For my thoughts are not your thoughts

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither 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 and your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 AMP

How good is it to know that the Lord's thoughts and His ways, are not the same as ours? They are much higher. I find that so comforting to know that God has an overarching plan that we know virtually nothing of (other than the end outcome). That scripture seems to take the pressure off when we don't understand, and can't work it out. It brings us back to a position of trust and awe of our God. A position that both Moses and Jesus knew very well.

And they sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying, Mighty and marvellous are Your works, O Lord God the Omnipotent! Righteous (just) and true are Your ways, O Sovereign of the ages (King of the nations)! Revelations 15:3 AMP

Question for today, is there something going on in your life that you don't understand? Why not take some time to meditate on Isaiah 55:8,9 and ask God to speak to you through this scripture. The Message Bible puts it this way,

"I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." GOD's decree. "For as the sky soars high above the earth, so the way I work surpasses the way your work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think." Isaiah 55:8,9 The Message

Let's pray, Thank you Lord that your thoughts are not our thoughts, and that your ways are not ours. Thank you that you are holy and pure. Thank you that you are trustworthy and faithful. Please help us to continue to trust you when we don't understand what is going on. Please help us to live in reverent fear and awe of You. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

The Lord will bless His people with peace

The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11

This morning during my devotions time I felt the Lord speak this scripture into my heart. At the time I felt He was addressing an anxiety that has been around for the past few days. But within an hour of spending that quiet time with God, our morning erupted into choas from a single event. As I drove away from our home frustrated, asking myself, how does this happen? How can we go from a peaceful environment to a chaotic environment in a matter of seconds?

The answer is quite simple - six very different people living in one house together! Six people, all very strong in character, who have each developed some very immature defence mechanisms (including me). 

By the time I had dropped the children at school, my head was clear enough to remember the scripture God had spoken to me this morning - the Lord will bless His people with peace. How thankful my heart was to know that the Lord was willing to bless me with His peace. His peace that transcends  all understanding.

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

It took another 20 minutes or so, some difficult conversation, asking forgiveness, showing grace, and then I felt that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation. The difference between those two feelings - the frustrated, wrylled heart, vs the tranquil, peaceful heart, is so vast. I am so grateful for a God that is willing to stick with us and bless us with His peace, so we don't have to stay in that state of frustration and angst.

Questions for today, is there something in your life that is causing you ansgt, leading to a lack of peace in your heart? Do you believe that God will bless His people - you and me - with peace? If you have any doubts about this truth, why not try meditating on these three scriptures. And then ask God to bless you with His peace.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes]. The Lord [be] with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 AMP

While I live will I praise the Lord

While I live will I praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have any being. Psalm 146:2 AMP

Sometimes we don't feel like praising God, especially when things in our lives are seemingly going awry. The Bible tells us it is good to sing praises to our God, that praise is becoming and appropriate.

Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God, for He is gracious and lovely; praise is becoming and appropriate. Psalm 147:1 AMP

It can be difficult to make the choice to 'sing praises' when all you want to do is scream, cry and ask why? It has taken me many years of learning what God does in our hearts when we make the choice to praise Him. And from my experience, I have never regretted making the choice to 'sing praises'. Over the years I have gradually learnt to make that one of my default positions when the trials and troubles come.  When we start to praise God, our focus shifts from us and our situation, to Him. We start to think about Who God is and what He has done for us. For me it is always the start of a deeper surrender to God and His love for me.

Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. Philippians 3:8a AMP

Question for today, is there something that is going on  your life that is making it difficult for you to praise God? Why not ask God to help you to be able to praise Him, despite your circumstances? And see what happens in your heart and mind.

Thank you Jesus that praising you is becoming and appropriate. Thank you for providing us with ways to become more deeply and intimately acquainted with you. Please teach us to praise you all the days of our lives, no matter what is going on.

For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock. And now shall my head be lifted above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Psalm 27:5-6 AMP

Your word is a lamp to my feet

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 AMP

Over the past few days I have been reflecting on our life since January 2011 when Victoria was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I have been thinking about how we can seemingly life live so 'normally' now, knowing that the tumour is still in her brain. Yesterday I shared the following scripture on the Victoria Grace Conqueror blog.

Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him. Proverbs 30:5 AMP

Since sharing that scripture the Holy Spirit has prompted me to look back through all the scriptures He has encouraged me with during this journey, and have shared on the Conqueror blog. When I printed out the page Encouraging Scriptures and counted up the scriptures, do you know what they totalled? 151 scriptures! I haven't done a detailed analysis,  but I am sure that there are some that He has given me more than once. But I did count up the number of Psalms - 38! Again there will be some duplicates.

The constancy of God's word in our life has, I believe, been one of the reasons we have been able to stand, trust and live in hope. It is as Psalm 1 says

Blessed in the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

I am not sharing this with the purpose of boasting in what we have done, but rather to boast of how our God, our Heavenly Father has continually provided us with strength and hope throughout this journey. Of course there have been many moments of doubt, but it has been His word that has encouraged us and lifted us from a place of despair.

The works of His hands are [absolute] truth and justice [faithful and right]; and all His decrees and precepts are sure (fixed, established and trustworthy). They stand fast and are established forever and ever and are done in [absolute] truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant to be forever; holy is His name, inspiring awe, reverence, and godly fear. The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever. Psalm 111:7-10 AMP

Question for today, are you in a place of despair? I encourage you to open your bible and read with expectancy. Expectancy that God will speak to you about your situation through His word. I would encourage you too, to journal the scriptures He gives to you. Then in later months or years you can look back on them and be reminded of how He carried you through the tough times, and get deeper revelation of His love for you.

As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him. Psalm 18:30 AMP

I shall not lack

The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. Psalm 23:1 AMP

Let's think about the phrase 'I shall not lack.' What does that mean to you? What do you feel you lack in your life?
The physical needs - food, shelter, warmth?
Purpose - what is my life about?
Direction - What do I do next?
Protection - in and from my circumstances?
Faith - to believe that God is trustworthy

One thing that I often lack is peace. God's perfect peace. I can get so wound up about my own needs and expectations, that I let frustration and disappointment take over my mind. It can become ugly! I completely forget about God and His plan and purpose for my life. I find myself lacking. I forget to inquire of and require Him. 

O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is not want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear. The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing. Psalm 34:9,10 AMP

Now let's think about the phrase, 'none of them shall lack any beneficial thing.' What does 'beneficial things' mean to you? As I thought about those words, things like peace, joy, love started coming to mind, and then I got revelation of where the Holy Spirit was leading me - to His fruit.

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. Galatians 5:22-23 AMP

Yes, here is a list of 'beneficial things' that I do not want to lack. And by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, we can have these 'beneficial things' in our lives, and continually grow and develop in them.

And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward, walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit]. Galatians 5:24-25 AMP

Amen. Praise God that we do belong to Christ Jesus, and that we can live and walk by the Holy Spirit. We shall not lack in these areas if we press into Him. 

So for me when it comes to a question of lack in my life, God is teaching me, ever so gently, to think about lack in terms of my character. He is re-building me day by day.

But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. James 1:4 AMP

So let's revisit those questions - 

What does 'I shall not lack' mean to you?

What does 'none shall lack any beneficial thing' mean to you?

Today let's ask God for His view, His wisdom, regarding what we lack, and listen and let Him work in our lives.

Timing is the Father's business

He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons [their critical niche in time], which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power. Acts 1:7 AMP

God's timing is perfect. It will happen in God's timing. All in God's timing. How often have you heard these phrases? Sometimes they can be annoying phrases when you are tired of waiting and frustrated that things haven't changed now. Or sometimes you want more time, and want assurance that there will be enough time.

In this passage of scripture Jesus is responding to the apostles who asked one of the big questions.

When they were together for the last time, they asked, "Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?" Acts 1:6 The Message

The Message bible has Jesus response as this.

He told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business." Acts 1:7 The Message

So where does that leave us? In limbo? Not knowing how, when or where? Yes. The only thing we know is the final outcome - eternal life, through salvation.

But we don't have to do the 'waiting' alone and we don't have to do it without purpose. Jesus last words to the apostles here on earth were,

But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. And when He has said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight. Acts 1:8,9 AMP

The Holy Spirit is with us today. He is here to help us, encourage us, teach us and guide us. The Holy Spirit is another expression of God's love for us. An unfathomable love that helps us in the 'waiting' and gives us hope.

Moreover [let us be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 AMP

The 'waiting' can be hard and painful. I know. But the Holy Spirit is here. He is our help and our guarantee. 

Question for today, are you wanting to know God's timing for something or someone? Is the waiting becoming more frustrating and painful? Ask the Holy Spirit to help and encourage you. Maybe He will do it through the scriptures, maybe through a time of worship, maybe through a time of contemplative prayer or maybe through someone's teachings. Just ask Him.

Now He Who has fashioned us [preparing and making us fit] for this very thing is God, Who has given us the [Holy] Spirit as a guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise]. So then, we are always full of good and hopeful and confident courage; we know that while we are at home in the body, we are abroad from the home with the Lord [that is promised us]. For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance. 2 Corinthians 5:5-7 AMP

What are you doing here?

And He said, Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice.

When Elijah heard the voice, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, What are you doing here, Elijah? 1 kings 19:11-13 AMP

Last time I posted on this blog I was watching a storm outside my window. The storm has come and gone and caused havoc. We are now day 3 without electricity - a first world problem, I know, but still an interesting situation. This morning what has struck me is the quietness in our home, no music from the various iPads, no beeping of the washing machine when it finishes it cycle, nor the whirring of the dishwasher as it cleans the dishes for us and no gaming noises from the Xbox. Life has suddenly become simpler. There is now more room to hear that still small voice. The challenge is to stop and listen.

For everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words [in order to heed their teaching] and does them, I will show you what he is like:

He is like a man building a house, who dug and went down deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood arose, the torrent broke against that house and could not shake or move it, because it had been securely built orfounded on a rock. Luke 6:47-48 AMP

And then to learn, so we don't become like the man who built his house without a foundation.

But he who merely hears and does not practice doing My words is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation, against which the torrent burst, and immediately it collapsed and fell, and the breaking and ruin of that house was great. Luke 6:49 AMP

So if God asks us the question, 'what are you doing here?' We can answer with an assurance that we are in the exact place He wants us to be. With Him. Listening to Him. Learning how to live His way. 

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me [Wisdom] finds life and draws forth and obtains favor from the Lord. Proverbs 8:34-35

Learning how to love Him through our words and actions towards others.

Then the King will say to those at His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father [youfavored of God and appointed to eternal salvation], inherit (receive as your own) the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and youbrought Me together with yourselves and welcomed and entertained andlodged Me,

I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Mewith help and ministering care, I was in prison and you came to see Me.

Then the just and upright will answer Him, Lord, when did we see You hungry and gave You food, or thirsty and gave You something to drink?

And when did we see You a stranger and welcomed and entertained You, or naked and clothed You?

And when did we see You sick or in prison and came to visit You?

And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me.

Matthew 25:34-40

Questions for today, if God called out to you and said. 'What are you doing here?' What would you say? When did you last take time to sit and wait for that small still voice? Sometimes it takes a storm and its ruins for us to sit and listen.