His love for us

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

Are you feeling loved today? Do you know that the Creator of heaven and earth loves you? Yes, regardless of what you do or don't do today, He loves you. 

He waits to spend eternity with you. He waits for you to choose Jesus as your Saviour, because only then comes peace with God.

Therefore since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Romans 5:1 AMP

We receive a grace that carries us through every day and every challenge. 

Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favour) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. Romans 5:2 AMP

His overwhelming love keeps us returning to Him, regardless of circumstances. What other real options are there?

Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. Romans 5:3 AMP

Apparently (at least in my life), there seems to be an on-going need to produce patient and unswerving endurance!

And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confidence hope of eternal salvation. Romans 5:4 AMP

A grace that leads us to hope. A hope wrapped in love.

Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 AMP

Close your eyes and picture God pouring His love into your heart through the Holy Spirit. Stop, wait and receive it.

But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us. Romans 5:8 AMP

Jesus, thank you for your love, peace, grace and hope. Today, help us please, to be at home in your love. Amen.

I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done - kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love. John 15:9-10 The Message

The dwelling place

Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. Psalm 23:6 AMP

His presence. My dwelling place. How do you stay in that place?

But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul. Hebrews 10:39 AMP

Believe. Cleave to. Trust in. Rely on. JESUS

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 AMP

Faith. 

Why is it that sometimes we can be so full of faith and then at other times our faith level appears to be zero? What happens to that complete belief in those words ....

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength to me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13 AMP

What makes it a struggle to totally believe what Jesus said?

But Jesus looked at them, and said, With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God. Matthew 19:26 AMP

What is wrong? Why have I moved away from that dwelling place. 

The words of the world have crept in, the 'this is what will happen', the 'we will have to do this'. The words that don't take into consideration the authority and power of the Creator of this world and of us. The words that look at the facts, but not the truth.

Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. John 14:6 AMP

The dwelling place. I need to return there. My Jesus. 

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

My Jesus. Life in abundance. Goodness. Mercy. Unfailing love. Hope. Choosing to dwell with You today.

Praying that these thoughts are a blessing to you, and encourage you to dwell with Jesus today.

Jesus - strength, grace, mercy and love

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

When we start this day, we do not start it alone. We are in union with Christ, Who gives us strength for all things.

I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal  to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13

Each morning we wake up to a perfect love. A love that does not cease. A love that is given continually regardless of what we do or don't do. Mercy.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

And then there is the grace. The unmerited favour that is there for every moment of our day, ready for us to partake of. It is enough to get us through.

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 beat the trouble manfully];  2 Corinthians 12:9a AMP

Every day it is in our weaknesses that our God can show His perfect strength. And we experience more of the peace that comes from being utterly dependent on Him. We can rejoice in that growing intimacy with our creator.

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 12:9b AMP

Precious Jesus, please help us today to live each moment knowing that we in union with You, and that we can draw strength from You. Thank you for your mercy and grace, sufficient for those times of weakness that are ahead in this day. Thank you for Your love, steadfast and faithful. Thank you that today we will experience Your love in a new way, growing deeper in relationship with You. Amen.

Surely or only goodness, mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. Psalm 23:6 AMP

For I am with you

Yet now be strong, alert and courageous. O Zerubbabel, says the Lord, be strong, alert and courageous O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and be strong, alert, and courageous, all you people of the land, says the Lord, and work! For I am with you, says the Lord of hosts. Haggai 2:3-4 AMP

Some days I don't want to be strong, alert and courageous. I want all the challenges of life to go away, and for life to be one continually beautiful restful holiday. A dream of the perfect life...  However we all know that life is anything but perfect.

It is on those days, that the last part of that passage of scripture, the truth, For I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, is what keeps me going. The truth that we do not have to face the challenges of life alone. The Lord is with us. He is the Rock on which we can stand. 

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my saviour, my God is my rock in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Psalm 18:2 NLT

He is my safe place. He is the One who understands me completely. He is the One who knows all my fears and weaknesses. And yet He still loves me. He is breathing room for my soul ....

God, the one and only -

I'll wait as long as he says.

Everything I hope for comes from him,

So why not?

He's solid rock under my feet,

breathing room for my soul,

An impregnable castle:

I'm set for life.

Psalm 62:5-6 The Message

Yes. Yes. Yes. With God as my rock, I am set for life. He is with me. He is with you. Every day. Every hour. Every minute. 

Questions for today, what is it that gets you through on those days when you don't want to be strong, alert and courageous? What is it that helps you to lift your head and keep going?

My help and my glory are in God

- granite-strength and safe-harbour God -

So trust him absolutely, people;

lay your lives on the line for him.

God is a safe place to be.

Psalm 62:7-8 The Message

Feeling faint and weary?

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. Isaiah 40:29 AMP

Are you feeling faint and weary today? As I am writing this I am listening to a worship song,  Your blood pours joy into my life, Jesus you gave it all for me ....  That truth helps to reset my focus.

Jesus, the One who knew what He was about to suffer on the The Cross, continued to commune with His Heavenly Father, praying not only for His disciples of the day,

I have given and delivered to them Your word (message) and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world [do not belong to the world], just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world.  John 17:14-16 AMP

But also for us, those who were to come ..

Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching, that they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent me.  John 17:20-21 AMP

Jesus, lifting you and me up in prayer. Praying for unity with Him and each other, so that we will be a good witness of Jesus' love for people.

I'm praying not only for them

But also for those who will believe in me

Because of them and their witness about me.

The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind - 

Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,

So they might be one heart and mind with us.

Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.

John 17:20-21  The Message 

And now another worship song is playing, Take me, mould me, use me, fill me, I give my life to the Potter's hands. Hold me, Guide me, Lead me, walk beside me, I give my life to the Potter's hand. 

This makes me think about those moulding times, when we are learning more of who Jesus is, and yet are often so faint and weary. It is in these times He increases our strength, so we can rise from that faint and weariness, into greater unity with Him.

   

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. Isaiah 40:29 AMP

 
That unity He prayed for some two thousand years ago,  would lead us to a place of greater understanding that we are loved.

I have made Your Name known to them and revealed You character and Your very Self, and I will continue to make [You] known, that the love which You have bestowed upon Me may be in them [felt in their hearts] and that I [Myself] may be in them. John 17:26 AMP

For me it is a challenge to read these scriptures without crying, picturing Jesus praying this, knowing what rejection was to come,  yet still full of love and grace for us.

Questions for today, in those times of feeling faint and weary, can you picture Jesus praying for you, all those years ago, asking that you and I will feel His love in our hearts? And do you believe that He is ready to pour His strength into us, for it to abound so we can continue to be all He has called us to be, in unity with Him, and a vessel of His love for people.

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

Called into companionship

God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 AMP

For a week or so we have had coughs and colds in our house. There were a few days when four of us were bed-bound. Sickness really annoys me - the interruption to life, the pain, the tears, the disappointment of events missed, the having no choice but to stop and take a break from everyday life.

Whenever I find myself in that position, praise God it doesn't happen very often, I think about something I read in Catherine Marshall's book Something More, in search of a deeper faith. She had been in bed for a year and a half with a lung condition and in her desperation had some beautiful encounters with God, learning more of His heart and His need for us to yield completely to Him.

So in times of illness I am aware that despite the interruption and annoyance, if I can take my thoughts off my circumstances, even for only five minutes at a time (sometimes it takes me a day or so to get to that place!), there is an opportunity to experience more of that companionship with Jesus that we are called to. There comes a moment of greater intimacy that might not have happened had there been no forced stopping. The perfect time to ...

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 NKJV

It is a challenge for me to let the frustration of sickness go. But from my experience, when I am holding onto that frustration there is a blockage in my communication line with God. A bit like the when you have a disagreement with someone, it needs to be resolved and peace returned before you can authentically be in companionship again. I find I need to surrender those thoughts of frustration, something like, 'Here I am, please give me peace, a sound mind, and help me to hear what You have to say.' 

And He never disappoints, because He is reliable and trustworthy. Over this past week, in the time of being still (because I couldn't do anything else!) I have heard fresh things from God, both encouragement and correction. I have been reminded again of His love and desire for companionship. Thank you Jesus.

Question for today, how will you live out your companionship with Jesus today? Is there something you need to surrender to enable a closer companionship?

God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that. 1 Corinthians 1:9 The Message

Why is it taking so long?

A question from Victoria, 'Why is it taking so long?'

If you know something of our daughter's life, you will probably know what she is asking, why hasn't God healed in my body yet? I've been waiting a long time. 

Big question! Hard question for a parent to answer, especially when you watch her process her disappointment when she hears of others who receive healing. 

I remember reading some commentary from Joyce Meyer regarding 2 Corinthians 4:17,18 ...

For our light, momentary afflictions (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], since we consider and look not to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 AMP

Some of the commentary ....

If you have had a problem for more than six months, you probably feel as though your problem has lasted for an eternity. But our years on earth are only a little drop of nothing compared to forever. 

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:17,18 that the seasons of trials pass. It is tough when we are going through trials, but Paul learned to keep his eyes on the prize of heaven and trusted God to prepare him so that God's glory was revealed through his life.

What a challenge it is to keep your eyes on the prize of heaven in the trials. Last night when I put Victoria to bed, she snuggled down with a heat pack around her neck, two cold packs (one for each knee), a night boot on her left leg and a silicon plaster on her port scar (with has become a keloid scar). I walked out of the bedroom, thinking no wonder some days she struggles emotionally with this body. A little more than six months... six and a half years there have been on-going issues with some part of her body, that is two-thirds of her life. It is hard to keep the perspective that this life is brief and fleeting.

But I have found that when we ask, God is always very good at giving us perspective, His perspective. A couple of years I was rostered on to pray for people after a church service. While we were waiting for people to come for prayer, I was talking to the person I was rostered on with about the challenge of keeping faith alive when prayers don't seem to be being answered. She suggested I read the devotional book, Beside Bethesda, by Joni Eareckson Tada. So I purchased the book and started to read it. Now Victoria is reading it. 

An aside, about nine years before Victoria was born, Ken and I were living in Sydney and we had the privilege of meeting Joni and her husband Ken. It was a humbling experience, and another small example of God going before us.

Anyway, here is some of what Victoria and I read in the recent school holidays,

"One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time ..." John 5:5-6

A few months from now, I will mark an anniversary that is at once a heartbreaking story of loss and an incomparable testimony of God's faithfulness. As of July this year, I will have been in a wheelchair for forty-seven years.

Victoria's first reaction to reading this was anger and tears, something like, What? will I have to live like this for thirty-eight years?

Another big question. But it does bring some perspective. There are people who are waiting for a bigger miracle and have been waiting for a lot longer. And in the waiting they are finding greater something than physical healing, a level of intimacy with their Heavenly Father that is greater than most of us will ever experience here on earth. Joni went on to write,

It may be difficult for us to wait, but He waits with us, offering His own presence and companionship to see us through. (Beside Bethesda; page 9)

This is something we can talk to Victoria about, but until she experiences it herself, it is just words. Thankfully God is completely aware of what she needs.  On Sunday night we saw a glimpse of her experiencing His presence during the worship. She was fully immersed in the worship, having her own encounter with God, it was beautiful to see. And it was re-assuring to me, as if God was saying, It's okay, she's going to be okay. 

I understand that that His okay doesn't necessarily mean that she will experience physical healing this side of heaven, (even though that is our heart's desire and we continue to believe for it), but it means that she will live, focused on the things that are unseen, the everlasting. There will be more times of faltering, but she will be okay.

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making a new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 The Message 

Question for today, is there something in your life about which you are asking 'why is it taking so long?' Why not ask God for an encounter with Him today, that will fill you with the patience you need to continue, and the reassurance that you are loved, and that is it going to be okay.

He puts a smile on my face

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls]. Matthew 11:28

Come to me. Obeying that command is a choice to move towards God, even when all you want to do is run away and hide. It is a choice to say, 'Okay, I can trust God. He will show me to rest.' The Message Bible says it this way,

Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Matthew 11:28 The Message

The next verse paints a beautiful picture of the rest we find when we live God's way, not our own way; When we do what He wants us to do, nothing more and nothing less...
relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet for our soul.

Yes, please Jesus, I want to live like that every day of my life.

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. Matthew 11:29 AMP

Jesus, show us how to walk more closely with You, to hear Your voice more clearly, choosing to learn Your ways. Thank you that in doing that You bring rest into our lives. You guide us to live in freedom, not burdened and weighed down with life.

I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:30 The Message

What a God we have, so interested in every detail of our lives, so willing to walk with us and teach us. He doesn't abandon us. He wants us to keep company with Him. 

Question for today, what action will you take do today to purposefully keep company with Jesus? 

Why are down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He's my God.
Psalm 42:11 The Message