Month: April 2016

Luke 10: 20 “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Dear God,

I rejoice in Your endless abundant love and mercy and these are just two of the attributes that You always show toward we the undeserving inhabitants of earth; myself in particular.   Thank You that You gave this earth Your Son.  I appreciate more and more the biblical record of His sinless life, sacrifice and ministry.  For You knew that for we that have come later in earth’s history, it was imperative for our salvation that we be able to read the examples of His sinless life, ministry and sacrifice in the Holy Scriptures.  Not only do we learn of Jesus on earth, but of You, Father God and of the whole salvation story.   We are truly saved by Your grace and it is amazing!

In today’s portion of scripture; Luke 10: 20 – 24, I read of the seventy disciples who had returned from their mission, after they had been anointed by Jesus to heal and cast out demons in the name of God at the behest of Jesus.  These abilities amazed the 70 – but the gifts of the Spirit that they manifested, were not to be rejoiced over as much by them, as having their names written in heaven.   Our beginning text gives the message of Jesus telling them, that God’s kingdom of heaven, is the natural place, for all God’s children.  Hallelujah!  It is good to know that the desire for us to make heaven our home will come to us, as we put aside our other self-centred desires, and simply obey You our God.

Jesus rejoiced over the blessing of these disciples, and their ministry, v.21, “Then Jesus rejoiced with them and prayed, ‘I thank you, Father.  Truly you are the master of heaven and earth.  In your wisdom you didn’t share Your power with the brilliant and successful, but with those who are as innocent as little children.  This is the way you always do things.’”  (“Clear Word” Translation)

Jesus always uplifted His Father, whilst on earth, as given in v. 22, for no one knew His Father as He did, or Himself as the Father did.  Jesus revealed You His Father, and it was the perfect opportunity for Jesus to do so whilst He was on earth, because as we behold Jesus, we behold You; because He told us that You and He are one in all things.

I pray that I (we) will grow more and more to seek and appreciate these learning times, and meditate upon the implications for me (us), when we read about, Jesus pointing out to the disciples how privileged they had been to see and hear what they had, during their association with Him in His life and ministry.  Remembering the many others had longed to do so, and did not have the chance; and neither do we, but Jesus has given for us, sufficient teaching, so we can know Him; and of His work.

I appreciate this privilege, and seek also to have my name written in heaven.  I praise Your name and rejoice in the everyday hope of the soon coming of Jesus.

Amen

Luke 9: 40 “So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.”

Dear God,

I give praise this morning that You are the Maker of all things, and the Restorer of all earth. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned all of earth has been blighted, and taken over by the evil Satan and his angels, in an increasing and continuing amount.

In Luke 9: 38 – 42 is given the account of a father bringing his demon possessed boy for healing to the disciples, who had previously cast out demons by the power of God, that Jesus had conferred upon them, but now in this instance, their spirituality and connection to God was such, that they could not cast out a demon.  Jesus rebuked them for being perverse and faithless, for they had seen Him healing over and over, and knew that previously they had also healed by Gods power.

Lord, forgive me for also forgetting how You have used me at times and later I became so self-focused, that my faith in You was (is) interfered with.

To witness Jesus causing the demon to come out of the boy, had an impact on all the people present, v. 43, “And they were amazed at the majesty of God…”  Sadly it would seem, the impact was not so much for the disciples, because the self-focus soon returned; leading to a dispute among them.  What would have made this more disappointing for Jesus was the dispute followed His warning about His soon betrayal into the hands of men of ill intent, to be followed by His crucifixion as given in v. 44.  None of which the disciples understood.

Forgive me Lord, for the too many times, that my self-focus, not only leads me into wrong thinking and actions, but also into not taking ‘on board’ the lessons, rebukes, and affirmations through the communication channels of Your holy word, and of praising and praying to You.

All through the Bible account and especially during the ministry of Jesus, it is evident that children are very important, and we reap blessings, when we also appreciate and are loving toward children.  As I reflect upon this, I am encouraged that, as I ask and allow, You will fill me with an ever increasing amount of faith and trust in You, and self-focus will fade as I focus upon You, and then I will have more the faith and trust of a child.  The thought of which fills me with much joy.

Thank You and Amen

Deuteronomy 4: 9 “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.  And teach them to your children and your grandchildren.”

Dear God,

Thank You for the everlasting love and mercy manifested towards Your erring children.  I truly do need You every hour, in fact for every moment.

Before Moses died and the people entered the Promised Land, he reminded them of the place You had bought them from, what You had done for them, as well as that Your presence had been with them, and they had audibly heard Your voice, the Almighty God, at Horeb.

The words of Moses say to me, a healthy faith will occur when I (we) remember all Your words, providential dealings and blessings; and also take note that You have also provided much communication on how to live in the present and what You plan to do in the future.  I also think back to the words of Jesus and realize there is a safeguard in them, Mark 12: 24 “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the scriptures nor the power of God?”  The Sadducees (who did not believe in the resurrection) had come with a trumped up situation that was designed to trap Jesus, but in fact revealed gross ignorance by these supposedly learned teachers of Your word, as well as what happens by dwelling on only a few pet belief’s and not heeding all scripture and so missing out on Your full power.  As sinful human people, I wonder why we think we can pick and choose what to believe and dwell on from Your word?

I thank You that I now realize I have done this when in times of need, I have only dwelt on the promises in scripture that I thought answered my need at the time, and deprived myself of the full power available from also dwelling on the many other scriptural promises of different subjects, for Your love and care overarches them all.

Even in the very early church, people came with beliefs founded on one or two aspects of scripture, which they promoted fervently.  Paul the active faith builder of the early church contended with such intrusions and so reminded all who heard or read his words how to be protected from delusion. God I have found it is by reading and studying all scripture unto our salvation.  Thank You for providing them.  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.”

As the literal Children of Israel stood on the borders of Your promised land, we Your people of many faiths, stand at the boarders of the Promised Land – heaven.  Unlike those ancient people, we do not have to subdue nations, for it is ourselves, we need to keep under subjection, for we are in mortal conflict with Satan and his army.  Before it is too late I (we) must remember Your words of scripture, for, it is only if we put all else aside and put on Your full armour, that we can withstand the conflict for our souls.  Satan gets more urgent and subtle over time.

I now even more appreciate that it is You who provide the full armour I (we) need.  Which is freely available when I in obedience, put all else aside, and then come to You in prayerful confession and repentance, reading of Your word and asking for Your protection.   I (all) must know (and act upon it) that the battle is Yours and it is You who will overcome Satan and his angels on my (our) behalf.

How very grateful I am, for even though he is very strong and beyond me powers, You and all from heaven are more than enough for Satan and his angels!

Amen

 

Mark 11:24”Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them.”

Dear God,

I thank You for my life and this new day, as well as the ability to enjoy life, in the good times and in times of adversity.

I have often been somewhat puzzled at the story given in Mark 11: 12 – 14 “Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry.  And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it.  When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.  In response Jesus said to it, ‘Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.’  And His disciples heard it.”  Previously I had often wondered why was the tree was cursed, when it was not time for the tree to have fruit anyway?  But I had not really thought it through.

I give thanks that through another writer, I now have a better understanding of the application for those and my times.  The fig tree was apparently so full of leaves, as to indicate, that fruit was also formed, but contrary to the appearance, there was none.  It can be the same for each person professing to love You and following the Christian way.  We can do all the right things, and have the appearance of a being Your true follower, when in fact we manifest no fruits of the Spirit.  When such a person interacts with other people, they are not warmed by Your love manifested, for though there is belief, the experience is hollow with nothing to give from You.

The lessons from the fig tree were not finished for the disciples of Jesus, or for us.  V20, 21 “Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.  And Peter, remembering, said to Him, ‘Rabbi, look!  The fig tree which You cursed was withered away.’” The words of Jesus spoken in faith produced the results He had asked for, amazingly quickly; for they were supernatural.  The withered fig tree reinforced the teaching of the scriptures that never is hypocrisy supported, for it is harmful to that person and misrepresents You to others, to the peril of their very soul.

Jesus also drew the lesson that true genuine faith is heard by God, V22 “So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God’”

Please forgive me for the times I pray with little belief and faith.  I note that Moses reminded the children of Israel that You are a God of love and mercy, who delights to hear from us and bless us.  We are the ones, who prevent You from hearing and answering our prayers by our own wrong doing and unbelief.  Jesus after telling us to ask and believe, goes on to tell us that we must forgive anyone we have anything against, so that You our Father can forgive us, (V 25, 26).

Please show me anyone I must forgive and be my wisdom and strength, so I can discern what is in my heart and root out any bitterness and wrongdoing.

Amen

 

Deuteronomy  5:29 “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all my commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!”

Dear God,

My grateful thanks, for You not only spoke through Moses to the children of Israel, but speak to all Your children of every age.

I through the Holy Spirit working within me, I desire to keep all Your commandments, and believe that in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the love of the One True God, I  will be able to reverence You absolutely and be able to live as You desired of the children of Israel.  For Jesus in His life and words gave evidence that these principles are still valid for Spiritual Israel; as Your followers became known as after the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Moses again relays one of his messages from You in Deuteronomy 5:32 “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord Your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.”  V33 “You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord Your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land you shall possess.”  This is a blessed expectation that I have, Lord, and I thank You it.

Jesus comes very soon to earth again, and my hope is for an eternal home.  Please today and all days, be my strength, so I will follow and obey You truly until then.

Amen

 

Ruth 2:12 “The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

Dear God,

Another lovely autumn day, for which I sincerely thank You, as I also do for the privilege of being given life, and now the hope of a soon coming Saviour.

The story of Ruth is gem that illustrates faithfulness and hope, amidst the sorrow of apostasy so often expressed in the history of the Israelite nation.  Ruth however, is an example of selfless loveliness.  She was committed to caring for her widowed mother-in-law, even though she was a widow herself.  She had learned to love and had chosen to follow the true God from on high.  She also loved Naomi her Israelite mother-in-law, and chose not to be parted from her, when Naomi left Moab and returned to Israel.

Ruth had no idea that You God had a purpose for her in the new adopted country, Israel.  A most blessed and prosperous one!  It so wonderful to think that You have blessed selfless lovely people from nations other than Israel; in a way that was important in answering scriptural prophecy.  For example, Rahab the prostitute, who was spared by the Jews, because of her faithfulness to the Israelites.  Later she married an Israelite man, and gave birth to a child that is in the lineage of Christ; and this was also the case for Ruth.

As was the custom in Israel, Ruth married a close relative of her first deceased husband, so a son could keep the family name and property.  Therefore Ruth a Moabite woman had a son that was the great grandmother of King David, who also was in the lineage of Christ.  The account of this is in Ruth 4:13 “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife, and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.”

How blessed am I and all who follow You dear Lord, for You love everyone and do not follow the traditions of man, for which I am very grateful.  Because You are God, You can take an adverse situation and make it Your own opportunity.  This is such a lesson, for when I complain and sorrow about how circumstances come and play out.  I can instead of whinging and focusing on ‘poor me’; I can remember You love me without fail and know what is best for me.  Because You are the God of heaven, any of my situations can be Your opportunity.   One day in heaven when all is revealed about my history on earth, I will see, why situations played out as they did, and in the end I will know, that all worked out for the best for my eternal salvation.

Forgive me please for my lack of faith and trust, and change me to be as You want me to be, so You can work more powerfully within me for Your purpose on this earth.

Amen

 

Romans 13:8 “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

Dear God,

How grateful I am that I know You, the Creator of all and the fount of all love.  I am totally humbled by the thought, that when I put myself aside, and confess all my sins before You, they are forgiven, by You, in love, and I in turn am filled with Your love, which is needful, because I of myself cannot be said to be loving.

I have not always appreciated, that Your Ten Commandments, reveal that You are love, in all aspects of Your character.  In the first four, we are asked to give You all our love and obedience, which is perfectly reasonable in my mind, because You made us and provide for us in every way.  In the last 6 commandments, You ask us to love all other people we have contact with, or can reach, for they are all neighbours of ours and cherished by You.

I have found along with many others, that it is only when I obey Your word, do I fully experience Your blessings of joy, delight and fulfillment as a child of God, and appreciate the deep mental peace that this always gives me.  You are truly wonderfully awesome God, of which there is certainly no compare.

Please forgive me for not expressing love more easily and freely.  I know You can and will change me from the type of person I am into the one I am meant to be. I do not know my life span, even though I personally desire many years more yet. I do know however, that now is the time to change and move.   Paul reminds us as Christ did when on earth, to put You first and be prepared at all times for Your Kingdom.   Romans 13:11 “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”

Praise Your blessed name, for because of the faith of my parents, I was exposed to Your teachings and accepted You at 14 years, and now that I have come beyond the fourscore mark, I regret not growing more in Your grace and in good works, over the intervening years.   Thank Your for never rejecting me, and instead leading me on to a deeper love and understanding and away from my former shallow Christian experience.

Today I say with Paul, in Romans 13:12 “The night is far spent, the day is at hand.  Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”  Therefore, again I accept Jesus and determine, to do as advocated in Romans 13: 14 “…..put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

I pray that many more people worldwide, despite not believing in You as Almighty God, will sometime soon put preconceptions aside and allow themselves to honestly learn about You for themselves.  Only then can they find that truly the Lord IS good.  For those that who have never been exposed to any message about You, Almighty God, hasten the good news to them, by person, or any technology available.

‘Lord of the harvest’ raise up reapers for Your harvest of souls; starting with me and anyone else who will.

Amen

Luke 7:6, 7, 9 “…………..the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, ‘Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.’”  V 9  “When Jesus heard these things, He marvelled at him and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’”

Dear God,

Thank You for my life and Your care of me and for the hope of salvation, through Your Son, Jesus.  Also for the opportunity to freely seek, learn about and serve You.  Jesus is truly my example, Please deepen my understanding of His words and actions.  His miraculous doings are for we humans is amazing.  Not however for Jesus to do by the power from on high.

Also I ask that I have my eyes opened, figuratively, to these lessons, as I read them.  In addition I ask, that by Your grace and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, I will be able to develop and manifest a great faith in my Saviour, Christ the Lord.

In the reading of Luke 7: 4 – 9, is illustrated a truly humble Roman officer, who with absolute faith in Jesus made his request for the healing of his servant, and then his faith was rewarded by Jesus, because he had believed in Him, and the servant was healed before the centurion reached home.

The heart of Jesus was tender and loving (as mine is not, naturally) and when He saw a grieving person crying, despite the fact there was a large funeral procession, Luke 7: 14 “Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’”  Death had no power, in His presence – and of course this is true, for Jesus was from heaven, the Creator of all the earth and all in it.  For His time on earth, His divinity was clothed in human flesh.  Death is from Satan, and Satan has no power over the divinity of You, God or Your

Son, Jesus.  I wonder how many times Satan tried to get Jesus to use His divine power in a wrong way or place?

In history, Jesus was very soon to arise from the dead.  Death was for ever overcome, by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

We will all die one day soon, if earth’s history lasts long enough, and O glorious thought, the dead in Christ will respond to the call of Jesus, and come back to life, at His call.

Hallelujah.

Amen