Do you know how much you are loved?

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities and powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, not any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 NKJV

What truth! - We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, WHO LOVED US.  Another version says,

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:37 NLT

Another truth - NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING can separate us from God's love for us through Jesus! Another version says...

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 8:37-39 The Message

How differently would we live our lives if we had this full revelation of God's love for us? 

Every time I sing that line in Amazing Grace, 'saved a wretch like me' I get a little bit more of revelation of how great His love is for me. I think back to where I was heading before I was saved. Outwardly it might have looked like my life was going great, aged 24, owning an apartment in Sydney, 20 minutes walk from the CBD; a career that was moving upwards; completing my Masters Degree. But inwardly a different story - lonely, desperately looking for a purpose, trying to fill that void with material things and career achievement, neither of which were actually filling the void. And why not? Because that void could only be filled by God's love.

His steadfast and faithful love.

Give thanks to the God of heaven, His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:26 NLT

In those times of doubting God's love for me, here are some worship songs that help me to come back to that place of knowing that I am loved by a loving and trustworthy God.

Good Good Father - Chris Tomlin

How He Loves - David Crowder Band

You are for me - Kari Jobe 

Pieces - Amanda Cook

Amazing Grace - John Newton

Question for today, do you know how much you are loved by your Heavenly Father? If you need some fresh revelation of His love for you, why not meditate on some of the scriptures I've shared today, or ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to others. Then take some time out to worship Him, and in that time open your heart to receive more revelation of His love for you.

We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 NKJV

Devour, Determine, Demolish and Desire

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to talk to a group of women about faulty thinking - explain what it is and then to be vulnerable and share some of my faulty thinking. And I felt to share some of it on my blog this morning .... .

I believe there are two main areas of faulty thinking:
1. Faulty thoughts we have about ourselves and others. These are any thoughts we have that don't line up with what God's word says about us.
2. Faulty thoughts we have about our God. These are any thoughts we have that don't line up with who God's word says He is.

Faulty thinking is a problem because it limits our ability to be all that God has called us to be, and it can have very detrimental effects on those around us. 

Faulty thinking robs us ... it is the reality of John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Faulty thinking often happens because:
A. We believe the lies of the enemy and generalise them to our entire lives.
B. We live with unprocessed pain and disappointment so we leave ourselves open to easily take offense and respond disproportionately
C. We don't trust that God is greater than our circumstances - we let fear take hold

In preparing this talk, I was asked God how to finish, and this is what He gave me .... the 4 D's - Devour, Determine, Demolish and Desire.

How to combat faulty thinking - 

Devour God's word to understand what He says about us - that we are lavishly loved by the creator of the universe; that we are fearfully and wonderfully made; that we have a sound mind, and the list goes on. Knowing this, helps us to identify faulty thinking - the lies when they come. Devour God's word to understand more of God's character - who He is, His authority, and the authority He has given to us as believers in Jesus Christ.

Determine to position ourselves so that we can learn from others. Church - Sunday services, Encounter nights, Healing services. Don't be scared to receive all that God has for you. Listen/watch teaching DVDs, YouTube and Podcasts.

Demolish the unprocessed pain and disappointment. Ask Jesus to show you if you are harbouring unprocessed pain and open your heart to let Him heal you - this may be a quick process, or a long process. We may need help from other people, but we need to stick with Him, persevere and let Jesus do a good work in us. 

Desire a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus. Know He is our closest friend, so we can trust Him no matter what the facts might say.
1. Give God time and space to speak to you daily, however that works for you. If you think you don't have time, ask Him to show you when is a good time in your day. 
2. Remember it is not just pouring out your heart and needs to Him, but also listening to help His voice become louder than your own, or that of the enemy.
3. Worship Him
4. Remember what He has done - starting with your salvation

So where to from here?  My suggestion would be in some quiet time with God, ask Him these questions,
1. What lies am I believing about myself?
2. What pain and disappointment am I living with?
3. What areas in my life am I living in fear?

If it is too overwhelming to ask these all at one, maybe ask one at a time.

Once God has given you these answers, ask Him what to do about it, and then do it. Remember God is with You always, He doesn't leave you to do this by yourself, and He wants to see you living in freedom, thinking His thoughts, not faulty thoughts, so you can do all that He has called you to do - loving Him and loving others in an emotionally healthy way.

I pray that these thoughts are encouraging help you to live more fully in the abundant life Jesus has given to each of us.

So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will see you free. John 8:31-32 AMP

Brothers and Sisters

 How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! Psalm 133:1 The Message

This scripture paints a picture that hasn't recently been seen in our home! Entering into the teenage years has probably got something to do with, combined with years of living with stress and uncertainty. 

I know this scripture is primarily talking about brothers and sisters in Christ ....

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:AMP

But yesterday morning as I was reading this scripture in different versions of The Bible, God spoke specifically to me about the brothers and sisters in our home.  After Psalm 133, He followed up with Ephesians 6:10-18, with a focus on v12 and v18

For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 NLT

Amen.

Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:18 The Message


These scriptures are going on the back of the toilet door! It is a deep cry of my heart to see unity in this home. God hears the cry of our heart, sometimes before we even cry out to Him.

And it shall be that before they call I will answer; and while they are yet speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 AMP

An aside, we have always encouraged our children to pray for each other, at home, in the car, and in the times when they are not with each other. I've said to them, if name comes into your mind, that may be God prompting you to pray for them, so stop and pray, even if it is a 3 second prayer, like please help name; please protect name; show your love to name. I an under no illusion that some of them do this, and some don't! But I will continue to pray that one day they all will.

But back to the story, so yesterday morning I felt that God was leading me to pray specifically into sibling unity for our home. So I did. Then I left it with Him and went on to the activities of the day and forgot about that specific prayer.

Until last night, when I went to bed and reflected on the activities of the evening .... some of the children and I found ourselves sitting listening to one do their piano practice. A rare occasion - the sitting listening, not the piano practice. When the practice was complete, a discussion started, a respectful discussion where they took turns listening and speaking! And then there was laughter, lots of laughter! About 30 minutes went by without an unkind word. 

Thirty minutes to treasure. Thirty minutes that gave me hope that God is at work, building unity between brother and sister. I know that there is a long way to go, but I am so grateful for what He orchestrated last night, and that glimpse of unity. I will keep trusting Him.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways, recognise, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and pain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

And I will keep praying, laying them down at the foot of The Cross, and believing that God is doing a transforming work, bringing beauty from ashes. We will keep leaning on Him for wisdom and the grace to love and heal.

Question for today, what is the cry of your heart? In your quiet times with God what has His response been? What has He asked you to do?

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our Fortress and High Tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 46:7 AMP

Standing

Do you have those days when it feels as though all day you are resisting someone that is working to pull you apart, pull you down and literally destroy you and your family?

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

We recently had a day like that, with three 'events' in one day, which indicated that there was something going on. Thankfully after the second event, which was so random (and would have been funny if not for the physical implications), we realised (thank you Holy Spirit) that something was afoot.  

Or as I recently heard someone say, we were being 'buffeted'. We called some praying reinforcements. So when the third event came along, as concerning as it was, we were aware of the bigger picture. Our God has the victory, and are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.

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 things impending and threatening not 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 8:37-39 AMP

There is a song that has become like an anthem for me on those days when there is buffeting going on ...  Glory is Yours, by Elevation Worship.

Oh God, the glory is Yours

The kingdom is come and the battle is over

Jesus in Your Name we rise

The glory is Yours, the glory is Yours.

It is a great declaration of Who is the victor, and reminds me that we are not made to shrink back and be destroyed.

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:39 NIV

Question for today, do you feel like you are being buffeted? What are your strategies on those days, to continue living in victory?  I pray that some of these scriptures I've shared today will help you to stand firm on those days.

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].

Put on God’s whole armour [the armour of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 

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 (super natural) sphere.

Therefore put on God’s complete armour, 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 6:10-13 AMP

 

I am not equipped - but Jesus is with me

They couldn't take their eyes off them - Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realised these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. They recognized them as companions of Jesus, but with the man right before them, seeing him standing there so upright - so healed! - what could they say against that? Acts 4:13-14 The Message

My prayer as I write this blog post today is that all who read it will be encouraged in those times when God asks you to do something, that you feel completely ill-equipped for. 

Recently I was asked to teach two sessions on Hearing from God. To children. 

I am not a trained teacher. I have a degree in computer science and a masters degree in Business and Technology. My experience in teaching children is only a few years of Sunday school teaching, which really amounted to reading a bible story and discussing a few concepts from the story. 

I have no formal training in Scripture and Theology. My experience in hearing from God is exactly that - experiences. Learning through some very difficult circumstances, how to cut out the 'noise' and hear what God has to say, and trusting that indeed it was His voice. And I know I still have so much to learn.

Anyway, I felt that God wanted me to say yes. So I said Yes, trusting that God would guide me in what to say (and not say), and that He would open the hearts of these children to believe that their Heavenly Father wants to talk to them, and to trust that they can hear His voice.

Prayer and research. Continually asking God, how to explain this in a creative and engaging way? How to provide practical information that these children can take and use after these sessions? How to create an environment in a very short period of time that gives them the opportunity to hear His voice? I asked others to pray for me, both in the preparation - that I would be aligned with God's plans for the sessions; and during the actual sessions - that God would plant that desire in their hearts to hear His voice.

Early morning before the first session, I was praying, 'God please help me, guide me today. I feel so inadequate. Even though I have a structure for the sessions, please help me to be flexible and hear what You want to do.'  After this prayer, He led me to this scripture:

Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognised that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 AMP

After I read it I wanted to scream out 'Yes and Amen' but others were sleeping. So I smiled to myself. This one verse gave me the confidence I needed - I didn't have all the formal training - but I had spent time with Jesus. And I had to trust that in that time with Him, He had done a good work. It was going to be okay.

So you may ask, how did the teaching sessions go? Well, only the children can really answer that question. But for myself, I have tears in my eyes when I remember how the session ended ...

A group of about 20 children, sitting under trees, quietly listening to Kari Jobe's song 'Be Still', and then drawing and writing what they had heard from God.

God is good. He is faithful, always. He wants us all to have a greater level of intimacy with him. And that 'us' includes the children.

Then little children were brought to Jesus, that He might put His hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But He said, Leave the children alone! Allow the little ones to come to Me, and do not forbid or restrain or hinder them, for of such [as these] is the kingdom of heaven composed. And He put His hands upon them, and then went on His way. Matthew 19:13-15 AMP

Question for today, is there something that God has asked you to do, for which you feel completely ill-equipped for? Remember, God doesn't expect that you will do it alone, but rather in partnership with Him (and possibly other people He brings alongside you). 

So why not ask Him to guide you with every step, and trust that He will be there with you. Then we know it is not done in our own strength, and we can boast of what the Lord has done.

So then, as it is written, Let him who boasts and proudly rejoices and glories, boast and proudly rejoice and glory in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:31 AMP

Say yes to God and no to distractions

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master, it's the only way you'll get on your feet. James 4:7-10 The Message

I don't seem to find (or make) time to read books, other than The Bible, during the busy-ness of life. However I have found the opportunity to listen to audio books on various long drives is a great blessing. The bonus is that when the children get tired  of playing with their ipads, they get to glean a bit of the knowledge too, and often a good conversation is sparked. 

Anyway, last week we went to Sydney for the day and I was listening to 'Billy Graham: Leading with Love'. One part has stayed with me for the past few days. They were describing how Billy Graham had great clarity on the mission God had give him to do, and resolved to do only what aligned with that mission. 

The book described some of the conflict that was sometimes caused when Billy Graham said no to things that other people thought he should do, because it didn't line up with what he knew God had asked him to do. For example, Billy Graham was approached to start a university. The finance and land had been pledged, but Billy did not feel that project was part of God's call on his life, so he said no.

Yesterday I was reading the above scripture from James, it may be more familiar in the NKJV or NIV,

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:7-10 NKJV

So for me a few prayer points came out of the story and scripture. They all started with 'please help me'.

Heavenly Father, 

Please help me to yield and let your will work in me.

Please help me to only do what You want me to do.

Please help me to recognise distractions and say no.

Please help me to quit dabbling in sin.

Please help me to purify my inner life.

Please help me to be humble in Your sight.

In Jesus Name, Amen

It was with a bit of hesitation that I prayed that last request, as I know what has happened when I have prayed about being humble before - not long after a situation arises that helps to bring on the humility - ouch!

Question for today, what are you saying yes and no to today? Do you need more clarity on what God is calling you to do with your life? Why not ask Him for help on that today?  

You call out to God for help and he helps - he's a good Father that way. But don't forget he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living. 1 Peter 1:17 The Message