Something a little bit challenging ...

God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him. Proverbs 28:9 The Message

This morning I was a little bit stuck on what to write. I had been reading through Proverbs 27 and found some scriptures that spoke to me about aspects of my life, but nothing that I felt God wanted me to write about today. So I thought, 'I'll ask the Holy Spirit for direction.' And He led me to the scripture above, in Proverbs 28 ...

God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him. Proverbs 28:9 The Message

Ouch! That seems a bit harsh, so I thought I'd have a read of it in the Amplified version .....

He who turns away his ear from hearing the law [of God and man], even his prayer is an abomination, hateful and revolting [to God]. Proverbs 28:9 AMP

Double ouch!  

What does turning an ear away from hearing the law, look like? Here's an example,

But they refused to listen and turned a rebellious and stubborn shoulder and made heavy and full their ears that they might not hear. Zechariah 7:11 AMP

Looks like rebellion and stubbornness.  

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me; Psalm 66:18 AMP

Sounds like sin. 

Which leads me to a song I started to sing yesterday on my walk. This was one of the first songs I heard when I became a Christian ...

Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord
And take not Thy holy spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me

Create in me a clean heart by Keith Green. 

Lyrics based on some verses in Psalm 51

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 me to the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12

Sounds like this would make a great daily prayer, the type of prayer that is prayed in a quite place where we can be still and hear the small still voice of God. Not one of the on-the-run prayers, or the crying out in desperation prayers, or jumping for joy prayers of thankfulness. I am not saying those prayers aren't good - I pray those sorts of prayers throughout my day.

But I have found that the 'create in me a clean heart prayer' requires me to be still and quiet, giving God space and time to let God search my heart and speak to me about my sin.

Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 AMP

I need to be still so I can hear what He has to say. My heart and mind needs to be focused on Him, nothing else, no-one else. I want my relationship with Jesus to keep going to an  increasingly intimate place. I know I have a part to play in the deepening of our relationship. It is not a one-sided relationship - I have responsibilities too. I need to listen and obey.

Questions for today, where is your relationship with Jesus at? Is He a stranger to you? Is He an acquaintance? Is He a friend? Is He a brother? Is He your Lord and Saviour? 

My suggestion, start talking to Him today, and remember to listen too. He loves you.

All believers, come here and listen,

let me tell you what God did for me.

I called out to him with my mouth,

my tongue shaped the sound of music.

If I had been cosy with evil,

the Lord would never have listened.

But he most surely did listen,

he came on the double when he heard my prayer.

Blessed be God: he didn't turn a deaf ear,

he stayed with me, loyal in his love.

Psalm 66:16-20 The Message

Eternity

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMP

Eternity. Jesus. Made a way. For us. All of us. Each of us. You. Me.

Jesus. Emmanuel. God with us. Today. Every day. Every hour. Every minute. Every second.

God alone can satisfy. Not people. Not money. Not things. Only God.

Our choice today. Let go. Yield. Repent. Draw nearer. 

Receive. Forgiveness. Love. Peace. 

The promise. Eternity with Jesus. 

Merry Christmas.

Live by Faith

But the just shall live by faith [My righteous servant shall live by his conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, and holy fervor born of faith and conjoined with it]; and if he draws back and shrinks in fear, My soul has no delight or pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38 AMP

Living by faith - sounds like such a wonderfully exciting way to live.  Living completely trusting God without a hint of resentment, disappointment, anger - just free floating trusting without any unbelief. Every moment of the day characterised by this scripture ...

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

For me, the reality of living by faith is a continual struggle to push back the fears that constantly want to take hold of my mind. It is always a choice to take hold of faith and fight the fear. It is a decision to respond in faith.

I was reminded of this response as I read through Hebrews 11 this morning in the Amplified Bible, and noticed (thank you Holy Spirit) the amplification of the 'by faith' statements regarding the 'men of old'.

[Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel .....

Because of faith Enoch .....

[Prompted] by faith Noah, ....

[Urged on] by faith Abraham ....

[Prompted] by faith he ....

Because of faith also Sarah ....

By faith Abraham .....

[Prompted] by faith Jacob ....

[Actuated] by faith Joseph ....

[Prompted] by faith Moses ....

[Aroused] by faith Moses ....

[Motivated] by faith he ...

By faith (simple trust and confidence in God) ...

[Urged on] by faith the people ....

[Prompted] by faith Rahab ...

Faith - simple trust and confidence in God. 

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Hebrews 11:1

Faith. I know I need it every day, to get up and keep going. Not faith in me and my abilities. Not faith not in my husband and his abilities. Not faith in other people. No, only faith in God is required. A confidence that He is, who He says He is, and He will do what He says He will do.

But God - so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life which which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favour and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgement and made partakers of Christ's salvation).

And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favour) to [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:4-7 AMP

AMEN! 

I don't know what happens to you when you read those scriptures, but for me, faith rises and I want to shout out an Amen - so be it! They so clearly remind me that God is on my side. He is in the midst. His grace is sufficient.

In Romans 10:17 it says,

So faith comes by hearing [what is told],  and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself). Romans 10:17 AMP

Today let's choose to keep God's truth first and foremost in our minds and on our lips, so we can be prompted, motivated, urge on and actuated by faith, faith in God.

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work in us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [indefinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes and dreams] - to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). Ephesians 3:20-21 AMP

 

 

We have a God who understands

We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all - all but the sin. Hebrews 4:15 The Message

We have a God who understands what life is like for us, the good times and the challenging times ....

For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to understand and sympathise and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. Hebrews 4:15 AMP

We have a God who understands that we have weaknesses. He always knew we would have weaknesses. So He, in His love for us, provided a solution to fill that gap ...

'For My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP

Not our strength. Not our power.

'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 NKJV

His strength. His power. His Spirit. His Spirit lives in us.

But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. Romans 8:9 AMP

We need to yield, and let God show His strength and His power by His Spirit. 

So whatever the weakness, infirmities or temptations we are experiencing in our lives right now, we need to follow these instructions ....

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 and every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:16

Take a moment to see yourself walking fearlessly, confidently and boldly to the throne of grace. We have permission to do this, not because of anything we have done, but only because of what Jesus has done for us. Jesus has made a way for you and me to return to God. He understands that we need grace and mercy, every day. Thank you Jesus. 

So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. Hebrews 4:16 The Message

Do not be afraid

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

We know that God's word is full of power ....

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and the [immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 AMP

For me, over the years in those times of great uncertainty and tumult, it has been the declaration of scriptures like 2 Timothy 1:7 that have helped me keep my eyes on Jesus. Always getting a greater revelation of God's truth in our family's lives.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (or cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

I remember singing Colin Buchanan's song for 2 Timothy 1:7 from his Baa Baa Doo Baa Baa album, with the children, long before our world came crashing down. Click on this link if you want to listen to the cute song with the powerful truth. Now that I am grown up, Bethel's, No longer slaves, is a favourite.

As Christmas approaches I have started reading Luke, and this morning read the first words that the angel said to Zachariah ....

Do not be afraid, Zachariah, because your petition was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will  bear you a son, and you must call his name John [God is favourable]. Luke 1:13 AMP

And the first words the angel said to Mary ...

Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace (free, spontaneous, absolute favour and loving-kindness) with God. And listen! You will become pregnant and will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. Luke 1:30-31 AMP

I believe God is wanting to say to us today, 

Do not be afraid, <name> ...

I am with you wherever you go 

Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

My ways are higher, trust me,

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 you ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 AMP

My grace is sufficient, and

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV


My mercies are new every morning.

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!" Lamentations 3:22-24 NKJV

You are my child,

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

And I love you.

Let's take a stronger hold of His truth today, and trust that God is actually God and that He is faithful. Fear has no place in the life of a child of God.

Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realise and comprehend the gifts of [divine favour and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12 AMP

Thankfulness leads to a knowing that God is in the midst

And you shall know, understand, and realise that I am in the midst of Israel and that I the Lord am your God and there is none else. My people shall never be put to shame. Joel 2:17

I have been reflecting on the time when Victoria was diagnosed and how my relationship with God went to a new level. After the initial shock, numbness and desperate crying out to God, I believe it was the Holy Spirit that prompted me to start thanking God for all the good things surrounding this horrendous circumstance. And that act of thanking God for the good things, enabled me to see that He had gone before us and He was in the midst of all that was going on. 

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP

I have shared this before, but felt to share it again today, so I pray it brings encouragement to you and helps you to know that God is in the midst .... 

Three days after the tumour was discovered I started to write a list of things thank God for. The list started on a bike ride, after a time of pouring out my heart, then being still in my mind, and the thoughts of thankfulness just started coming.

When I finished my bike ride I opened my journal and started making a list. It included things like:

- like friends with the specific medical knowledge needed for the diagnosis after the initial doctor’s misdiagnosis. 

- my mum’s renewed passport arriving on the day of diagnosis, so she was able to fly from New Zealand to be with us on the following day. 

- Victoria’s health and well-being, aside from the impact of the tumour, she was healthy and not in any pain. 

- My sister and her family, who live in New Zealand, were holidaying in Byron Bay and had planned to visit us the following week, so they just came down a week earlier. 

After a while the rest of the household woke up and the quite time of journalling was over! However, I do remember throughout the morning, more thankful thoughts popping into my head, and me going quickly to my desk to write them in the journal before they disappeared ...

- Marshall’s school teacher had already been in contact with parents via email, two weeks before the first term of 2011 commenced, which meant I was able to email her about our situation, and she called on the Junior School teachers to pray. 

- I had finished breastfeeding Alexandra in December, so didn’t have to do a quick painful wean. 

- Earlier in the week I had done a lot of cooking for school lunches. The freezer was full of muffins and cupcakes.

- All the school uniforms were ready for the start of the new school year

Constructing this list made it so clear to me that God had put things in place, knowing that this was going to happen. I am not saying that God caused the tumour to be there, but rather acknowledging that we live in a fallen world and our God is all knowing. In the words of the Toby Mac song, Undeniable, He had 'orchestrated all of this' (these things that I was thankful for), so that we would know that He was with us.

Your work doesn't stop with me

Your signature's on everything we see

From the hills of Negril, Jamaica

To the kid that the doctor said would never make it

Which is harder to believer that You don't exist

Or that You orchestrated all of this

Living in a world that is so confusing

You're the argument I'm never losing

'Cause I believe

Undeniable, You are, You are, You are

Unmistakable, You are, You are

You're the bright and morning star

But still You speak to my heart

Undeniable - Toby Mac

In guiding me to make that list, God was speaking to my heart, reminding me that He does not leave us nor forsake us. He is with us wherever we go.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 AMP

He was reminding me that He was trustworthy and faithful, two truths that have carried us since that day in January 2011.

Question for today, is there a cirumstance that is consuming your world now, and are you struggling to see/believe that God is in the midst? Why not ask Him right now, to help find one thing to be thankful for, and then watch that list grow, along with  your confidence that God is with you.

Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid, don't get discouraged. GOD, your God, is with you every step you take. Joshua 1:9 The Message

Parenting - A journey of faith

As we continue navigating this role of parent, our daily need for God's mercy, grace and wisdom becomes more and more apparent. It is a tough gig, and we have only been doing it for 14 years! Sometimes I want to give up and return to my corporate life.

We need to be constantly reminding ourselves that this fight is not against flesh and blood, and that Jesus is LORD. He will have the final say.

Remembering daily, that as parents it is crucial that we stand firm, knowing that unity commands a blessing and daily declaring in faith that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is outworking in every member of our family. Faith. Holy Spirit. Let Go.

And as hard as it is, we need to be reminding ourselves that it is good to wait on the Lord, and in faith, trust that He is working all things together for good.

Here are the scriptures relating to these thoughts. Their truth encourages me and reminds me that God is with us, every moment on this journey of parenthood.

God's mercies are new every morning.

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.  Lamentations 3:21-23 AMP

God's grace is sufficient for us.

But He said to me, My grace (My favour and lovingkindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear 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

His wisdom on how to parent is freely available to us.

For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity). James 3:16-17 AMP

Our fight is not against flesh and blood.

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.  Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger],and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Ephesians 6:12-13 AMP

Jesus is Lord. He has the victory.

Even as it is written, For thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:36-39

Unity commands a blessing

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded a blessing - life forever more. Psalm 133:1-3 NKJV

Declaration in faith that the fruit of the Spirit is outworking in every member of this family

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence), Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Remember it is good to wait on the Lord.

The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore I will 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: 24-26 AMP

And have faith in the unseen.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Trusting that He is working all things together for good...

And we know that all things work together for those who love God and are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV

To finish, a prayer we can pray for ourselves and our families, thanking God in faith and expectation for what He will do ...

Thank you Jesus that you will help me keep my focus on You today, despite what is happening in my family. Thank you for your salvation for every member of this family. Thank you for your protection over this family. Thank you for restoration and blessing. Thank you for the fruit of the Spirit to be evidenced in each of us. Thank you that you have a plan and a purpose for each member of this family and that it is good. Please help me to assist your plans, not hinder them. Thank you that you are faithful and that your word does not return void. Thank you that we will stand firm, In Jesus Name, Amen.

Trust Him & Talk to Him

For I will not trust in and lean on my bow, neither shall my sword save me. Psalm 44:6

Who are you trusting in today? Are you trusting yourself to make things happen, to fix things, to sort it all out? Maybe you are trusting someone in your family, workplace or a friend to bring resolution to your problems?

I am constantly learning that in every sphere of life, there is only One who can really fix things. Only One who can bring the real victory.

You are my King and my God. You command victories for your people. Psalm 44:4 NLT

I know I certainly can't trust myself. I get caught up in my emotions, my thoughts, my pain and can easily lose perspective if I don't talk it out with God, quickly. I need to know what His truth is.

So what does 'talk it out with God' look like? For me it means telling God exactly how I am feeling - being the most real I can possibly be. He is a safe place.

God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. Psalm 46:1 The Message

Sometimes that safe place is when I am alone, verbally expressing, with a lot of tears in-between the words, releasing the pain that is in my heart.

Sometimes it is when I am writing in my journal, letting the words flow on paper, thought after thought after thought.

Sometimes it is putting on a worship song that expresses my brokenness in words I can't.

Sometimes it is in times of reading His word, asking Him to help me know in my heart, give me fresh revelation, that it is the truth and that He is trustworthy.

Questions for today, what does 'talk it out with God' look like for you? What do you do to remind yourself that He is your God, and that He commands victory for His people.

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