An open mind

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.                   Luke 24.27

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.    Luke 24.45

In both these cases the reference is to the Old Testament writings. Indeed, at this time the New Testament was not in existence.

I know from my own studies that Jesus “inhabits” the Old Testament Scriptures. They are full of his presence and proclamation. And now, we are privileged to know the New Testament writings and the further, and more overt, revelation of Jesus. I want to know and understand all I can about my Lord and Saviour. And I want to know Him deeply, intimately, lovingly and practically.

Lord Jesus,

I trust I do not misread my heart. I want to know You. I want to live in You and with You, and I want to share You with others in a real and life-changing way.

I can learn much about You from the Holy Scriptures. I ask You to open my mind as You did with those early disciples, and I ask You to explain to me what the Scriptures, all of them – both Old and New Testaments, mean. By Your grace let me understand all I can about You. I ask also that You would draw me close to You in real and intimate union. I ask for a powerful relationship, a true abiding of You in me and me in You.

I ask, then, for God-given opportunities to share with others. Out of my relationship with You I desire to reach others and minister to them, leading them into their own relationship with You.

Sweet Lord, know the deep desires of my heart. Hear this, my ardent prayer. And respond, I beg You, for I ask it in Your precious and powerful Name. Hallelujah!                     Amen. 

A touch

She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.                       Luke 8.44

There are several aspects to this story for me which come together in this verse.

The woman had suffered for twelve years. She had found no respite or cure. But she knew that she could be healed by Jesus. Perhaps she was too timid to approach Him directly, or fearful that she might be rebutted. It did not matter. Her faith was strong enough for her to come up behind Him, knowing that the merest touch was all she needed. She touched Jesus, and was instantly cured.

Jesus knew that He had been touched. He knew that someone had come close enough to Him to be affected. When anyone comes to Jesus, He knows instantly. There can be no furtiveness with Jesus. All is clear to Him. Nothing is hidden.

Jesus knew that power had gone out of Him. He was not diminished in any way, but He knew He had touched and impacted someone. He knew and He was not angry. He acknowledged the act of faith in the woman and He blessed her: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

What applied to this woman so long ago I believe applies equally today. If we come to Jesus in faith, He will know and He will receive us. We will receive power and healing as we touch Him. And we will be affirmed and blessed by Him.

Lord Jesus,

I come to You anew. I come in faith. I come to face You. I seek to touch You and to receive from You. I seek relationship with You. I ask for power to fit me for works of love and grace in Your Name.

I pray for those who need a touch from You. Hear my prayer on their behalf. Reach out, Precious Lord, and touch them with Your healing, release, and the wonderful gift of salvation.

I love You, Lord. I look to walk with You today. Hallelujah! Praise Your Name.       Amen.

Beyond understanding

He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.”         Judges 13.18

Manoah, the father of Samson, has asked the name of the angel of the Lord. His answer is as above. The Hebrew for the phrase “beyond understanding” is “wonderful”. It is the name of the One who would come as Mighty God.

God is as His name. He is wonderful and He is beyond understanding.

What an incredible, yes truly unbelievable truth it is that this wonderful God, who is quite beyond human understanding has chosen me to be His son. Furthermore, in this sonship I receive freely from Him, and familial qualities are available to me as I allow Him to work in me, to prepare me and refine me and make me, more and more, to conform to His image.

Lord God,

I worship You. I adore You. I come to You and say, O Wonderful One, You who are beyond my understanding, I do not need understanding to know that my life can only exist in You. I give myself to You. I ask You to draw me close. Show me something of the wonder of You. Give me more of You.

Lord, wonderful God, I applaud You. I kneel before You a in the fullness of Your grace and ask You to fill me to overflowing,

                                                in Jesus’ name.                                    Amen.

Like David

After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: “I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to.”    Acts 13.22

David certainly had a mixed life. He committed adultery and was responsible for murder, yet God called him a man after my own heart. I think this might be because God knew the true state of David’s heart. David loved God and his heartfelt and heart-rending cry of repentance after his double crime is a clear indication of the true man.

David had many experiences which, on surface value, would seem to deny the existence of God’s blessing in his life. Yet he remained steadfast. God worked for good in David through all the trying experiences, and he did indeed know God’s blessing.

God promised David an everlasting dynasty. In time the sovereignty failed and seemed to have disappeared for all time. Yet a King was to come out of the house of David more glorious than any worldly dream could have imagined. The Saviour of the world, the eternal King, came out of the blessing that God imparted to David.

Lord God,

I give You thanks and praise for David. I rejoice that he was a man after Your own heart, willing to do everything You wanted him to do.

In these respects I seek to be like David. I want to do all that You would have of me. I seek Your help in this for I know I cannot do this in my own strength. But all things are possible with You, and the power of Your Holy Spirit in me will achieve all You would have of me.

I surrender to You. I offer myself, wholly and freely into Your service.

Take me and use me, in Jesus’ name I ask.                                         Amen.

The strength you have

The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”                       Judges 6.16

I see deep truth and much encouragement in this verse. Gideon has all the strength he needs. God clearly tells him that He is with him. Therefore the strength of the Lord is in Gideon and this is all he needs.

What does this tell me? Firstly to be sure when I go that God is sending me. When I know this I know that I go in the strength of the Lord.

I don’t ever want to go without God leading me, but I need to be sure this is the case, and that I’m not heading off in my own will and strength.

As I go forward in God’s will, I will know the strength of the Lord. Hallelujah!

Lord God,

I come to You and lay myself before You. I join with my Lord Jesus and say, “Yet not my will but yours be done.”

I want to go where You would send me. I want to live, and work, and have my being in You. I seek to operate only in Your strength. I wait on You, Lord. I look to You to lead me forward.

I pray for the fullness of strength, Your strength. Nothing is impossible for You. Lord, let me know Your strength and direction.

Take me through this day, and through my life, in Your will and in Your strength, in Jesus’ name I ask.                                                                                                      Amen.

Some, ... but others!

Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.           Acts 28.24

There have always been mixed responses to the gospel message. Perhaps this will always be the case. Is this the outworking of Jesus’ words “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6.44)? This is God’s prevenient grace in action. God is God. He prepares the way for all who come to Him. He calls and He draws.

There are many I would dearly like to see join the body of Christ with the guarantee of the eternal kingdom. If they can’t come until the Father draws them, then the best gift I can give them is to call out to the Father in prayer on their behalf, and ask for His action to be extended to them.

Dear and Wonderful Father,

I thank You for my salvation. I marvel as I remember the journey that You have led me on, a journey that continues. But I think of others. I bring to mind family, friends, neighbours and acquaintances. They do not know You and, further, often respond in the negative when mention is made of You.

I realise, precious Father, that the bringing of these people to You lies, very likely, in the act of You drawing them. My action is to pray for them. I bring them before You and lift each one of them to You. Hear my cry for them, Lord. I cry out for their salvation. I pray for a divine reaching out to them and a rightful response on their part.

Hear my prayer for the lost. I start with those I know. I bring to mind the names of those close to me but there are many more, many whose names elude me. You know them all, the ones familiar to me, and all the others. Touch them Lord. Draw them to You, let them be convinced and receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Hear my prayer, in Jesus’ name I ask.

                                                                                                                                    Amen.

Raised

“Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?”      Acts 26.8

Paul has been speaking to Agrippa, but these words suggest that he now addresses the others present such as Festus and the commanders. They did not believe in the resurrection. Agrippa was allied with the Sadducees. He appointed them high priests. He would be familiar with their non-belief in resurrection, and likely rejected it also himself.

In natural and scientific eyes resurrection is indeed incredible; it is unbelievable. But God rises above the ways and thinking of humanity, the supernatural transcends the natural. God raised Jesus from the dead, the first fruits for all who would follow Him. Man was created to enjoy deep and lasting relationship with God. The resurrection of Jesus opens the way for man to return to God and to recover the original promise.

Lord God,

I thank You for this reminder from Paul. In You there is fullness and permanence of life. Thank You. My mind cannot grasp the concept of eternal life, but my heart rejoices at the prospect.

I thank You that Jesus made the way. I accept the way of Jesus. I receive Christ anew into my heart today. I confess my sins before You. I ask Your forgiveness and Your help to overcome.

I pray for others especially those known to me who do not walk with You. I ask for that special revelation for them that will show them the way, and lead them in the way.

I thank You for this way. May I walk with You? Please guide me, speak with me, and enjoy me, allowing me to enjoy You.

            In Jesus’ name I ask these things.                               Amen.