The emptiest of places

I will always show you where to go. I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places - firm muscles, strong bones. You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. Isaiah 58:11 The Message

Have you been there, in the emptiest of places?  I have. It is the place where you have the opportunity to meet God in a whole new way. It is the place where scriptures like 1 Corinthians 10:13 become a daily declaration ....

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down, He'll never let you be pushed past your limit, He'll always be there to help you through it. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 The Message

It is a place where God's promises breathe life and hope into you. A place where every word that you read from His word carries truth, that you dare to claim over your life ....

God will always show Wendy where to go.

God will give me a full life in the emptiest of places.

I will be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. 

Maybe it is a timid declaration at first. But as faith rises in you it becomes louder and louder. Eventually speaking louder than your circumstances. The truth of God's word consumes your thinking, and you know that He has a plan and it is for good.

"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. " Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

And you begin to trust God at a whole new level ....

And they who know Your name [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for) You [on the authority of God's Word and the right of their necessity]. Psalm 9:10 AMP

Question for today, are you in one of those emptiest places today? If yes, why not stop, and ask Him to show you where to go. Ask your Heavenly Father to show you how to live a  full life now. And thank Him that you will be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.

The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:11 NLT 

Our God

Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? GOD doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. 

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. 

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 40:28-31 The Message

What does this scripture tell us about God? He is always there. He is stable. He is consistent. He is enough. He knows everything about you. He knows everything about me. He gives us everything we need to keep going when we think we can't. He doesn't give up on us. When we want to sink, He helps us soar. That is our God.

Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. Hebrews 13:15 AMP

He is so worthy of our praise. Today. With whatever is troubling your heart, He is worthy of our praise. With whatever is giving you joy, He is worthy of our praise. With whatever happened yesterday, He is worthy of our praise. With whatever is coming in your day, He is worthy of our praise.

We are not isolated from God, our Heavenly Father. God made a way for us to reconciled to Him, to commune with Him, through Jesus. 

But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned into the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message - just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message. Colossians 1:22-23 The Message

So today, let's not walk away from this gift we have been given. Let's walk towards Him. Let's be in awe of Who He is. Let's call on Him for strength when we need it. Let's dare to dream that He can and He will........

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] - To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). Ephesians 3:20-21 AMP

 

 

Look what God has done

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

A few thoughts today about Who God is, the maker of heaven and earth. Let's take some time to wonder at His majesty and what He did for us ...

Come, let's shout praises to GOD, raise the roof for the Rock who saved us! Let's march into his presence singing praises, lifting the rafters with our hymns!

And why? Because GOD is the best, High King over all the gods. In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns, in the other hand grasps the high mountains. He made Ocean - he owns it! His hands sculpted Earth!

So come, let us worship: bow before him, on your knees before GOD, who made us! Oh yes, he's our God, and we're the people he pastures, the flock he feeds. Drop everything and listen, listen as he speaks. Psalm 95:1-7 The Message

The mighty God that created all we see around us, made us too, as David reminds us in Psalm 139

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 
Psalm 139:13-16 NLT

And what's more, He thinks about us, precious thoughts, and He is always with us.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! Psalm 139:17 NLT

He made a way for us, despite all our failings and mistakes, to be in relationship with Him, and have the promise of living eternally in that beautiful heaven He created.

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. John 3:16 The Message

A truth which takes me right back to Psalm 95:1 -2 ....

 
Come, let's shout praises to GOD, raise the roof for the Rock who saved us! Let's march into his presence singing praises, lifting the rafters with our hymns!

So today, let's take some time out to stop and look at what God has done and shout out praise to Him.


May you be blessed by GOD, by GOD, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 115:15 The Message

Choosing His ways

But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians 5:22-23a The Message

Over the past couple of days we have been reminded again of how living God's way is always the best choice we can make. As Ken and I have had the opportunity to talk to people about our journey with Victoria there have been questions like, 'where does your strength come from?' and 'how can you be so positive?' For us there is only one answer - our faith. Our faith in a God who loves us, gives us strength and provides all our needs. A God who gives us hope each day. A God that we have seen work things together for good in our lives, even when our faith has wavered.

This scripture above so well describes all that God continues to do in us as we chose to live His way .... Affection for others when you don't think circumstances will ever allow that again. An exuberance about life, sometimes small, sometimes great, regardless of what is going on. It is an exuberance birthed out of faith and hope. A serenity that allows you to sleep at night when almost everything in your life is seemingly falling apart - but really it is being broken only to be re-built to enable you to see life more and more through God's eyes. A willingness to not give up, but to stick with what God has given you and wait and see what He will do.

But me, I'm not giving up.

I'm sticking around to see what God will do.

I'm waiting for God to make things right.

I'm counting on God to listen to me.

Micah 7:7 The Message

As we experience pain for a variety of reasons we have grown both in compassion for others and our desire to help as God leads us. We see that people are hurting and in turn hurt. We ask God what we can do to help. All these things happen when we choose to live God's way. 

We have an opportunity every day as we read God's word to learn more and more about how to live His way. 

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Message

Putting it down in black and white, God clearly shows us the choices He wants us to make. We have free will. It is up to us to choose His ways, and they are not always the easy ways, but they are always the best ways.

Question for today, is there an area in your life in which you are struggling to choose to follow God's ways? Why not ask Him right now to help you, to show you why this is a struggle, and what you need to do to move forward. 

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. Colossians 1:9 The Message

Do I really believe this?

God's word is full of so many promises for you and me. It is full of statements of Who God is and what He has done and what He will do. Sometimes it can be difficult for us to fully believe all that is written in His word. 

Today the Holy Spirit has led me to a passage in Psalm 145, with the gentle challenge of reading each verse and asking myself, do I really believe this about God? Do I really believe theses truths for my life?

I invite you to join me in this challenge and if we read a verse that we can't honestly say, 'Yes I believe this,' let's ask God to help us believe. There is no condemnation in asking for God's help, He wants our foundations in Him to be firm and true.

Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal;

you never get voted out of office.

Yes I believe this OR I need help to truly believe this God.

God always does what he says,

and is gracious in everything he does.

Yes I believe this OR I need help to truly believe this God.

God gives a hand to those down on their luck,

gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.

Yes I believe this OR I need help to truly believe this God.

All eyes are on you, expectant;

you give them their meals on time.

Yes I believe this OR I need help to truly believe this God.

Generous to a fault,

you lavish your favor on all creatures.

Yes I believe this OR I need help to truly believe this God.

Everything God does is right—

the trademark on all his works is love.

Yes I believe this OR I need help to truly believe this God.

God's there, listening for all who pray,

for all who pray and mean it.

Yes I believe this OR I need help to truly believe this God.

He does what's best for those who fear him—

hears them call out, and saves them.

Yes I believe this OR I need help to truly believe this God.

God sticks by all who love him,

but it's all over for those who don't.

Yes I believe this OR I need help to truly believe this God.

My mouth is filled with God's praise.

Let everything living bless him,

bless his holy name from now to eternity!

Psalms 145:13-21 The Message

We have a gracious Heavenly Father, who wants us to be in relationship with Him, talk to Him daily, worship Him in all we do and love the people He has put in our lives. To do all those things well, we need to know Him, know what we believe about Him and know that He is faithful and trustworthy.

Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one]. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 AMP

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