Where are you looking?

I look to you, heaven-dwelling God, look up to you for help. Psalm 123:1 The Message

The question for today is, where are you looking to find the answers to the problems and challenges in your life?

There are many places we can look, but there is only one place that actually brings gives the complete answer. 

There is only One that knows the full plan. 

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 for hope. Jeremiah 29:11 The Message

There is One that we can look to and learn from.

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

That One is our Heavenly Father, the creator of the universe, and the creator of each of us.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out,

you formed me in my mother's womb.

Psalm 139:13 The Message

He knows us intimately, better than we know ourselves. He knows what we will think, say and do today. And He still chooses to love us.

You know me inside and out,

You know every bone in my body,

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth,

all the stages of my life were spread out before you.

The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

Psalm 139:15-16 The Message

So let's look to Him today, the One who made us, the One who loves us, just as we are. The One who tells us, we are more than conquerors.

Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. Romans 8:32 AMP

The One who tells us that His grace is sufficient for this day, this hour, this moment.

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

The One who tells us that He is working all things together for good.

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

So let's ask that question again, where are you looking for the answers? If you haven't looked to Jesus for the answers before, why not look to Him today? Take your questions to Him. Open your Bible, read and listen to what He has to say. He is the answer.

Stop being afraid

Then He directed the disciples to get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent away the crowds. And after He had dismissed the multitudes, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was still there alone. Matthew 14:22-23 AMP

'He' is Jesus. Jesus gave the disciples a directive, get into the boat and go before Him to the other side. The Message Bible says Jesus insisted they get into the boat,

As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side which he dismissed the people. Matthew 14:22-23 The Message

Jesus told them what to do, get in the boat, and where they were going, to the other side. It appears He was very clear about these instructions. The disciples were obedient and got in the boat. But then the trip to the other side became tumultuous.

But the boat was by this time out on the sea, many furlongs [a furlong is one-eighth of a mile] distant from the land, beaten and tossed by the waves, for the wind was against them. Matthew 14:24 AMP

Let's stop there for a moment in the story and think about our own lives. Has there been a time when you have received a directive from Jesus? If yes, did you obey, and then found that things became a bit tumultuous like it did for the disciples in the boat? What happened next in your story?

Or it maybe that you have said yes, and you are experiencing the storm now, and you feel that you are being battered, just like the disciples.

Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. Matthew 14:24 The Message

What do you do? I have heard a sermon about this story suggesting that perhaps the disciples, when in the midst of the storm, forgot the directive Jesus had given them - to go before Him to the other side. A directive that indicates that they will get to the other side. Jesus just doesn't mention that there could be a storm along the way.

So for us, in those stormy times, it is important to keep seeking God, and if you don't hear any new direction, go back to what Jesus last told you to do. And just keep obeying that last directive.

Now back to the story ...

And in the fourth watch [between 3:00 - 6:00 am] of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright.

But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid. Matthew 14:25-27 AMP

There is a lot to take in in those three scriptures. But today I want to focus on Jesus words, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid.

Jesus had told them what to do, get in the boat. He had told them where they were going, to the other side. And now, in the midst of the storm, He was reminding them that He is all powerful, He has all authority, and they do not need to be afraid. 

And it is the same for us. We need to remember that Jesus is with us. He is all powerful. He has all authority. We can stop being afraid. He has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

Sometimes we may have remind ourselves of this regularly (in the time-frame of minutes). And if that's what it takes, that is exactly what we need to do.

You will probably know that there is more to this story of the disciples in the storm, but for today, I am going to stop here, and encourage us to meditate on that scripture of John 14:27,

But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid.  John 14:27 AMP

We have heard for ourselves

So when the Samaritans arrived, they asked Him to remain with them, and He did stay there two days. Then many more believed in and adhered to and relied on Him because of His personal message [what He Himself said]. And they told the woman, Now we no longer believe (trust, have faith) just because of what you said; for we have heard Him ourselves [personally], and we know that He truly is the Saviour of the world, the Christ. John 4:40-42 AMP

Jesus. He has a personal message for each of us. He wants us to hear for ourselves that He is our Saviour, and we all we have to do is believe and receive that truth. As the Samaritans found out, Jesus already knows all the things we have done right and wrong.

Many of the Samaritans from that village committed themselves to him because of the women's witness: "He knew all about the things I did. He knows me inside and out!" John 4:40-41 The Message

And despite that intimate knowledge of our lives and our shortcomings, Jesus still chooses to love us and give each of us the opportunity to live with Him eternally.

Jesus wants us to hear His truth for our lives ...

I have come that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) John 10:10 AMP

Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. Romans 8:37 AMP

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 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

So how to do we hear? We put the blinkers on and we immerse ourselves in His truth. We choose to cut out all the other noise that is entering out thoughts and focus only on Him. 

If we are not sure what thoughts are from Him and which aren't, we can do exactly what 2 Corinthians 10:5 says. We take each thought and analysis if it lines up with God's truth. Run it through the 'What would Jesus say' filter.

We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down erected barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5  The Message  

Question for today, have you heard Jesus' personal message for you? Let's take time today, to hear it for ourselves and know it for sure. He is our Saviour, the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

They said to the woman, "We're no longer taking this on your say-so. We've heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He's the Saviour of the world!" John 4:42 The Message

Forever You will reign

As I sit here early this morning, trying to settle my mind and focus on God, on Who He is now, and Who He will be this afternoon, regardless of what we hear from the oncologist this morning, the worship song, The lost are found from Hillsong is playing and there is one line that repeats in my mind .....

You are God, forever you will reign

Forever He will reign. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). He is the God who loves us and gave His Son, Jesus, for us, so we could have have a forever relationship with Him, long past when our bodies die (John 3:16). He has the victory always, and we are seated with Jesus in that victory (Ephesians 2:6).

When I did a search for 'reign forever' in the Bible, one of the scriptures in the search results was from Exodus chapter 15.  It is the last line of the song that Moses and the Israelites sang after the Lord overthrew the Egyptians and shook them off into the midst of the sea Exodus 14:27.

Below is the full song. The enemy in our lives may not be the Egyptians bearing down on us with intent to kill, but there is an enemy that is opposed to us having a forever relationship with Jesus. That enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came that we might have life to the full (John 10:10). 

As we read this song, I pray that God gives us a greater revelation of the victory He has won for us and that He does indeed reign forever. He is our Strength, our Song and our Salvation.

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord, saying, I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider or its chariot has He thrown into the sea.

The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him.

The Lord is a Man of War; the Lord is His name.

Pharoah's chariots and his host has He cast into the sea; his chosen captains are also sunk in the Red Sea. The floods cover them; they sank in the depths [clad in mail] like a stone. 

Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. In the greatness of Your majesty You overthrow those rising against You. You send forth Your fury; it consumes them like stubble. With the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up, the floods stood fixed in a heap, the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.

The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my desire shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

You [Lord] blew with Your wind, the sea covered them; [clad in mail] they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 

Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders?

You stretched out Your right hand, the earth's [sea] swallowed them.

You in  Your mercy and loving-kindness have led forth the people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation. 

The peoples have heard of it; they tremble; pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia. Now the chiefs of Edom are dismayed; the mighty men of Moab [renowned for their strength], trembling takes hold of them; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away - little by little. 

Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of Your arm they are as still as a stone - till Your people pass by and over [into Canaan], O Lord, till the people pass by whom You have purchased. 

You will bring them in [to the land] and plant them on Your own mountain, the place, O Lord, You have made for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established. 

The Lord will reign forever and ever. 

Exodus 15:1-18 AMP

Be still

Let be and be still, and know (recognise and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 46:10 AMP

Yesterday I had two purposeful moments of being still and taking time to better recognise and understand God.

The first was a time of beautiful worship with a few other school mums. Our minds weighed heavy with some circumstances beyond our control, but together we came and declared our belief and love for a God that we know is good. There were tears and an overwhelming sense of His love. There was a determination to trust completely in the wonderful name of Jesus. 

Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises in a skillful psalm and with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits upon His holy throne. The princes and nobles of the peoples are gathered together, a [united] people for the God of Abraham, for the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted. Psalm 47:6-9 AMP 

The second time was at a funeral, remembering and honouring a life that is now being lived in eternity. A time of listening to story about a life that had challenges on earth, but who knew Jesus and knew that he was loved. A time of pausing and thinking on that.

As is Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness (rightness and justice) ... For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide [even] until death.

Psalm 48:10, 14 AMP 

I encourage you today, to seek out those times to be still. They may not be organised occasions like mine yesterday. It may be a few minutes sitting in the car just waiting for someone. It may be a quite coffee time, stealing a few minutes peace. Choose in those times to be still and focus your thoughts on Jesus. Let's finish with a prayer,

Heavenly Father, thank you for opportunities in our busyness to stop, be still and know that you are God. Please help us to fully stop and experience more of You in those precious moments. Thank you that it is Your love that sustains us every day. Thank you for your peace that passes all understanding. Thank you for grace that is more than sufficient. Thank you for your mercies that are new every morning. Thank you that you are with us, helping us to be strong and courageous each day. Thank you that you are faithful, trustworthy and you are a good good Father. Thank you for your gift of eternal life. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

Learning how to find refuge

Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:3 NKJV

Can you remember what you were doing when you were 9 years old? I was at a little primary school in Auckland. We would walk to school carefree. On Sundays we would roller-skate in the local Supermarket car park because there was no Sunday trading. We would have fun (and some scary moments) sailing around the Hauraki Gulf on the yacht my father built. I was part of a family that loved me and encouraged me. There was probably some stress in my parents life, but I was oblivious to that, and that oblivion was okay because they were adults and I was a child. Kid's lives are supposed to be stress free. Aren't they?

On the news we can see that there are many kids whose lives aren't stress free. No, for some every day is a fight for survival. 

In our little world here of Valentine, our little nine year old's world has been punctured by fear and anxiety for the past week or so, as her next scan draws nearer. It is heart-breaking to watch.

How do you teach a nine year old to find refuge in God?

My answer - by letting her keep living life, not isolating and withdrawing her from life and the hardships. But rather, letting her experience the many ways God has provided refuge for her.

Refuge - a shelter from pursuit or danger or trouble; a person or place offering this; a person, thing, or course resorted to in difficulties. (Oxford Concise Australian Dictionary)

Here are some of the ways that God has provided refuge for Victoria over the past 10 days......

With the swimming coach - who took the extra time to encourage her to try something new this week

With the school teachers - who have gifted her with grace as they have moved her from class to class finding distractions, and given her beautiful physical gifts.

With the school office staff - who provide cuddles, a comforting word and the phone call to mum.

With the sports teacher - who takes extra time to help her prepare for the school athletics competition next week

With the 4WD clubs - who gave up their Sunday to give the Camp Quality families fun on Stockton beach. 

With her brother - showing her a new app on the ipad (although I don't know if it was entirely appropriate)

With her sisters - as they blast out Toby Mac songs in my car, singing at the top of their lungs - this is not a test, this is the real thing!

With Ken - taking her out on a donut date for afternoon tea

With me - sitting in the back seat of the car together after arriving home for school. Just sitting together, few words spoken.

With her journal - writing her thoughts to God and drawing love hearts.

With my missing bible - reading with the torch at night, when the lights should have been out.

 

And all this with the prayer covering of many who have stood in faith with her for the past six years.

This is the refuge that only a loving God can provide. 

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler." Psalm 91:1-4 NKJV

Thank you to everyone who has provided refuge to Victoria in some way this week.

 

A prayer - I have cried with my whole heart

This morning I felt to post this portion of scripture as a prayer for anyone who is desperately crying out to God. It is from Psalm 119.

Trouble and anguish have found and taken hold on me, yet Your commandments are my delight. 

Your righteous testimonies are every lasting and You decrees are binding to eternity; give me understanding and I shall live [give me discernment and comprehension and I shall not die].

I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord; I will keep Your statutes [I will hear, receive, love, and obey them]. 

I cried  to You; save me, that I may keep Your testimonies [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].

I anticipated the dawning of the morning and cried [in childlike prayer]; I hoped in Your word.

My eyes anticipate the night watches and I am awake before the cry of the watchman, that I may meditate on Your word.

Hear my voice according to Your steadfast love; O Lord, quicken me and give me life according to Your [righteous] decrees.

...

Let my mournful cry and supplication come [near] before You, O Lord; give me understanding (discernment and comprehension) according to Your word [of assurance and promise].

Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your word!

My lips shall pour forth praise [with thanksgiving and renewed trust] when You teach me your statutes.

My tongue shall sing [praise for fulfilment] of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous. 

Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.

I have longed for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight. 

Let me live that I may praise You, and let Your decrees help me.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek, inquire for, and demand Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.

Psalm 119:143 - 149, 169 - 176 AMP

Keep growing in Christ - Part 5

Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light. [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins. Colossians 1:12-14 AMP

Giving thanks to the Father. When I started this little series of blog posts I knew that Part 5 would be about giving thanks. But I did not know that God would tangibly remind me of the importance of giving thanks in three days prior to writing it.

Victoria has a scan on the 15th May. There have been signs of rising anxiety. On Monday morning, in the midst of her fears and tears, I offered up a quick prayer, God show me how to help her. A picture of a pretty little notebook came into my mind. It was a notebook I had put on a shelf, waiting for the right purpose. God was showing me the purpose - for Victoria to carry around that notebook, and when the fear comes, she is to write or draw something in it that she is thankful for.

Three days have passed, giving thanks (combined with lots of prayer covering and love), and this is what we are seeing the truth of ...

 

Thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. Colossians 1:12 The Message 

Last night I attended a Creative Ministries meeting at church. We received some teaching on the importance of thankfulness. What confirmation that we were on the right path in giving Victoria this strategy, thank you Jesus. Here is one of the quotes that was shared last night ...

To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us- and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence a gift of grace. (Thomas Merton)

 

Ann Voskamp shares in her book One Thousand Gifts, how the act of looking for something to be thankful for draws our eyes away from our circumstances and on to Jesus. 

Colossians 1:13-14  describes the ultimate act to be thankful for.

For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins. Colossians 1:13-14 NLT

If you are struggling today to find something to be thankful for, may I suggest a time of meditating on Colossians 1:13-14, considering more deeply Jesus -  Who He is and what He has done.  

The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning. Psalm 25:14 AMP