She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Saviour], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end of scope of life, which is God]. Matthew 1:21 AMP
Today, some scriptures to meditate on. Be expectant that God will reveal more of the truth about His Son to you.
There are also many other signs and miracles which Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book. But these are written (recorded) in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of God, and that through believing and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name [through Who He is]. John 20:30-31 AMP
Believing and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him - what does that mean practically in our lives, in our thoughts, words and actions?
Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. Romans 8:36-37 AMP
Because of Jesus we are more than conquerors, and have a surpassing victory in every area of our lives. Some times we have to declare this in faith while we wait for the manifestation. Let's ask God for the strength and faith to make that declaration today and every day.
But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!
Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:7-11 AMP
Jesus - the name above all names. Let's choose to lift His name high today, above everything, declaring His goodness and faithfulness over every circumstance. There is no other name.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Thursday, June 16, 2016
The refining process - are we yielding?
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will hear and answer them. I will say, It is My people; and they will say, The Lord is my God. Zechariah 13:9 AMP
Have you been through God's refining process lately? I think we are in that refining process every day. However, in my experience there are definitely times when there is some 'heavy heart refining' going on.
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tries the hearts. Proverbs 17:3 AMP
Job had a sense of God's bigger plan and His intimate knowledge of each of us.
But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for is, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. Job 23:10 AMP
Sometimes when we enter the major refining season, we don't even realise that is what is happening. All we see is negative circumstances. It can take a while to lift our eyes and see above the trial, and see that God has a greater purpose. He is working in our hearts, refining them. Purifying us to be full of uncluttered love for Him. In those times, He wants us to do as Job did.
My foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned aside. I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed and treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary good. Job 23:11-12 AMP
Job knew he had to stick with God.
For us, imperfect people, we need to do the same. Each day, regardless of what is going on, we need to make the choice to say Yes to God, and Yes to His refining process. We need to yield if we want to even come slightly close to reaching the goal of living as Christ lived on earth.
[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] that is possibly I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Philippians 3:10-11 AMP
Questions for today, has God got you in a 'heavy heart refining' process right now? Are you yielding to Him or pushing away, saying 'it is too hard' ? If you are pushing away, why not ask God this morning to help you yield and give Him permission to do the refining work He has planned for you. He will answer you personally because He loves you more than you can imagine.
I'll deliver the surviving third to the refinery fires. I'll refine them as silver is refined, test them for purity as gold is tested. Then they'll pray to me by name and I'll answer them personally. I'll say, 'That's my people.' They'll say, 'GOD - my God!' Zechariah 13:9 The Message
Have you been through God's refining process lately? I think we are in that refining process every day. However, in my experience there are definitely times when there is some 'heavy heart refining' going on.
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tries the hearts. Proverbs 17:3 AMP
Job had a sense of God's bigger plan and His intimate knowledge of each of us.
But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for is, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. Job 23:10 AMP
Sometimes when we enter the major refining season, we don't even realise that is what is happening. All we see is negative circumstances. It can take a while to lift our eyes and see above the trial, and see that God has a greater purpose. He is working in our hearts, refining them. Purifying us to be full of uncluttered love for Him. In those times, He wants us to do as Job did.
My foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned aside. I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed and treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary good. Job 23:11-12 AMP
Job knew he had to stick with God.
For us, imperfect people, we need to do the same. Each day, regardless of what is going on, we need to make the choice to say Yes to God, and Yes to His refining process. We need to yield if we want to even come slightly close to reaching the goal of living as Christ lived on earth.
[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] that is possibly I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Philippians 3:10-11 AMP
Questions for today, has God got you in a 'heavy heart refining' process right now? Are you yielding to Him or pushing away, saying 'it is too hard' ? If you are pushing away, why not ask God this morning to help you yield and give Him permission to do the refining work He has planned for you. He will answer you personally because He loves you more than you can imagine.
I'll deliver the surviving third to the refinery fires. I'll refine them as silver is refined, test them for purity as gold is tested. Then they'll pray to me by name and I'll answer them personally. I'll say, 'That's my people.' They'll say, 'GOD - my God!' Zechariah 13:9 The Message
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
The joy of the Lord
And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold. Nehemiah 8:10b
How, in the midst of difficult times, does the joy of the Lord become our strength? I believe 1 Thessalonians gives us a clue ...
And you [set yourselves to] become imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord himself, for you welcomed our message in [spite of] much persecution, with joy [inspired] by the Holy Spirit; 1 Thessalonians 1:6 AMP
The Message Bible puts it this way, from verse 5
When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions. You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit! - taking the trouble with joy, the joy with the trouble. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 The Message
We become imitators of Christ. We stay close to Jesus. We learn how Jesus responded in the difficult times. We do the same. We lay it all down and say,'God, not my will, but Yours'.
And going a little further, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire. Matthew 26:39 AMP
We listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We listen and obey. We let Him access our heart and teach us to look at things from His eternal perspective, not our 'five minute' perspective. We accept that He is sovereign and He has a bigger purpose.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom from the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. The will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV
We read His word, and we read His word, and we read His word.
Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words were to be a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16 AMP
Question for today, are you looking for the joy of the Lord to be your strength? If so, why not take some time today to meditate on the scriptures above, and ask God to show you what, in your life, needs adjustment to allow His joy to reign in you? But be patient, as in my experience, this is a daily process that can take a while - don't be discouraged if it doesn't happen overnight, keep asking and keep adjusting.
How, in the midst of difficult times, does the joy of the Lord become our strength? I believe 1 Thessalonians gives us a clue ...
And you [set yourselves to] become imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord himself, for you welcomed our message in [spite of] much persecution, with joy [inspired] by the Holy Spirit; 1 Thessalonians 1:6 AMP
The Message Bible puts it this way, from verse 5
When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions. You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit! - taking the trouble with joy, the joy with the trouble. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 The Message
We become imitators of Christ. We stay close to Jesus. We learn how Jesus responded in the difficult times. We do the same. We lay it all down and say,'God, not my will, but Yours'.
And going a little further, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire. Matthew 26:39 AMP
We listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We listen and obey. We let Him access our heart and teach us to look at things from His eternal perspective, not our 'five minute' perspective. We accept that He is sovereign and He has a bigger purpose.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom from the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. The will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV
We read His word, and we read His word, and we read His word.
Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words were to be a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16 AMP
Question for today, are you looking for the joy of the Lord to be your strength? If so, why not take some time today to meditate on the scriptures above, and ask God to show you what, in your life, needs adjustment to allow His joy to reign in you? But be patient, as in my experience, this is a daily process that can take a while - don't be discouraged if it doesn't happen overnight, keep asking and keep adjusting.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Encouraging last words
Our Master Jesus has his arms wide open for you.
And I love all of you in the Messiah, in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 16:23-24 The Message
As you have probably gathered, I love God's word. And one of the things I really love is the way Paul finishes his letters, with messages of hope, love and encouragement. Messages that every time I read them make me think, wow, thank you Jesus for loving me and giving me life.
May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh yes! Galatians 6:18 The Message
Oh yes indeed - what a prayer. Let's receive that today.
Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves. Philippians 4:23 The Message
We know from what we read about Paul that he had a handle on grace. He had experienced God's grace first hand in a big way. And he never forgot what Jesus had done for him.
Good-bye, friends. Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ. Ephesians 6:23-24 The Message
Pure grace - something that is so difficult for us to understand, until we, like Paul have an experience of it. But it is available to us every day, so let's not ignore it or discount it, let's receive it.
The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. 2 Corinthians 13:13-14 The Message
Paul understood who the Holy Spirit is and the power He bought into his life. He knew how to submit to Him and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Something we too, need to be constantly asking God to help us do.
In some of his letters, Paul finished with some quite definite instructions, that again are so relevant to us today ....
And oh, my dear Timothy, guard the treasure you were given! Guard it with your life. Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of so-called experts. People caught up in a lot of talk can miss the whole point of faith. Overwhelming grace keep you! 1 Timothy 6:20-21 The Message
Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don't end up with nothing to show for their lives. Titus 3:14 The Message
But Paul's overall message is one of grace - grace that is sufficient for us, every day, in every thing we do. So today, let's choose to both receive grace and be givers of grace, in Jesus Name.
All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the very last letter. All our praise is focussed through Jesus on this incomparably wise God! Yes! Romans 16:25-27 The Message
And I love all of you in the Messiah, in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 16:23-24 The Message
As you have probably gathered, I love God's word. And one of the things I really love is the way Paul finishes his letters, with messages of hope, love and encouragement. Messages that every time I read them make me think, wow, thank you Jesus for loving me and giving me life.
May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh yes! Galatians 6:18 The Message
Oh yes indeed - what a prayer. Let's receive that today.
Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves. Philippians 4:23 The Message
We know from what we read about Paul that he had a handle on grace. He had experienced God's grace first hand in a big way. And he never forgot what Jesus had done for him.
Good-bye, friends. Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ. Ephesians 6:23-24 The Message
Pure grace - something that is so difficult for us to understand, until we, like Paul have an experience of it. But it is available to us every day, so let's not ignore it or discount it, let's receive it.
The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. 2 Corinthians 13:13-14 The Message
Paul understood who the Holy Spirit is and the power He bought into his life. He knew how to submit to Him and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Something we too, need to be constantly asking God to help us do.
In some of his letters, Paul finished with some quite definite instructions, that again are so relevant to us today ....
And oh, my dear Timothy, guard the treasure you were given! Guard it with your life. Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of so-called experts. People caught up in a lot of talk can miss the whole point of faith. Overwhelming grace keep you! 1 Timothy 6:20-21 The Message
Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don't end up with nothing to show for their lives. Titus 3:14 The Message
But Paul's overall message is one of grace - grace that is sufficient for us, every day, in every thing we do. So today, let's choose to both receive grace and be givers of grace, in Jesus Name.
All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the very last letter. All our praise is focussed through Jesus on this incomparably wise God! Yes! Romans 16:25-27 The Message
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Let's be near to God
Yesterday I was reading this scripture ....
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love [for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him]. Song of Songs 2:4 AMP
What a beautiful picture - love waving over our head as a protecting and comforting banner.
And then look at the next few words, 'when I was near him'.
We always have a choice, to draw near to God or to move away from Him. He is always there, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We are the ones who move and change.
The words Charlotte chose to write on that picture above (that she made for me last year and is now laminated and on my desk), remind me of that choice .... 'God is with you and I hope you are with him to.' Every time I read it I think, 'Yes Charlotte, you are right, I need to be with God, every day.'
Sometimes we do feel like running away, especially when it looks like prayers aren't being answered. But those times are when we need to press in more to God. Ask Him what is going on. Ask Him what we need to change. Make the declaration, loud and clear - 'I am trusting You alone God to sort this out'. These are the times when we are given an opportunity for our faith to rise.
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. Hebrews 11:6 AMP
The Message Bible puts it this way,
It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 The Message
It is always a good choice to come nearer to God.
Question for today, are you choosing to draw nearer to God regardless of what is happening around you? Are you going to choose to be near Him, with his banner of love and protection over you?
He has lifted up a horn for His people [giving them power, prosperity, dignity and preeminence], a song of praise for all His godly ones, for the people of Israel, who are near to Him. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Psalm 148:14 AMP
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Peace to you!
Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening, though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace to you! So saying, He showed them His hands and His side. And when the disciples saw the Lord they were filled with joy (delight, exultation, ecstasy, rapture). John 20:19-20 AMP
Can you remember a time in your life when you lacked peace? It may have been years ago, or yesterday, or maybe even today. You may have felt tense, agitated, unsettled or despondent. These are all feelings that Jesus came to give us freedom from.
Now while they were talking about this, Jesus Himself took His stand among them and said to them, Peace (freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin) be to you! Luke 24:36 AMP
Every day, every moment, we have the opportunity to cast our cares on to Jesus, and receive His peace in return.
Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). Psalm 55:22 AMP
Here is how The Message version puts it
Pile your troubles on GOD's shoulders - he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin. Psalm 55:22 The Message
Sometimes though, and I don't know why, we have trouble giving those burdens, those troubles, completely to God. So in the process of learning how to completely surrender them to Him, we often have to make a choice to continually surrender them, until we hold them no more. I suppose, once again, it comes down to the issue of trust. Are we really able to trust that God has it sorted and He will help us out?
Question for today, is there something that is robbing you of peace, that you are having difficulty putting (and leaving) on God's shoulders? Let's take some time to ask God for forgiveness for not fully trusting Him, and then give that situation to Him for the last time. If tomorrow you feel that peace going, remind yourself, "No, I am not going to let go of this peace. I have given that situation to God. He has it, He is helping me, He is for me."
Do not fret or have anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 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 4:6-7 AMP
Finally this is a beautiful worship song that I often play in times of needing to receive more of God's peace in my life - The Benediction by Matt Redman.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Who has all the answers?
Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.
Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favour that God has to ask his advice?
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything always ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Romans 11:33-36 The Message
Today, let's choose to yield to Him and His ways. Let God be God of our lives.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)! Romans 11:33 AMP
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