The Source

Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life], and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through and by Whom are all things and through and by Whom we [ourselves exist]. 1 Corinthians 8:6 AMP

When Ken and I got married there was one income earner - me. It pretty much remained that way for the first five years of our marriage, until by the grace of God I became pregnant. Very quickly it became obvious that there was going to have to be some changes! What an interesting, unforgettable time that was.

Out of that time though, I learnt two very important lessons. Firstly God is always on time, never early, never late. A few weeks after Marshall was born and we were left with only one weeks savings, Ken had a business idea. A business idea that is still providing for us 13 years later! Wonder where that idea came from?

This leads to me the second important thing I learnt during that time, that God is the Source our income. Ken is not. He is a vessel that God can use, if Ken is willing and obedient (as is the same for each of us.) 

This revelation has meant that many times over the years when I have been frustrated about our finances, the first place I have gone to talk about it hasn't  been Ken, but rather God. After all, He is the Source, and it is always better to go directly to the Source. 

Sometimes after my chat with God, I will talk with Ken about our finances. But most of the time though, after the conversation with God, I come back to a place of trusting that He is on the job. He shows me that it was fear rising up in me and that no conversation with Ken is necessary. 

What a lot of arguments have been avoided since getting the revelation that God is my Source. Of course I am not perfect, fear does still come sometimes and there are arguments, but not as many as there were.

Over the recent years I have come to understand more and more that God is the only Source that really meets our emotional needs, as well as our practical needs.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the  Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement) 2 Corinthians 1:3 AMP

And that in Christ, when we are comforted, we can then comfort others ....

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT

So to sum up, I have had some big lessons to help me  understand Who my Source is, and am daily continuing to hand over all my needs and our family's needs to God. Learning to always look to Him in everything.

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 AMP

Question for today, who are you looking to as the Source for things in your life? It comes down to a question of trust - who are you trusting to bring good into your life? Who are you trusting to bring the changes that are needed into your life? Today, why not take some time to ask God to help bring you to the place of knowing, really knowing, that He is the Source for everything good in your life.

Finally, brethren, farewell (rejoice)! Be strengthened (perfected, completed, made what you ought to be); be encouraged and consoled and comforted; be of the same [agreeable] mind one with another; live in peace, and [then] the God of love [Who is the Source of affection, good will, love and benevolence toward men] and the Author and Promoter of peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 AMP

 

He has a plan

Sometimes our lives can look like this photo, filled with things that are seemingly blocking our future. Annoying branches that slow us down as we try to move forward. Clouds that obscure our vision. But as we battle the branches and walk beneath the clouds, we need to always remember God's words ...

I know what I'm doing, I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you home for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me." Jeremiah 29:11-13 The Message

He is always there. Even if He only appears to be a glimmer in the distance. Again, His word tells us, 

Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. GOD, you God, is with you every step you take." Joshua 1:9 The Message

It is on these days, or in these months and sometimes years that we have to trust that He has a plan, even when we don't understand it.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

It has been my experience that over time, even though the branches and clouds may still be there, our desire for, and focus on Him grows and grows. The branches and clouds become 'background noise'. God and His majesty take centre stage. And we know, that we know, that we know, He has a plan.

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

Question for today, is there something in your life that is causing you to doubt that God has a plan for you, a good plan for you? If yes, I encourage you to take time to read, read and re-read this scripture daily, asking God to help you believe that this is a truth for your life. He loves you and His plan for you is good.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon Me, and your will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 AMP

Humble, pray, seek and repent

And my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health. From now on I'm alert day and night to the prayers offered at this place. Believe me, I've chosen and sanctified this Temple that you have built: My Name is stamped on it forever; my eyes are on it and my heart in it always. 2 Chronicles 7:14 The Message

Today, let's humble ourselves, pray, seek His presence and turn away from our thoughts, actions and words that don't line up with His heart. 

Today, as we sit on the other side of the world, somewhat removed from terrorist activity, political and economic instability, let's pray for this world. Bobbie Houston in her book, The Sisterhood says,

"I believe that the weapon the church of Jesus Christ must bring to this current global table of unrest and crisis is prayer. It's a weapon that many outside of the faith may never truly understand nor ever appreciate - but regardless of whether they do or don't, prayer is what engages the spiritual realm that is so often at the core and cause of today's problems." (Bobbie Houston, excerpt from Chapter 21 - The Sisterhood)

Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). Ephesians 6:18 AMP

The Message Bible puts it this way,

In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:18 The Message

Throughout today, whenever prompted by the Holy Spirit, let's pray for this world, that we will humble ourselves and seek our Heavenly Father in all we do.

If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:14 AMP

Holy Spirit

[It is] the Spirit of God that made me [which has stirred me up], and the breath of the Almighty that gives me life [which inspires me]. Job 33:4 AMP

The Spirit of God.....

So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 NIV

.... by His Spirit ....

It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life. John 6:63 AMP

.... The Spirit Who gives life ...

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 5:5 AMP

.... The Holy Spirit has been given to us ...

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! Romans 8:14-15 AMP

Question for today, the Holy Spirit - what does He mean to you in your day to day life? How does He impact what you do and how you do it? Let's welcome Him into our day and be led by Him today.

This worship song - Holy Spirit you are welcome here - by Kim Walker Smith is a great way to surrender and invite the Holy Spirit to guide you through the day.

Jesus' prayer for us

Something a bit different today. A passage to meditate on and ask God how it applies to you. It is part of Jesus' prayer to God the Father in John 17. I suggest that as you read this scripture, have a pen and paper near by and write down what God says to you. He loves you and He loves all He created. He wants to see every person reconciled and restored back to Himself, living life abundantly - in Jesus Name.

I have given and delivered to them Your word (message) and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world [do not belong to the world], just as I am not of the world. 

I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world. 

Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 

And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth. 

Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching. 

That they all may be one [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.

I have given to them the glory and honour which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one; I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognise that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me.

John 17:14-23 AMP

And one more passage to meditate on ....

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lamp-stand and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble and good deeds and recognise and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 AMP

Our world needs to see God's light.

Desire for God's word

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 AMP

There are many things we can choose to read today - the latest update on our elections, the news of chaos in so many parts of the world, facebook or other social media posts, or a 'light' read to help us escape the realities of this world. Whatever you choose to read today, I encourage you to read God's word too. It brings us life.

And Jesus replied to him, It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone but by every word and expression of God. Luke 4:4 AMP

A few years after I became a Christian my daily bible reading started to become very spasmodic. I certainly wasn't reading my bible every day. I was far from purposeful in reading God's word. I tried various reading plans but was unable to stick to any of them. As I didn't want to be religious about reading the bible every day, so I just let it go. 

And then life changed with Victoria's diagnosis, I was in desperate need of God, and I started to read His word every day. I found comfort, encouragement, understanding, love and much much more in His word. Over recent years that desperation has changed to a wonderful desire. A desire and expectation to  see how God is going to speak to me through His word each day. It really has become what sustains me.

I pray that you don't have to have the sort of wake up call that I needed, to increase your desire for God's word. But my question for today is, where do you honestly think your desire for God's word is at? Is there room for more? If so, why not ask God to give you that desire and show you how to implement that desire in your life?

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

Fresh Strength

But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. Isaiah 40:31 The Message

What a beautiful phrase, fresh strength. But you know it is more than a phrase, it is a gift that God is offering to us today. To you. To me.  All we need to do is trust Him.

Oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him - endless energy, boundless strength. Ephesians 1:19 The Message

Trust that He will provide all we need. Trust that He has a bigger plan and it is good. Trust that He loves us no matter what we do, or don't do. Trust that Jesus did die for us so we could have a daily relationship with our heavenly father now, and eternal life. Trust that Jesus did come so that we could live life to the full. 

I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength - that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breath! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19 The Message 

Trust that His strength will sustain us no matter what is going on and for as long as it takes to see the manifestation of His power. Keep trusting.

We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. Colossians 1:11-12 The Message

Question for today, do you need some of God's fresh strength? If yes, take a moment to humble yourself, ask for His strength in you, and receive it. Be expectant that He will give you all you need to get through this day, and to actually thrive in this day.

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from GOD, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. Psalm 121:1-2 The Message