Podcast 40 - Life gets messy when we don't trust God

Life gets messy when we don't trust God

A little story .... this week I have been reminded once again of what it means to do life 'in your own strength.'  Those times when you are pushing through, but doing it the hard way, often with a really bad attitude - resentment being a key factor. 

Over the past couple of years I have become more involved in our business, which has been great for me, Ken and the business. But not always great for our children especially when school holidays come around. 

During the school holidays resentment can creep in as I have a strong desire to complete the day's work jobs well, but also have a strong desire to actually have some fun with our children as they are out of the normal school routine. One moment I am resenting the work, but then God reminds me this is the means by which we have a warm, dry home and food to eat. The next moment I am resenting the children being at home, but then God reminds me that they are a blessing from Him and how different my life would be without them!

This morning I realised that the source of that resentment is actually a lack of trust in God.  That is, I'm not trusting that God will give me enough time in my day to do the things that He wants me to do (not the things I think I need to do).  But rather I am trying to work out myself how to fit it all in (ie doing it in my own strength), and getting very impatient and frustrated with everyone around me. 

The funny thing is, yesterday morning I expected that I would have to work all day to get various tasks done before we closed for the Christmas holiday period. The stress levels had risen by 8am when the children started waking up and my time of non-interrupted work suddenly became 10 minutes slots of concentration in among children's requests.  

Then I went to a 10am appointment, only to find that the appointment was for today! So there was 45 minutes wasted. 

Home again to work on some financial reporting, which turned out to be a lot simpler than I thought it was going to be. Finished! I looked at the clock on my computer - midday. Not the 6pm that I thought it was going to be. I felt pretty stupid. I had caused angst to myself and my children for nothing - other than for me to be reminded that it is always better to walk with God through the day, rather than try to run my own race and cause havoc in the process. 

A simple matter of getting up in the morning, taking a deep breath, giving all the tasks I think I need to do to God, and saying, 'Please show me which ones I need to do, and how and when to do them.'  And then waiting to hear what He says, and be guided by Him. Not charging off on my own agenda - doing it in my own strength.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways." says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV

Thankfully God is gracious and merciful, and there was a time of restoration with the children in the afternoon as I switched off from work and we watched some Christmas movies together.

My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9 TPT 

Hopefully when we re-open the business in January I will remember this lesson and trust that God has it all sorted!  

Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions, with all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Proverbs 3:5 TPT

Podcast 39 - Be strong and of good courage

Be strong and of good courage

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NKJV

There is a song, "Take Courage" by Bethel Music, here are some of its lyrics,

'Hold on to your hope as your triumph unfolds'

Oh that can be so hard to do, hold on; press in; stand. But sometimes there is no other choice. We have to believe that our triumph will unfold. And that we can learn to worship God in the waiting, something that I believe we only truly learn in those deep dark moments.

I remember a milestone moment in my constant journey of learning how to trust God more, and more, and more, and more. It relates to our daughter Victoria, and happened  about 4.5 years when we had just found out that the tumour had started to grow for the third time.

There was a choice to be made - continue to live in fear that the tumour would continue to grow, or choose to live each day to the full - trusting God that no matter what happens He would get us through this. God helped us with making that choice by taking us to a Camp Quality camp where His Word - John 10:10 was displayed on posters in the dining hall.

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

That visual message was the starting point for helping me to change my hopeless thinking. I say starting point, because although God had given me that clear sign with the posters, those feelings of hopelessness didn't just go away overnight. They had to be attended to, and over-time they got quieter and quieter and God's truth got louder and louder in my head.  

Here is a bit of what that process required ...

An Awareness of what my focus was on - diagnosis vs declaration of faith (John 10:10)

Action to replace those thoughts of hopelessness and fear with God's truth

Acknowledging that I couldn't do that replacement in my own strength.

Asking God daily to help me take that action.

Allowing God to do that work in me - not resisting, but instead surrendering. And only then I could ....

Authentically worship God, despite the circumstances because He was restoring my hope in Him.

Pressing into Him in the waiting season, learning to trust that not only would He get us through, but that His triumph would unfold - no matter what - here or in Heaven, has been a huge journey - and it continues now only in different spheres of our lives. 

But it is a journey that despite the pain, I would not swap because it has grown a greater hope, a stronger faith and a deeper understanding of God's love for us.

So today, as you face the circumstances in your life, why not take a deep breath and say to God, 

Okay God, I'm trusting You with this, please help me to grow in hope, faith and love through this situation. I choose to worship You. Thank you that you are with us wherever we go and that will get us through this day. Thank you that our triumph will unfold because of Who you are and what you have done. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Lord, I will worship you with extended hands as my whole heart explodes with praise! I will tell everyone about your wonderful works and how your marvellous miracles exceed expectations! I will jump for joy and shout in triumph as I sing your song and make music for the Most High God. Psalm 9:1-2 TPT

Podcast 38 - Don't give up on God - Press in and trust

Don't give up on God - press in and trust

How enriched are they who find their strength in the Lord;
within their hearts are the highways of holiness!
Even when their paths wind through the dark valley of tears,
they dig deep to find a pleasant pool where others only find pain.
Psalm 84:5-6 TPT

Over the past few weeks I've had plenty of opportunities to marvel at God's grace and mercy both in our own family, and with our friend's families. He has shown time and time again that He grace is sufficient and His mercies are new every morning. He is a God of restoration and breakthrough. 

And exactly as this scripture says, when we walk with Him and find our strength in Him, we can, in those really difficult times, dig deep to find a pleasant pool where others only find pain.

That pleasant pool is an overwhelming sense of His presence and a trusting that He's got this. He's got you. He's got your future. This is truth ....

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

I implore you - Do not give up on God. The answers to your prayers may not come immediately, they may not come in the short term and they may not come as you expect them to. But He is there, He is at work and His end goal is always to spend eternity with you.

Right now it may feel as if you are alone and abandoned. But the truth is that you are not alone or abandoned. God is with you. 

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV

Lift your head and look for things to be thankful for because those things are a tangible reminder that God is with you.

Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God's perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 TPT

I implore you again - Do not give up on God. Ask him to help you with areas of unbelief. Declare His promises until you see them come to pass. No one or no thing can deliver anything as good as our God can. Do not give up on God. Cry out. Press in and press on. The victory is ours in Jesus Name.

Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything. 

So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God's love. I'm convinced that his love will triumph over death, life's troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us - no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God's passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! Romans 8:37-39 TPT

With God you can find that pleasant pool in the midst of darkness. Dive in today.

Podcast 37 - It's okay to fall on your face

It's okay to fall on your face

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, GOD showed up and said to him, "I am The Strong God, live entirely before me, live to the hilt! I'll make a covenant between us and I'll give you a huge family." Overwhelmed, Abram fell flat on his face. Genesis 17:1-2 The Message

This morning I had no idea what to write about, so I prayed and continued my reading of Genesis, and one verse jumped out at me,

Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him saying, Genesis 17:3 NKJV

Well, it wasn't even the whole verse, just those first 6 words,

Then Abram fell on his face 

There have been a few times in the past couple of weeks when I have felt so overwhelmed with the faithfulness of God that I felt like doing that - just falling on my face, lying prostate in awe at our God. (I'll share more about that in future posts) But I haven't. I've just either sat my desk weeping, or stood at the ironing board... weeping, or driven my car ... weeping. 

There is something so special about waiting, trusting, and then seeing that second part of John 10:10 manifest.... 

But I have come to give you life in abundance, more than you expect - life in its fullness until you overflow. John 10:10 TPT

Actually the waiting and learning to trust is not really so special - just a lot of relying on the Holy Spirit to teach me patience and self-control. 

But lets get back to the falling on your face... as I read that scripture I thought, I wonder how many people mentioned in The Bible fell on their face at the wonder of God? So I did a google search. Here are some of the results.

Moses and Aaron...

Moses and Aaron walked from the assembled congregation to the Tent of Meeting and threw themselves facedown on the ground. And they saw the Glory of God. Numbers 20:6 The Message

The children of Israel, at the time of Elijah's victory on Mount Carmel ...

Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God! 1 Kings 18:38-39 NKJV

The three disciples that saw Jesus' glorious transfiguration ...

But while Peter was still speaking, a radiant cloud composed of light spread over them, enveloping them all. And God's voice suddenly spoke from the cloud, saying, "This is my dearly beloved Son, the constant focus of my delight. Listen to him!"

The three disciples were dazed and terrified by this phenomenon, and they fell facedown on the ground. Matthew 17:5-6 TPT

Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane ...

Then he walked a short distance away, and overcome with grief, he threw himself facedown on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if there is any way you can deliver me from this suffering, please take it from me. Yet what I want is not important, for I only desire to fulfill your plan in me." Then an angel from heaven appeared to strengthen him. Matthew 26:39 TPT

In Heaven they are falling on their faces...

All who were standing around the Throne - Angels, Elders, Animals - fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, singing:

Oh, Yes!

The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,

The honour and power and strength,

To our God forever and ever and ever! 

Oh, Yes!

Revelation 7:11-12 The Message 

From just these few scripture we can see that it is okay, actually more than okay, to fall on your face, as it positions us to ....

Acknowledge the greatness of God when you physically can't do anything else (example - Abraham; the three disciples)

See the glory of God (example - Moses and Aaron)

Submit to the truth that the LORD is God (example - Children of Israel)

Surrender and receive strength from God (example - Jesus)

Worship in awe (example - Angels in heaven)

For me, in the times when I have literally fallen on my face and worshipped God, they have been amazing times of surrendering, overwhelmed with awe, followed by a beautiful time of the Holy Spirit ministering God's love. Times when my hands and feet weren't tempted to do something else, but just be and focus completely on God. 

In our world today we need to be constantly reminding ourselves of who our God is, and purposefully drawing closer to Him. Falling on your face is a great way to position yourself to do exactly that. Why not try it sometime and see what God does. Be expectant.

 

Podcast 36 - You are 'the one'

You are 'the one'

During the weekend I had the privilege of listening to someone's story of God's grace in their life as they shared about circumstance after circumstance that God had used (not created) to draw them to Himself. Of course I was in tears. It was a wonderful testimony of God continually seeking after 'the one', and not giving up until she had returned home to Him. 

In Luke 15 Jesus shares about God's heart for us...

In response, Jesus gave them this illustration:

"There was once a shepherd with a hundred lambs, but one of his lambs wandered away and was lost. So the shepherd left the ninety-nine lambs out in the open field and searched in the wilderness for that one lost lamb. He didn't stop until he finally found it. With exuberant joy he raised it up and placed it on his shoulders, carrying it back with cheerful delight!

Returning home, he called all his friends and neighbours together and said, 'Let's have a party! Come and celebrate with me the return of my lost lamb. It wandered away, but I found it and brought it home."

Jesus continued, "In the same way, there will be a glorious celebration in heaven over the rescue of one lost sinner who repents, comes back home, and returns to the fold - more so than for all the righteous people who never strayed away."

Luke 15:3-7 TPT

It is difficult to describe the depth of God's love for us. He doesn't want us in the wilderness, doing life without Him. He wants us to make the choice to receive His love, and grow in His strength and live doing what He has called us to do - be His light in this world.

Now you must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live in the holy awe of God - which brings you trembling into his presence. God will continually revitalise you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13 TPT

Live in holy awe of God - that awe is what I felt when listening to my friend's story. Awe that God would patiently wait for her to return, bringing people alongside to pray for her, to share His love with her in many practical ways and to speak of His love. Even now as I think about it, the tears come.

Brings you trembling into his presence -  about a month ago one of our children was unwell and couldn't go to church, so I stayed at home with her and we watched Louie Gigilo's Indescribable video. I still find it difficult to understand that this all powerful God passionately desires to have a personal relationship with me, you and other 7 billion plus people on the earth. That He knows each one of us ... not like we know a spouse or a close friend. No, much much more intimately than that ...

You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother's womb. 

I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvellously breathtaking.

It simply amazes me to think about it!

How thoroughly you know me, Lord!

You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place, carefully, skillfully shaping me from nothing to something. 

Psalm 139:13-15 TPT

But what helps me come to that place of reconciling this  unfathomable all powerful God and His love for me is the many personal experiences I have had of His love... That continual revelation of seeing how He goes before us, preparing a way... That witnessing of His mercy when you know a situation could have been much much worse... The receiving of His grace when you know that there is no other explanation than ... only by the grace of God... The sense that He is carrying you because you have absolutely nothing left in you... The knowing that you are 'the one' that He went looking for, so He could bring you home to where you belong. 

Knowing that He is the creator of the universe AND the creator of me, having experienced His love, bring me trembling into His presence.

The purpose of today's post? To help you take a moment to reflect on just how much your Heavenly Father loves you, and to encourage you to take some time to enjoy His presence today. You are 'the one'.

Podcast 35 - Moments to treasure

Moments to treasure

Over the years we have had many moments we would rather forget, but thankfully now the season has changed and we are having more moments to treasure. This is one of them, our children racing Ken's dad on his mobility scooter. Four strong healthy children connecting with and loving their grandfather (and providing plenty of entertainment for other people in the park).

 

How different that picture looked 8 years ago, even 4 years ago. I am listening to the song Remembrance (Hillsong), and there is a line that always makes me teary ...

 

Oh to think where I would be
If not for You

 

When I hear these lyrics I think about my salvation, the path I was on, and how that changed when I received Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. 

 

I also think about the many challenges we have faced and how He has brought us through them all.So many hours spent crying out to God, believing for His mercy and grace, trusting that He has something better for our family. Asking Him to help me in those times of unbelief to believe that He would do it. Standing on His Word. Finally coming to a place of believing that He is good when we were still waiting for the circumstances to change.

Declaring His truth like Psalm 119:89-90, when His faithfulness to our next generation looked a little shaky...

Standing firm in the heavens and fastened to eternity is the word of God.

Your faithfulness flows from one generation to the next;

all that you created sits firmly in place to testify of you.

 

Deciding to keep turning to His Word for the final say, Psalm 119:91-92 ...

 

By your decree everything stands at attention,

for all that you have made serves you.

Because your words are my deepest delight,

I didn't give up when all else was lost.

 

Asking Him, what are wanting to teach me? Psalm 119:93-94

 

I can never forget the profound revelations you've taught me,

for they have kept me alive more than once.

 

Yes, God has taught us so much over these years, including how to appreciate these little moments together, and the sound of laughter that accompanies them. He has taught me that without Him I am nothing, so I best stick with Him despite my feelings. Psalm 119:94-95

 

Lord, I'm all yours, and you are my Saviour;

I have sought to live my life pleasing to you.

Even though evil men wait in ambush to kill me,

I will set my heart before you to understand more of your ways.

 

But one of the most important things I've learned is summed up in Psalm 119:96 ...

 

I've learned that there is nothing perfect

in this imperfect world except your words,

for they bring such fantastic freedom into my life!

 

For us the season has changed, there are many more moments of laughter and joy, and we are so grateful for that. But to have had the opportunity to draw closer to God, to learn how to stand and keep standing, to move to a deeper level of trust and belief brings an even greater joy.

 

A thief has only one thing in mind - he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect - life in its fullness until you overflow! John 10:10 TPT

Let's pray, 

Dear Jesus,

Thank you Jesus that you came, and that you didn't leave us or forsake us. Thank you that we can reflect on those moments in our lives and see how you carried us, you guided us, you protected us and  you brought us through. Thank you for teaching us to stand and keep standing, bringing people alongside to hold up our arms when we are weary. Thank you that in You alone we find freedom to be who You made us to be. Thank you for the seasons of life and what You teach us in each one, help us to not miss any of the lessons you want us to learn. Thank you that your grace and mercy follow us all the days of our lives. In your name we pray and live, Amen.

Podcast 34 - When we are weak ...

When we are weak ....

The other week, actually in the middle of the night, we had a child who needed comforting. She suggested we sing some worship songs to help shift the focus. Great idea! We quietly sang some worship songs we had recently been singing at church, mainly just the choruses as we couldn't remember the other lines. She led. I followed (half asleep). 

Then she asked, 'What's that song? It's a simple one, you know.' Yes I did know, and started to sing, 

'Jesus loves me this I know .... for the Bible tells me so.....little ones to Him belong.... we are weak but ..... He is strong.'

I think the words are actually, 'they are weak'. But for us, we knew that it was definitely a 'we'.

Eventually she went back to her bed, and I could hear singing from her room ....

'Jesus loves me this I know' over and over, softer and softer and eventually the silence of peaceful sleep. Thank you Jesus.

Lifting up the name of Jesus, always helps us. He doesn't need a fanfare. He just wants us to call on Him because he cares for us.

Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 TPT

Day or night, He is there, ready and waiting to respond to our call. He isn't half asleep, half attentive. He is fully attentive always, ready with mercy and grace.

So here's what I've learned through it all; Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord, and measureless grace will strengthen you. Psalm 55:22 TPT

Measureless grace. Available to you and me.

But he answered me, "My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness." So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I'm weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. So I'm not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment - when I'm surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ - I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God's power. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 TPT

We are weak..... but ..... Jesus loves me this I know. 

And today we have access to His love and power, so let's surrender and lean on Him, allowing our weakness to become a portal to His power. Let's live with the certainty that He is with us now - Emmanuel, and forever, beyond our life in this place.

So why would I fear the future? For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I'll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you! Psalm 23:6 TPT

Podcast 33 - Are you looking for a safe place today?

Are you searching for a safe place today?

Are you searching for a safe place to express exactly how you feel today? 

Sometimes when the circumstances around me are in turmoil I picture myself being wrapped in the strong arms of my God, protecting me. His peace settles in me and I am assured of His overwhelmingly tangible presence.   Psalm 91 says it this way,

His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you.
You can run under his covering of majesty and hide.
His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm. Psalm 91:4 TPT

Talking about running, at other times I want to run away, saying to myself, "It is all to hard, I want to have a simple life - with no responsibility and no commitments." But that's not really life is it? 

In those moments I know there is one place I can always run to - that place of worship and abandonment, that place where I commune with Jesus, that place where the tears come, grateful for His grace and mercy in my life. Grateful for who He is - the one who saves. Knowing that He has the big picture and I need to keep my focus on Him.

Philippians 4:6-9 reminds us of that,

Don't be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God's wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make answers known to you through Jesus Christ. 

So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things. Philippians 4:6-9 TPT

A few words that jump out at me as I read that scripture ...

Don't be pulled

Be saturated in prayer

Overflowing gratitude

Tell every detail

God's wonderful peace

Make answers known

Through Jesus Christ

Thoughts continually fixed

Fasten your thoughts

Praising Him

God of peace

With you in all things 

Well actually, that is more than a few words - that is a high level summary for finding that safe place, Jesus, who helps us to push through and find that place of feeling those massive loving arms of God around us.

Let's finish powerful declaration today ....

When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai,
you are hidden in the strength of God Most High.
He's the hope that holds me and the Stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence.
Psalm 91:1-2 TPT

Podcast 32 - Mum, Is it okay to have a singular goal?

Mum, Is it okay to have a singular goal?

Last night one of our children asked me, 'Mum, is it okay to have a singular goal? Just one thing you are aiming for.' 

'It depends what that singular goal is. I had a goal in my early 20's, to buy an apartment, and that was all I focused on,' I replied.

'What were your other goals?' she asked.

'None. I didn't have any other goals - just making money so I could live in a nice place and buy nice things,' I replied starting to reflect on how my life had changed since then.

'But surely you had other goals. What happened when you reached that goal - what next? Remember how a few weeks ago that preacher kept asking us 'what next?, then 'what next?', then 'what next?' What was next for you Mum ?' she pressed the point.

'Yes, well that was the problem, after buying the apartment I felt so empty and unfilled that I started asking questions about the purpose of my life, what was it all about? Buying that apartment and the subsequent feelings were one of the catalysts for me seeking Jesus. Now I realise He was using those circumstances to draw me to Himself. And now my singular goal is to do all that God wants me to do with my life.' I responded, amazed at the clarity of this answer as it was three hours after my normal bedtime, so all credit goes to the Holy Spirit.

We had some further conversation about how that singular goal of doing all God wants me to do has many facets in terms of being a wife, a mum, a business person, volunteer, writer, but the motive is the same - all for Jesus. Here is how Paul talks about his change in motive ....

Yet all of the accomplishments that I once took credit for, I've now forsaken them and I regard it all as nothing compared to the delight of experiencing Jesus Christ as my Lord!  To truly know him meant letting go of everything from my past and throwing all my boasting on the garbage heap. It's all like a pile of manure to me now, so that I may be enriched in the reality of knowing Jesus Christ and embrace him as Lord in all of his greatness. Philppians 3:7-8 TPT

As a Christian there is a process that takes place over the years as we press into God, through the good and troubling times. I think the proper word is sanctification. The more we press in, the more we learn of God's character, a learning that feeds that deep yearning to know Him and His love for us more and more. For me, I never want to stop doing that as I am so grateful for the love, grace and mercy He has shown me over the years. The more closely I walk with Him, the more complete I feel every day. 

Let's hear some more from Paul on his singular goal ...

I admit that I haven't yet acquired the absolute fullness that I'm pursing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. I don't depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them. And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion. Philippians 3:12-16 TPT

Let's pray,

Jesus, thank you that you love us and you have called us for your purposes. Thank you that you have made us all unique, but with a heart for you.  Thank you that you are continually drawing us to yourself, revealing more of yourself to us. Please help us to run this race you have set before us with passion, not getting distracted, but keeping our eyes on you. Please show us today, what you want us to do and help us to do it in your strength, not our own. In your name we pray and live. Amen.

Podcast 31 - Hearing from God in the morning

Hearing from God in the morning

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You I do trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Psalm 143:8 NKJV

What a great prayer to start the day with. In fact we have it on the wall in our toilet room - one of my homemade signs.

Here it is again, this time from the Amplified Bible ...

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,

for on You do I lean and in You do I trust.

Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk,

for I lift up my inner self to You.

Psalm 143:8 AMPC

Cause me to hear ...

This means we need to be listening. What a temptation there is some mornings to get up and get started on the long list of jobs that sit on my desk. I've worked out that I can't be thinking about all those jobs and listening to God at the same time. If I am not purposeful in shutting out the thoughts about the jobs list, they will take over.

Your lovingkindness in the morning,

How beautiful to hear first thing in the morning, before the family awakes and the chaos starts, that you are loved - regardless of what you did or didn't do the day before. To hear that you are forgiven, that His grace is sufficient and that His mercies are new every morning. That is good food for the soul.

for on You do I lean 

Sometimes things in life can feel too heavy to lean on others, but Jesus is always strong enough and more than willing to support each of us.....

So here's what I've learned through it all: Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord, and measureless grace will strengthen you. Psalm 55:22 The Passion Translation

And in You do I trust.

We need to choose to trust Him, no matter what. It's simple - I trust you God, or I don't trust you God. Well it's simple to say the words, but sometimes it's not so simple to trust with our hearts, because we have emotions, disappointment, fears, grief and anger. They need to be processed to enable us to come back to that place of trusting God.

Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk,

How many times have you said to yourself, 'I wish someone would show me what to do next,' or 'I wish someone would tell me which option to choose.' Well, there is a God in Heaven who will show us the next step if we ask Him and listen...

Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. Don't think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that's wrong. Proverbs 5:3-7 TPT

 

for I lift up my inner self to You.

  

What does it mean to lift up our inner self to God? Proverbs 5:6 and 7 give us a couple of beautiful phrases like 'become intimate with him.' Think of those people you are intimate with, what does that relationship look like, feel like? Do you have that sense when you commune with God? Here's another one, 'adore him with undivided devotion', again think of those people you are devoted to, how does that compare with your devotion to Jesus? 

We have a God who is jealous for us, He loves us and desires us to love Him wholeheartedly. 

So let's pray Psalm 143:8 with a heart that wants to know more of His love, so we can move further towards that place of fully trusting Him in all things, and love as He loves.

Let the dawning day bring me revelation of your tender, unfailing love. Give me light for my path and teach me, for I trust in you. Psalm 143:8 TPT