His will

“You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast because for me the right time has not yet come.”           John 7.8

Here is a further reminder that Jesus moved in accordance with the will of God. This was the way of His life, and John especially makes several references to timing (2.4; 8.30; 7.6, 30)

Jesus was so in touch with the Father and, through His faith in the Father’s will and purpose for His life, He was able to act accordingly.

He did not leave for the Feast with His brothers yet, when the Feast was half-way through, He arrived at the temple courts and began to teach (v14). At this time the crowds in the temple would be at a maximum, and the teaching would reach many. Was this the Father’s will? Did the Son know this? We’re not told. Yet it does not seem an unreasonable assumption.

Lord God,

I am interested to learn that Jesus felt the time was not right to leave for the Feast at the start, yet He was moved to go when the Feast was halfway through. This seems like a most accurate interpretation and compliance with the will of the Father.

Will I ever know Your will with such certainty and accuracy? I cannot say with any degree of assurance! Yet I can offer myself to You today with the prayer that You will lead me and guide me. I release myself into Your holy and perfect will. My desire is to fulfil Your plan for me today.

I look forward to the day that stretches before me. Many things are already anticipated for today. I place each and every arrangement before You and pray that each one will unfold as Your will causes it.

It is so exciting living with You. I rejoice that You are with me. I’m here for You. Take me and lead me, in Jesus’ name I ask.             Amen.

Hearing

“I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”                                    John 5.25

Once again I note Jesus begin a statement with the declaration: “I tell you the truth.” It impacts me every time I read this. Here is a man of truth. He is always truthful, never untruthful. What an amazing example for all who would follow Him!

This time Jesus is talking, in truth, of life for those who are dead. This might well refer to the future resurrection of the physically dead, but it also impacts upon those who are presently alive physically but spiritually dead to life in Jesus and relationship with God.

Jesus is saying that the time is now for these people to hear the voice of Jesus, and to respond. I know how much I would want people who are dear to me to respond to this. Then there are so many more that I don’t know who are also in need of the Saviour.

The work is truly enormous. Yet, nothing is impossible for my God.

Lord God, Blessed Lord Jesus,

Your Word declares that the “dead” shall hear the voice of the Son of God and receive the life that He offers. I thank You for the assurance of this word.

I pray for the many people that I know, and the countless millions that I don’t know, who do not yet walk with You. My family, friends and neighbours are so precious to me and I do so want to see them enjoy the life that is in You. I ask You to touch them. Show Yourself to them, my precious Saviour, in such a way that they will see the truth and embrace it in all its fullness.

I love my family and desire each one of them to walk with You. Oh, that they might know and enjoy a relationship with You that will fulfil and complete. Hear my prayer, Lord. Save my family, friends, neighbours and acquaintances – and beyond, in Your precious name I ask         Amen.

Heaven sent

To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.”                                                                         John 3.27

John the Baptist spoke these words as an argument took place among some of his disciples over ceremonial washing and the baptisms that Jesus was conducting in the face of John’s baptisms.

John was neither envious nor resentful. He knew what he had been called to do. He also knew that Jesus had been specifically called, and for a higher, greater purpose. This did not faze him. He, like Jesus, had received what heaven had intended for him. He was content to fulfil those things expected of him, and not envy or covet the greater calling of Jesus.

It is so for all of us. Giftings and enablings are heaven sent. I believe my duty is to receive what had been given to me from heaven, and to diligently express and fulfil all that heaven requires of me. Herein is my peace and satisfaction.

Lord God,

I feel as a chosen one. I know I have been chosen by You. I have been chosen to enter into relationship with You. I thank You for this. 

I receive all that heaven gives me. I ask for wisdom and discernment to fully utilise all that is heaven sent, and to please You in what I do. I, like John, seek not to envy others but, rather, to keep myself focused on You and to aim for the out working of your purposes in my life.

Let me not be side-tracked with foolish ambitions of the flesh. I seek heaven – the Kingdom of God – first. I look for the righteousness of God and my desire is to partake of His kingdom and His righteousness to the full measure apportioned to me.

Holy One, I come to You. Receive me and fill me. Walk with me and lead me through this day to Your praise and glory. In Jesus name I ask.            Amen.

By name

But now, this is what the LORD says – 

he who created you, O Jacob,  

he who formed you, O Israel: 

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; 

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”                     Isa. 43.1

What God says of His ancient people applies also to me. He created me, He formed me. I am the creation and child of Almighty God.

He tells me not to fear. There is nothing that I should be afraid of. He is above all things, and I am His creation, His treasured possession, His dearly loved son.

He has redeemed me. He has bought me back from sin, rescued me from the wiles and the grip of Satan. 

He has also, like He did with Israel, “summoned me by name”. He has called me, personally and individually, to fulfil the purpose that He has ordained for me.

His purpose does not need to be fully detailed before me in order for me to comply. His Word informs me clearly that He rates obedience higher than sacrifice (1 Sam. 15.22). I come in obedience. I do not need to see the outworking of His plan in advance. It is sufficient for me to know that I am giving myself to Him for whatever pleases Him.

Lord God,

I come to You, in humility and obedience. In love I present myself before You. My greatest desire is to abide in You. I sit at Your feet in adoration, wonder and worship.

Have Your way in me, with me, and through me. I am Yours. I delight in every aspect of Your Holy Being. Take me through this day. I am as soft as clay in Your hand, willing to be moulded to the shape You would have me be.

You are wonderful, holy God.            Amen.

Safe

He tends his flock like a shepherd: 

he gathers the lambs in his arms 

and carries then close to his heart; 

he gently leads those that have young.                          Isa. 40.11

In the Ancient Middle East the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep was unique, and most powerful.

The shepherd would give each sheep in his flock a name, and he would call them by name. The young, the small, and the helpless would be carried up by the shepherd into his arms and held by him, safe and secure, close to his heart. This is the picture that I want to carry with me into today. 

My wonderful Lord and Saviour knows me by name. He gently calls me. I come; I am His. He lifts me up. I am secure in His gentle but strong arms. I am held close to his heart. I feel the beat of His heart. I want His heart to infect me. I pray He will impart to me the same beat, that my heart might reflect something of what is in His heart.

My Holy God, and Precious Saviour,

I have such a love for You and I pray that You would know this. My first desire is to be held by You, close to Your heart. I yearn to join with You in intimate relationship, to enjoy You and to know that You enjoy me.

I pray that You would share the beat of Your heart with me. As I grow in a deepening relationship with You, I yearn to feel Your love for others and to lead them into a love relationship with You.

Lord, I truly desire this but my first, and perhaps selfish, desire is to know the deepest and truest love relationship with You for myself. Hear me, Lord. Draw me into that place of sweetest communion with You. Enjoy me, please, as You love me, and lead me to enjoy You.

         Hallelujah! Praise Your name.           Amen.

Note:  I may make several postings in the next few days, as I shall be away next week. I hope you will enjoy these and be ministered to as they have ministered to me.

Be strong

Strengthen the feeble hands, 

steady the knees that give way; 

say to those with fearful hearts, 

“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, 

he will come with vengeance; 

with divine retribution he will come to save you."             Isa. 35.3,4

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. And His word is as true, powerful and faithful now as it ever was. 

God’s Word is clear for all generations: “Do not fear!”

Through all time, through all tribulation, God is there for those who will turn to Him. For those who will trust in Him, He will come through. His Word is “Do not fear.”

In being strong and not fearing, the people of God will meet with their Maker. He will come and, with vengeance and retribution, He will save.

Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. The lame will leap like a deer, and the mute tongue will shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the desert, streaming through the burning land (v6). And life will be renewed in abundance.

Our Lord God is great. He is faithful. His only motivation is love. O, praise God!

Lord, 

I thank You that You are strength to the weak. You are salvation from all that is ill. You heal and restore. You refresh, renew and prosper.

I pray for this needy world. I pray for those who are looking for help yet cannot, or will not, look to You. Lord, open their eyes, unstop their ears and take the doubt from their minds. Let them see You, let them hear and respond to the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. Let them leap for joy shouting praise and acclamation to a wonderful God.

This is my prayer for the world. Hear me, hearken and respond, in Jesus’ name I ask.               Amen.

Protection and blessing

Each man will be like a shelter form the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.                                                                   Isa. 32.2

This verse refers to the Lord’s redeemed. Those who come to God in full surrender will know the power of God, sensing it in them and seeing it work through them.

Reflecting the Lord Himself, the redeemed will provide sources of protection and blessing.

The examples given – shelter from the wind, refuge from the storm, streams in the desert, and a great rock shading a thirsty land – are so apt for the people this word was originally addressed to.

I have experienced Israel in the middle of a hot and dusty summer. When the blazing wind blows, shelter is the sweetest relief. I can imagine the fury of a storm on the Sea of Galilee. In the open country, the foothills of Judea and the wilderness of the Negev, I know just how welcome streams of water would be or the inviting shelter of a great rock in the blistering heat.

All of these bring the most exquisite relief to the needy. Such are the Lord’s redeemed to the lost and the hurting. What a wonderful thing it is to come into relationship with Almighty God, to be prepared by Him, and then to be used in protection and blessing to the needy. 

Lord God,

I thank You for this verse. I claim it for myself. I ask You to use me in reaching out to the lost. May I be both protection and blessing to them.

Show me those who need shelter from the wind, refuge from the storm, or drink or shade as they struggle and thirst. Use me to show them Your love. Empower me to touch them, to bless them and to lead them to You.

I receive Your affirmation that I will be a source of protection and blessing to many.

I thank You.          Amen.