Month: June 2016

John 17: 14, 15 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”

Dear God,

As I revisit this occurrence of several years ago, I remember the events clearly, and how You taught me lessons from these experiences.  Please again bring me to Yourself, impressing me with my need and that all answers to attacks, come when with a teachable spirit, I humbly seek You in a prayer of need, followed by one of praise for Your love and reassurance.

The day began and all seemed at peace, yet there was every possibility that the fox who killed my neighbours hens, was even then prowling and trying to kill the hens, that my daughter bought here for protection from another fox, who had just begun to come over a previously unassailable fence, and killed hens, 2 by 2 on consecutive nights at the property at which she lived.

I believe that You care about such things and heard my plea for the hen’s safety, within the semi-permanent, (meant to be) temporary fence at the bottom of my yard.  Neither I nor my neighbour had, had a fox visiting previously, and it shows that in such matters one must never take things for granted; which has a spiritual application as well.

Jesus prayed for the protection of His disciples and all who would become disciples to be protected from the ‘evil one’, who like a fox, seeks to attack us and bring us away from You, the One who will keep us safe  and in the end give us eternal life.

Jesus I choose You, Your truth and promises, again this morning.

Dear God, Jesus prayed for the unity of His disciples in love and belief.  I pray today that I will abide in You, V 21 “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

Amen

Dear God,

For we who love and know You, we need none other.  You fulfill every human need, whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual.  After all it was You who created us and have rescued us from the consequences of our sin, and will provide our everlasting escape.  When I ask for help, it is You who provides me strength and guidance, as well equipping me to live as You know is best for me.  In addition we have the combined writings of the scriptures, which encompass every issue that I will have during my lifetime.  The Psalmist knew this, Psalm 46: 1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

I thank You for protecting the hens at my place that Friday night, and in the end it was the right thing to do for them to bring them over here.  It seems so sad that on the Friday night, one of the roosters in my daughter’s yard was killed in a long and gruesome attack, leaving it dead in the cage with the other traumatized rooster.

Despite my knowing all hens were safe overnight, and knowing that I can trust You in all things, I was awake early the next morning, because of a persistent concern about the hens at my place; and the other traumatized rooster at my daughters place.  I had again not really given my fears into Your care, even though I desired to do so.  Please forgive me, and bring me to Your peaceful place of trust.

I pray for those who face the dangers of war and horror, for Your inner peace to be given to them.  Please bring healing to those who are already traumatized by all that is around them.  Fill them with the desire to call out to You this day, and in Your supernatural strength be able to leave their disquiet and horror with You.

Thank You for hearing my petitions, as well as my praise.

Amen

 

Psalm 37: 5 “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”

Dear God,

I am so grateful that Your servant David and others have written so many wonderful Psalms that have come out of experiencing Your loving care, in many circumstances.  Psalm 37 is a Psalm of David, who gave his whole heart to You and in faithful obedience set his mind to walk Your way. Though beset by severe, enduring troubles and challenges, for the most part, he did not go the way of being self-centred or self-pitying, which could have caused him to be paralysed in fear; he instead had learned to trust You to direct him, as he rested his terror or concerns with You.

In these days, I can rest my concerns with You , for I remember when and how Your peace came upon me when my personal life and all about me was crumbling in chaos, before and after my baby was born.   I also had no income.  You directed me to words of scripture, and then my heart and mind came to a peace that was past understanding.  I thank You even though my life has never been filled by luxury (not that I pursued luxury), I have always had sufficient for my needs and an adequate affordable place to live.

I will always be grateful for the wonderful, caring, loving, concerned and helping family and friends that have blessed my life.   My baby grew and was healthy, with a lovely smile and happy laugh.  Your love and care for me never wavered, even though there was much in my life that was not particularly enjoyable.

As today I have looked back on the 40 odd years that have passed since then, I praise Your wonderful name, for my life and the people I have shared it with.

Also as I have looked back, I now also realise I did not at first retain the peace You blessed me with. Your Spirit, has bought to my attention for the first time, how many times I became self-focused and dwelt on the wrongs done to me, and certainly did not consistently trust or glorify Your name, and was not a blessing to anyone I met (though they were to me) during my chaotic time.  In keeping with Your character, I was never let go and was lovingly bought closer to You.

Dear God, I wish I had paid more attention to this thought from Psalm 37: 8 as it was/is for me to remember, if or when anger burns within, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret-it only causes harm.”

I give thanks that the Holy Spirit, brings to our attention, past doings that need to be made right; when we are in the mental/emotional place to take it in and act upon the new revelation, and then seek ready forgiveness, by confession to You our loving God.

Amen

John 15: 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Dear God,

On this new day, I thank You again for Your love and everlasting mercy.  At this early morning time, when all is quiet and the darkness is just giving way to light, my mind and soul lift up to You, as a flower to light.  To me You are life and light.

In the scripture readings for today, there is the example of the life giving sap within the vine, as blood is for us pulsating throughout all our body.  Jesus used the vine example to teach of Himself.

I have certainly found that I cannot have a living spiritual life, apart from Him.  Each day I need what is freely given to me, through the Holy Spirit.

When Your words abide within me, guiding, motivating, nurturing, encouraging, chastising, bring back, loving, restoring, and keeping me connected to You;  then I have the  life giving properties of Your word within because I have taken them into myself, as I do food.  I can have every spiritual need fulfilled, and I will be a living fruitful Christian, who can represent You, because I am a true living branch of the only true Vine.

Grape vine branches wither amazingly quickly when separated from the main vine branch; and so do we when we are not actively, continuously connected, by communication to You our God.  It is true, that for a while on the outside, all may appear normal, even though no fruit will be produced.  John 15: 8 “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.”

I can be more like You, as I grow in my love for You and others,  when each day I keep Your words in My heart.  In fact I am commanded to love others (v 12) which I cannot truly selflessly do apart from You through Jesus; for I have learned that every command from heaven, is never left to be done in our strength, but is done through Jesus.

Thank You that You are love and have heard my prayer, that I be filled with Your love, today.

Amen

John 14: 23 “………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.”

Dear God,

It is so special, that You love me, and all mankind, and want to dwell within us:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as God!  As promised by Your Son, Jesus, after He returned to heaven the Holy Spirit now acts as heavens representative, comforting and directing us to Jesus and filling us with His gifts. John 14: 26 “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.”  All I have to do to receive the Holy Spirit is prepare my mind, by having Jesus forgive my sins through humble prayer of confession.

God, today I pray please fill my mind with an ever deeper knowledge and acceptance of how much I am loved by You, Father and Son.  I also pray that I will not be slow of belief as was the disciple, Phillip, even though he had physically walked with Christ and saw His works and been exposed to absolute love in action and special times of teaching.  The encouraging thing is that He was freely forgiven by Jesus, and when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples at Pentecost; he was anointed as well.  After that his faith was transformed, and was equal to the demands of being a true apostle; spreading the gospel news about Jesus, the Saviour being risen from the grave.  He with the others taught that all could have salvation through belief in the risen Jesus and what He had done on the cross.

I ask that I be used by You, to also tell others of the gospel news, as were the apostles and many others since then; through the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

I give thanks that I was told the gospel news, so I know that I also can have salvation through Jesus Christ, and believe His promises. V 28 “You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’  If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.”

Praise Your wonderful name, I know where You, Jesus have gone, and believe You will come back in the Fathers timing to fetch those kept by Your love.  You have told us how easy it is to make the choice and prepare for heaven.  You also know each one, and our hearts preparation and desire.

Again I choose You today.

Amen

John 13: 34, 35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Dear God,

I am so grateful, that at this time upon earth, that I have the freedom to learn about You, love You and publicly become a Christian.

I am not certain that I love others enough?  Do I allow the tasks of life to keep me from showing Your love to others enough; through me?  Today I am even uncertain that I pray for others enough?  But I do know that You delight to hear all my prayers, including the ones for forgiveness, and that as I place myself in Your care, and ask to be Your disciple again today, You will not turn a genuine request away.  With thankfulness I know, that not only will my heart and mind be changed to be more righteous, I will also be directed on how, as well as be more able to manifest Your love to others, being equipped by the Holy Spirit to do so.

It is so beneficial to reflect that it is only You, God, who has love at the centre of Your Government.  From my reading of scripture I understand, that heaven is founded upon love.  Which is why Your Son, Jesus came down to earth to rescue fallen mankind, because He loved His Father supremely, as well as the now sinful created people on earth.  It was out of boundless love from heaven, that we could not be left without a choice to be rescued from sin and death, and in so doing choose eternal life in heaven.  Where You, the Father and Your Son, as the source of love, life and light dwell.

For me I desire to be cleansed of sin, and live in the pure, bright vibrant atmosphere of heaven, because You both will be there!

I am so heart glad by the knowledge, that tody I can be gifted by the Holy Spirit, with love, life and light through Jesus.  This applies for as long as I accept Jesus and walk in obedience His way, manifesting my Spirit given gifts to others and so bring them Your love and joy.

I give You praises again, because You love us (me) in all circumstances, seeking for us to be Your true children, full of love for You and all others.  In my mind, I say why would I (we) refuse?

Amen

 

Galatians 3: 22, 23 “But the scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.  But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.”

Dear God,

I am reminded again that I worship the One and only true God, who never changes, in word or purpose.  When calling Abraham, You made an agreement or promise to him, saying that through him, a people more numerous than the stars would come, for Your blessing would be upon him.  Jesus Christ came many years later through his seed.  He was the Seed of promise, the One to deliver mankind from sin.

In the meantime through Moses, Abraham’s seed had the moral law, to reveal Your character to them, and give guidance on how they should live.  Moses was also given by You, the ceremonial law, with inherent symbolism pointing to the Deliverer, Christ who would come as the answer to sin and death. His own body became the necessary sacrifice of blood.  So I understand that the keeping of the ceremonies or ceremonial law, directed them all to the coming Saviour.

Paul often talked with the Jews and Gentiles, about how Jesus became our Saviour, and therefore no more animal sacrifices were/are required, for the event had occurred as foretold.  The freedom that came from these practices for me and all people, bears repeating; the sacrifice of the body of Christ, Your Son, has atoned for sin, once and for all, for all time.  Paul in his writings repeats this theme, over and over.  Galatians 3: 26, 27 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as were baptized unto Christ have put on Christ.”

Thank You, Jesus my Lord, that I have freedom to choose You again today and to be called a child of promise.  I pray anew, that I will learn of You more intimately, and by faith (given by the Holy Spirit), walk in Your way with joy and appreciation.

I desire that the good news, about Jesus being my Saviour, will bubble out of me spontaneously, for it not only lifts me up, but is for all people of all colours, in all places and in every circumstance and situation.  V 28 “………….for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  The good news does not stop there, V 29 “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Hallelujah, praise Your blessed name!

Amen