Faith and righteousness

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.                                                                            Rom. 3.22

The righteousness of God – in God, with God and from God is available to man.

The righteousness that is met in, and discovered through, the gospel is a righteousness that man can know and grow in. Paul states that it is available to all who believe, whether Jew or Greek or anyone else. The means of receiving this righteousness is freely available. It is simply through faith in Jesus Christ.

God’s righteousness is goodness and purity, honesty and uprightness. It is all that is commendable.

Earlier in the chapter Paul contrasts God’s righteousness with man’s unrighteousness. The human side is weak and sinful. This is a fact, but it can be overcome. Through faith in Jesus Christ God’s righteousness may be received, the present darkness dispersed, and human weakness turned into Godly strength.

Dear Lord,

I know that I believe in Jesus Christ and I thank You for the faith that I have. This faith will lead me into Your righteousness. In fact, it is already doing so.

I surrender my human weakness to You. I release any remaining darkness in my life before the purity of Your light.

I open myself further to the fruits of Your righteousness. I embrace truth, mercy, grace, honesty, love, understanding, patience and a stronger sense of caring for my fellow being and a desire to see each one come into fulfilment in you.

You are the answer and the way is Jesus. My prayer is that the way may be opened wide this year for all those I know to come into fulfilment with You. My prayer is that they will meet with You and grow in love and righteousness.

Receive my prayer. Answer it, I pray, in Jesus’ name.               Amen.

Rest in Him

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.             Matt. 11.28

In recent times I have been receiving a number of messages that are consistent in content. Without exception, they have been saying to me: Come to God; press in to Him; be still; wait upon Him for refreshing, recharging, replenishing and strengthening. I am aware of the words: Spending time with the Lord is not an option – it is the answer!

I agree, and I come to a place of rest in Him. I am completely relaxed – perhaps too much so, if this is possible! I am still. The worship music I have playing at this moment is just right. As I sink into my comfortable chair, I feel as if I am sinking into the arms of my heavenly Father. I feel safe and safeguarded. This is where I belong. This is how I am to travel my particular journey through this life. As I rest in Him, He will strengthen me. He will love me and bring me into the fullness of provision in Him. I am to do only what He wills for me to do, and He will show me clearly all that this entails.

I feel assured. The Lord urges me to abide in Him. As I do this, the assurance will continue I cannot falter if I continue the practice of resting in Him. He will lead me and guide, and the most wonderful relationship will consolidate between us.

Lord God,

Right now I feel so relaxed, almost tired and sleepy. Yet the sense of peace and security that I feel transcends fatigue.

I am at peace. I am still. I sit at Your feet. I pay deep homage to Your most holy Majesty. And I rest completely in You.

I pray that I might receive rest, refreshing, renewing and strengthening from You and in You. I trust You for this. You are my source, my King, my Saviour, my Lord, my Judge, my Friend, my Lover, my Everything. I receive You, in love.               Amen.

Mysteries

Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”                                                         John 19.11

Jesus speaks these words to Pilate. He speaks them with confidence for He knows that the Father in heaven controls all things and is the sole dispenser of power. If any power is wielded on earth it is because it is allowed by the heavenly authority. 

As I ponder this, I puzzle at some of the horrendous happenings that have been “allowed” throughout world history – the sort of things I might refer to as “man’s inhumanity to man”. (crusades, inquisition, the Nazi scourge, present day genocide masquerading as “ethnic cleansing”).

I find it impossible to understand why these things have been allowed to happen. I can only see possible reasons in the area of mysteries of God, mysteries which, one day, may be revealed.

Jesus was sure that Pilate’s power came from above. I am of a similar belief. There is much that happens in the world, and even certain things in my life, that I can’t explain. I choose to believe that God allows these things for reasons beyond my understanding and, possibly, to achieve certain divine purposes.

Lord God,

It does puzzle me how certain events have been allowed throughout the history of the world, but I release these events to You, believing that nothing happens without Your knowledge and agreement.

So, likewise with the things in my life. Certain things have occurred that I would have preferred not to have experienced yet, as I look back, I see how You have worked for the good in all things. I thank You for Your covering over me. I seek the shelter of You wings and the covering of Your feathers. I place myself fully under Your charge and look to the unfolding of the rest of my life in Your ways and will. I thank You, in Jesus’ name.          Amen.

Flesh and Spirit

Again Peter denied it; and at that moment a rooster began to crow. 

 John 18.27

Three times Peter denied his connection with Jesus. Jesus had prophesied this, even in the face of Peter’s declaration that he would die for Jesus.

Peter was acting in his flesh, and the flesh is weak. This scene is in marked contrast to the events recorded by Luke in the Book of Acts where Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, displays boldness and courage, and a zeal for the Gospel and the Kingdom of God that no man can quench. This is Peter moving in the Spirit.

The difference between life in the flesh and life in the Spirit is so great. Peter was not alone in experiencing a dramatic change in his person. The New Testament abounds with stories of transformation. This is also seen throughout the annals of church history and down into the present time.

The Spirit transforms. The Spirit gives new life. The Spirit brings enabling, strength and boldness to be powerful witnesses for Jesus Christ.

Lord God,

I see so clearly the difference in witness that Peter gave in the Spirit against the poor witness he gave in the flesh.

I thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, a gift I embrace into the whole of my being.

I look to be a powerful witness for Jesus as I am filled with His Spirit. I offer my flesh to You. I ask You to fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit. Let me exercise the gifts of the Spirit in full measure. May I demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in all of my living.

I live for You, Lord. I seek no other way. Show me Your way in everything that I do, and lead me in that way.

I declare Jesus to be my Saviour and Lord. I appreciate Him as my truest friend. 

Receive my thanks and love, in Jesus’ name.          Amen.

Protected and sanctified

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

…Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”      John 17.15,17

Jesus has prayed for me. This is powerful and most meaningful. Jesus has prayed God’s protection upon me. He acknowledges that I am in the world and will not be taken out of the world, but God will protect me – from the evil one and from all that is evil.

Jesus has asked God to sanctify me by the truth. I believe God is answering this prayer. I know He desires a purer me, a more holy person, a truer witness to Jesus. 

I am still greatly impacted each time I read of Jesus saying, “I tell you the truth.” I delight at such honesty and complete lack of deceit. This is the most excellent example that I want to follow. Yes, let me be sanctified – to the utmost degree that pleases God. Let me know the truth. God’s word is truth, and in it I will find truth. Let me know God’s truth through His word – both that which is recorded in Holy Scriptures and that which He speaks as a personal rhema to me.

Lord God,

I delight in being in relationship with You. I thank You that Jesus has prayed for protection for me while I am in this world. I receive Your protection and ask that I might always live and minister within it.

I delight greatly in the truth. I find the truth in You, in Jesus and Your Word, and especially under the guidance of Your Holy Spirit.

I thank You for Your Holy Spirit. I humbly ask that You lead me by Your Spirit into all truth. I seek more, more of You, more of Your Word, more relationship, and more ministry. Guide me in all of this through Your powerful and perfect truth.

In Jesus’ name I ask.               Amen.

Light

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”                                       John 12.46

Jesus is both the light of the world and the light in the world.

As the light of the world He is the answer, the only answer. The world has somehow lost its way. There is much darkness in today’s global scene. Yet, there is hope. Jesus is available to all who will receive Him. Jesus lights the way to the Father, to peace and love, and to eternal life in the richest mode possible.

Jesus is also the light in the world. He lives in all those who give themselves to Him. And there are many. The light of Jesus shines in and through each and every true Christian. Even in the darkest places, the Christian is able to shine the light of Christ, and show the way to the Father. May the light increase.

Lord God,

Again I thank You for Jesus. I thank You for the presence of Jesus in my life and for the love and grace that I experience, for the healing and wholeness I enjoy and for the peace and joy that You allow me to share freely and abundantly.

I pray for those in the world who walk and live in darkness. I pray that they might see the light. Lord Jesus, let Your light shine brightly in the darkness. Touch the hearts of the lost to be open to hear Your message of love. Move in them to receive the wonderful gift of eternal life that You offer. Bring them into relationship with the heavenly Father. Restore and renew. Heal and make whole. Fill with life and with light.

I pray also for those who carry the light of Christ, both present and future. Let Your light shine securely through these vessels. Give many opportunities to shine, and let the light always penetrate the darkness.

Lord God, You are sovereign and supreme. Let Your light shine, and overcome the darkness, in Jesus’ name I pray.                 Amen.

The Shepherd

“I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.”                                John 10. 7-9, (see also John 10.1-21)

Jesus is the good shepherd. In New Testament times the role of the shepherd was perhaps more fully understood than it is today. The shepherd was totally connected to his sheep. Each shepherd identified with his own flock. He named each one of his sheep. He called them by their names, and they responded. The sheep knew the voice of their shepherd. They would not respond to a stranger. The sheep would follow their shepherd and he would look after them to the death. Indeed, he would die for them if necessary.

Jesus said:

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…”(v14)

He is talking here of a deep mutual knowledge. He compares His relationship with His sheep to the relationship He has with His Father.

“… just as the Father knows me and I know the Father…” (15a)

This is truly special. It is so special that He is prepared to die for His sheep.

“…and I lay down my life for the sheep.”(v15b)

This He did, giving Himself for His sheep, for as many as will receive Him.

I love Jesus. I am grateful for the sacrifice He made that restored me to the Father. I thank Him for, and seek to deepen, my relationship with Him. I want to get closer to this precious shepherd. I want to experience a connection with Him such as He has with the Father. God’s Word tells me this is possible.

Lord Jesus,

Your own words tell me that I can know You and You know me in the manner that You and the Father know each other. I seek this, Lord. Daily I look for a closer communion with You. You are my Saviour and Lord. You are my shepherd, my dearly loved keeper. You are my Brother, Friend and Lover. What an amazing relationship we share.

I come to You to share this day with You. Draw me to You. Come with me through the day, in Your precious name I ask.         Amen.