Thursday, May 28, 2015

In My Father's house

With gladness and rejoicing will they be brought; they will enter into the King’s palace. Psalm 45:15 AMP

Have you ever been in a palace? I haven't, but I know that there is a King who has a place in His palace just for me and a place just for you.

In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 AMP

It is a place with no sorrow, no mourning, no grief and no pain. 

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 AMP

We have the promise of this place when we receive and accept the truth of who Jesus in and what He has done for us.

Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. John 14:6 AMP

We have a future full of hope, a hope that is God-given.

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. Jeremiah 29:11 AMP

Question for today, with whatever you are facing today, do you know that there is a place for you in heaven? Do you know that God has given you a hope to live out of today? Let's take hold of that hope with both hands and live today as God intended us to live.

But Christ (the Messiah) was faithful over His [own Father’s] house as a Son [and Master of it]. And it is we who are [now members] of this house, if we hold fast and firm to the end our joyful and exultant confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ]. Hebrews 3:6 AMP


Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Jesus on the cross

He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. 

Jesus on the cross.

One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum.

Jesus on the cross.

But the fact is, it was our pains he carried - our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.

Jesus on the cross.

We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures.

Jesus on the cross.

But is was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him - our sins!

Jesus on the cross.

He took the punishment, and that made us whole. 

Jesus on the cross.

Through his bruises we get healed.

Jesus on the cross.

We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. 

And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him.

Jesus on the cross.

Isaiah 53:3-6 The Message
(with my additions of 'Jesus on the cross')


It is my prayer that by the time you read the scripture above, you have a deeper revelation of what Jesus did for you on the cross, and maybe like me you are weeping. Further on in Isaiah 53, the scripture says,

Still, it's what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he'd see life come from it - life, life and more life. And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.
Isaiah 53:10 The Message

And Jesus tells us exactly that in John 10:10

A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so that they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they every dreamed of. John 10:10 The Message

Thank you Jesus that you came and freely gave your life for us so we could be reconciled with our heavenly Father and live a life better than we ever dreamed of. Help us please to be in step with you, Jesus. Amen

GOD wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love - like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. Ephesians 4:15-16 The Message




Saturday, May 23, 2015

He will turn, change and transform

The Lord will sustain, refresh, and strengthen him on his bed of languishing; all his bed You [O Lord] will turn, change, and transform in his illness. Psalm 41:3 AMP

This scripture is a fantastic reminder of what God can do in our times of illness (and I would suggest times of trial too) if we allow Him access to our heart. God not only sustains, refreshs and strengthens us, but He will, if we are willing, turn, change and transform us. He is preparing us for what He has planned.

For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of this passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], 
2 Corinthians 4:17 AMP

Our challenge is to let Him transform us. For me right now I am in the process of letting God transform my thoughts and attitudes regarding one area of my life. I am having to be brave, letting myself be vulnerable and move to a deeper level of trusting God. But I am learning more and more each day, that that is exactly where He wants us to be.

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Romans 12:2 AMP

Sometimes transformation comes quickly, sometimes it comes slowly. Our responsibility is to 'hang in there' and not give up if it is the 'slow' path. We need to keep trusting that God is in control. He knows what He is doing. We have to make a choice to stick with Him.

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

Questions for today, if you are in the middle of an illness or trial, are you relying on God to sustain, refresh and strengthen you? Are you keeping your heart open to allow God to turn, change and transform you in the midst of the illness/trial? 

If you have 'closed off' to what God wants to do in you in that area of your life (as I had), why not ask God to help you 'let Him in' again? He is a gentle, loving God who is ready and willing with all you need.

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

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

The Gospel is bearing fruit

Which has come to you. Indeed, in the whole world [that Gospel] is bearing fruit and still is growing [by its own inherent power], even as it has done among yourselves ever since the day you first heard and came to know and understand the grace of God in truth. [You came to know the grace or undeserved favor of God in reality, deeply and clearly and thoroughly, becoming accurately and intimately acquainted with it.] Colossians 1:6 AMP

As we watch and/or read the mainstream news it can be easy to forget that in the whole world the Gospel is bearing fruit and still is growing. Often the news depicts immense tragedy, violence and little hope. However there are people around the world who are allowing themselves to be used as vessels to share the Gospel, the good news of Jesus. And where there aren't people to share, Jesus is visiting people in dreams. God, our creator, wants every one of His children to be reconciled to Him.

And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross.  Colossians 1:20 AMP

We know Jesus. We know what it is to be in right standing with God, and come to His throne room, sit in His presence and soak in His love. 

And although you at one time were estranged and alienated from Him and were of hostile attitude of mind in your wicked activities, yet now has [Christ, the Messiah] reconciled [you to God] in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His [the Father's] presence. Colossians 1:21-22 AMP

But there are many who don't know God's love and truth for their lives.  There are many who don't know that Jesus died for them.

Question for today, do you know someone who doesn't know and understand that Jesus died for them? Let's pray for the Holy Spirit to speak to them today, maybe through us, through someone else or directly. Because God loves them and wants to be them to be reconciled with Him.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 AMP

Saturday, May 16, 2015

I know where I came from

Jesus answered, Even if I do testify on My own behalf, My testimony is true and reliable and valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. John 8:14 AMP

Jesus knew where He came from and where He was going. Jesus knew where to get direction and instruction from.

So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn]. John 5:19 AMP

Jesus knew who to consult and listen to.

I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord - but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgement is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me. John 5:30 AMP

Jesus knew what power and authority He had been given, where it came from and what it was for.

For even as the Father has life in Himself and is self-existent, so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself and be self-existent. And He has given Him authority and granted Him power to execute (exercise, practice) judgement because He is a Son of man [very man]. John 5:26,27 AMP

Questions for today, do you know where you came from, and where you are going? Who do you go to get direction and instruction from? Who do you consult and listen to? What power and authority do you have and where did it come from?

Let's not live our lives closed off from our source. Let's take time to listen and learn who were are, and what we are here for, just as Jesus did.

For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me. And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day. For this is My Father's will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day. John 6:38-40 AMP

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Fear

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 8:15 AMP

What an important thing to remember - we do not have a spirit of slavery which puts us in bondage to fear. But rather, we have the Spirit of God inside us.  A spirit of power, love, calm and more.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

It can sometimes be a challenge to remind ourselves that we do not have a spirit of fawning fear, especially when we get caught up in the situation and forget about trusting our God, creator of the universe, all knowing, all seeing. This scripture, given to me by a friend, is a good reminder of 'our way'.

But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul. Hebrews 10:39 AMP

Following on from this scripture, the Bible then take us into the faith-building scriptures of Hebrews 11, starting with verse 1.

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Hebrews 11:1 AMP

The Message Bible puts it this way,

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. Hebrews 11:1 The Message

Praise God for faith!

Question for today, are you feeling fearful about a circumstance in your life? If so, meditate on these scriptures, proclaim them out aloud, and ask God to remind you of the Spirit He has given you, and of His way, the way of the faith.

So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? Hebrews 13:6 AMP


Tuesday, May 12, 2015

When I kept silence

When I kept silence [before I confessed], my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long. Psalm 32:3 AMP

I don't know about you, but for me when I have done something wrong and haven't confessed it to God, I feel yuck! I don't feel quite right, and certainly lack peace. I hadn't thought about it in terms of 'bones wasting away' as this psalm says. But it can certainly feel like some part of me is 'wasting away' and I cannot fully be myself until I have taken the time to come before God and talk to Him about it.

I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told] - then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 32:5 AMP

And sometimes I don't know why it takes so long to get to that place of stopping and confessing to God. God already knows what we have thought, said and done. He is not surprised when we confess. It is not new news to Him. Is it the shame and embarrassment that causes us to hold back? Do we forget that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus?

Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] and walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.  Romans 8:1 AMP

Thankfully through Jesus Christ's sacrifice for us, we have right-standing with God, our heavenly Father. We have the opportunity to have an authentic relationship with our creator. Authentic relationships require us to be humble, say sorry and seek forgiveness when we have done wrong.

For this [forgiveness] let everyone who is godly pray - pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely when the great waters [of trial] overflow, they shall not reach [the spirit in] him. Psalm 32:6 AMP

God's grace is sufficient for everything we have done wrong - again there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in, relies on, and confidently learns on the Lord shall be compassed about with mercy and with loving-kindness. Psalm 32:10 AMP

God loves us and wants to help us to mature and grow in our relationship with Him.

Question for today, have you done something wrong and not yet confessed it to God? Is it causing your bones to waste away? If so, why not take time right now to stop and confess it to Him, ask for His forgiveness, and receive His forgiveness. And then be glad and rejoice in His love for you.

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you [uncompromisingly] righteous [you who are upright and in right standing with Him]; shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Psalm 32:11 AMP

Sunday, May 10, 2015

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.


Thursday, May 7, 2015

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 all2 Thessalonians 3:16 AMP

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

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

Saturday, May 2, 2015

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