Keeping our eyes on Him

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. Hebrews 12:2 The Message

You would think that after all we have been through as a family that I would know to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus despite the circumstances. Well yesterday I struggled with doing exactly that. Our daughter was once again in pain, muscles tightening, hindering her mobility. Feeling absolutely hopeless, I asked God for wisdom for what to do, and then went searching on the internet for solutions on managing chronic pain in children. 

And I did find some wisdom there - suggestions that a multidisciplinary approach is required - which is a track I believe God has been leading us down. However I also found a lot of other not so helpful information, painting rather negative pictures of the lives of children living with chronic pain. And that really messed with my mind. I went to bed fearful of what tomorrow would bring - more pain or less pain?

It wasn't until this morning when I sat down to have time with God and He showed me that I was a bit off track! He gently reminded me of these things ....

1. Keep your eyes fixed Me Wendy

2. Live in My strength, not your own

3. I know what is going on and I have the answers

In conclusion,  be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Ephesians 6:10 AMP

Yes, these are all messages He has spoken to me about many times before. Message that I obviously need to keep being reminded of.  

Question for today, is there something going on in your life that you need answers for? Are you, like me, trying to yet again work it out in your own strength? If yes, let's agree to keep our eyes fixed on Him, on Who He is and what He has given us - His love, His grace and His strength.

 

Before we ask

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

Psalm 139:16 The Message

Today I felt God wanted me to share a testimony of just how perfect His preparations are, to encourage you (and me) that whatever is happening now in our lives, is preparation for the future, for both us and who He is planning to bring into our lives.

Eleven years ago we moved from Sydney to Lake Macquarie, as directed by God. He planted us in a great church. I started attending the mums group and connected with some lovely mums. What a blessing they were to me in those early days of motherhood.

Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathising [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble). 1 Peter 3:8 AMP

There was one in particular, who had a husband from New Zealand, common ground for me, and who was a midwife. We travelled through the years of having young children. And then unbeknown to both of us, our lives were about to 'fall apart' for different reasons. She was to be the person who graciously alerted us to there being something very wrong with Victoria. Over the ensuing three years we both pressed into God and grew in our trust of Him as we prayed for restoration in our families.

My steps have held closely to Your paths [to the tracks of the One Who has gone on before]; my feet have not slipped. I have called upon You, O God, for You will hear me; incline Your ear to me and hear my speech. Psalm 17:5-6 AMP

Distance separated us as my friend and her family moved to New Zealand. Our communication was spasmodic, but we were in each other's prayers. I continually find it interesting how praying for and with someone knits people's hearts together.

Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses,  your sins) and pray [also] for one another that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 AMP

About three months ago my friend found out that one of her daughters was unwell. The week that she was to undergo major investigation in a hospital a few hours away from their home, just happened to be the week I was in New Zealand visiting my mum and dad. Without my normal family and other responsibilties I was able to speak and pray with my friend each day as they had tests and more tests and waited for results. Having been in a similar situation I could really empathise, knowing the pain of a mother's heart when your child is seriously ill. 

God knew what support my friend would need that week and He had provided for it, in advance. Just as He had done for us all those years ago when He bought us to Lake Macquarie, planted us at Macquarie Life Church and connected me with this beautiful woman of God. He answered before we asked.

And it shall be that before they call I will answer; and while they are yet speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 AMP

And now I have the privilege of standing with her in prayer for her daughter, using all that God has taught me, to support her and encourage her in this new journey.

For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10 AMP

As I reflect on what God has done in this time, here are some of the key things he has taught me ..... 

1. Stay connected with the body of Christ in a local church.

2.And when in that body, don't isolate yourself, allow yourself to be vulnerable and make connection with people. 

3. When the times of disappointment come, keep talking to God about it, keeping your spirit sweet allowing Him to minister to you.

4. Ask Him to show you what He wants to teach you. 

5. Be open to what He wants you to do with what He has taught you.

6. Keep trusting that He has a plan and it is good.

Thank you Jesus that you don't leave us or forsake us, but that you do have a plan and it is good. Thank you that you do go before us. Thank you that you answer us before we ask. Please help us to keep trusting you no matter what. Thank you that you love us and are faithful always. Amen.

 

God has a plan

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

When life is difficult this is one of my 'go to' verses. Those truths - He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, and He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it - how much comfort do those words bring when the heat is on?

The Amplified Bible expands the second part of the verse ....

But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. 1 Corinthians 10:13b AMP

Basically, He has it all covered. We just need to walk with Him, keep taking every thought and action to Him, asking for wisdom, listening to what He says, doing what He says, and wait with a supernatural abundance of patience.

It sounds so simple. But I know it isn't, we have our own ideas, our own plans and a free will. We have to learn to yield, which is definitely not so simple.

So today, let's thank God for being faithful and for providing all we need for every aspect of our lives, in the past, today and in the future. And let's ask Him to teach us how to better yield to His plans, trusting that He is a good God, always.

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 come through it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Message

Be alert

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. 1 Peter 5:8 The Message

Stay alert. Over the past month there has been a lot going on in our family. We have been alert to somethings, but not to other things - not to the subtle things that can cause distraction, disappointment, disharmony and ultimately disunity - just what the devil wants. Thankfully last night one of our children was alert, and  declared, 'Our family needs prayer'. And they were exactly right.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

So this morning God spoke to be about staying alert to what is happening within our family, and not letting that core responsibility He has blessed me with, be overtaken by other responsibilities. God then reminded me of a conversation I had with a wise woman from church a couple of months after Victoria was diagnosed. I was complaining that Victoria only wanted me to help her, and this woman simply reminded me, 'Of course, you are her mother.' I had to take that response to God and learn that He has given me all I needed to indeed be her mother. And that if I carried that responsibility in His strength, not my own, I would get through.

So that was another example of me needing to stay alert, but this time, being alert to what God was wanting to teach me and change in me. 

Here are some other scriptures in which God tells us to be alert ...

Keep your eyes open for GOD, watch for his works; be alert for the signs of his presence. Psalm 105:4 The Message

Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Isaiah 43:19 The Message

Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing  you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire. Matthew 26:41 The Message

Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Colossians 4:2 The Message

Question for today, how alert are you to what is going on in and around your life? Are you alert to the enemy's plans? Are you alert to God's plans? If like me you get distracted sometimes, repent and ask God to open your eyes to what is going on, and to help you stay alert and see things from His perspective.

Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ - that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. Colossians 3:2 The Message

 

God's love

O praise the Lord, all you nations! 
Praise Him, all you people!
For His mercy and loving-kindness are great towards us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever.
Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)
Psalm 117 AMP

Verse 2 starts, 'for His mercy and loving-kindness are great towards us.'

The Message Bible says it this way, 'His love has taken over our lives.'

There are so many things that can take over our lives - illness, financial pressure, the hurtful words of others, the enemy's lies we believe about ourselves. But what would happen if everyday we truly let His love take over our lives?

Let's have a look at some of the scriptures about His love ....

Give thanks to GOD - he is good and his love never quits. 1 Chronicles 16:34 The Message

God's love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost. Psalm 26:5-6 The Message.

Blessed be God; he didn't turn a deaf ear, he stayed with me, loyal in his love. Psalm 66:20 The Message

Oh, thank GOD - he's so good! His love never runs out. Psalm 107:1 The Message

So thank GOD for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. Psalm 107:8 The Message

Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. 2 Corinthians 5:14 The Message

So here are some characteristics of God's love - it never quits, is meteoric, is loyal, never runs out, is marvelous and it moves us.

Question for today, what will you let take over you today - life and it's ups and downs, or God's love?


Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Ephesians 4:4 The Message

 

His restoration

In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit. Ephesians 2:22 AMP

This morning I find myself reflecting on the restoration God has bought into our lives, especially over these last eight months. 

It is with tears I think about those hours and hours in hospital and what our daughter went through, along with all the other children in there. 

For me, in those years, I found my world and purpose narrowed as I focused completely on getting through that appointment, that treatment, that night.  There was little space emotionally or physically to consider anything outside of that circumstance. It was extremely challenging for me when I was used to being so fully involved in life, with many connections in different places, to suddenly be essentially constrained out of sheer necessity. 

The fellowship with one another all but disappeared except for the core one or two people in my life. Resentment crept in. Continually I had to take that resentment to God and ask Him to help keep my spirit sweet.

So what a joy it has been over the past eight months to see restoration in this area of our lives. For me, I love people, I love being involved in people's lives, bringing encouragement, helping them to look for God in all that is going on in their lives. And over the past eight months God has graciously restored the emotional and physical resources to enable me to do more and more of that. 

But He has done more than restore it, unbeknown to me, in these past five and a half years He has re-built me. The way that I love people and encourage now is different, it comes out of heart that has been broken and glued back together with God's perfect love. A heart that is still not perfect, but filled with a lot more grace than before.  What a blessing to my soul.

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteous, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3 AMP

So why am I sharing this today? I don't really know, it is just what the Holy Spirit has led me to do. I am praying that what I have shared will bring hope to anyone reading this who has had challenging times in their lives and are waiting and believing for God's restoration. 

We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 AMP

 

Being thankful

Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. Hebrews 12:28 The Message

How thankful are we today? I am guessing that there are things in your life, just like there are in mine, that you don't feel very thankful for. But I have learnt if we can lift our eyes and see past those things, there is plenty to be thankful for. Especially God's grace and strength which empowers us to indeed lift our eyes.

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

I believe that being thankful opens the door to seeing more of God's plan for our lives. It is, as Psalm 100 says, like a password,

Enter with the password: "Thank you!"

Make yourselves at home, talking praise.

Thank him. Worship him.

For GOD is sheer beauty,

all-generous in love,

loyal always and ever.

Psalm 100:4-5 The Message 

He is a God who is always worthy of our thanks and praise. David knew that so well.

Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!"

Angels listen as I sing my thanks.

I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: "Thank you!"

Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness;

Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word.

The moment I called out, you stepped in; 

you made my life large with strength.

Psalm 138:1-3 The Message

Question for today, are you able to find 20 things in your life that you are thankful for? Maybe it will only take you a few moments to think of 20 things, maybe it will be a challenge. However it is for you, give God thanks for those things in your life, and ask Him to keep showing you more.

He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough - and he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:16 The Message