Month: October 2017

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