Month: November 2019

Dear God,

I am reflecting upon the integrity and goodness of You, the Father and Jesus, Your son.  It is so easy for we people of earth, to be swayed and view more favourably someone who is well dressed and spoken, who fits our mould of respectable and pleasant, than someone looking scruffy or doing deeds that is not socially acceptable.  We are only able to view the outside actions, words and expressions, as an indication of what is going on in the inside of a person.  Even though I may have a high opinion in my ability to judge how a person is thinking, I have been taught that we are more often than not wrong.  I am reminded in Your sacred Scriptures, we are to judge the motives of no man as it can lead to the sin of misjudging that person.

A number of times, the priests and disciples, were disconcerted when Jesus revealed he had known what they were thinking.  Once again Jesus was bought a man to be healed, He said to the paralytic ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.’  Matthew 9: 2 – 4 the beautiful act of healing and a sinner being forgiven; which could only be done by the power of God, were lost on the scribes.  Instead in horror, said ‘This man blasphemes!’ Verse 4 Jesus, knowing their thoughts said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts?’

Jesus was not influenced by the estimation the community put upon certain people, and the jobs they were currently doing; for He knew the heart and thoughts of each.  Jesus, Matthew 9: 9”…saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office.  And He said to him, ‘follow Me.’ so he arose and followed Him.”   In loving acceptance Jesus did not repulse the ‘many other tax collectors and sinners’ that ‘came and sat down with Him and His disciples.’  Jesus is our Saviour, and sinners like me need to everyday humble ourselves in repentance and confess every sin. Verse 13 “………. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. 

May it not be so, that I or any one reading this, will like the priests and scribes not know that they were in great spiritual need and stood naked of righteousness before God.  You God know my heart, motives and intentions, please reveal to me my spiritual needs so I can make them all right with You, and be covered by the righteousness of Jesus; for none of us have any of our own.

Amen

Dear God,

Jesus on earth had faith that grew in communion with You His Father and by being filled with the Holy Spirit; and by this faith He successfully passed through the trials ahead.  Jesus knows that we will go through trials and hardship upon earth. We read in scripture that it is no different for us, unless we have a strong faith in God and His Holy word, received with much diligent study, our faith in God can falter under persecution and harassment.

We often do not appreciate that we at times are not fully filled with the Holy Spirit, and have insufficient living faith founded upon God and His word, that will endure in all situations.  A young man that was self-assured in His relationship with Jesus came Matthew 8:19 “a certain scribe came and said to Him, ‘Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”  The life of Jesus was one of self-sacrifice, and no purpose was served by Him having house and property.  This is certainly not the lifestyle that most could happily continue in. Verse 20 “And Jesus said to him, ‘foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” This gentle answer revealed that this young man did not fully know his heart.

For my faith to grow, and reveal it is founded strongly upon my belief in God and His unchanging Word, the business of Jesus will be placed ahead of my own.  So often we say I will serve Jesus after, I have done this for myself, Verse 22 “Jesus said to him, ‘Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

The disciples revealed their lack of spiritual preparation that would have allowed each to rest in Jesus by faith.  Verse 24“And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves.  But He was asleep.”  The disciples in great fear and distress woke Jesus, believing He would save them.”  Verse 26 “He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’ ”Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea and there was a great calm.”

Jesus You still have control of all things, and power over the winds and seas.  I desire to grow in faith, and abide in Your still valid promise, ‘I will give you peace, not as the world gives it.’

Amen

Dear God,

God by Your own word, Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change…..” and neither does Your Son, for in, Hebrews 13: 8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”  Again God, by Your own words, we are told we will always be in your ‘sights’ and care, which ultimately means: about nothing, do we need to fear.  Joshua 1: 5 “……..as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.  I will not leave you nor forsake you.”  Moses gave counsel that reflected how God over the long years had  cared for the children of Israel, and spoke these words to them, Deuteronomy 31: 6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

We know that Jesus during His earthly ministry was moved with compassion for those with sicknesses and other afflictions.  This is evidenced by His frequent interventions. Matthew 8: 17 “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.’”

Not only did You care for the sick and afflicted in the Old Testament record, but In the New Testament Record, through the ministry of Jesus, and later, through the Holy Spirit moving upon the disciples of Jesus. Now we do not have Jesus living on the earth in human form, but I am so grateful, that the Holy Spirit came down to earth, as Jesus promised, and brings Jesus into our hearts in a close saving relationship.

Because Jesus and You His Father never change, we are assured that You still care about our every affliction and sickness and often intervene in answer to fervent prevailing prayer.  Today, we still have the assurance of James 1: 17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

I praise Your Holy names, and ask that I be filled with Your Holy Spirit, and thereby be filled with Joy, as You walk with me, during all times and aspects of my life.

Amen

Dear God,

In the name of Jesus, I ask that I be filled with Your Holy Spirit, as I study Your word, and reflect on the lessons You reveal.  The multitude of people who had been flocking after Jesus, were astonished at His teaching on an intellectual level.  It would seem that many at that time did not give their heart to Jesus.  Jesus knew that an interest planted is not wasted, for after His death, many of them were converted and followed Him.

In the gospel record, comes an episode that alerts us as to what true worshipful believing faith looks like and the response of Jesus to his request.  In that time, came a leper, who first worshiped Jesus, then in a humble, faith statement said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean” Matthew 8: 2.  Without hesitation, Verse 3 “Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing be cleansed.’  Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” 

The priests looked down on those afflicted with leprosy, as they saw as a judgement from God.  Not so Jesus, He welcomed all who came seeking of every status and need. As a lesson for the priests, the leper, was instructed Verse 4 “…..go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

The priests and elders hated people of the Roman rule.  No so Jesus, when a centurion came pleading, Verse 6, 7 “’saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented,’ and Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.’”  So often in spiritual presentations, the speakers encourage us to claim texts and demand answers, especially for healing.  I am not seeing this in these examples, I am seeing faith within humility and the acknowledgement that You are all powerful and can heal, but not at our demand, but in Your Divine all-knowing will and love response.  The centurion did not feel worthy to have Jesus come to his house, Verse 8 “…..But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” Jesus marveled at the faith of the Roman centurion.  Verse 13 “Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go your way: and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.’  And his servant was healed that same hour.”

Because I am worthy in Your eyes, please take my life and heart, and grow in me a love and faith, that humbly turns to You all through the day in loving worship and praise, then needful supplication.

Amen

 

Dear God,

I have been contemplating the surrendered life of Jesus whilst on earth, to You, His Father.  Throughout the gospel account, Your profound divine love toward Him, is evident.  Jesus demonstrated His love daily, as he sought You early each day in long and earnest prayer, in the presence of the Holy Spirit.  It was real heart love mutually felt and received, that enabled the loving life and sacrifice of Jesus, in dire and dark circumstances.

It is the love of Jesus, that calls me today, and when it finds a responsive chord in the heart, the love I have for my Saviour grows and closer and closer to Him I come.  It is then I see that true surrender to the will of Jesus is possible, and the reward is to be free from my personally destructive thoughts and ways.  Ephesian 5:2 “Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” 

From the Biblical account it is believed that Mary the sister of Lazarus, had been caught in sinful practices and Jesus lovingly healed her and she was devoted in her love for Jesus in return. Mark 14: 3 “And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard.  Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.”  John 12:3 indicates this was Mary, the sister of Lazarus.  To me this shows the deep love and surrendered love Mary had for the One, who had literally saved her and in return her love for Him was over flowing.

Some of the disciples of Jesus were so taken up with the view that it was a waste of costly oil being poured out upon Jesus, when it could have been sold and realised good money for the poor. Jesus rebuked them, for He knew her heart, and the loving sacrifice warmed His heart.  Mark 14:8”She has done what she could.  She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.”  Her gift must have been prompted by the Holy Spirit, and was fit for the King of Heaven!

I do not want to miss the point of any of the Bible teachings that You God have for me, today.   I also wish to humbly sit at the feet of Jesus in surrender, and give the gift of my whole heart, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Dear God,

As the result of Adam, allowing Satan to seduce him into sin; which was forever in its consequences thereafter, for all the progeny to come;  every one of us since then is born naturally sinning, with the expectation of hardship and in the end eternal death, not a life in beauty and eternal life as You had planned for the human race at creation.

Soon Christmas is celebrated, and many people miss the beautiful story of surrender, sacrifice and absolute love, by You God the Father and Jesus.  You could not leave us to suffer and eternal death, so in love and sacrifice toward the entire human race, You gave Your only Son to this world, so that He could become the Lamb of sacrifice, on our behalf.

As I behold the divine sacrifice I behold, that nothing was withheld, You the Father of God could not give more, and Jesus came to earth having offered Himself willingly on behalf of all of earth.  He could not give more than His whole self in representing His Father in His life and ministry, then in allowing Himself to put to death, taking upon Himself all the sins of earth.

So many times I hold back, maybe even thinking I am giving my Saviour all in surrender, and then I perceive my selfishness and self-interest is still intruding and motivating some actions.  You gladly bring me to acknowledgement, and repentance with confession, and we together have me start over.  2 Corinthians 5: 15 “He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”  When we truly love, we give ourselves to the one we love, and as Jesus surrendered all for me, I in love wish to give all of my allegiance to Him.

When I give Jesus my heart and ask Him to be my Pilot and allow Him to fill me with His love, love becomes my motivating force for change within my sinful heart, and out workings.  Romans 6: 12 “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.”

Jesus today I again invite You to have my heart, and free me from my attachment to self and sin, so that all the nasty, envious self-focused thoughts, words and behaviours can be replaced by Your loving ones.  Romans 6: 16 “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness.”

Amen

Dear God,

This morning, I want to express my appreciation and thanks to You, in prayer and songs of joyful praise.  Psalm 18: 46 “The Lord lives!  Blessed be my Rock!  Let the God of my salvation be exalted.”  I praise You that I have been the recipient of many years of tender care and attentiveness.  Words cannot properly express the deep spiritual and emotional strengthening, that has come from my times, of communing interactively in my journal/email prayers.  Psalm 89:1 “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.” These verses express in a limited way, the loving blessings that I have received down through the years from Your righteous right hand.

I am sure that like a couple who have known each other for many years, the established relationship between God, My Saviour and me, woman of God, will grow even sweeter during the remainder of my life.  Psalm 89:14, 15 “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face, blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!  They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.”

Because I still do and say stupid things, until now I had not appreciated the wisdom I have learnt from just reading Your Holy word and in Your strength living out what I have been taught and ‘taken on board’. Job 12: 12, 13 “Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding.  With him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding.”  Just because I am older and have learnt a few things does not mean that I can go the Christian life alone.  In fact I believe, with more knowledge and awareness, come a greater sense of my need of You and delight in coming to You with my prayers of request and praise.  Psalm 71:5 “For You are my hope, O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth.”

Like a Middle Eastern shepherd with his sheep, God You have been caring for me all the while, and as the true Shepherd, none of Your flock is ever abandoned.  I am so glad, for I more than ever need Your knowledge, guidance and care.  Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Amen

Dear God,

Thank You My God, for this day, for I have achieved another milestone along the span of my life.  I appreciate, that You the Mighty God of the universe, has chosen us from the beginning and does not wipe off anyone from His love and care, whether young or old; capable, brilliant or becoming incapable and forgetful or many other imperfections.  Isaiah 46: 4”Even to your old age, I am He, and even to grey hairs I will carry you!  I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”

I had not properly comprehended that the beginning of my loving You, and progressing on to desiring to follow You all my life; was started by You, for we are special enough in Your eyes, to be invited to accept Your love, and form an interactive relationship.  John 15:16”You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, that your fruit should remain, and whatever you ask the Father in My name He many give you.”  Every day I have different Bible texts and statements that I find helpful and enlightening, which I like to walk through, so I can bear fruit and be given riches from my Fathers store.

I also I have limited wisdom, and from scripture I read much everyday wisdom and encouragement.  Proverbs 3: 7, 8 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.  It will be health to your flesh, and strength, to your bones.” Proverbs 16: 31 “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.”

I have experienced Your restoration of needed strength, as I have journeyed through life.  These are precious memories.  Isaiah 58: 11“the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

Psalm 48: 14 “For that is what God is like.  He us our God forever and ever and he will guide us until we die.”  As I stop to reflect, it is evident that we do not progress on to our death, alone, for You will guide us all along, and stay our emotions because we trust in You.  

I praise and uplift Your Mighty name, for You are all I need.

Amen

Dear God,

I am reminded this morning that I do not have to continue to be sad, because yet again I have spoken quickly and a little harshly to family members.  I speed to You, in repentance, and confession, believing I am forgiven.  I by determination alone cannot prevent this happening again, when tired and pressured.  My recourse is only ever, to daily and throughout the day, invite You Jesus afresh into my heart.

It is also wise I have found, to take precautionary measures in looking after this body I have been given, and when possible, prevent over tiredness and pressure.  I truly do want to live in a way that lifts up Jesus and glorifies You, Father God.  1 Corinthians 10: 31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  Please hear my prayer, and be my strength and guiding force, so that Your desire for me, can be actuated as I live each day. I more realise, it is by accepting the invitation  of Jesus, and abiding in Him, as a branch to a vine, that I have the continuous spiritual, life giving ‘sap’ flowing through me.

Sometimes it easy to begin to doubt that I really do have the Holy Spirit fully dwelling in me, because my behaviour is often not full of love or the fruit of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”.   But then I read in many places of scripture, this the reality for the sinner, living the Christian life, and we must never give place to the suggestions of Satan and with despair, give up,  God has provided a way out, Jesus will lift us up.  God reminds me just how He views an erring, but repentant sinner, who looks to Jesus upon the cross, dying for every sin.  John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”  Thank You for bringing this promise before me again today, as I am reminded how precious we are in Your sight.

Never are we rejected when we come to You hoping and desiring to be saved.  Even now Jesus is raised, and through His spilt blood, intercedes on my behalf.  1 John 2:1 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

I am so glad, that I am loved absolutely, forgiven and blessed by Your presence.

Amen

v

Dear God,

How precious is Your Holy Word to me each day, as I read and think about what You have prepared for me today.  Your words can be likened to so many different things, for You have provided for our instruction and answered our needs in Your Word.   They are like a banqueting table prepared for regular partaking of, as spiritual nourishment.   Psalm 119: 105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” 

Jesus our Saviour and example spent much time in prayer and absorbing all the words of Scripture, and gives us an example of the importance of these Holy words, as He withstood Satan in a life and death battle in the wilderness.  It truly was a life and death battle for us, for if when weakened by a 40 day fast, Satan had caused Him to sin, then Satan would have claimed this world, and we would not have been saved from sinning and eternal death.  Remind me often that it was by appropriating the words of Scripture, that Jesus overcame Satan, in severe temptation and trial; and so it can be for us.

We must not give Satan an entry by answering or following any of his suggestions; remembering, Jesus did not give Satan any authority.  Matthew 4: 3,  Satan tried to insert doubt in Jesus that He was the Son of God, as well as causing Him to presume to work a miracle to satisfy Satan’s charge, Jesus replied, Verse 4:  “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”  Satan in Verse 6, “….If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down.’’ Then by misusing words of scripture, his temptation intensified. The answer of Jesus established Who He was, Verse 7 “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord Your God.’”  This was a quote from the words of God, delivered by Moses, after some wrong actions of the children of Israel.

Satan now appealed to the human desire to acquire possessions and prestige, if Jesus would bow down and worship him.  Jesus again relied on scripture for His decision and answer, Verse 10 “Away with you, Satan!  For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

Please as I read implant in me Your Holy Word and a deep love for You, so by Your Spirit I can be snatched form temptation.

Amen