Press on

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.                                                             Phil. 3.12

The promises of God are great. He has, literally, wonders in store for His people. Sometimes we might be tempted to ponder and say, “But where is the blessing; where is the release; where is the healing?” 

God’s Word is full of His promises, yet He doesn’t ever seem to give a timetable. God’s ways will be achieved in His time. I do not believe it is my place to question God’s timing, or even His lack of action but, rather, in company with Paul to “press on”. I am running a race, and I do not stop. Certainly there may be times when I need to slow up and rest. Then, I shall rest in Him. The rest of God is a most wonderful thing. I rest but I do not give up. No, I press on. The race is not over until the winning post is passed and this place is clear to every believer in Christ.

By no means have I already obtained all this. But I intend to. And so, I shall press on, seeking and receiving strength from Him, for surely He has “taken hold” of me for His own special purposes. He will not leave me. He has no plans whatsoever to abandon me. In fact, He will lift me up; He will strengthen and equip me; He will encourage and nurture me. He has a purpose for me. I have been called according to His purpose. And so, I press on. I press on to take hold of that for which He has taken hold of me. Some “things” – factors, events, people – may seek to waylay me, to hold me back from His ways and purposes. Yet I will persevere. Though the evil one may seek to reduce me to a state of unworthiness and doubt, I will ever press on, determined to reach the goal that I have in Him.

God is for me. No-one, nothing will I allow to come against me. My glorious Lord has prepared the way, He has cleared the way, and He calls me clearly saying, “This is the way, walk in it!”

My Dad

When I thought, “My foot is slipping,” your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.                                                                                                                                    Psalm 94.18

There are times when I feel quite uncertain. Then, when I turn to God, I am upheld and my way becomes sure.

There are times when I can literally feel myself going, and again God comes in with His amazing support and guidance.

At other times I sense, “It’s too late, I’ve really done it this time. Here comes the crash!” And, yet again, God is there for me. In such instances it might require me to deal with pride. Yes, I likely need to swallow a great deal of pride! But God is there, and will come to the rescue if I will allow.

I am but one, and may see my concerns as relatively insignificant in worldly terms. I have heard, and read, of others whose plight is far more perilous that mine, sometimes even deadly. But God upholds them. Indeed, the greater the adversity, the stronger is the testimony – of God’s protection, deliverance and blessing.

This is His steadfast love, and it is active. God does not hold back. There are certainly times when I need to come to Him in humble petition. I need to take deep into my being the truth and realisation that nothing, but NOTHING keeps God’s love from me. This is basic, and vital, information. When I feel shame, guilt or unworthiness, particularly if it’s connected with actions or thoughts I feel responsible for, the clear action for me is to run to the Father and confess. Satan will delight to attempt to persuade me I’m a lost cause, but God’s love is greater, and it beckons me back into sweet relationship with Him.

Dear Father,

I read of You holding me up when my foot is slipping and I see a wonderful picture of a dad and his son. And this is what I cherish. I give myself to You for the fullness of this relationship.

Yes, You are God Almighty, but You are also my living, heavenly Dad. I worship You as Almighty God, and I love You as my Divine Dad.

Can I embrace these two very different aspects of You? I think so! And I marvel at how wonderful, gracious and loving You are.

I thank You, in Jesus’ name.               Amen.

Open My Eyes!

And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.                                                                                                                                                              2 Kings 6.17

The servant had seen the forces of the enemy surrounding them and he had taken fright. His focus was on the natural situation. Elisha asked God to reveal His strength and His forces. The servant’s eyes were opened to the supernatural potential in the situation.

When I am overwhelmed by natural adversity I pray that God will reveal to me the supernatural remedy.

Lord God,

You are greater than any man made threat. And You have assured me that You are always with me, You will never forsake me.

I thank You, Mighty One, and I rejoice in Your protection.                Amen.

God’s plans

O Lord, you are my God;

I will exalt you and praise your name,

for in perfect faithfulness you have done

marvellous things, things planned long ago.                         Isa. 25.1

As I read this I am reminded that God has a plan for my life. Furthermore, He made plans for me a long time ago, maybe even before time began. God is faithful, He is true in all that He does, and His long-standing plans for me will not be shelved or set aside. Whatever might intervene, and this includes any tardiness or failure on my part, God will have His way. His faithfulness is perfect – His Word tells me this. And the things that He planned for me so long ago will come to pass.

Today I am reassured that God has a plan for me. There is no detail about that plan. I am no more definite in this than I was yesterday, but I accept God’s Word. He planned things for me a long time ago, things that are still to come to pass. In Him I have a hope and a future. He will show me the way. I must trust Him, rest in Him, and seek Him with all my heart.

Lord God,

I love You. I thank You for Your Word today. I take reassurance from You as I look to You for the way forward. Am I in the right place? Am I doing what You would have me do? Where would You have me? What would You have me do?

Great Guide, I look to You for direction and leading. I submit to You. Show me the way, in Jesus’ name I ask.            Amen.

Come

“Come to me, ...”                                           M’t. 11.28

I know what follows, yet for now I want simply to hear these words, to take them into my being, and to willingly respond to them.

This is my Lord Jesus saying to me – “Come, come to me, come with me. Ally yourself with me and you will see wonders, your life will be wonderful.”

I know what follows these words. I’m told I will receive rest. The implication is that my weariness will be removed, my burden will be lifted. I will receive precious treatment from my wonderful Lord who is gentle and humble in heart. In Him I will find ease and lightness.

I know these things, yet just at this moment I think I want to know only His voice, beckoning me in invitation, “Come to me...”

Lord Jesus,

These words speak volumes. They speak life, intimate life, comfort, companionship, peace and fulfilment. Today I need hear nothing else.

Lord Jesus, I come.                 Amen.