No Lies

 – a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,                                     Titus 1.2

Paul is talking to Titus about faith and knowledge – the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. This faith and knowledge rests on the hope of eternal life which God promised even before time itself.

Paul reminds Titus of this promise, making it quite clear that God does not lie.

This is a reminder that, perhaps, I need to refresh from time to time: God does not lie.

The Word of God is full of promises which stand for me, and for all who would believe. God has promised and God does not lie.

I believe God has given me, both directly and through the words of others, certain undertakings and promises for my own edification and blessing. God has promised these things and God does not lie.

I take hold, I receive anew, everything that God has promised me. I rejoice and I give thanks.

Lord God,

I give You thanks today for this reminder of Your many glorious promises and Your word of faithfulness and truth. You have promised, Lord, and You do not lie.

I thank You. I rejoice. I exalt You and I marvel at who I am in You.

I receive anew every promise that is in Your Word for me. I take again each and every personal promise You have made to me in every way. I look to go forward in Your promises. I believe in the fulfilment of Your promises to me, each and every one of them.

Lead me, precious Saviour. In power let me minister in You, receiving the outworking of every promise, each in its due time and season.

My love for You overflows.

O Lord, lead me on. Hallelujah! I praise Your Name.           Amen.

the Spirit

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”                                                                                       John 3.5

Nicodemus didn’t understand the “second” birth, the birth of the Spirit. Indeed, what exactly is meant by “being born of the Spirit”? There may be as many answers to that question as there are theologies.

What impacts me today is the consequence of the Spirit that Jesus reveals:

         “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot

         tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born

         of the Spirit.” (v8)

The Spirit, like the wind, will blow wherever it pleases. This does not mean that I can go wherever, or do whatever, I please. But, as I am led by the Spirit of God, He may take me wherever, and lead me to do whatever. This comes clearly to me in one word – freedom!

In the Spirit I am free for God to have His way with me. He may take me anywhere and He may do just as He pleases with me. How amazing and how wonderful! How can I not give myself fully to Him in this?

Lord God,

I declare that I have been born of water and the Spirit – and I rejoice!

I give myself fully to Your Holy Spirit. I invite You to have Your way in all that I am and in everything that I do. I want to go no other way than the way You have ordained for me.

I pray for my journey through the day ahead. I look to Your leading and guidance. Show me those things You would have me take note of. Make clear to me all that You want me to do.

I love You and I want to spread that love and encourage others in it. I need Your Holy Spirit. And so, I surrender to You. And the very act of surrender frees me. How blessed I am.

Come, Holy Spirit, lead me on, in Jesus’ name I ask.                   Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").

Caution

But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.                    John 2.24,25

I sense a caution in these words. Jesus loved people. He gave Himself to them, seeking always to bring them to a better place. He taught, He healed, and He ably demonstrated the Father’s love. But He was also cautious. He did not give Himself unwisely. Jesus, I believe, was careful in how He disclosed Himself, and to whom.

From these words I sense that I, too, need to be wise about how I share Jesus. Not all people will welcome Him. Some may ridicule. Some may be overtly hostile. I will not share my Lord where He is likely to be sneered at or made small of. I need wisdom, therefore, to know just when to speak, how to frame my words and form my actions.

Wisdom is a gift from God. James tells me if I lack wisdom I should ask God, for He gives generously. When it comes to sharing Jesus in spreading the Gospel, I can look to God to give me openings and also equip me and lead me in what to say and do.

Holy Father,

Jesus would not entrust Himself to every one. But I have been privileged to meet with Him and further honoured to be drawn into ministry with Him.

I want my work for You to be the best I can offer. I ask therefore for Your wisdom and guidance in all that I do. I pray that You will guide me to those You wish me to minister to. Let me sense a check with people it would be unwise to share with.

I live to see Your name exalted. Lead me, please, in those paths where I can best serve You. I love You and want others to know of that love. I realize all will not receive it. Direct me, please, to those who will, in Jesus’ name.               Amen.

First turn

When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”                                                                                                                                                      John 2.3

Jesus and His disciples attended a wedding at which His mother was also a guest. When the wine provision was depleted, Mary referred to Jesus.

Jesus’ reply appeared to be one of rebuttal: “Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come.” Despite saying this, He proceeded to work a miracle, and turned water into wine.

It’s interesting that Mary instantly turned to Jesus. What a lesson there is in this story! When things beset us we should instantly turn to Jesus. He is the answer in all things, at all times. O that we would learn from Mary! Let’s turn first to Jesus, and not wait until all other avenues are exhausted and then we are truly desperate.

Lord God,

Help me to turn, more and more, to You in the first instance. I see in the example of the miracle at Cana, how vital it is to turn to You. Your response to Mary was that Your time had not yet come. I rejoice that Your time is now. You are here and ready to lead in all of life.

I surrender to You. I ask You to take me today and lead me in those paths where You would have me go, paths where I may please and delight You.

I pray for those who may be needing You. I pray especially for those who are lost. May all come to know that You have the answer. You turned the water into wine, and the party tasted of a superior product. And so it is when we allow You into our lives. We experience a greater thing.

Lord Jesus, I want to live in the greater things of You. Lead me on, in You precious name I ask.                 Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").