Choices

But me, I'm not giving up.

I'm sticking around to see what GOD will do.

I'm waiting for God to make things right.

I'm counting on God to listen to me.

Micah 7:7 The Message

We are almost at the end of the another year. A year that for some people had tragedy, disappointment and betrayal, and for others joy, celebrations and success. For some it has been a mix of both.

Despite what has happened in 2016, we will be entering into a new year on Sunday and we have a choice. In fact, every morning, when we wake up to a new day, we have a choice. A choice to stick with God and recall Who He is ...

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in him!" The LORD is good to those who wait in Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:21-26 NKJV

A choice every day, to taste and see that the LORD is good.

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good GOD is. Blessed are  you who run to him. Psalm 34:8 The Message

A choice to trust Him.

Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message

God makes a choice every day. He chose us.

Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in Love.  Ephesians 1:4 AMP

Yes, He chose us.

Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to  be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!). Ephesians 1:4-5 The Message

So today, in response to God's love for us, let's choose Jesus, and let Him influence every choice we make.

Enemies

Jesus spoke about many things when He was here on earth 2000 years ago. Let's have a look at a couple of the things Jesus said about enemies ...

"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person." Luke 6:27-28 The Message

"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never - I promise - regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind." Luke 6:35-36 The Message

Today, let's take time to meditate on these scriptures. Maybe you do not have an overt enemy in your life right now, and if that is the case, ask God to show you if there are any 'less than loving attitudes about other people' in your heart, and ask Him to help you to forgive and love them, just as He loves us.

Imagine what our society would be like if we did exactly as Jesus tells us to do ...

Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives towards us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Luke 6:35

God is with us in every season

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

A time to be born and a time to die, 

a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted,

A time to kill and a time to heal,

 a time to break down and a time to build up,

A time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, 

a time to embrace an a time to refrain from embracing,

A time to get and a time to lose, 

a time to keep and a time to cast away,

A time to rend and a time to sew, 

a time to keep silence and a time to speak,

A time to love and a time to hate, 

a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 AMP

Heavenly Father, whatever season we find ourselves in today, please help us to always remember that You are right here with us. That you have a plan that will end well - with us in heaven with You for eternity. Thank you for Jesus, who came to earth and made a way for us to be with You forever. Amen.

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 what it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." GOD's decree. Jeremiah 29:11-14a The Message

Are you well positioned?

The other morning as I was out walking, I noticed that at the base of this tree, only one side of the tree had fallen yellow berries. I looked up at this tree, which I have walked past many times before, and saw one side of ripened, yellow berries, and one side of green, unripened berries. The Holy Spirit quickened to me, 'Make sure you are well positioned'. 

This morning as I asked the Holy Spirit some more about those words, He led me to the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10.

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."

And Jesus answered her and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42 NKJV

I know you have probably heard this story before, and some of you, like me, have the tendency to be a Martha, and it takes very purposeful action to stop and sit at Jesus' feet. But I have found the more I do exactly that, stop and sit at Jesus' feet, all those other tasks always get taken care of anyway (Well, the tasks God wants me to do).

Where we position ourselves, in relation to Jesus, is so important. For me, I want to be like the yellow berries, fully exposed to what brings us life, in the berries' case the sun, and in my case, Jesus, the Son of 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

Jesus tells us that He chose us and that we should bear fruit.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. John 15:16-17 NKJV

To bear fruit we need to be well positioned, connected to Him, taking time to listen to Him, so that our thoughts, words and actions align with Him.

Question for today, how are you positioned with Jesus? Firstly, is He your Lord and Saviour? If yes, how much of your life are you allowing Him to be Lord of? That process is a continual journey, so today, let's take time to sit at the feet of Jesus and talk with Him about our lives, asking Him which part needs to be re-positioned next.

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

The Holy Spirit

While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus - 'God saves' - because he will save the people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-21 The Message

God's Holy Spirit - let's take a moment today to consider the Holy Spirit. Starting with what we read in the gospel's about some of His interactions with Jesus, and then what Jesus tells us about the Holy Spirit. I pray that as you read these scriptures, God will give you fresh revelation about His Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit was the one who made Mary pregnant. 

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20 NLT

The Holy Spirit descended and landed on Jesus when He was baptized in the river.

The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit - it looked like a dove - descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life." Matthew 3:16 The Message

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wild for a time of testing.

Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. Matthew 4:1 AMP

And after that testing ...

Jesus returned to Galilee powerful in the Spirit. News that he was back spread through the country. He taught in their meeting places to everyone's acclaim and pleasure. Luke 4:14 The Message

Jesus teaches us some things about the Holy Spirit. He tells us that in times when we are asked to give a defense for our faith, we are not to worry, the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say.

"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation - just because you believe in me. Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you  - and me - a favour, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don't worry about what  you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words. Matthew 10:17-20 The Message

Jesus warns us about speaking against, and rejecting the Holy Spirit.

"There's nothing done of said that can't be forgiven. But if you deliberately persist in your slanders against God's Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives. If you reject the Son of Man out of some misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit can forgive you, but when you reject the Holy Spirit, you're sawing off the branch on which you're sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives. Matthew 12:31-32 The Message

Finally Jesus commissions us ....

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorised and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 The Message

And He doesn't leave us alone to do that ....

I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you! John 14:16-17 The Message

So we too, have the Holy Spirit, to teach us.

The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. John 14:26 The Message

And to guide us and give us revelation ..

 

But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense of out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I've said, 'He takes from me and delivers to you.' John 16:13-15 The Message

After Jesus rose from the dead, He visited the disciples in a locked room, and breathed into them.

Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you," Then he showed them his hands and side. The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: "Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you."  Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. "Receive the Holy Spirit," he said. "If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?" John 20:19-23 The Message

We know from The Bible that God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one. We can see in these scriptures how Jesus and the Holy Spirit worked together to accomplish all that God the Father wanted Jesus to do on earth. 

When Jesus left earth He gave us the ability to receive the Holy Spirit and be guided by Him to enable us to do all that God the Father wants us to do on this earth. 

Question for today, are we fully interacting with the Holy Spirit, listening to Him in all situations, obeying what He prompts us to do? Remember, He won't draw attention to Himself. We have the responsibility to pay attention to Him - not always easy when our flesh has it's own ideas.

Today, let's ask God to help us pay more attention to the beautiful gift of the Holy Spirit, so we can do more of what God has called us each to do.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen

2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV

Grace

But He said to me, My grace (My favour and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP

Every time I read this scripture, my heart fills with gratitude and I feel so loved. And relieved that it's okay - God's favour, loving-kindness and mercy, is enough for me.

Here are a few thoughts about this scripture .....

But He said to me

God wants to talk to us, all the the time. Sometimes we don't want to listen. Sometimes we have our minds so full of our own thoughts that we can't hear Him. Sometimes we hear Him and then say to ourselves, "No, that can't be God." Today, let's ask God to help us to make time to listen to Him, and ask Him to help us recognise when He is speaking.

My grace (My favour and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]

or as the New Living Translation says

My grace is all you need. 

or as The Message Bible says

My grace is enough; it's all you need.

In this world where 'complicated' is promoted as better, it seems we have lost sight of the brilliance in the 'simple' ...

My grace is all you need.

It has certainly been my experience over the past twenty years as a Christian, that God's grace is all I have needed. His favour, loving-kindness and mercy, often manifested through wonderful caring human beings, has been what has carried me through many challenging times. Though it has definitely been (and continues to be) a journey of understanding that this grace is a free gift to me, and through Jesus, I am worthy to receive it.

for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.

or as the New Living Translation says

My power works best in weakness.

or as The Message Bible says

My strength comes into it own in your weakness.

In a world where generally it isn't advised to talk about your weaknesses, it's as if God is saying to us, "Show me your weaknesses, give them to Me, as then I can show you what I can do." He is telling us not to hide them from Him (He knows about them anyway), but to admit them and let Him work in them. The apostle Paul understood this so well.

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

or as the New Living Translation says

That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

or as The Message Bible says

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focussing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness.

What a beautiful picture.... It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness

So many times I have felt helpless in my life, unable to change a circumstance, tired and weary, weak, and it has only been Christ's strength that has enabled me to get through. His grace - favour, loving-kindness and mercy - is always enough.

Question for today, are you in need of Christ's strength today, to move in on your weakness? I encourage you to open your mind and heart and receive His grace that He has purposed for you today. It is enough.

 

 

2017 - what's next on your journey with God?

For you are becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favour and spiritual blessing), [in] that though He was [so very] rich, yet for your sakes He became [so very] poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied). 2 Corinthians 8:9 AMP

Last night Ken came home from a meeting where they were reflecting on what God had done in their year. This started me thinking about my year with God. Of course, being married, Ken and I could identify many common things that God has done for our family and our business. We are so thankful for God's grace on our lives. 

But our God is a personal God - uniquely loving you and me - knowing what we individually need, knowing where we are at on our journey of intimacy with Him. And for me, that is the question to be answered, in 2016, have I moved to a great level of intimacy with my Heavenly Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? 

At the end of 2015, God gave me some scriptures to meditate on, learn from and live out of for 2016....

But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon  you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. Acts 1:8 AMP

It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life. John 6:63 AMP

Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavour; be aglow and burning with the Spirit; serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 AMP

But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). Galatians 5:16 AMP

I am so grateful that God spoke to me about these scriptures, and that they have been on the walls around our home. They have constantly reminded me of what is available to me, being filled with the Holy Spirit. They have challenged me to make more use of the power of the Holy Spirit, in every area of my life. And what a blessing it has been to me (an hopefully to those around me), every time I have stepped out in obedience to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  

For me, by God's grace, it has certainly been a year of ..

becoming progressively acquainted with and recognizing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (His kindness, His gracious generosity, His undeserved favour and spiritual blessing), 

Question for today, as we move towards a new year, 2017, what is it that God is prompting you about? Are there some specific scriptures He is leading you to? Why not spend some time, asking Him, then wait and write down what He says. He wants each of us on that journey of becoming progressively acquainted with and recognising more stronly and clearly the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let's be willing and eager participants on that journey.

 

Jesus

As I prayed this morning, asking God what to write about it, He said, Jesus, and He gave me these three specific thoughts,

God with us.

Watch for this - a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Emmanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us"). Matthew 1:23 The Message

Life.

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

 

No other name.

This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone]. And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven among men by and in which we must be saved. Acts 4:11-12 AMP

Today let's meditate on the name of Jesus, whose birth we are getting ready to celebrate, who really did change this world, and who offers the life and hope we need.

Dead vs Living

Two blueberry plants - one dying, one living and producing fruit.

 

Last week these plants were both alive and producing fruit, but something has happened to one of them (I don't know what). It's leaves have gone brown, it's fruit has shriveled and looks like raisins. It needs help.

 

In contrast, the other plant is thriving, with beautiful green leaves and an abundance of fruit. 

 

Seeing these plants in our garden reminded me that of what Jesus said about the fig tree ....

 

And as He saw one single leafy fig tree above the roadside, He went to it but He found nothing but leaves on it [seeing that in the fig tree the fruit appears at the same time as the leaves]. And He said to it, Never again shall fruit grow on you! And the fig tree withered up at once.

 

When the disciples saw it, they marveled greatly and asked, How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once?

 

And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:19-22 AMP

 

As I saw the two blueberry bushes, and thought about what Jesus said, it reminded me of how fickle life can be if we are not rooted firmly in Christ. I thought about how in one week, life can change, and if we are not alert, we too can wither and our fruit dries up. But if we lean into Jesus and press on in His strength and power, we have access to really live now and forever. The Message Bible puts it this way ....

But Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Yes - and if you embrace this kingdom life and don't doubt God, you'll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you'll tell, 'Go jump in the lake,' and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God." Matthew 21:12-22 The Message

 

Question for today, are you embracing all that Jesus has done for you? Do you have a firm relying trust that God is good? If you not, take time today to ask God to help you to embrace more of His life for you, and to increase you trust in Him. He loves you and is for you.

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?] He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things? Romans 8:31-32 AMP

 

 

What happens when we pray?

Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 AMP

What happens when we pray? I don't know exactly how the mechanics of praying works, but when I read Jeremiah 29, it gives me hope that God listens and hears what we pray.

Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Jeremiah 29:12

When I reflect on our family's life, I can see many tangible answers to prayers in so many different areas including physical health, mental health, relationships and finances. These testimonies in our own life give me confidence to know that God listens and hears what we pray. Many many times for us, it has literally been a case of ...

I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 AMP

And for us there have been many times of absolute necessity. There have been no other options other than to trust that God would bring us through these situations. And through these situations we have learned  this truth ...

Taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him. O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear. Psalm 34:8 AMP

This scripture reminds us of the importance of our heart attitude when we pray .... those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear.

Yes, our heart attitude is critical when it comes to communing with God. Harbouring unforgiveness is one  area God wants us to be released from before we come to Him, as Mark 11 tells us,

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. Mark 11:25 AMP

This morning, I felt to encourage you to trust that God hears your prayers, and in that trust, to pray more often, about more circumstances and for more people that God puts on your heart. Keep a check on your heart attitude. Taste and see, that God is good.

Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to  be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't - not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again. James 5:16-18 The Message

And remember ...

The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 AMP