Abraham believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Gen. 15:6 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him: but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. Rom. 4:20-24 The promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Rom. 4:13 The just shall live by faith. Rom. 1:17
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised). Heb. 10:23 Our God is in the heavens; he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Psa. 115:3 With God nothing shall be impossible. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. Luke 1:37, 45
"He Faileth Not." Zeph 3:5b Though our body fail, our hearts fail us for fear, though our money fails or our friends fail.. though all these fail altogether, our Heavenly Father never ever fails.
God is good, all the time! and I pray these precious promises bless you. If it blesses you please bless me in return in a comment.
Prayer hugs Shaz in Oz.x
PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ... link HERE. Thank YOU to those who have done so already If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU
Ephesians 2:4-10
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
How utterly amazing is that? By simple believing faith in the Lord Jesus' death on the cross for my sins, I pass from spiritual death to spiritual life. "For by grace are ye saved.." GRACE sufficient for EVERY trial I am going through. Grace to meet every need - by faith alone in our Father God. And what else does He give? ".. made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"
Wow!
Seated in the heavenlies.. right now in the spiritual sense, though not physical sense. One day we will see that too. Oh, what a day of rejoicing that will be. BUT let us rejoice even now that we are seated in the heavenlies.. in the midst of our earthly weights and worries we have this eternal hope and joy! Never ever, ever forget it! Satan loves to steal our hope and joy with discouragement. I know! I've really struggled with it over this blog.. over many things of late. Some were sent of God, and He picked me up with a word of encouragement. These I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I found this old copy of this hymn how it blessed me. I honour such saints who've gone on before. (*Not all images in You tube clip good I noticed). Recorded in 1907 we just never know how our actions today will influence those near and far.
Let us keep on keeping on looking unto Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our Faith. For we are His workmanship!!! "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.." What the Lord began in you, He will finish AS we allow Him to work in our lives. Being His workmanship means we do have work. Let us walk as faithfully as our Saviour, our Example, walked! The LORD bless you dear ones, may your eyes be lifted up rejoicing that you are seated in those heavenlies. Sending prayer hugs your way, may you believe & see our God working in His might and power in you today! Shaz in Oz.x PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ... link HERE. Thank YOU to those who have done so already
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU.
This post is taken mainly from notes by a dear friend, Robin J. She prepared it for a Ladies High Tea. (Image is Robin J. dressed up as St Patrick! 😊)
☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
All references are clickable and will bring up reference.
There is much not known for sure about St Patrick or Patricus, as he called himself. Today the 17th of March is commonly celebrated as St Patrick's day, and legend has it was the date of his death. God however does not allow everything to be revealed. Thankfully we may stand on God's word as surely as St Patrick did.
Born around 375 AD near Glasgow to a Roman family, one of 7 children in a Christian home. His Father was a deacon, and his Grandfather an elder, and they were a wealthy family.
His real name was Maewyn Succat (later he changed it to Patricus, when a missionary). Patricus means "fatherly". Attending church, he learned of Jesus and Bible, but was NOT a lover of God or a saved man. ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ At 16, Irish pirates invaded his villiage, he and his two sisters were among 1,000 captives sold as slaves over the Irish sea in Northern Ireland. Patrick was sold to a wealthy but cruel Druid. He lived for 6 years in caves and outdoors as a shepherd. He had no food allowance (told "go hunt") and declares he was almost naked, starving and cruelly treated. He began to pray. He believed God was punishing him for his sin and neglect of the Bible, and not believing in Jesus. He called upon God up to 100 times in a day.
He believed now in his troubles, that Jesus truly was "the way, the truth and the life, and that no man comes to the Father but by Me" John 14:6 He confessed his sin to God in prayer (I John 1:9) and up there in Slemish Mt., Antrim Co. he was born again (John 3:3) and made part of God's family. (Romans 10:13). At the end of six years, he believed a dream he had and walked 200 miles to reach a ship to Caledonia. (Romans 12:1,2) In his twenties, he studied thd Bible and Latin in France, and was ordained as a priest. (2 Tim 2:15) ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ He dreamed of the other slaves back in Ireland calling him to teach them (Acts 16:9). He went, although his family didn’t not give their blessing. Patrick preached from handwritten Latin gospels and established halls (Scriptorium) where laymen spent time copying the scriptures. Each place he went to this was the pattern: preach, copy the Bible, establish a church.
For over 30 years Patrick travelled all over Ireland. He did not marry but lived celibate for freedom to minister. Priests were allowed to marry in these times (12th century celibacy became mandatory). Monasteries started in late 500's so Patrick was not in this era either. ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ Legends: Legend 1 - Was never actually canonized a saint, as there was no system for it, nor a Catholic church in this era. (Details here). He is however rightly commonly recognised as the patron saint of Ireland. Legend 2: Snakes eradicated by St. Patrick. There were according to archaeology no snakes ever in Ireland ( or NZ, Greenland, etc) after the last Ice Age, so none to eradicate. Legend 3: Trinity was explained, the unity of "three in one" or trinity by the clover or shamrock ☘️ common in Ireland. No evidence to contrary. Patricus had several writings during his ministry and are surviving even today.
His deep love for the Irish, learning Gaelic as a slave, his Christian home were all part of God's plan to equip him as a missionary. ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ Today in the 21st century we also need to know the Lord Jesus personally, to pray and offer our lives for Him to use. He died around 471 AD (exact date not known), and legend says he is buried in Co. Donegal. But Patrick is not there for his soul and spirit are in heaven with the Lord he loved. (Absent from the body, present with the Lord - see full passage HERE 2 Cor. 5:6- 8)
☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ God is good, all the time! How God blessed the Irish and Ireland by this faithful servant Patricus. It challenges us afresh to do as Patricus did, believe as he believed and follow on! I pray this has blessed you. If it blesses you please bless me in return in a comment. If you do comment, I THANK you with all my heart. Prayer hugs Shaz in Oz. X
PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ... link HERE. Thank YOU to those who have done so already.
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU.
God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering. Gen. 22:8
Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. Isa. 59:1
There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. Rom. 11:26
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God. Psa. 146:5
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death. Psa. 33:18, 19
My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19
He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Heb. 13:5, 6
The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusteth in him, and I am helped, therefore, my heart greatly rejoiceth, and with my song will I praise him. Psa. 28:7
He feedeth among the lilies. Song 2:16
Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matt. 18:20
If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Palm 73:26
God is good, all the time! and I pray these precious promises bless you. If it blesses you please bless me in return in a comment.
Prayer hugs Shaz in Oz. X
PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ... link HERE. Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on.
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU.
I'm burdened to share a little of personal blessing. The verses I will share were used in the battle of prayer for my darling dad over 55 years.. in human time that's a long time. We need to remember prayer is a hard spiritual battle... and be prepared!
(I'm sorry this post is longer than normal, as need to go into the verses.)
Ephesians 6:10-13 is a pivotal prayer passage.
There are a few.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
**** key reason why - PRAYER IS A BATTLE!
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore,
having your loins girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto with all perseverance
and supplication for all saints;
NOTE it’s:
1. A spiritual battle against EVIL
2. We must be well prepared for it, to wrestle in prayer and persevere
3. Victory is sure if faithful in Christ Jesus our LORD.
Or as it is put in Corinthians:
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations,
and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,
and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
This above is an excellent verse to pray.. for then by God's might strongholds will be torn down and thoughts will be brought into captivity to the Lord Jesus.
With Christ in us, beside us, before and behind us, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we DO have power... according to the measure of our faith.
FAITH believes, FAITH presses on in the battle.
FAITH - takes the shield of faith AND the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and wields it wisely.
These are some of the verses the LORD gave me as I fought this battle in prayer over five and a half decades for my darling dad.
If we pray the Word of God.. we know we are praying aright.
I've many passages next to names in my prayer list and I pray those for folks.
I believe wayward ones often need same verses often as unsaved ones.
Because of seducing ways of Satan, the evil one who holds the strongholds in their lives.
He is the same evil power.. the same enemy we fight, for he is "as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour."
#Verse 1.
Romans 8:32
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
A dear sister began to pray for my dad with me, praying spare him unto salvation. I pondered on this phrase and the Lord showed me this verse.
**God spared not His Son for us.
**So shall He not give us WITH HIM all things.
So I began to pray:
"Father, You gave Your own Son's blood for darling dad, spare him, O LORD unto salvation. Let Jesus' precious blood be not shed in vain for him."
If it seems bold it is, because it is! It is powerful.
As *Bro Mac said:
Prayer is power, it brings about the action of the ALMIGHTY.
#Verses 2
(these are a pair of verses prayed together.
And have really been prayed the longest.)
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
so we know God's will is they'd be saved and surrendered. Therefore:
1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, IF we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
Andif we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Please see the sequence.
Salvation is in accordance with His will, for which we are praying.. thus we already have these requests for which we are asking.
I started to thank the Lord for dad's salvation long before I saw it. God will give us this faith if we ask Him.
After all a mustard seed faith can move mountains Jesus said.
I came to the point where I said Lord, even if I never see it I'm going to believe you've done it! I'm trusting You and Your Word. However God in His mercy did show me. We've all heard many stories of God working in ways way far, far beyond our understanding.
A dear friend's darling mum denied and did not want to receive Christ when broached by her, yet unbeknownst to her whilst in hospital just before her passing her dear mum responded to a minister visiting. God works in ways we cannot fathom, and often do not see.. but let us take that shield of faith and believe Him at His Word.
"FAITH is the substanceof things hoped for, the evidence of things NOT seen."
#Verse 3
Romans 2:4
"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance."
Prayer: let them not O LORD despise your goodness, despise your forbearance, your longsuffering, BUT LET THEM SEE YOUR GOODNESS THAT IT MIGHT LEAD THEM TO REPENTANCE.
I saw this happen before my eyes with my dad.
He began to see God's goodness, through many at the church group for older folk he started to attend with me and enjoy.. and perhaps my love for him, all of which reflected God's love for him.
He went from NOT believing at all in God before this.. to believing in a creative Power, BUT NOT personal God.
Lastly in the sunset, quite literally last days of His life, it lead him to repentance as a little child. Then at last he knew the peace of God.
#Verse 4:
Acts 26:18
"...OPEN their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me."
This verse is part of Paul's call by the Lord Jesus to witess to Israel.. so lost and wayward. It's definitely one to learn and pray daily.. I pray it for me too.. I don't want to wander! I'm no better than those for whom I pray.
******
These are but a few of ones which I pray, but they are the main verses that are REAL power before the throne of grace.
******
One more particularly is prayed for wayward ones or for those whom God is awakening..
**Psalm 40:2-3
"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it , and fear, and shall trust in the Lord ."
Literally pray that verse for Jack or Jill that "the Lord would lift them up out of that Horrible pit of unbelief.. etc."
I love the last bit. That many shall see it and trust in the Lord.
My praying friend and I prayed this verse for a straying couple. They now are missionaries in Africa with AIM.
Does God honour His Word when we pray it like this?!
PRAISE HIM He does.
I hope this sharing of a very personal blessing may encourage you in this battle we fight.
I have had many examples in my life of spiritual giants. *Bro Mac was one. He prayed eight hours a day over a map of the world praying for lost places, he's now with the Lord.
The battle for him is over but not for us! we must be true and fight on!
Hymn - For the Fight is On, O Christian Soldier! Link here also.
*****
For let us be true to the Saviour!
Praying for you dear ones. I don't know your heartaches, your burdens or see your sorrow and tears. But Jesus cares. He sorrows with you.
God is good and I pray these precious promises bless you. If it blesses you please bless me in return in a comment.
Prayer hugs Shaz in Oz. X
PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ... link HERE. Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU
March 8
MORNING
Thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. Isa. 38:17
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion Upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18, 19
For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. Isa. 54:7, 8
I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jer. 31:34
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. Psa. 32:1, 2
The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. I John 1:7
EVENING
I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able. II Tim. 1:12
Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. Eph. 3:20
Able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. II Cor. 9:8
Able to succour them that are tempted. Heb. 2:18
Able ... to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Heb. 7:25
God is good and I pray these beautiful words bless you. If it blesses you please bless me in return in a comment.
Prayer hugs Shaz in Oz. X
PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ... link HERE. Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU
Hi there dear ones. I am sorry for silence. I'm in a waiting on the Lord stage at the moment.. some things in my life are 'twixt and 'tween. So a post, topic or direction has not been clearly laid upon my heart.
I will however share just a few thoughts from verses that have blessed as I wait.
I shared the first one on my crafty blog post on Wednesday.
Let's just think upon this verse for a moment. A cow chews it's cud to aid good digestion through its various stomachs. We need to chew the word to see the length, depth and breadth of what our Lord has for us.
BE STILL - Who is good at this? I'm not. I'm a fidget.. one of those staring out window, feet swinging children. I take notes in church because of my very short attention span! I must BE STILL. WHY?? 'cos if I don't I'll miss the whole point... The WHY of Be Still?
.. AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. There's the "I AM" of Exodus, and Moses at the burning bush. I should think Moses stood still in shock at that sight! He had some inkling that this was God.. but what a path God was taking him he had NO idea!!
As I said in my Wednesday craft blog post I've realised:
Being still = Waiting.... on God.
This is one of the hardest lessons I've ever had to learn. I've been saved over 50 years and I'm still not getting any better at it. However I have learned..
** there is total PEACE in WAITING.
When its Waiting on the Lord God, the King of Glory. He will show you, me, us the next step when He thinks we are ready for it.
For in essence He our Living, Loving Father God is waiting on us... to be ready.. right in attitude of heart and mind. let us recall that our God whom we love and serve is ALMIGHTY! He is Able! We must wait and He will shew forth His power.. and say to the storm "Peace Be Still."
That's real FAITH believing, waiting, resting .. a favourite passage is Psalm 37 and I will close with it. Psalm 37: 3 - 7
This hymn below is a real favourite of mine.. 'Til the Storm Passes Over. Also love the Mennonite alcapela singing.. so God honouring. 😊
God is good and I pray these beautiful words bless you. If it blesses you please let me know in a comment.
Prayer hugs Shaz in Oz.x
PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ... link HERE. Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU
