Are you living out of victory?

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

That 'we' is you and me. Because of Jesus we are more than conquerors. Because of Jesus we gain a surpassing victory. Because of Jesus we know where we are heading - to life eternal.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting life). John 3:16 AMP

This morning in the kitchen I was singing This I believe (The Creed) by Hillsong,

I believe in God the Father

I believe in Christ the Son

I believe in the Holy Spirit

Our God is three in one

I believe in the resurrection

That we will rise again

And I believe in the Name of Jesus

What a declaration! So easy to declare in the quiet of the kitchen at 5am when the rest of the family is asleep, no demands of work, no demands of other commitments. Just me and God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit. No clutter in my mind, just His voice reminding me who I am and more importantly Who He is.

He is our Heavenly Father who lavishes us with love.

See what [an incredible quality of love, the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! So we are! 1 John 3:1 AMP

We are His children, who need to remember in every moment of the day (not just in the peace and quiet of the early morning), that we have that victory in Jesus.

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 AMP

Question for today, are you living out of the victory that Christ gained for us? What would your life look like if that was your starting and finishing position all day every day? 

For me, I know that my life would look very different if I continually looked to Jesus without succumbing to the moments of fear, anger and disappointment. So much more obedience to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in my daily walk is needed. Thankfully our Heavenly Father is gentle, gracious, full of mercy. He doesn't leave us to struggle on by ourselves, in our own strength. No. He walks beside us, carrying us when we need to be carried. He has given us the victory and wants to see us live victoriously. He simply and completely loves us. And that is why I choose to love Him.

We love Him, because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19 AMP

GOD's in charge - always

GOD's in charge - always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
Psalm 146:10 The Message

Sunday morning. Walking out to the car to go to church. Fall over and twist ankle. Pain. Frustration. Words I rarely say. Thoughts - no time for a twisted ankle. Hobble around to driver's door. Girls in the car. Drive to church. Pain. 

GOD's in charge - always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
Psalm 146:10 The Message

8am service - children's dance performance done. It's beautiful. There are tears. 10am service - children's drama performance done. It's hilarious. There is laughter. Hobble out to car. Pain. Drive home. 

GOD's in charge - always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
Psalm 146:10 The Message

Sit on couch. Children bring ice for ankle. Enforced rest for the remainder of the day. Everyone makes their own dinner. Literally crawl up the stairs to bed. Pain. Thoughts of tomorrow - an 8am meeting. What state will my ankle be in? Pain.

GOD's in charge - always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
Psalm 146:10 The Message

Restless night. Pain. Awake early. Time to get up. Remember the ankle. Memory of a testimony. I remain in bed. The name of Jesus is on my lips repeatedly. I visualise my ankle healed. Thanking Jesus. Keep receiving the healing power in my ankle. Thirty minutes pass.

GOD's in charge - always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
Psalm 146:10 The Message 

Gingerly get out of bed. Left foot on floor. Right foot tentatively down. Minute amount of pain. Thank you Jesus. I walk. No pain. Thank you Jesus. I stand on my right leg. No pain. Thank you Jesus. 

GOD's in charge - always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
Psalm 146:10 The Message

The day's activities begin. Ankle working well. Thank you Jesus. Walking up stairs. Slight pain. But I can make the 8am meeting. Hallelujah! 

GOD's in charge - always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
Psalm 146:10 The Message

8am meeting finishes. Another plan emerges. Involves a lot of walking. Okay God, is this what you had planned for today, and someone attempted to stop this plan? Is there something to be broken in the spiritual realm? 

GOD's in charge - always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
Psalm 146:10 The Message

Walking. Praying. Walking. Up some steps. Ankle hurts. Friend commands the pain to go in Jesus Name. It goes completely. Thank you Jesus. Keep walking. Keep praying. Keep declaring the truth of Psalm 147...

Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God, for He is gracious and lovely; praise is becoming and appropriate. The Lord is building up Jerusalem; He is gathering together the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows]. He determines and counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by their names. Great is our Lord and of great power; His understanding is inexhaustible and boundless. Psalm 147:1-5 AMP

Trusting that GOD is in charge. He is God for good. He is bringing healing to the brokenhearted and binding up their wounds.

GOD's in charge - always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
Psalm 146:10 The Message

If God is for us.....

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

Over the past couple of days this scripture has been in my thoughts, particularly the truth, God is for us. Yesterday I listened to Kari Jobe's song, You are for me, no less than ten times. Some of my favourite lyrics from that song,

I know that you are for me

I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness

And I know that you have come now even if to write upon my heart

To remind me who you are

How good is it to know that we have a God who is for us?

How easy is it to be distracted from that truth with all of life's trials and tribulations?

It is always good to take some time to be still and remind ourselves that God is good and He really is on our side. 

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6

The Creator of the universe, the Alpha and the Omega, is on our side. He is for us. He is good. His love never quits.

Thank God because he's good, 

because his love never quits.

Tell the world, Israel,

"His love never quits."

And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world,

"His love never quits."

And you who fear God, join in,

"His love never quits."

Psalm 118:1-4 The Message

Here are a few worship songs that always help me to realign my thoughts with the truth that God is for me;

You are for me - Kari Jobe

Be still - Kari Jobe

No longer slaves - Bethel

Good Good Father - Chris Tomlin

Question for today, are you starting this day, with the truth in your heart, that God is for you, so who can be against you?

Pushed to the wall, I called to God;

from the wide open spaces, he answered,

God's now at my side and I'm not afraid;

who would dare lay a hand on me?

Psalm 118:5-6 The Message

The lamp and the guide

The spirit of the man [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. Proverbs 20:27 AMP

We have the God factor residing in us. A factor that is helping to transform us into all that He has called us to be. A factor that gently shines a light on what needs changing in our lives. The Message bible says it this way,

God is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out. Proverbs 20:27 The Message

God has always known us. He created us.

My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colours] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery]. Psalm 139:15 AMP

God wants to see us become and do all that He planned for us to do, to live our lives to the full, His way. To do this, we have to stay close to Jesus, asking Him to help us live His way.

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

When His lamp shines on our innermost parts on something that needs to change, let's not shrink back. But rather, let's garner strength and courage from Him, be vulnerable, open our hearts wider, and let Him do the work in us.

A prayer for today,

Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; see for yourself whether I've done anything wrong - then guide me on the road to eternal life. Psalm 139:23-24 The Message

Do bother Jesus

While He was still talking, someone from the leader's house came up and told him, "Your daughter died. No need now to bother the Teacher." Luke 8:49 The Message

How often in our lives is there something going on and we think to ourselves, that there is nothing that can be done about it, so we don't take it to Jesus. Or maybe we don't realise we are thinking that, and it is just happens in our sub-conscious. Either way, we make a decision not to bother Him with it. We are deceived into apathy. 

But Jesus is always listening. And He has something to say.

Jesus overheard and said. "Don't be upset. Just trust me and everything will be all right." Luke 8:50 The Message

The Amplified Bible puts it this way,

But Jesus, on hearing this, answered him, Do not be seized with alarm or struck with fear; simply believe [in Me as able to do this], and she shall be made well. Luke 8:50 AMP

It can be so easy to become seized with alarm or struck with fear. But that is not how Jesus wants us to live our lives. He wants us to bother Him with everything. He is interceding for us. 

Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah). Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us? Romans 8:34 AMP

He wants us to simply believe that He is able. He wants us to be active in our faith, not apathetic. He wants us to bother Him today, right now. So let's just do it!

Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: 

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.

We're sitting ducks, they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Romans 8:35-39 The Message

What are you pursuing?

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but [reverently] to fear the Lord your God, [that is] to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and your entire being. Deuteronomy 10:12 AMP

Over the recent long weekend I had the blessing of being able to take some time to finish reading the book, Derek Prince A Biography, by Stephen Mansfield. I read many interesting things in the book, but this passage was one that really made me stop and think. The author is having a conversation with Derek, 

"I don't understand." 

"I know you don't. You are of a different generation."

"You mean that you had no driving passion, no dream for the future?"

"I had a passion, but it was to serve the Lord. You see, we thought differently then. We wanted to know the Lord and live in His ways. We believed the future would unfold through a moment-by-moment obedience."

"So you had no ambition, no burning sense of destiny?"

"I can honestly say I had a total lack of ambition. I don't mean to say I had no hope or spiritual passion. I simply had no ambition. As for destiny, I think that word is often used today as a substitute for kingdom building or the drive for power."

"But don't you believe that men are made for a purpose?"

"Yes, but that purpose is to know the Lord. The meaning of life is a relationship. The future comes from pursuing Him, not pursuing the future."

(P169, Derek Prince - A biography, Stephen Mansfield, 2005)

Now there is something to think on - The future comes from pursing Him, not pursuing the future.

So now Israel, what do you think GOD expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve GOD, your GOD, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of GOD that I'm commanding you today - live a good life. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 The Message


Today, what are you actively pursuing in your life? Is there some adjustment needed? For me, there is adjustment needed every day! It is so easy to veer of course, pursuing things and outcomes, rather than first and foremost pursuing God. 

Reading those words from the interview with Derek Prince reminded me that it is so necessary, every day to pray,

Create in me a clean heart, O God, renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 KJV

Let's pray,

Heavenly Father, please create a clean heart in me today. Please renew a right spirit in me. Please help me to pursue only You in all I do. Please help me reverently fear You, to walk in Your ways, to serve You with all my heart. Thank you for Your grace and mercy, and that You are willing and able to help me today. Help me to be a blessing and to love like You love. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Teacher, which the great commandment in the Law? 
Jesus said to him, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22:32-36 NKJV

Courage for the journey

Have you ever had the sense that something significant is about to happen in your life? Something that is going to require a huge amount of courage and emotional strength? Something for which you really need to know, that you know, that you know, that God is with you. He is not going to leave you or forsake you.

A time when scriptures like Deuteronomy 31:6 help to bring peace...

Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because GOD, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down, he won't leave you. Deuteronomy 31:6 The Message

There is an expectation that prayers prayed over the years are about to start being answered. But that the answer will not be instant. It needs to be walked out. Courage will be needed to keep walking, knowing that God is walking 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

There is an awareness that this journey is going to take you to a deeper level of intimacy with God. And that you will need to be alert for the attacks to try to take you off course, lose focus and get distracted.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV

There is a deep joy, knowing that your Heavenly Father loves you so much, that He will do everything He can to help you live your life in the freedom that He purposed for you. We are His children.

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it - we're called children of God! That's who we really are. 1 John 3:1 The Message

He wants to see us go from strength to strength, and not give up. He wants to see us complete the journey, in His strength, and His way.

I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness in the exuberant earth.

Stay with GOD! Take heart. Don't quit.

I'll say it again: Stay with GOD.

Psalm 27:13-14 The Message

I'm over it!

Last night, in exhaustion and frustration I made an announcement to our children, 'I'm over being a parent.' With the way I was feeling, I was also over cooking dinner and doing housework. I went out to see my husband in his office, and pretty much said to him I am over owning a business. 

Yes, I was feeling really positive about life, not. My wise husband said to me, 'Wendy, when I feel like that, I have to start thanking the Lord for all He has done and is doing and is going to do.' 

Thank you Ken. Praise God for husbands. He was right. That is exactly what I needed to start doing even though I didn't feel like it, and was quite enjoying my pity party.

Here is what I read in The Message bible, from Matthew 6:30-34 this morning ....

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers - most of which are never ever seen - don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? 

It seems that I had lost sight of this truth yesterday, that God is attending to us and our lives.

What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.

Relaxed - something I certainly wasn't yesterday. I was letting conversations about difficult circumstances replay over and over in my mind. Trying, in my own strength, to work out the way forward.

People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.

No subtly there - yes I know God and I know a little of how He works. I can testify to His goodness and faithfulness in our lives. It seems that I have taken my eyes off Him.

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Need to put my God glasses on, read His word, worship, be still, look for His hand on my life, taste and see that He is good.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Today, a new day, full of his mercies. A day to determine to do exactly as that scripture says. Keep looking up. Keep looking to my Heavenly Father. He is my help.

Question for today, are you feeling 'over' something in your life? Talk to God about it, ask Him to help you in this moment and know that His grace is sufficient for the next moment. 

He carries us

Blessed be the Lord - day after day he carries us along. He's our Saviour, our God, oh yes! Psalm 68:19 The Message

Yesterday I sent this scripture to a friend and then posted it on Instagram. I love the picture of God carrying us, and us resting in His arms. Although at the time of reading this scripture early yesterday morning I wasn't feeling like I needed to be carried. No, I was feeling strong and full of faith.

A few hours later, what a different picture. I was not feeling strong. I was feeling weak, desperately seeking Jesus for help. Sitting in the sun, on the 'take a seat and have a rest' at the local Bunnings, literally crying out to God, 'What can we do to help her?' He reminded of the scripture I had read in the morning - He is carrying me. He is carrying her. I needed to rest in that truth.

Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that!] Psalm 68:19 AMP

And that is what I did, pause and calmly think of that, for about 30 minutes, as I waited to meet with someone. Once the tears stopped it was a time of being quiet, being still and waiting for peace to arrive. And it did, but not before I realised once again how broken I am. A broken vessel that needs God in her every moment. A broken vessel that is constantly being remoulded by a loving Heavenly Father.

Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our Potter, and we are all the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:9 AMP

The end of the day had a little surprise for me too. As I was driving home from a meeting, a worship song start playing...

Here I am

Down on my knees again

Surrendering all

Surrendering all

And find me here

As you draw me near

Desperate for You

Desperate for You

I surrender

I surrender by Hillsong

Yes, that is exactly where I was in my heart. Surrendering all. Again. Surrendering at a deeper level of all. A fresh revelation of surrendering all. 

Today, I have no idea what revelations God has in-store for me. But if it anything like yesterday, as emotionally painful as it was, I am ready and waiting. 

My prayer is that you too, will have that deep desire to go to a new level of intimacy with your Lord and Saviour today.

Heavenly Father, please help us to sense Your presence and hear Your voice more and more. In the beautiful name of Jesus, Amen.

Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13-14 AMP