Month: May 2016

2 Samuel 18: 27 “So the watchman said, ‘I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.’”

Dear God,

I give thanks for the lovely sunny weather, after the gloom attached to the rain; albeit very welcome precipitation.  All seems better with me and the world, when the light is bright.   Therefore I draw the analogy that it is much better to live in the light of Your love and care, than to be abandoned to the grey uncertainty of the dislike and hate that the devil likes to send our way through his evil angels and people agents.

Even though bad things happen to good people, it is Your love, promises and tangible gifts of enabling, that allow me (us) to keep going with forbearance and hope, in the situations of pleasant, traumatic, horrible and everything in between.

As the result of his adultery and murder, King David was told by Your prophet that trouble in his house hold would never stop in his life time.  This is illustrated in 2 Samuel 18 in the account of the war against King David, when his son Absolom decided to replace his father on the throne. King David had given the order to his military leaders V 5, “……’Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absolom.’”  Joab the army commander knew in a military sense that such an action would not bring the best outcome for his king.  When the opportunity presented itself, he ran 3 arrows through the heart of Absolom, and the rest of his army deserted.

It was now necessary for king David to be notified that his army had been victorious.  Normally the swiftest runner would be dispatched with the news, V 20 “And Joab said to him, ‘You shall not take the news this day, for you shall take the news another day.  But today you shall take no news, because the kings’ son is dead.’”  Instead of a man from Judea, a Cushite man was told V 21 “…..Go tell the king what you have seen.’”

I wonder why Ahimaaz was so set on running still, when as his commander Joab said, “…. Why will you run, my son, since you have no news ready?”  Was it his pride, was it for the joy of running, did he need to prove he was the fastest, did he want to receive notoriety or honour from his king and men from the army?   Otherwise it seems somewhat pointless, because the Cushite had been commissioned to deliver the news that mattered and he would have nothing of worth to deliver.  Twice in affect he said “But whatever happens let me run.”  Joab then said, V 23 “……..’Run’ Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.”

How often am I like Ahimaaz when I must go, even though common sense or others may say ‘leave well alone’.    Have I prayed about whether there is a purpose in going or getting their first?  When I get there, I may not be the best person for what I have decided to do, or I at this time do not have an appropriate message at all or because of who I am there may be better people to deliver the message in the circumstances or for this person?

And so it proved to be for Ahimaaz when he delivered a message that ‘all was well’ and that the king had been delivered from the ‘men who raised their hand against my lord the king!’  That was not the message the king wanted to hear, for he asked, ‘Is the young man Absolom safe?’ When Ahimaaz could not give a definitive answer, the king said, V 30 ‘Turn aside and stand here.’……”  It was then for the commissioned Cushite to give the truth to the king about his son.

Dear God, please keep me from rushing off heedless, not to be deterred from my idea, despite when a wise person or someone in authority has suggested not me, not now or not at all.  Also please constrain me from rushing off with gossip to someone, when I have come into knowledge about them (or anyone) or report any ‘bad mouthing’ by another that I have heard.

Amen

2 Chronicles 15: 1, 2 “Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Obed, and he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: ‘Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin.  The Lord is with you while you are with Him.  If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”

Dear God,

Thank You for all life, including my own, and the lives of my precious daughter and children who quite often come to my house.  Today I ask that You come into my life and heart again, so that I can really know, love and obey You more fully.  I ask that You also be my guide and strength, so that I represent You truly, whether I am at home, church or community.

I am ever mindful that it is You who has entrusted me to be a helper and instructor to the small children, whilst they are here, and to be helpful to my daughter, when I am asked.

The passage outlining the message Azariah gave to Asa, brings a message for me today also, and for my benefit I will repeat it, V2 “…….The Lord is with you while you are with Him.  If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”  The circumstances are different of course, for at the time, Asa ruled the Israelite southern kingdom of Judah and Benjamin, and they had not yet fully forsaken You.  Many of the rulers had forsaken You, but many of their subjects had not.

Of course we can also partly forsake You and not realize we have done so.  I take the message with me, no matter what I have done, or how hard the times, You are with me while I am with You, and when I look, I will always find you.  I am then never forsaken by You!

You are always a God of justice and mercy, but never can excuse sin, whether it seems small to us, or rampant apostasy.  Praise Your wonderful name, for us and as in the case of the Judeans, V 4 “But when in their trouble they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them.”

This is such good news, when we truly repent and return to You, acceptance is ours.  Such love is beyond human comprehension, and so today, I just rejoice in Your love and grace, and in the knowledge that this love is all encompassing.  It is true for all people today, as it was Asa and his people.

I am again assured, that no matter the trouble and turmoil for me, I just have to heed the prophets words in V 7 “But you, be strong and do not let Your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

I am full of praises, for I needed this message so much just now.

Amen

2 Chronicles 16: 9 “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him……..”

Dear God,

Thank You again for Your words of scripture written by Your representatives.  So many stories related by these Patriarchs can teach me of my own frailty and the inherent dangers in self-opinionated behaviour.

Here again an earthly king, previously blessed and protected by You, goes off and addresses the problem of being attacked by an outside force, by making an alliance with a pagan ‘enemy’ king.  The king who was sort for help, later leads forces and attacks the first king and his nation anyway, proving his trust had been unwise.  The earthly king had never thought of going to His God in heaven for advice or help, despite being previously rescued and blessed by You, His God.  He had often been told by one of the prophets, that their God would always be with them and bless them, if they stayed loving and loyal to You.

I know for me (others) it has sometimes been the case, when we (I) are starting out as a Christian and/or struggling, we love and seek You fervently, and do not consider any other course but coming to You for strength and direction, but as we get more along the way, and become established, we too often rely on our own wisdom and strength.  We often do not take our plans and proposals to You, for guidance or wisdom, forgetting how You have dealt with us in the past.  Or sometimes, we think we do not need to bother You about this little thing/or is it the right thing to do?  Because things are going well and we are riding along in a blessed condition, so we must have the blue print right?  Then things go wrong, and it takes some time to remember, just when we took the bad turn, and the mess did not come upon us (me) undeserved!

Forgive me Lord for when I have done this and each day as I confess my sins and they are forgiven, fill me with all the gifts of the Spirit, so that I can grow in my faith and practice, and more often manifest faith and trust in You.

It is my prayer, that I will walk humbly with You, in Your wisdom (not my own), remembering Your love and guiding words.  Never forgetting that You know all about me, and it is Your core business to keep us all safe, and bless us, as well as bring us to Yourself. It is also important that I remember, that You never force, and instead wait for me to ask for Your help.

Amen

John 11: 40 “Jesus said to her,” (Martha) ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God.’

Dear God,

Thank You for being, Creator and Recreator, and in Your vastness still care about me and every part of Your creative works.  You have set in place all that is good for us on earth, and in addition You send angels to assist us in many different ways.  We have the richness in our life of the Holy Spirit,

Who speaks to our mind, bringing us to yourself, unto salvation.  There are gifts that the Holy Spirit delights to give, and joy of joys, they are for those who are sincerely seeking You.

Jesus invites us to come and be forgiven of our every sin, and be covered by His imputed righteousness.  There is truly love and power from high at the foot of the cross, as I humbly kneel before You there.  Today I praise Your name again, as You bless me there, so that I may go through the day, strengthened and filled with Your Spirit.  Truly You give me fresh glimpses of Yourself, and it is glorious.

The people there at the tomb of Lazarus witnessed a supernatural event, for only God’s power can raise to life someone who has been dead for 4 minutes, let alone someone of 4 days.  By viewing God’s glorious power manifested, many of the Jews present at the tomb or given an account of the event, believed in Him.  The Chief priest, Pharisees and Sadducees were not among the believers in Jesus.  This event instead caused them to call a council meeting; for they were worried the Roman rulers may take away some of their authority; as well as many more of the Jews would now turn to Jesus.

Caiaphas the Chief priest, fulfilled prophecy when he foretold it was better for Jesus to die and so save the nation, than for Jesus to live.  For many present in the council meeting their hearts had become so hard, that the Holy Spirit had no more influence upon them and self-preservation, greed and need for positions of power, overruled any decent or righteous thought; even though many admitted Jesus was innocent.

God, please keep my heart humble and believing, as was the case for many of the, poor and lowly Jews who believed in Jesus.

Many of us, (including me) pray hoping to see the Your glory manifested again very soon.

Amen

 

Romans 6: 23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Dear God,

Thank You for my life and this new day, and for Your care and protection of my life.  I give praises, because there is a way for me and all who love You to be rescued from the eternal death that sin most certainly brings to us all.  More and more I am conscious, that the consequences of sin is always death.  On this earth, this is evident with much sickness, and new contagious diseases manifesting themselves in all animal and bird life.  All must die eventually if the earth continues on.

It is a comfort and hope to those who believe the scriptures, to read of Your fathomless love, which has supplied a way for me (us) to escape our deserved sin consequences, due to Your total grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When Jesus walked upon this earth, this wonderful truth was known and comprehended by some of His true followers.  I read about Mary, her sister Martha, and Lazarus their brother, who had true love and belief in Jesus.  After Lazarus had died and been in the tomb for four days, both told Jesus that their brother would not have died, if He, Jesus had been there.  Martha went on to say, John 11: 24”………’I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’”  However Martha had not seemingly gone so far as to think that Jesus would resurrect her brother to life, for in answer to the statement of Jesus V23 “……’Your brother will rise again.’”, Martha thought only of the last final resurrection, when Jesus comes for His own (soon I hope).

Jesus took her current belief and bought it to the possibilities of the here and now, with V 25, 26 “Jesus said unto her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?’”

For the family from Bethany, all three were friends of Jesus and believed as do I, that Jesus was Lord God, come into the world.  I also with the Bethany three, believe that You are Life and the Resurrection, upon which my belief and hope is fixed.

Dear Jesus, please take my current belief and faith, and expand them not only for the possibilities of the present, but also into the future, as well as the time in-between.

Amen

John 10: 27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

Dear God,

I am awed and thankful, that You are above all, and totally good and pure, and absolutely care to save we erring wandering people or ‘sheep’.  Today sadly I know, that there are people who put themselves ‘above’ just simply believing Your words and works of the supernatural, allowing instead, their Godless education and positions to blind them to You and Your works; which are all around them.

Please dear God, accept me again today, and fill me with a simple faith and acceptance of You into my heart and life, so that I am always one of Your ‘sheep’; hearing Your words and believing them and therefore following to any place You may lead me.  Sadly like the priests we can think we are believers and walking in Your way; and instead be following our own idea’s or a wrong interpretation of You that suits a human slant upon things that does not involve a searching of heart or humbly putting You first.  Please reveal to me, if this is so for me, in any area of my life, and I know in Your strength and by believing Your promises, I can change.  Hallelujah that is good news, for in no way do I want to be deluded or a hypocrite.

I may not have wealth or prestige, but my Saviour did not either, and He does not necessarily promise them; even though some can be trusted with them and still be able to follow You with their whole heart.  Dear Jesus, during Your time on earth, You promised to give peace to all Your ‘sheep’, and that gift is more valuable to me, than wealth or prestige.  I thank You for hearing my prayer and granting me this gift many times when I have been disquieted.

I also value the hope and promises within John 10: 28 – 30.  From my reading, I believe that all Your true ‘sheep’ will be given eternal life and no one or entity can snatch me away from Your care.  You, God have given all ‘sheep’ to Jesus V 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”   It is evident God that You and Your Son are one in purpose and deed V30 “I and my Father are one.”

Today I gladly commit myself to You the Father and Jesus, the Son, to follow as my shepherd.

Amen

John 9: 35 “………..Do you believe in the Son of God?”

Dear God,

I understand and believe that now as in bible times, it is Your purpose to lead all sinners to Yourself, for all to be convicted of their sins and forsake their sinful ways and then be given spiritual insights leading to an enduring relationship with Jesus their Saviour.  On the other hand, it is Satan’s purpose to make sure we are in spiritual darkness, to be eventually destroyed eternally; after as much discomfort and unhappiness he can cause us as possible.

When You speak to me Lord through the Holy Spirit, giving me an opportunity to choose to You, and be given an understanding of the everlasting love that You have for me and all mankind.  It is then I experience a deep and beautiful happiness, which I have never known when I am not consciously loving You and walking in Your way of love and right doing.  Time and time again I find out that I am not naturally that type of person, but praise Your holy name, every time I pray, I am heard and Your bring me to Yourself for healing, instruction and for equipping to be Your disciple, filled with Your love, enabled to love others.  I have found this occurs, only when I put myself aside during prayer, and allow You to fill me and use me.

I am sorry for allowing myself to get tired and overloaded this past week, so that I manifested a frazzled, cranky attitude, especially over the past few days.  I am so grateful that I can bring all these issues to You, to be forgiven, restored and redirected.

I have appreciated the stories recorded in John 9 as I have contemplated them again in recent days.  It is worthy for me to search my heart as to my own attitudes, to discover how much I cherish the type of pride and closed attitude of the priests in response to Jesus giving sight to a man who was born blind.  They refused to believe the fact that the blindness of the young man came naturally and not by an act of God.  They instead clung to belief’s that fostered their pride and promoted their status.

After rejecting the report of the blind man, and tipping him out of the temple by the priests; Jesus sought him out.  The blind man responded to the question recorded in V35 “…….Do you believe in the Son of God?” in V 36 “…….’Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?’”  How good it would be, if in these cynical times, more of us recognized the workings of Jesus, and in recognition wanted to learn more and believe Him.

Jesus can still be found in the pages of the Bible, and from the witness by word and any life lived out that reflects Him.  Please Lord of the harvest; bring forth reapers for Your work!  Including me!  V37 “And Jesus said to him, ‘You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with You.”

What a joy it is and would be again, if in my small way, when under Your direction I would be able to influence someone to see and accept my lovely Lord and Saviour!  To hear the words, V 38 “Then he said, ‘Lord, I believe!’  And he worshiped Him.”

Again today, I also believe and accept Jesus as my Saviour.

Amen

 

John 9: 5 “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Dear God,

I give thanks, for You have strengthened me, in physical and emotional strength, and now spiritual. All has seemed too much over the past days.  I ask to be especially blessed, as I proceed through some situations and tasks.  Fill me with Your Spirit so I can in turn be Your blessing to others in all ways and circumstances.  I rejoice that You know my need and hear my prayers.

Jesus whilst on earth went to places knowing who was in need and that His resulting ministrations would show Gods supernatural power in action, in an effort to lift darkness from mind, spirit, and at times physically.  Such was the case in John 9.  V 1 “Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.”  In those days to be sick or disabled was attributed to God’s judgement upon sin, and the disciples held these views which were in line with the teaching from the priests of the day.   V 2 “And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind.’”  It is so good that this type of thinking is not another burden that we have to carry around, as sinners.  V 3 “Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents, sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.’”  These verses are obviously not dealing with the malformations or disabilities that come from certain diseases that are contracted by the mother in pregnancy or chemicals that may be regularly imbibed in some stages of the baby’s in utero development as a consequence of the interaction of infection toxins or chemicals upon cells; but with the false belief that all disability or sickness comes from You inflicting sinners in angry judgement for sin.

How precious it is that we can if we choose, all be blessed by learning of and believing in the life of Jesus when on earth.  When He came down from heaven there was no way He could not be Your Light and blessing; for He was from heaven and He was God, clothed in humanity.  I am so glad also that He revealed who You are God.

Jesus also knew that that He had not come for a long stay on earth, especially as the Jewish people had largely rejected Him, V 4 “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”  And so it proved to be not that long after Jesus went back to heaven that the Jewish believers went through severe persecution and the nation a period of great self-induced turbulence and destruction.

Your scriptures tell us that towards the end of earth’s history such conditions will be upon the earth to even a greater degree.  We are also told that we are still enlightened by Jesus all throughout every age.  I ask again, that my hard heart be taken away, to allow me to truly believe and be His true disciple.  I am impressed again, that truly He is still is the ‘Light of the world’, for those who accept, and believe and practice His ways of love; bringing knowledge, hope and relief to all.

When this morning I read again of the actions of Jesus when on earth; I am humbled by the knowledge that I am wanted and accepted to be His disciple, and have been invited to walk His way and tell others of Him.

All His loving disciples serve a Master portrayed in scripture, as not now clothed in human form and clothes, but is in heaven clothed in light and magnificence, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

What a privilege for every past believer and for us now, and will be even more so in heaven!

Amen

 

John 8: 12 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’”

Dear God,

Thank You for this new day, which is as always a day of promise, because I have asked Jesus to come and abide with me as He promised.  I also thank You for answering my prayers continually, but especially yesterday, when I needed to get much done despite my many interruptions.

I have repented of my hastiness, and ask, that my words spoken unlovingly or unwisely may not have any permanent negative impact upon another person.  I thank You also for the answers I was able to give, that could not have been my own thoughts.  I find it difficult to cover subjects related to human sin, and the consequences for others, when I have no personal knowledge on the subject, and yet have been asked for my opinion.

I could never survive intact my travel through this life, without You as my support and Rock in every area of my life.  I also want to give thanks for the scriptural words of counsel and the record of the deeds of Jesus that reveal heavenly wisdom and love, whilst He walked upon this earth.  I claim the promise in John 8: 12 “………’He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’”

Father God, Jesus also promised that He would send the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, as a gift, when He left earth, and I believe the Holy Spirit has come.  When we allow, He will change us and fill us with His Spirit, which will lead me, not to judge others for their deeds or past doings.  Really why should I?  It is Your businesses not mine!  I have sinned many times, and all sin is abhorrent to You, and mine are no less important than anothers transgression, no matter what it is; if unconfessed.

To the woman that the Jewish priests had set up and then caught in adultery, thinking to trap Jesus, was told, as I am today, “Neither do I condemn you go and sin no more.”  Our sinless Saviour, Jesus, when on earth, did not pass judgement as we do, V 15 “You judge according to the flesh, I judge no one.”

His judgement was with  You, His Father, the one who sent Him into the world and we can be sure the judgement is just and true for neither Jesus or You are sinful or biased, except that we have been told in scripture, that if possible all would be saved.

I give my praises, because You are as One, and hear my prayers and give me wisdom and strength to grow in Your grace and love.

Amen

John 7:38 “He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Dear God,

Truly Your words, recorded for us in scripture are words of life.  Food for my soul, that I find precious and a ‘must have daily’, to contemplate as the Holy Spirit leads me into thoughts necessary for my spiritual life and growth.  This includes reproof sometimes, or showing me that I need to repent, confess and change by the strength and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.  In John 7, I have read a word picture of the priests, which portrays their reliance on their own knowledge about scripture and religious observance.  Yet they just did not ‘get it’, so to speak, even though this obviously right living Man, was love in action and teaching words that enlightened and energized the simple folk, as well as doing loving supernatural actions, like healing sick people and raising the dead to life.  Not to forget that His coming into the world in a miraculous way in answer to prophecy, as His whole ministry and eventual death were also.

Like me and many religious people, we run the risk of doing as the priests in the days of Christ, by ‘hanging on’ to traditions and our own importance in religious circles.  Even though many of us, as the before mentioned priests, know the words of scripture, but have not recognized their true meaning, or had/have not in humility applied them to our lives or were/are filled with attitudes from another source other than the God of the scriptures.

Please God, show me when I am so taken up with my thoughts, that I allow attitudes like jealously, wounded pride or just pride, etc. etc., to keep me from fully seeing and reflecting Your wisdom, love and glory.  Which all adds up to blocking You from speaking Your love or reproof into my soul, so that I can be taught by You and then come closer to You during my earthly walk.  As a consequence of this growth, we (I) will be so filled with Your ‘living water’, the Holy Spirit, that He will flow out of me to others.  I find such an occurrence to be an exciting prospect, with rewards internally and externally anticipated as promised in Your word.

I give You all the praise I am capable of; as I ask that You walk with me through this day.

Amen