Back to basics

In the beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1 AMP

Lets get back to basics, who is this God?

This God is three in one - God the Father, God the Son Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit. 

So there are three witnesses in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are One. 1 John 5:7 AMP

And what's more, He created us in His own image.

God said, Let Us [Father, Son and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26 - 27 AMP

But then came the disobedience and things had to change. We became separated from our God.

And the Lord God said, Behold, the man has become like one of Us [the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit], to know [how to distinguish between] good and evil and blessing and calamity; and now, lest he put forth his hand and also take from the tree of life and eat, and live forever - therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. Genesis 3:22-23 AMP

Sin. We all do it. In different ways. We all, everyday, think, do or say something that is not in line with God's will for us. None of us are perfect. Some sin is more overt than others. But we all sin. 

God is Holy. Holiness and sin don't mix. A bridge, a mediator is required to re-join the separated. The bridge is Jesus. 

Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the [city's] gate in order that He might purify and consecrate the people through [the shedding of] His own blood and set them apart as holy [for God]. Hebrews 13:12 AMP

The bridge is there for everyone who chooses to believe in Jesus, no matter what our sin. Through true repentance,  and God's forgiveness, grace and mercy - Jesus - we can again be in right-standing with our Heavenly Father. 

And we [have seen and] know [positively] that the Son of God has [actually] come to this world and has given us understanding and insight [progressively] to perceive (recognise) and come to know better and more clearly Him Who is true; and we are in Him Who is true - in His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). This [Man] is the true God and Life eternal.  1 John 5:20 AMP

Today, in our world, when it is so easy to look and see the 'big overt' sins of others, let's not forget that we too sin, every day in different ways. Let's take heed of our desperate need for Jesus, and ask Him for help to continually make the choice of putting Him first in our lives.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods) - [from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be). 1 John 5:20-21 AMP

Let's make a decision to let His light shine through us today.

For what we preach is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your servants (slaves) for Jesus' sake. For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:5-7 AMP

I am a child of God

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God. Romans 8:14-16 AMP

Often before I start my morning devotions I sing No Longer Slaves from Bethel Music. I love singing loudly, "I am no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God." What a great declaration to make at the beginning of the day. A declaration of who I really am - a child of God. A declaration that because of who we are in Christ Jesus, we have the victory.

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

We belong to God. We are His children. He has made a way for us to come back into relationship with Him, to commune with Him, to sit in His presence and know His love. The bridge of the song, No longer slaves, says...

You split the sea so I could walk right through it
All my fears were drowned in perfect love
You rescued me so I could stand and sing
I am a child of God 

He has made a way where there was seemingly no way for every single person on this earth, including you and me. 

He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own] - His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him. But as many as did receive Him and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name - Who owe their birth neither to blood nor to the will of the flesh [that of physical impulse] nor to the will of man [that of a natural father], but to God. [They are born of God!]. John 1:11-13 AMP

Question for today, are we living out of this knowledge that we are children of God? Are we living in the freedom that He has won for us? Another part of the song says,

We've been liberated from our bondage
We're the sons and daughters, let us sing our freedom

Today, let's make the declaration, "I am no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God." And let's ask God to show us how to really live out of that truth.

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4 NLT

Protection

The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers. Psalms 34:7 AMP

Have you ever had that experience of seeing God's physical protection in your life? A situation occurs which could have ended badly had it not been for 'someone' protecting you and your possessions?

We had that experience on Tuesday night. About 2.30am my husband woke me and said look out the window. Our front gate was wide open and one of my car doors was open. With slight trepidation we went downstairs and outside, unsure what (or who) we would find. Thankfully no one was there and everything was untouched, including my ipad in the car.

After a few moments, I realised that after coming home late on Tuesday night from a meeting, in our hurry to get the children to bed, we had left the gate open, and left the car door open! An open invitation to any passers by. We were grateful for the protection of those angels encamped here. Needless to say last night we made sure everything was locked up.

Whilst we experienced (and are very grateful) for God's physical protection, and the reminder to be good stewards of what He has given us, this experience has also reminded me of other areas of our lives that need protecting. In particular our hearts. God encourages us to guard our heart.

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 AMP

We need to be alert to what we are exposing our hearts too, and the burdens we chose to carry, rather than surrendering them to God.

But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [this business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose; for it will come upon all who live upon the face of the entire earth. Luke 21:34-35 AMP

I don't know why we sometimes feel the need to hang on to burdens rather than surrender them - maybe it is the need to be in control, rather than trust God with them. Learning to trust Him in all things is such a huge journey - our life's journey. To move forward in this journey, I guess we just have to do what He tells us.

Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man. Luke 21:36 AMP

Because of Jesus death and resurrection, we are able to stand in His presence today. We are able to experience His grace that enables us to keep moving forward on this journey of learning how to trust Him more each day. We are able to keep better guard of our hearts.

Question for today, how are you going with protecting your heart? Do you struggle, like me, with holding on to burdens that are not ours to hold on to? Today lets make a decision to give those burdens to Jesus, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us leave them with Jesus. Let's take another step forward in learning how to live God's way.

And now [brethren], I commit you to God [I deposit you in His charge, entrusting you to His protection and care]. And I commend you to the Word of His grace [to the commands and counsels and promises of His unmerited favour]. It is able to build you up and to give you [your rightful] inheritance among all God's set-apart ones (those consecrated, purified, and transformed of soul). Acts 20:32 AMP

Where are you looking for help?

The Lord looks from heaven, He beholds all the sons of men; From His dwelling place He looks [intently] upon all the inhabitants of the earth - He Who fashions the hearts of them all, Who considers all their doings. Psalm 33:13-15 AMP

Today lets think about 'looking' - who is looking at us? Where are we looking? Where do we need to be looking?

The Lord is looking at us. He is watching to see what we will do, how we will react to circumstances, trials and tribulations. He waits to see if we will flee, or stand.

One thousand of you will flee at the threat of one of them; at the threat of five you will flee till you are left like a beacon or a flagpole on the top of a mountain, and like a signal on a hill.

Isaiah 30:17 AMP

Why is He looking? Because He wants to be gracious to us, have mercy on us and show us His loving-kindness. He created us. He loves us.

And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Isaiah 30:18a AMP

So what about us, where are we looking? 

As for us, our eyes yet failed and wasted away in looking for our worthless help. In our watching [on our watchtower] we have watched and waited expectantly for a nation [Egypt or some other one to come to our rescue] that could not save us. Lamentations 4:17 AMP

Are we looking for worthless help? Or are we learning to look for help where Jesus looked. 

Then He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass; and He took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and blessed and broke the loaves and handed the pieces to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. Matthew 14:19 AMP

He looked up. He looked to heaven.

And looking up to heaven, He sighed as He said, Ephphatha, which means, Be opened! And his ears were opened, his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak distinctly and as he should. Mark 7:34 AMP

And grace, mercy and loving-kindness came down from heaven.

Questions for today, where are you looking for your help today? Do you know that you have a Heavenly Father who is expecting, looking and longing to be gracious to you today? He just wants us to stop and look to Him. Let's do it.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favour, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! Isaiah 30:18b AMP

O Lord

Hear, O Lord, have mercy and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper! You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, to the end that my tongue and my heart and everything glorious within me may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:10-11 AMP

For me, these three verses describe the process of drawing closer to God and understanding more of His love for us. Let's have a closer look at them.

Firstly, we find ourselves in that place of desperation, with only one option left - God. We cry out to Him - it may be a whisper, it may be a scream.

Hear, O Lord, have mercy and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper. Psalm 30:10 AMP

As I am writing this, my ipod shuffle is playing the Hillsong worship song, I surrender!  Yet another reminder from the Holy Spirit, that He wants us to always let God have His way in our lives. To let Him really be Lord of our lives.

Once we call out and surrender, then can God do the work in our heart. He can make changes in us. 

You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have put off my sackcloth and girded my with gladness. Psalm 30:11 AMP


God helps us to see His perspective. Even (or maybe especially) when our circumstances don't change, He changes the way we view our circumstances and the way we view other people in our lives. The Message Bible puts it this way,

You did it; you changed wild lament into whirling dance; You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers. Psalm 30:11 The Message

And when that change takes place, freedom comes. Freedom to be, freedom to live and freedom to love. Every part of your being does want to praise God as you get this greater revelation of His love and grace towards us.

To the end that my tongue and my heart and everything glorious within me may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever. Psalm 30:12 AMP

So we find ourselves in a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father - exactly where He wants us to be. Our hearts have a little more understanding that we cannot live fully unless we live His way and let Him indeed be Lord of our lives.

And what's more, every time we go through this process of surrendering, letting Him change our hearts, praising and thanking Him, our relationship goes deeper still. Our revelation grows. We are able to receive more of God's love for us. Gratitude is continually on our lips.

I'm about to burst with song; I can't keep quiet about you. GOD, my God, I can't thank you enough.
Psalm 30:12 The Message

Question for today, Are you in the middle of this process right now? I think if our relationship with God is growing, we will always be somewhere in this process - either surrendering, letting Him change us and praising Him. So let's not be afraid to be in this process, let's embrace it, and let God do His good work in us.

I, Simon Peter, am a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God's straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you may times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.
2 Peter 1:1-2 The Message

Denying oneself

And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me]. Mark 8:34 AMP

How difficult is it for us to deny ourselves? Or as this expanded version of the scripture says, to forget, ignore, disown, lose sight of ourselves and our interests? The Message Bible puts it this way,

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat. Mark 8:34a The Message

I had an interesting conversation with one of my daughters this week. She was determined to attain a certain role. The challenge was that she had very little control over whether she gained the role. In talking about it with her I suggested that she surrender the whole idea and process to God and trust Him for the right outcome. And that if this role didn't work out, there would be other opportunities in the future.

Well, that answer didn't sit well with her, she responded something like, "No Mum, I want this role, I am not going to just pray and let God decide." My heart went out to her, how honest she was.

We then had a little conversation about the desires of our heart, where they come from and what happens to them when we wait for God's timing.

[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Philippians 2:13 AMP

God has put those desires in our heart, and He has given us the gifts and talents to support those desires. We just have to be patient and stay close to Him.

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Psalm 37:4 AMP

She wasn't completely convinced, but we prayed and she went to sleep. 

The next morning, she said to me, 'You know Mum, if I don't get that role, I am going to act like I have it anyway.' 

Yes! God had done a work in her heart over night, and now she knew that the 'role' wasn't an end in itself, it was the attitude with which she went about her daily life that mattered. She didn't need to be given the 'role' to use the gifts and talents God had bestowed on her. 

Look what happens when we deny ourselves - God can work in our heart and then more effectively use us for His purposes. What a great reminder this was to me. Thank you Jesus.

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of your wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34 NLT

Question for today, how are you going at denying yourself and laying down you own interests to ensure they align with God's purpose and plan for your life? It is hard because we do love to be 'in the driver's seat'. I find it is a daily event, sometimes hourly, to relinquish (often very reluctantly) control. But what a blessing when I do, when that beautiful peace of God comes into my life. 

Today, let's ask God to show us what we need to deny and lay down, so He can do what He wants to do in our life today, and live out of His plan and His peace.

Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament), strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it). Hebrews 13:20-21 AMP

Tranquility

My son, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you. Proverbs 3:1-2 AMP

Tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death] - that is one thing I yearn for. Some days it is there, but other days the entire idea of tranquility seems to be a hugely foreign concept. Yesterday was one such day! My mind spent most of the day going through various options to resolve a situation, exhausting myself in the process. I certainly wasn't heeding this scripture .....

Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil. It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones. 
Proverbs 3:7-8 AMP

The Message Bible puts it this way

Don't assume you know it all. Run to GOD! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Proverbs 3:7-8 AMP

My nerves were frazzled. I wasn't vibrating with life. I was striving, rather than resting and handing over my concerns to Jesus, and leaving them with Him. I needed time to sit and be still, but my day was so full - even the 10 minutes to sit in my car at school pick up and read a devotion had evaded me. 

Finally, just after 9pm, in the car by myself, with some worship music on, I was at last able let go of the striving, and let God (not Wendy) be Lord of my life. Tranquility - inward and outward. A tranquility that enabled me to hear clearly not only things about my own life, but for another as well. Thank you Jesus.

So my learning from the day - stop, take captive those thoughts (strivings) immediately, submit them to the Lord, and wait for His response. Don't keep trying to work it out myself after praying and "surrendering" it.  I need to improve my 'casting'.

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 AMP

I know God has been trying to teach me this lesson for a while. And I know I will most likely fail at it again in the future, but hopefully less times than in the past. Thankfully He loves me (and you) and doesn't give up on me (or you).

Question for today, are you lacking tranquility in your life? Are you casting your cares completely, or like me doing a partial cast, still wanting to hold onto the line? If yes, let's take time today to have a conversation with God about 'why' we are struggling to cast our cares completely. What is it in us that is holding us back from living out of His tranquility? 

My prayer for us today ....

The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually). Numbers 6:26 AMP