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