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Matthew 6: 9”In this manner, therefore, pray:

‘Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.’”

With gratitude I greet You, Father God, for I am the work of Your hand and the breath of life I have, is because of Your choosing.  I am still very basic material as a person, and by Your intervention and glorious power, I can allow You to mould and change me, so that I more and more reflect Your God given characteristics; in my personal life and in how I interact with other people.  Praise Your glorious and holy name, for I am in great need of being refined in every Christian grace.  Isaiah 64: 8” But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.”

As promised Jesus specifically sent the ‘Helper’ (another name for the Holy Spirit), to  be with every person, and draw them to Himself, so that where He is in heaven we could someday be, (Matt16: 7).  Matthew 16: 8 – 11 “and when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement; of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”  Satan, who at present has sway in the world, by perpetuating sin and death, received his death sentence, when Jesus died for our sins; and the death that attends all sin, because Jesus arose to life again.

It is so good to pray and uphold others who have faith in Christ Jesus, as well as those who have not yet accepted His all-encompassing love.  Colossians 1: 3 “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.”  Then followed a very beautiful message to fellow believers, Colossians 1: 9 – 12 “…..we do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakes of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”  Here is a prayer that covers all our needs as a Christian, walking worthy of God, combined with how God will give abundantly of His treasures, to address our every spiritual need.  I am so encouraged, that God not only loves me beyond imagination, but is more than willing to change and mould me into the type of person, who He can use now in His service, and in that glorious day of redemption, welcome me into His heavenly home.

With the power of God in the life, we can claim right now, the promise of being delivered from the sentence for sin; which should be eternal death.  Colossians 1: 12, 13 “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakes of the inheritance of the saints in the light.  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”   

Oh what joy can be ours in the here and now, whether we live a long life of service for our Master, or a shortened one, due to accident or illness?  Today I claim the words of 1 Corinthians 15; 55, 57 “’O death, where is your sting?  O Hades, where is Your victory?  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I love You Lord,

Amen

 

Dear God, as You know I have woken up feeling a bit ‘blue’, because I allowed myself to dwell on some neglect from someone close.  I missed the feeling of gratitude and joy that I usually feel on a Sabbath morning, when I give my first thoughts to You, in appreciation for a new day, and another day of life, with anticipation for the blessings that will come from special time devoted to the You.  After prayer asking for a change of thought, along with looking out on the beauty of nature, with some restful music playing on the DVD player, my thoughts lift to Your dwelling place, and now I can be in a position to reflect upon You and the scriptures.  I am so thankful to be lifted up out of the ‘doldrums’ of my own unprofitable thinking.  What a God of love and provision you really are!

I have noted that when we really love someone, we want to share ourselves, and good things with them.  When we love Jesus, we automatically come close to His Father, because they are so closely aligned in love and purpose.   John 14: 23, 24 “…….’If anyone loves Me. He will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.  He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.’” Amazingly we are invited to come into a close relationship with the ‘Twosome’ that is God the Father and God the Son, and then we will be in love with them (for we are already loved by Them) and be one in their purpose for us and how we act in the world, and eventually dwell with them, because we had become their spiritual children.

Jesus after His short life, taught and manifested divine love toward thousands of people, and then finished His rescue mission, by allowing Himself to be crucified in sacrifice for the sins of every human person.  Jesus always attempted to teach and prepare His followers and disciples, about the purpose for coming to earth, and the events that were to take place around His final earthly days.  When living on earth, Jesus had only been able to physically be with some of His disciples at a time, in one locale, but after His return to heaven, the Holy Spirit would come as a Helper, and He could be in all parts of the earth teaching, comforting and leading people to Jesus, the Saviour of the world.  John 14: 26, 27 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  Death could not contain the Son of God, and He arose as predicted after 3 days, and after a month or so returned to His Father and the angels in heaven!  Praise God the Holy Spirit is available to all who believe the words of Jesus, right now, at all times.

After Jesus returned to heaven, the disciples came together in unity, and in soul searching prayer, with repentance, putting away out of their hearts anything that was not of God, in preparation for the filling of the Holy Spirit.  When this occurred they were totally converted and in love with Jesus, to the point that they could not keep quiet about Him; whether it was in prison or any place they lived or visited.  Many of them wrote letters of encouragement and direction, which we today can read with benefit. Philippians 4: 4 – 7 “Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand. 6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

Father in heaven, I give thanks, that the Holy Spirit took me from a place of being down hearted, to rejoicing, able to receive the ‘peace of God, which surpasses all understanding’.  I pray that I will allow Jesus to guard my heart and mind, today and in the coming weeks.

Amen

It is as refreshing as rain upon our hard dry gravel packed ground, here in this portion of Western Australia, to come apart, read the Holy Scriptures, pray and receive the blessings within my heart, that come from God.  God is always attentive and available, ever knowing, not only how to fill my heart and mind with needed instruction, but comfort and joy as well.  When some passage is hard to understand, or I have missed the meaning, then I can claim Gods promise, for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and He will come and make it plain.  1 Corinthians 1: 3, 4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.”

In the book of James, the writer comes right out and tells the Christian, how to find Jesus and the way to live, for example, James 4: 12 “There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.  Who are you to judge another?” Verses 14, 15 “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.  Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’”  Truly as human people how little we know about ourselves, others and how the future is going to pan out.  Instead of looking at what others are doing right or wrong, I need to be looking toward Jesus, and allowing Him to have my heart, to be changed and renewed.  Titus 2: 11- 13 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

No matter the circumstance, today I have the assurance from God, that He will always be there for me in the now and gives the hope for eternal life in the future.   When I accept His mighty love with gratitude, I can be truly thankful for His every mercy and provision.  Romans 8: 28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who live God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” V31 “What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?” V35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

Dear God, I am so very grateful, that nothing can separate me from Your love.  Please keep me focused upon that today, lifting my thoughts away from myself, and my affliction.  I thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.

With love,

Amen

Heavenly Father, it gives me pleasure to greet You this beautiful day, upon which I come aside to rest from busyness, to worship and celebrate all Your creative works.  I am truly grateful for another day of life, and the opportunity to come to know You a little better and Your will for me. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit, as I contemplate, discuss and apply my chosen scripture verses, for this week.

Ecclesiastes can have some somewhat difficult passages, but the following give direction, Eccl. 1:12 “I, the Preacher, was king over Jerusalem.”  Here was a man whom had been singularly blessed, in talents, goods and wisdom, yet along the way got side tracked on ways that were not directed by his God, and in the end found in his excesses, and seeking of worldly knowledge and wisdom, absolutely no joy or satisfaction.  From the same experiences has come similar disillusionment for many people since that time.  Verse 14 “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.”  In much of Lamentations, the Preacher reports he tested every popular way to give life meaning, happiness and fulfillment, and did not find them there.  The writer who had previously loved God, and been abundantly blessed by Him, found apart from God, knowledge, power, prestige, wealth and ‘high living’, had not filled his deepest emotional needs.   But when all creative works and the living of life is seen in the way God has revealed, then everything takes on new meaning, causing that person, to eat of Gods bounty with thankfulness, be mindful of the needs of others, and with happiness and purpose, be able to reverence God and keep His commandments.  I can affirm that I also have found that God is faithful, loving and merciful; and l with all my heart seek to live out His will for me.  Having given my heart and life to God, out should go anything, no matter how ‘darling’, that hinders my relationship with Him.  2 Corinthians 6: 16 “And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For you are the temple of the living God.  As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.’”

Lamentations 3: 22, 23 “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed.  Because His compassions fail not.  23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”  Never a man spoke his words of praise to God, out of a more tragic, personally unfulfilling life within threatening circumstances.  Throughout, he was often lamenting the wickedness and non-repentance of the people, when he delivered the directions and severe rebukes from the Lord.  However during this time, Jeremiah triumphed in his faith in God, Verses 24 – 26 “’The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’ 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him.  To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”  As I reflect upon these words, I wonder why at any time, I ever presume to be impatient or complain about any of my life circumstances.

My Saviour Jesus Christ, when on earth, had much harassment, trial, then persecution and death.  As His children, we have been promised, everlasting love and mercy, sufficient for the hardest times, and at the other end of the grave, the promise of eternal life.  Whilst on earth, Jesus spoke words, that when believed, were to comfort and prepare us for waiting and hard times; such as John 16: 33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  Luke 21: 26 “Men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” 

I thank Jesus, for all His words of comfort and warning, for example, Luke 21: 28 “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”  It is my conviction that no ‘darling indulgence’ or the following of the dictates of any person is worthwhile for me, if it means I reject Jesus or any of scripture.  One future day, I plan on hearing the words, Luke 22: 28, 29 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.  And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me”

Thank You, dear Jesus.

 

It is such a blessing to have gotten up early and spent time reading Your written words and contemplating their import for my mind, soul and well-being in general.  Outside on this special day of worship and thanksgiving, all is grey, with water loaded clouds; but I need not absorb the sodden atmosphere into my spirit; for that which comes from God is filled with light, giving life to body and soul. Even the advice and any rebuke in the scriptures, are when taken up, a source of light and life for mind, soul and physical well-being.  Romans 12: 1, 2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  I am more and more aware, that God does not want my lip service, or ‘playing at church’, but my total commitment to Him, which can only involve and change my whole way of looking at and doing things in life, let alone the how I do any service for Him, that He asks of me.  I know by experience that when I give all of my mind and service to God, His peace is unequalled for my emotions and sense of well-being.  There is also the knowledge that all in my body and mind are at one with each other.  Jesus, who was at one with His Father in heaven, spoke upon this subject, after being accused of healing a demon-possessed, blind and mute man, by the power of Satan. Matthew 12: 25 “But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them, ‘every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.’” Verse 30 “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” 

There are emotional rewards when we are committed with a purpose, and engaged in occupations with others: all of which are available within church fellowships and related caring organizations!  This explains, I guess the emotional emptiness that can exist for some people who formally loved God and enjoyed fellowship with others in His service, or for those who sit in the pew going through the motions, but not putting much in or getting much out of their Christian experience day to day.  John 15: 8 “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”

True love and a sense of belonging and direction, is available to everyone, without reserve, on an enduring basis.  The message from Jesus is, John 15: 9 – 11 “As the Father loved Me, I also loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” 

The love of God the Father, and His Son Jesus, embraces everyone, no matter their past wrong doings.  To right all wrong doings, our prayers of repentance are needed.  I am so glad we are invited to pray to God the Father through Jesus, His Son, and are assured that true prayers will be always be heard and answered.  John 16: 23 “……Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name.  Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

Dear Father,

I thank You for your all-encompassing love, and the gift of Your Son, Jesus, that You gave us all.  He answers every need we can ever have.  I am very grateful that I know am loved not only by all of heaven, but the members of my church fellowship as well, which gives me purpose, direction and a knowledge I matter.

 

Dear God,

I turn to You, as found in Your Holy Word.  Just prior to this, I went outside, and looked at the beauty of my spring blooming rose bushes, fruit blossoms, and beginning fruit; and then gave You praise for it all.  Not only for the transient beauty of the blossoms, but the promise of the harvest to come.  It has been a difficult start to the morning, and to lift my spirit, and bring me up to You, I have needed to refocus.  I am thankful that You hear my every prayer, and as I ask, give me right thoughts and comfort; for I am needful, of Your help and assurance.

2 Timothy 3: 16, 17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  I take note, that it is not all about giving me comfort and making me feel good, it is about being filled with Gods special Spirit, and accepting all of the scriptures; even though sometimes, I find hard truths in there, that in the end,  lead to more right doing and my dropping off unfruitful thoughts and practices.  Truly, as a woman of God, I am made a more complete Christian, when I allow God’s word to speak right into my soul, as a reproving and pruning tool.  I acknowledge that I am all the better for allowing these changes to take place.  Now some new growth can take place, which I now realize is needed.  I am glad that as time goes on, I am being better equipped ‘for every good work’; for I truly want to be the ‘handmaid of the Lord’.

I read In Isaiah 59, 60, that though there had been great wickedness and apostasy, God in His mercy never completely cast them off, even when they felt His judgement.  It is the same for me and the rest of us at this time of increasing wrong doing, when all are in need of an increasing godliness; yet our final fate has have not yet been forever decided, and mercy is still extended to all.  Isaiah 59: 20, 21 “’The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression……,’ Says the Lord.  As for Me, says the Lord, ‘This is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words, which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants’……..”  I thank God, for His is a wonderful promise not only for me, but for my descendants also.  With such wonderful confirmation from God, a response is expected!   Isaiah 60: 1”Arise shine; for your light has come!  And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”  Jesus came with the glorious news of salvation, and He spoke confirmatory words, Matthew 5: 16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” 

Sometimes, it is as if we go through life, in a self-focused fog, and do not realize the impact upon others that our words and actions have.  I prayerfully ask of God, that He remind me when I am being negligent or negative, and instead, by the His power and love,  my words and actions, will be positively appropriate and loving.  Proverbs 25: 11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”  Science confirms scripture with the findings, that to be positively minded; revealed by our attitudes, words and actions, is so much better for our health, than to be negative in outlook, words and deeds.  I can see that the blessings of being positively minded, are for the here and now, upon us individually and upon others, as well as bringing God glory.  Galatians 6: 7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

God, I give you praise, for the blessing and instruction within the scriptures, for me this morning.  Thank You for hearing my prayers, and leading me to these scriptures, and by Your Spirit, softening my heart as I was instructed and helped to a better understanding and application.

Amen

Peter through the power granted to him, from high, had just healed a lame man, which caused a great reaction from the people around.  Peter made it clear, that in himself, he had no power to do such things.  Acts 3: 16 “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know.  Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”  He then went on to point out that they had ignorantly wronged Jesus, and that it had been prophesied that Jesus would suffer and die.  In recognition of their part in bringing those prophesies to fulfillment, they should now, Verse 19 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” 

I don’t think anyone would contend, that they always do right, and have no need to repent, and ask for forgiveness from God, through His Son Jesus.  I thank God, that He brings me back to right doing through the writings in scripture, and the ‘still small voice’ of the Holy Spirit in my heart.  1 Colossians 3: 16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  Paul and his associates, thanked God for the love and faith in Jesus of the Colossian fellowship, and prayed specifically for them; and I delight in praying that prayer for myself.  Colossians 1: 9 – 12 “………..ask that you (I) may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you (I) may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”

I am so glad for the many promises, that by ‘beholding Jesus’  I will be more filled with and manifesting more the fruit of the Spirit in my daily life.  Jesus Himself said, Matthew 12 34 – 37 “………. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings fourth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.  But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of Judgment.  For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.”

The apostles grew strong and fearless in their love for God and His Son, after the death, and resurrection of Jesus.  John lovingly guided the church, and us, as we read his words, 1 John 2: 5, 6 “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him, by this we know that we are in Him.  He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”  Jesus when living on earth, told His followers, that He was going to prepare a home in heaven for those who accept and follow Him.  With this assurance based on what John personally had heard Jesus say, he confidently said, verse 25 “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.” 

Dear Jesus, I am encouraged by Your words, and those of Your faithful apostles; as my strong desire continues to be, to walk faithfully as You walked, and to be able to welcome You with joy at Your second coming, with the hope of eternal life burning in my heart..

 

I have found that when I accept Jesus and all His rich gifts, I have a sense of lightness in my being, because I have repented and had my sin burden taken away by absolute undeserved grace.  Jesus has told us that He is the light of the world, and this is true for me personally; because He not only brings light into my heart and sensibilities, but lights my thoughts, purpose and pathway through each day. It is only each of us individually who can deprive ourselves of the Source of light.  This light of Jesus never goes out and is always available for a person to accept the offer of light and then tap into the source, Jesus Christ Himself.  Another good message from Jesus is that no matter how much we have wandered away or rejected Him; when we truly seek with a true undivided heart, He always answers our search and call.  I and everyone can learn from Paul the mighty worker for God, who, when once committed never departed from Jesus or grew cold,  2 Corinthians 4: 5, 6 “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bond servants for Jesus’ sake.  For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

It is very easy however for most of us to move away from fully following Jesus and not always realize that we are then in dimmed or reflected light.  Mark 4: 19 “And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”  I have been guilty of this behaviour far too many times.  But I am so thankful, for the impressions of the Holy Spirit, when leading me into recognition of my need for forgiveness and change.

As a person who likes to be busy and to prepare food, the next texts resonate with me, and I endeavour to learn from them.  Luke 11: 41, 42 “And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’”

Oh how I have learned to love the Scriptures and all they contain on every aspect of knowing God, such as how I can have salvation, how I should live as a person who loves God, and the real prospect for the faithful, of eternal life.  The apostle John, the last disciple to die, wrote loving words of instruction in 1 John 2: 15 – 17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  16 For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

There is no point to being a light if it is not seen by others and when they come near, it is available to shed light on their way also.  This is the way God has asked us to be with the light we receive through Jesus.  Matthew 5: 14 “You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” 16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Sometimes it is hard to show the light of our love and loyalty to Jesus, such as when in the company of unbelievers, the antagonistic or for some places, when confronted by an official representing the prohibitive laws of the land.  It is so easy to allow self-focus and fear or pride sweep over us so we go on and deny Jesus and lose the opportunity to bring glory to our Saviour who gave all, and suffered much, unto death; not for Himself, but for mankind, which includes me.

Dear Father, Thank You allowing Your Son to come to earth as our once for all time, Saviour and all-time Light.  Through Your Spirit, keep before me, the privilege it is, to know about and have had the opportunity of being lighted by the love of Jesus and to walk in His light daily, if I so choose; which I do again today.  I also ask that I will not forget the inevitability of my choices , which I find outlined in, Luke 12: 8, 9 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.  But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”  For my strength, I take and believe the following promise, V12 “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that hour what you ought to say,” Amen

 

I want to thank the Almighty God on high for His every gift and condescension toward me, a sinner and person of no great merit within the higher strata of the learned society on earth.  Yet I read in His Holy Word, that I and every soul are worth everything to God.  I have the verification of this fact, because God, the Father allowed Jesus, His Son, to come to earth in human form, and face without sinning, the temptations and assaults of Satan: ending in the death of Jesus.  This was offered and allowed, so that Jesus became our permanent, acceptable sin sacrifice; thus reconciling everyone who ‘believes on Him’ to His Father.  To me today, this knowledge is wonderful, and almost incomprehensible!

I have been reading a story in the Bible that reveals that no sinner or action can permanently bar such a one from God and salvation, until they are irrevocably decided and set upon a course of rebellion and opposition to God and His way.  The following story in Acts 9 reveals that Jesus will call even a notorious murderous person to Himself.   Saul a scholarly Jewish Pharisee, of great piety and dedication, gave much of his energy to rooting out those who followed the teachings of Jesus, and not the now useless temple traditions.  He had caused many new Christians after the resurrection of Christ, to be persecuted and put to death.  Jesus in a blaze of light appeared to Saul, on a lonely road between Jerusalem and Damascus and asked V 4, 5 “………..Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?  And He said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’  Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”  Here we have a man who had set out on his trip, with self-righteousness, and as he thought godly zeal in his heart. V 1, 2 “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest.  And asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”  However when Jesus reveals Himself, the amazing thing is, Saul did not resist or debate with the voice of Jesus, V 6 “So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’  Then the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’”  There was no debating with Jesus or prevarication, Saul who had been temporarily blinded, obediently got up and was led by the hand to Damascus, and he remained blinded and without food or drink for three days.  Ananias, a disciple of Jesus who resided in Damascus, was called in a vision and told to go and be used by Jesus to give Saul back his sight.  The Lord had also revealed to Saul in vision how it would be and who He would send.  Ananias did not jump at the chance, and attempted to educate Jesus about the doings of Saul in Jerusalem and intentions for coming to Damascus.  In answer, Jesus showed that He was the Lord, and in full knowledge and mastery of the events occurred and yet to happen.  Verse 15, 16 “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”  It was then, that Ananias ceased his protest, and went on his way and did as the Lord had first asked.  What a lesion in the results of obedience to God, for both men (and us).  God knows all things and His purpose is the salvation of people.  Saul, who later was called Paul, truly was converted, and gave his whole heart and service to Jesus and being used to bring salvation, for all who would accept Jesus.

I thank Jesus, not only for salvation through Him, but also for His challenging commission to every Christian, to spread His good news.  Mark 16: 15 “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’”  I note that Paul with his now love filled heart for Jesus, diverted his ‘full on’ zealous efforts, to preaching ‘the gospel to every creature’.  We cannot all do the work of Paul, or in his style, but Jesus reveals to the willing, many different ways, of representing Himself to others, and then promises the wisdom and power to do so; without which we cannot be effective.  I am so thankful He does!  Luke 11: 13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”  Proverbs 2: 6 “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” 

Dear God, I am assured that Your promises can never go unanswered, when claimed by a humble truly seeking person.  I crave Your blessing and direction upon my life and the activities I undertake, believing You have asked me to do so. I rest in the assurance of past experience, and surety of Your promises and written word.

 

I am amazed and am in awe about the workings of God.  I am equally stirred to praise and give thanks to God, for His creative works all around me, as I am for the love He shows me, when little prayers, on every day matters are answered – in so many different situations.  I can only feel that I am loved beyond my measure, by the Infinite, Everlasting God All-powerful.  In response I desire to give my whole heart and allegiance, in love and healthy fulsomeness.  1 Corinthians 10: 31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

When we claim Christ as our Saviour, we have a responsibility to look after the body that has been gifted to us and use it as God has asked or said He wanted.  Thankfully the scriptures are full of wise instruction, and we are in no doubt about these matters.  ! Corinthians 3: 9 “For we are God’s fellow workers, you are God’s field, you are God’s building.”  We were born with a complex structure, systems and abilities, much of which can be built up, maintained or damaged by our own self and choices.  Verses 16 and 17 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him.  For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” 

God can grow all of us, and use us to instruct and bless others.  To do so, can seem irksome or too much at the first, or when observed from without, but for the one who has loved and served God, it is never seen that way, for the blessings from God, are placed within heart and mind by God Himself.  3 John 2 “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just your soul prospers.”  In Jesus, as we follow His teaching and leading, we will be a healthful balance, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  What a blessing we will then be to ourselves and others, as the love of God lights up our countenance, shines out of our eyes, and is revealed in our words and actions.  3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth.” 

Glory and praises to God, for He has changed my life, and purpose.  Not me only, for His gifts and purpose are freely available to every inhabitant of earth; if all would only accept.

Jeremiah 29: 12 “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”  I pray that this will be the reality for each reader of this post.