Carry on

What is most hurtful to the Lord?
That we ignore Him, carry on like He isn’t there and take His gifts as our right.

We are inclined to do this to each other too. It’s easy to take people for granted and fail to appreciate what they do. Our vision is usually myopic and we interpret all we see and hear in our own terms. We do not understand people who seem different to us and are fairly intolerant of other people’s foibles. People speak to us and help us, and we don’t recognise it. It’s how the immigrant feels and as time goes past, the feeling multiplies into isolation and loneliness. It is only when we are put in a similar situation, that we begin to understand.

In truth, we need God to teach us these lessons, and to show us how cavalier we treat His blessings and how little we really seek Him for Himself. It usually involves some pain or trial and feeling low about ourselves to show us how fragile we are and how little we know about ourselves. God will allow us to look inside at our hearts state, our motives, or prejudices and our lack of spirituality. The effect is the same for all of us- a horrifying manifestation of our sin. We see things we never saw before…
Many run off at this point and find refuge in just about anything. We can become even more trivial in our thought processes than we were before. We can turn to an offered “remedy” drugs, worldly experiences, pleasures and human people. All these will prove untrue and will cause a range of their own problems that will then have to be faced as well.
If we really look at our own emptiness we will realise there is no remedy in this world. A kind of desperation will set in. The only comfort, strength and cure is to seek the Lord in His Word. It is difficult, as feeling and thoughts will try to keep you away, but the victory comes to the persistent. Those who seek the Lord will find Him when they seek Him with all their heart.

The riches of His Grace are far from easy and involve a life of searching and self- examination but the joy of the Lord becomes our strength. He really is our only rock and salvation. Listening to the sermons are of limited help. We must seek a true and deep relationship with HIM…. only then will we really be able to carry on.

Hebrews 11:11-13. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.”

There is a way out of every troubled time. The Lord gives strength but we also must strengthen ourselves in His might. If we walk correctly and follow the path of holiness, we will be healed. There is plenty for us to do in putting our daily walk with God on a straight and level path and to keep faithful to Him.

Loose ends

There seem to be so many loose ends in life. Times, events and happenings that appear to be left hanging. So much unfinished business and often regret and pain too. This is the stuff of life.

It is brought to our attention at certain times. We have the opportunity to reflect about a time gone past, or people we have known, and are often disappointed in ourselves for failing to take advantage of situations for good. Regret follows and maybe even the resolve to learn and do better in future.

Fortunately for us, God does not keep a tally of our failures and sins. He forgives and gives us strength to move on and grow in His grace.
Let us also resolve to behave like this- mainly it is in our minds, and we need to keep them clear from blame and useless regrets. An unforgiving attitude is detrimental to our spiritual life, and blocks the way of our own forgiveness from God.
Psalm 37:21-24 NIV “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed. The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand…. The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.”

How blessed we are and how eagerly we seek this state of being..! The promises are overwhelming and all- encompassing… may we daily seek this. The Lord of all things is sovereign over them all and over us too. Even our failure He works into the fabric of His purposes for His glory and our good. This is the strong eternal hope of those who love Him in an active life of service.
It is summed up in these few words from the middle of the Psalm… “Hope in the Lord and keep his way.”

Gold

Psalm 119:65-72 NIV

“Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord. Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.”

The writer of this piece of scripture, is wholly concerned with the reality of God in the life of the Christian. All the events of life are seen in context with the longing for the heartfelt presence of the living God to be always known. The duties and labours we all must fulfil from day to day, are many and difficult, and to know the constant presence of God must be our desire and life-long purpose.

The writer is not concerned with those who would cause trouble in the mind and heart, but for the over-ruling of a Heavenly Father, who has provided all we need in His holy word. None can usurp His intentions or will, and He will use all the circumstances of our lives to make us strong and humble.

The sufferings of life are only tutors to teach us the skills we need to live a life of faith and total devotion to God. The Father sends them to purify our motives and strengthen our resolve to follow Him. There are no mistakes in the life of a Christian, only battles that they will ultimately win, in His strength only.

The daily motivation to keep going is love of Him and love of His holy Word. The Christian finds that Prayer, praise and the Word of God are what are needed to see us through the day. Our prayer should be that we are weaned off the things of this life, and our affections rooted and grounded in Christ. If we look to the things of this life, and the people of this life, they will only undermine our faith and water down our love.

May we bow before Him and seek Him…

The joy of the Lord

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Is it possible to enter into the joy of the Lord in this life?

Is it only reserved for the moment we enter the eternal kingdom, or can we know it here and now as we walk with Christ?

Do I always have to stumble? Is there victory over sin and oppression in this life?

Colossians 1:11-14

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

The Apostle Paul here shows that it is possible to life a victorious Christian life. Indeed it is God’s will for us as His sons and daughters, that we should be conforming ourselves to the likeness of His son, Jesus Christ. We are to bear all kind of fruit, in every way. This is not for some believers, but all..! God has given us many gifts, and we are responsible to bring them to fruition by using them for His glory. We can only do this thought the power of the Spirit, teaching us and training us in the wisdom of God and understanding of His perfect Word.

As we are strengthened in The Word, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, our lives become worthy and pleasing to God. Our lives are true, transparent, Christ-like and full of love to other Christians and those who are still lost. God’s strength brings stamina and great patience as we wait for Him to reveal His will, and we respond in thankfulness. This thankfulness is the key element in our Christian lives, both in service and in prayer.

As we walk in these delightful ways, we have a clearer view of the inheritance that is ours, kept for us in the eternal kingdom, which is recognised as one of light, purity and glory. We will share in Christ’s glory, only because of what He has done for us on that cruel cross. The payment of sins was so great- its effects so deep and interwoven in our natures, that only the perfect Son of God could deal with it. This knowledge in the minds and hearts of God’s people is the joyous realisation that we were paid for by Him. He is the reason we are in His kingdom.

We are rescued for the domination of darkness in our lives, and the deadness of our souls. We have been bought out of that kingdom at a tremendous price, by our only Saviour, and have been completely forgiven and made children of the light. God accepts us in Christ, because He is the beloved and the embodiment of the living God.

If this scripture is true, why am I weak and unsteady on my feet? Perhaps we have never entered into the reality of these great truths. Perhaps I am depending on others to teach me and give me strength… There is no strength outside of the Lord Jesus Christ and why would I be satisfied with knowing Him second hand?

The reality in our lives, is that we do not exercise faith. I have faith to believe that Christ has saved me for sin, but the experimental reality of that in my daily life, is unknown to me. Jesus is not a real person. He does not have significance to me personally. I need other things…

The Christian life is nothing without that personal walk with God. It was just a religious event that happened, but it was not all-encompassing and it didn’t last or change my soul. My soul is not alive to God. God’s Word is not necessary to me. I say I love it, but I don’t seek the Lord in it. I am not that desperate to know Him… My prayers are wearisome… a duty, not the breath of my soul…

Yes, I can know joy in this life, but not without the Holy Spirit. I can know some joy, but there is always more. Do I want it? Do I want to be holy?

That is another question…..

Providing food

Mark 8:2 NIV “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.”

Three days with Jesus- what joy..! It went by so easily and occupied their minds so completely, they forgot the necessary needs if the human body. Yet we have finite bodies and the Lord knows it and provides for us.

Jesus tells the people to sit down and feeds every person with food to satisfy their want and need. The bounty of the Lord Jesus is great, way beyond what we could expect or imagine. Jesus provides the food and His disciples distribute it to all in need. What a picture of humility and mercy that God does His mighty works through the agency of fallen men and women. There is work for all to do.

Many are in great need in these sorry days- not just the temporal needs of life, but of deep spiritual wants that can only be satisfied by Him. We cannot forgive the soul, cleanse the conscience or calm the troubled mind from guilt. These need the loving heart of a Saviour who has already paid the debt and can bring rest in the heart and an eternal friendship with Himself. What compassion He has towards us.

The Pharisees were not pleased about it. They viewed the crowd differently and did not approve of God wasting time and resources on them. They tried to be sophisticated about their objections. Asking Jesus for a sign from heaven, Jesus sighed deeply at their lack of insight and yet angry at their blatant unbelief.

They got no sign. Well, they got the sign of feeding the hungry, but refused to recognise it. This is the falsehood of Pharisees. They want God on their terms. They want what He has got for them, but not Him.

Even those who saw this miracle, still could not see above and beyond. Even those who trusted Jesus, they still continued to doubt. And we too. How often God provides for us and we give credit to another? How often He provides for our spiritual good and our building up in godly vigour and we ignore it? How often we pray and don’t expect an answer? Or notice it when God causes it to happen, and we are thrilled??!!

When Jesus asks the disciples about the leftovers of the miracle, they can hardly remember… How slow of heart we are and how untuned to heavenly providence…

Lord, give us faith, insight and compassion as you have for us, that we will regard the multitude and feed them with the spiritual bread from your table… for us too, or we will perish…

Reigning forever

I am a daughter of the King of all Kings. Someday I shall reign with Him and no one will put me down. I will reign with equity, righteousness and holiness and none shall be afraid.

I am a bride in waiting, for the great marriage feast of the Lamb. I shall be forever with my husband, the Lord Christ, and I will sit with Him in eternal glory. I will not be second or disposable or a necessary burden in His kingdom, but will be lifted up to delight in Him and enjoy my inheritance- the throne of God.

Sin will not reign, nor will it be talked about or remembered. This present life will be a tale that is told and will quickly fade into forgotteness. I will take my life eternal and become the woman He always intended me to be.

I will know and understand even as He knows me, and I shall be filled with all wisdom, discretion and pure judgment. I shall see the final outcome of my life’s work and witness for His glory. Those who came to know Him because of my witness will shine in me as His glory. Those who taught me and brought me to faith in Christ, will see me also as a jewel in their crowns given by God.

Why walk this present life in the gloom? Ahead of us is only eternal glory and such beauty, as the perfect reflection of our Saviour Jesus. As we have walked with Him in this life, so we will walk with Him in eternity, in step together. True love will finally be understood and every redeemed human heart will comprehend what love is.

The cross will be central to the songs of heaven. None will forget the price paid so that they could be in the majestic place and raised to those utmost heights. No one will imagine they have any ability or gift that was not bought for them at such a price, and the sheer freedom from the chains of sin, will be our singular praise.

The bride will wonder at her bridegroom. He will take all her attention, adoration and praise. He will reign forever, with His bride shining gloriously by His side, like the stars forever and ever.

This is revealed to us in the Word of God, which is truth and will unfold to those who have eyes to see….

Priscilla and Aquila

Those two Christian believers were a true pair. Even their names matched..! They were married and had come to a true faith in Jesus Christ and were living their lives, full out for Him. Everything they had was His and everything they did was for His glory. What an example they were of what God can do in human lives.

Neither of them were number one to the other. As husband and wife they knew that their first love was Christ. This might seem strange to modern, worldly wise people, but when Jesus is in the first place and our love is for Him, all other loves fall into their right place, and we are happy. We can relate to each other in submission, because we live submitted lives to Him.

Priscilla and Aquila had to leave their life in Rome and move to Corinth. They were both tent makers, and they set up their business in an open-air site in Corinth. They worked hard and worked together, both in their business and also in serving the Lord. They met Paul here, as his trade was also tent-making. As they spoke to him, they learned more about faith and the joy of living as God’s people together. They grew strong in the Spirit and generous in serving Him.

Everything they had did not belong to either of them. All they were and had was placed on the altar of sacrifice to their Saviour Jesus. They gave to others with kindness and taught the way to God with patience and love. Their home was thrown open so that local Christians could meet and fellowship together.

Aquila and Priscilla were models of true Christian living and set the mark for all who came after. There was no competition for top place or desire to lord it over the other party, but a mutual submission to the work of the Holy Spirit in each other’s lives. It sees so alien in the days in which we live. We are overcome by world orientated desires to be in charge and build a temple for God in our own image. We have become corporate and desirous to be acceptable to earthly systems and philosophies.

The way of Christ is not so. He requires truth in our inner selves and adherence to the Spirit’s work and wisdom from God, found only in the Holy scriptures. To live as Priscilla and Aquila did, in holy communion with God and with all people without prejudice. No one can do this without the Spirit, nor do we even want to.

It’s a tall order. Walking with God.

Or walking in the light of our own eyes, in fellowship with this world’s ideas, rather than walking in fellowship with God.

Stand alone

If you should find yourself stepping out for the Lord or standing up for Him, you will find yourself standing alone. This is on purpose.

God is teaching you the cost of following Him, and the hurtful truth, that others probably won’t support you, or encourage you along the way He calls you to go. Yet to obey Him is our primary concern and the way to know Him truly and fully. Psalm 108:12 NIV “Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless.” Our life circumstances are ordained by God, and only He can see us through them. Human beings cannot. People can sometimes become the enemy, but we must not fear, for God will help us to stand.

Our motives for service must be clear, and God will teach you who you are doing the work for- all must be for Christ and through the strength of Christ. Anything else is pure pride and conceit. Let us examine ourselves before the Lord our God does, so we are not found wanting…

The sparrow

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Matthew 10:29

This small bird has been lying here on the road for some time. It is beginning to decompose and has been run over a few times. No one really notices, and many would be disgusted at its small body wasting away… “it doesn’t really matter, it’s only a bird..!” we might say…

The scripture says differently. This little bird fell and died, only when the Father in heaven said so. It’s short little life ended when it was time for it to die, so some event, unexpectedly for the bird, caused it to fall to the ground.

Jesus gave this illustration to show God’s love toward His people. Those who put their faith in Him, become the centre of His attention. He watches over them, like a hen would look after her chicks. Jesus himself wept over Jerusalem because the people, His own people, would not come to Him, and refused His offer of forgiveness, protection and love. There are many like this today. They refuse the offer of mercy, because they refuse the messenger. Jesus was not what they expected, and he did not fit their concept of a religious leader, so they refused Him.

The Lord Jesus Christ is no ordinary man, nor anyway like earthly leaders. His love always holds out to us when we fail and when we entertain ideas of this world. He loves us and directs our paths, even when we go astray. Sparrows go everywhere, yet His love and care for them as His creatures never diminishes. So also for those who seek Him. Every part of their lives is over-shadowed by His undiminishing love. Though all others fail and disappoint, His love remains faithful.

One day we also will face death. At that moment, our Saviour Christ will be closer than any other and will guide us safely home, across the threshold of death, into His eternal kingdom. Don’t be discouraged… even as I write this, I comfort myself, with these truths from God’s word. If he loves sparrows, does He not also love the people He died for and who live everlastingly?

“The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love…” Psalm 33:18

Blue sky above

The winter is upon us and has taken a hold. Frosty mornings, foggy elevenses, cold bright afternoon, and dark clear nights. The season of lights is approaching and people are getting the celebrations ready. Still there are many who linger on their sick beds, and are struggling to recover from cold or flu. This is the place to think higher…

I don’t know what colour your ceiling is, but mine is non-committal white, which I usually avoid looking at. Whatever the finish, best to look beyond the paint and plaster, and see into the presence of the Lord Jesus. He is always there, each day, no matter what our state and He so loves and cares for us, and will keep us safe in His love.

He is the one who dwells in light that no one can ever approach, and yet His precious people can come to that throne in all times of need. He never sleeps nor does He get weary of hearing our prayers, so let us be bold…

Let us seek to be like Him, so that we live lives worthy of our exhaled calling, as His sons and daughters of the eternal kingdom.

He tells us not to judge, as this world judges, but to rest completely in Him.

To be like Him: 1 John 3

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”

Daughters of the Kingdom

Women who glorify God