God. And I am under no illusion that His work is  complete.  

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognising and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] that is possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Philippians 3:10-11 AMP

It is a continual journey of staying close to God no matter what, growing in understanding of Him, and falling deeper in love with Him. 

I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focussed on Christ, God's great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we've been shown the mystery! Colossians 2:2-3 The Message

Questions for today, is your heart filled with hope? If not, why not take some time today to talk to God about that, about the disappointment, the pain, the grief, or whatever else is blocking that hope. And be expectant that He will take you on a gentle journey of restoring your hope in Him.

David said it all:

I saw God before me for all time.

Nothing can shake me; he's right by my side.

I'm glad from the inside out, ecstatic;

I've pitched my tent in the land of hope.

I know you'll never dump me in Hades;

I'll never even smell the stench of death.

You've got my feet on the life-path,

with your face shining sun-joy all around.

Acts 2:25-28 The Message

Seasons

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 AMP

We are on holiday and with six hours of driving yesterday, plenty of time to reflect on the seasons of our lives. As I read through Ecclesiastes 3 there are plenty of times I can relate to.

A time to break down and a time to build up

A time to heal

A time to get and a time to lose

A time to rend and a time to sew

But in all those times there is one thing I have learnt to be true - God is always with us. He does not leave us nor forsake us, not matter what is happening in our lives.

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5 AMP

While I am grateful, very grateful, that our family's season appears to have changed, I know that God has done a good work in the season of breaking, pain, loss and ultimately yielding to Him. I can actually now say, as difficult and challenging as it has been, we have been blessed to have had that season of having no choice but to completely rely on God for our family's health, well-being and provision. I pray that as the season changes, we do not return to being self-sufficient and worldly independent, but rather continue on this path of living completely dependent on our Heavenly Father.

Question for today, what season are you in now? What is God talking to you about in this season? What is He wanting you to learn and grow in? I believe it is worth taking the time to ask Him these questions, so we don't miss the opportunity to grow in our relationship with Him.

The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cups runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23 NKJV

This is the day

Today, simply God's word to meditate on. I pray that the Holy Spirit ministers to you as you read it (and maybe re-read it and re-read it).

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Let Israel now say,
"His mercy endures forever."
Let the house of Aaron now say,
"His mercy endures forever."
Let those who fear the LORD now say,
"His mercy endures forever."
I called on the LORD in distress;
The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
The LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
The LORD is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in princes.
All nations surround me.
But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
They surrounded me,
Yes, they surrounded me;
But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
They surrounded me like bees;
They were quenched like a fire of thorns;
For in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
You pushed me violently, that I might fall,
But the LORD helped me.
 The LORD is my strength and song.
And He has become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation
Is in the tents to the righteous;
The right hand of the LORD is exalted;
The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
I shall not die, but live,
And declare the works of the LORD.
The LORD has chastened me severely,
But He has not given me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness;
I will go through them,
And I will praise the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD,
Through which the righteous shall enter.
I will praise You,
For You have answered me,
And have become my salvation.
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the LORD's doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Save now, I pray, O LORD;
O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
God is the LORD,
And He has given us light;
Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Psalm 118 NKJV

God loves us

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, "GOD has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me"?
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.
Isaiah 40:27-28 The Message

There is so much to meditate on in this scripture. Here is just a few questions and truths.

Why would we complain?
Have we been listening?
God doesn't come and go.
He's the Creator of all.
He knows everything.

For me today, one that speaks loudly is - God doesn't come and go. God lasts. The everlasting God. He is always there. He's always there for me. He's always there for you. He's always there for everyone He created. And what's more He doesn't get tired out. No, He actually energises us, and gives fresh strength to us.

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. Isaiah 40:29 The Message

We have a God who loves us, and a God who freely gives to us all that we need (not necessarily want).

"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

He loves us. God loves you. God loves me.

Today, let's take some time to grow deeper in our understanding of His love for us and ask Him to help us be a more effective vessel of His love for others. 

My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. 1 John 4:7 The Message



 

 

His grace

For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favour upon favour and gift [heaped] upon gift. John 1:16 AMP

 

As I reflect over the week, it doesn't take long to see God's grace on our lives. 

 

Moments in our family life, when I looked around and thought, wow, this family is really working well. As opposed to the many moments when I think, what is going on here? God please help us. His grace that has enabled you to keep loving.

 

Interactions with people that made me feel so grateful to be part of a community that loves and cares for others. His grace that has positioned me there.

 

Practical things like a dry, warm home, food on the table, a car to get around in and a computer and internet access. His grace in provision for our lives.

 

Peace and hope, for the moments when life doesn't seem so great. His grace that lifts my head.

 

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

 

Question for today, if you reflect on you week, what are the specific moments of God's grace that stand out for you? Let's praise God today for His amazing grace.

 

The grace (spiritual favour and blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) be with your spirit, Amen (so be it). Philippians 4:23 AMP

Fervent prayer

So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent prayer for him was persistently made to God by the church (assembly). Acts 12:5 AMP

We are so very grateful (understatement) for the many fervent prayers that have been prayed for our daughter and family. I sometimes wonder how different the outcome would have been had there not been so many people interceding for her.  Strenuously interceding, as The Message bible puts it.

All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously. Acts 12:5 The Message

It these times we see the church operating without walls. We see the church as a body of believers in Jesus Christ, coming together in unity, in prayer. All differences forgotten, but rather joined in the common purpose of seeing His kingdom come on earth. That is one of the blessings that come from challenging circumstances. As painful as it can be, it is exactly as this scripture in 2 Corinthians says,

We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that is was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened.

Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally - not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. 

You and your prayers are part of that rescue operation - I don't want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God's deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part. 2 Corinthians 1:9-11 The Message

Often a call will come for prayer for someone or some situation, let's not be too busy to pray, but rather rise up and press in and pray in unity, standing on His word, in the authority given to us in Jesus Christ. Be encouraged, God hears our prayers.

And suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared [standing beside him], and a light shone in the place where he was. And the angel gently smote Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, Get up quickly! And the chains fell off his hands.
Acts 12: 7 AMP

 

Needs for today

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Ephesians 6:10 AMP

This morning I was talking to God about what I really needed today - a supernatural supply of patience and grace.  On my own I don't have it. I can't be the mother I am called to be without His help. 

I need to be exactly as Ephesians 6:10 says, strong in the Lord, empowered through my union with Him. He is my patience and grace. He is my vital union.

I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. John 15:5 AMP

  

By surrendering every moment to Him I can live fully and bear much fruit. But guess what? I don't surrender every moment to Him, and that is when the problems begin. I don't want my plans to be messed up by someone who unexpectedly needs something from me. Or should I say unexpectedly to me. These little interruptions in my eyes, are never an interruption in God's eyes. No, they are an opportunity to show His love and grace if I surrender my plans and submit to His plans. If I am truly in union with Him.

"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. But remember the root command: Love one another." John 15:16-17 The Message

Questions for today, what is it that you really need from God today? Are you living out of a vital union with Him? Or are you making all your own decisions and occasionally checking in with Him? Let's ask Him to help us submit to His plans today, and be the blessing He has called us to be.


 

Life to the full

 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


Just over a year ago we were told that the tumour in Victoria's brain was growing again and that she was looking at another 15 months of weekly chemotherapy, which would at the best, hopefully stabilize it. 

Three days later God graciously positioned us at a Camp Quality camp in Sydney, held at a Christian conference centre. On all the walls were posters saying, 'I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.' 

And there lay the challenge - Did I really believe this? Did I really believe that Jesus had come so our daughter could have life and have it to the full?

A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:10 The Message

What a journey I went on, learning to trust God at a whole new level. Learning to really believe that Jesus did come so Victoria could have life and have it to the full. I am not ashamed to say that at first my heart was far from believing this truth. So I spoke it out with my mouth, declaring it in my car as I drove around, until eventually my heart started to receive this truth. I got to the place that I could declare John 10:10 with complete confidence in God.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 NKJV

In September last year, after the results of Victoria's next scan, the oncologist wrote these words on the request for the next scan - July - growth; Sept - stable. Life, thank you Jesus. No chemotherapy required. This year, in May, as many of you know, the scan results were - tumour is smaller than September. No medical intervention. Life, thank you Jesus.

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 NLT

Question for today, in your life is there something that the thief is trying to steal and kill and destroy? If yes, then let's use God's Word as the weapon it is - to bring His truth into the circumstance and submit everything to the authority of the Name of Jesus.

All glory to him who alone is God, our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. Jude 1:25 NLT

 


 

Living God's way

Here is a pretty good recipe for how to have a good day .....

Don't worry ............ about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

Trust in the LORD and do good. ...... then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

Take delight in the LORD, ..... and he will give you your heart's desires.

Commit everything you do to the LORD.

Trust Him, ............... and He will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the LORD,............... and 

Wait patiently for Him to act.

Don't worry ............. about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

Stop being angry! .............. turn from your rage! 

Do not lose your temper - it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.

Psalm 37:1-9 NLT

How different would our day look if we followed all these commands?  

It may seem like an impossible list to achieve.  And if we try to do it in our own strength, we might just make it for an hour, but not likely for a whole day. 

But, in God's grace and strength, and by listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit, we are likely to have far greater success. What a blessing we would be to all around us if we did indeed live like this.

Heavenly Father, please help us today to live as you want us to live, free of worry, trusting You completely, committing everything to You, waiting patiently for You and with self-control in everything we do. In Jesus Name, Amen.