My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Eph. 6:10
My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
II Cor. 12:9, 10
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. Psa. 71:16
The gospel of Christ ... is the power of God unto salvation. Rom. 1:16
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil. 4:13
I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. Col. 1:29
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. II Cor. 4:7
Oh, how I struggle with the fraility of my human flesh, every day is such a battle!
Yet that is good and proper, it IS of God's ordering. He wants us to cling to Him, lean on Him and not on our failing flesh. One glorious day we will be free from the bondage in which we now groan, and are afflicted. The verse below is such a strong contrast to these oft repeated daily thoughts. TRULY the joy of the LORD is our Strength. and the concluding verse summarises it all!
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. Col. 1:11
TRULY it is only in Gods power we make it through the battle each moment of each day - till He comes!
I pray these scriptures bless you richly, as only God's Word can.
Thank you so much for popping over, especially if you have time to comment, you so encourage my heart. May God richly bless your day, wherever you may be. Prayer hugs, 🙏🤗 Shaz in Oz.x
. Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It
really encourages me to keep on. 😁
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This post is based on exerpts from my prayer book. In it I have scriptures written on one side, and on the other side I've prayer requests. I've been doing this for many decades, my oldest claimed verse for my family's salvation is dated 17th Oct 1979. And yes, in that time mother and father have trusted in Jesus and both are now with Him!
"..I will put My fear into their hearts..." Jer.32:40.
Here is the verse in its full context.
This is on another page with a different perspective.
When viewed through the lens of Scripture, then TODAY'S world 🌎 makes much more sense:
"Do evil continually"
"Wax worse and worse.."
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that EVERY imagination was EVIL CONTINUALLY." Genesis 6:7
"As in the days of Noe so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be."
Matthew 24:37
But EVIL men and reducers shall WAX WORSE AND WORSE,
DECEIVING and being DECEIVED."
2 Tim.3:13
I love the next verse,
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, UNTIL THE LORD COME, Who both will bring to LIGHT the hidden things of DARKNESS, and will make MANIFEST the COUNSELS of the HEARTS: and then shall every man have praise of God.
I just love this verse, we must not judge anything before its time... and then one day we shall ALL HAVE PRAISE OF GOD. That is hard to take in looking at the world today, and its a good verse to really meditate upon, for its God's sure and certain promise.
In the light of some of the preceeding negativity, let's close with the last glorious promise in the bible. Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.
Amen. Even so, come, LORD Jesus.
May this be our daily cry - even so come, LORD JESUS!
Thanks for reading this post, and especially commenting. I’m sorry I don’t post very often - but this is the third post in April! I just felt burdened to share these scriptures, I pray they're a blessing.
May God richly bless your day, wherever you may be. Prayer hugs, 🙏🤗 Shaz in Oz.x
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 to receive these posts in email to email link option on the sidebar there is a follow it box. If there is no sidebar then scroll down to the bottom of page and select "View Web Version". This will bring up sidebar and Follow by Email link. Thank you. 😃
I’ve no idea why or how things happen in the sad world in which we live, but I tie the heart sacrifice with cords to the altar of the Most High God.
I was given this verse by dear Bro Mac, a prayer saint from 1990’s. It’s meaning as I understand is that God wants us to bind our life as a sacrifice to the altar just as they bound the sacrifice in Old Testament times, and as Jesus bound His life as a sacrifice to the cross.
He was Almighty God, He could have come down from that cross at any time, but He chose to die for our sins upon the cruel tree. He then indeed did show us the Light of the World.
“God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light:
bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.”
Ps 118:27
The one thing that really strikes me in reading through the gospels is that the life of Christ was given to much prayer. Note the last prayer scene before the cross in the garden of Gethsemane where we see our LORD Jesus wrestling in prayer, where He sweated as it were great drops of blood, praying to His Father.
Matt 26:39…" He went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
“if it be possible”, of course it was possible because with God ALL THINGS are possible. However Jesus wanted above all else to do the will of His Father, that ought to be our most earnest desire…to do the will of our Heavenly Father. And that’s why Jesus was given to MUCH prayer. He knew it was the only way He could fully obey His Heavenly Father. This following quote is most apt.
George Mueller. "No-one ought to expect to see much good resulting from his labours in Word and Doctrine if he is not much given to prayer and meditation."
And so on this Good Friday 2026, it's good to remind ourselves of some things. Primarily the importance of prayer and to see in the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross when He gave up His life for us. The last two sayings are, "It is finished. " "and He gave up the ghost". None took His life, He gave it willingly for you or me. Yesterday, Thurs afternoon, I gave a tract on the real meaning of Easter to a lady who was a believer but she believed also she needed to keep the law, the Sabbath etc. When I asked her Jesus surely cried, "it is finished" , because He had finished Salvation's work, she had no answer. She appeared to trust in Jesus for salvation + works. Satan is ever a deceiver.
Praise God, Jesus is coming AGAIN! ... and coming soon and they can be deluded in bondage no longer. Our Saviour gave His life freely for us, and that's what we delight in remembering on Good Friday. Link also here
He suffered so that we might live, and walk in the light as He is in the light, and faithful and true to Him.
Also if you've time please visit my craft blog, it presents a Joni perspective on this day (here).
Thanks for reading this post, and especially commenting. I’m sorry I don’t post very often these days, health is the main reason, also these posts take a long time to write. I started this one ages ago.
May God richly bless your day, wherever you may be.🙏🤗 Shaz in Oz.x
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 to receive these posts in email to email link option on the sidebar there is a follow it box. If there is no sidebar then scroll down to the bottom of page and select "View Web Version". This will bring up sidebar and Follow by Email link. Thank you. 😃
Christmas is a celebration of Christ’s birth, yet He is often banished these days, out of hearts, homes, stores and public locations… some even substitute X for Christmas calling it Xmas.
X is an unknown quantity but Jesus is never that.
For He is our LORD, our Saviour and coming King.
There were many prophetic passages promising Jesus would come, starting with Genesis 3:15 - man sinned so our Loving God promised a Saviour.
Another promise oft forgotten is the promise given by the angels when Jesus went to heaven after His resurrection … .
“… HE SHALL COME AGAIN, IN LIKE MANNER AS YE SEE HIM GO into heaven”
Acts 1:11
As in the fullness of time, ie God’s time Jesus came the first time, He was born, died and rose again - Paul says here:
.. but when the fulness of the time was come,
God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
to redeem (save, buy back) them that were under the law...” Gal 4:4
As with Christ’s coming there were a few faithful ones in total expectation of the promised Messiah.
They were not surprised in unbelief that He should come as a babe, not conquering King to rescue them from the Romans. Here’s a list of five but I’m sure there are more:
Elizabeth - the mother of John the Baptist was believing (though Zacharias, his father was struck temporarily dumb for his unbelief) Luke 1: 5-26, 40-45
Mary - Luke 1: 26-80
Joseph - Matthew 1:15-25, 2:13-23
Simeon - Luke 2:25-35 faithful prophecies were made by Simeon, to Mary.
Anna - Luke 2:36, 38, at 84 years, she’d long awaited in expection.
This is my favourite Carol, so much good doctrine in Wesley’s hymn on "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", video link here, as well as below. If you want more in background on this is truly beautiful hymn - see here.
Two Gospels only tell of Jesus’ birth.
Matthew gives it from Joseph’s perspective and dealing in angel appearances and Magi coming; Luke is from Mary’s perspective, each also share their respective genealogies.
Are we likewise expectant that our beautiful LORD Jesus Christ will come again?
"THEREFORE BE YE ALSO READY for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.” Matt24:24
Will Christ find us ready longing for His coming as these faithful ones were at Christs first Advent, for its promised to be at any day unexpectedly?
Will I be ready, I pray so with all my heart.
At Christmas time, may Christ not be left out - but may we ALL remember the most important gift is not UNDER THE TREE,
BUT WAS PLACED UPON THE TREE TO DIE for our sin and salvation.
Praying earnestly - may the real reason of Christmas shine brightly in your home and heart.
may God richly bless your day wherever you maybe,
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. 😁
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Oh, yes, to catch us up together in the air to be with HIM!
THEN we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever o be with the Lord. 1 Thess 4:17
This excerpt below from Daily Light meditates on this.
Brethren, the time is short. I Cor. 7:29
Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Job 14:1, 2
The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. I John 2:17
As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Death is swallowed up in victory. I Cor. 15:22, 54
Whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's, Rom. 14:8
To live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phil. 1:21
Cast not away . . . your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Heb. 10:35-37
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Rom. 13:12
The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. I Pet. 4:7
How precious is the theme carried through these verses, starting with "the time is short "...
To "The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
Prayer something I'm doing more these days, which is why I’m not blogging much.
*** We're the watchmen of the night, dear ones!
The very MOST important thing, (apart from sharing the gospel) which we can do is “watch unto prayer”!
Oh, may our loving Heavenly Father help us to be truly serving, watching unto prayer. As I started to read, Heb 10:37 flashed into my mind.. marvellous, there it was! Who else but God? I've Hebrews on CD, listened to it hundreds of times. Played once or twice a night in sleepless patches.
Yet a day with the lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day. It's been two thousand years, so it must be soon! Soon, Lord Jesus.
Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, too if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement.
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. 😊
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Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel. Jer. 3:23
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psa. 18:2
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. Isa. 12:6
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Psa. 34:7, 17
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut. 33:27
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Heb. 13:6
For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. Psa. 18:31, 32
By the grace of God I am what I am. I Cor. 15:10
Except for Hebrews and 1 Corinthians, all these extremely encouraging uplifting promises, statements are from Old Testament, including 2 verses of Psalm 34. Love the Old Testament, its so rich and uplifting
We see in it the reality of life, all its ugly sinfulness, but also all its glory.. the glory most of all in the transforming power of God, Whose hands bring beauty in the ugly sinfulness.
eg. Moses, David - a man after God's own heart.
And so He, our wonderful Saviour will bring beauty in our hearts.. beauty from ashes, joy for mourning, a garment of praise for heaviness!
That we might be righteous in His eyes!
Isaiah 61:3
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness...
Amen!
Glorifying Him is God's purpose in us, may our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ indeed be glorified in us today.
”For the LORD seeth not as man seeth....the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Translation from German hymn (c.late 1600s?) original by
Kathrina von Schlegel, translation by Jane Borthwick, the well known tune is Finlandia.
Praying for you today, whatever you maybe facing in your life, or in the lives of those you love, remembering with you, that our wonderful Father God is only ever a prayer away!
Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, too if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement. I’ve had a wee break from blogging, busy, then unwell and then busy! Sorry if not commented on your blog lately, limited online time.
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. 😊
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When thou hast eaten and art full, ... thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Deut. 8:10
Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God. Deut. 8:11
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. Luke 17:15-18
Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. I Tim. 4:4,5
He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks. Rom. 14:6
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul.... who forgiveth all thine iniquities; ... who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies. Psa. 103:1-4
*****
How rich we are in Jesus, yet how unmindful of it are we at times when our hearts are overwhelmed.
May I never forget that I have an anchor that keeps my soul!
Hebrews 6:18-19
... "we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.."
****
"We have an anchor that keeps the soul.
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love!
From Wikipedia:
Will Your Anchor Hold is a Christian hymn, written in 1882 by Priscilla Jane Owens in the USA. She wrote a number of hymns and songs for her pupils; this is the best known today.
I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.Phil. 1:9
May O LORD, my focus be wholly on Thee, and not on me! "He must increase, I must decrease." John 3:30 In Jesus' precious Name above all Names, AMEN!
Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x 🙏🤗
Update: had excellent rain here, and in many other olaces, however so many drought places and firegrounds have missed, praying much more to come in those places, put out fires in South Coast, Snowies NSW and Gippsland Vic. Praying also many out west receive drought-breaking, dust-settling, God-glorifying rain, that souls likewise might be watered unto salvation across this sinfilled land.. and yours! Amen, even so come Lord Jesus!
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
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Jesus said that we are in this world BUT not of it. Life too often becomes hurly-burly, all consuming, and we forget this.. these were my thoughts as I read this Daily Light portion. The word Satisfied came to mind. Here they are for your meditation and contemplation.
God's word anchors our thoughts like nothing else. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. ***** He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Psa. 107:9 Ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. I Pet. 2:3
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory. Psa. 63:1, 2
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Psa. 84:2
Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Phil. 1:23
I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Psa. 17:15 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Rev. 7:16, 17
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. Psa. 36:8
My people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD. Jer. 31:14
***** How often are we satisfied with God's goodness? Sadly I'm often not. Too often stressing over a seemingly imperfect result in some situation, fretting because its not as I wanted, or longing for some thing not in God's plan for me at moment. Groaning inwardly over seemingly unanswered prayer or unresolved grief of heart with another. This was me recently proabably in ALL those scenarios if truth be known! *sigh* How much peace lost? Faith lost? Spirit quenched? O Lord, help us to walk as Jesus walked, as Paul lived and taught, too.
" Godliness with contentment is great gain." Contented = Satisfied 😊
Link to video here if needed. Thanks for your patience and for visiting my blog, I've been quiet because of that hurly burly of which I was speaking. It's summer hols here (which I love), so had visitors, visiting or just out every day! Thankful to Lord for much rain fallen but much more needed. May the Lord bless you dear ones, send spiritual rain on sad, lost, hurting hearts, and physical rain on parched lands. May God bless our nations and leaders EVERYwhere! and keep us in His ways in all things. A special huge thanks if you take the time to comment. It's appreciated. Prayer hugs,🙏🤗 Shaz in Oz. X
Never forget - Never Again
27th Jan is 75th Anniversary of Liberation of Auschwitz. Everyone on those rings is a Jewish family destroyed over 1 million in just Auschwitz. Those bales likewise of human hair were how many lives taken? They saved teeth for gold fillings etc. Incredibly heartbreaking. ****NEVER FORGET.***
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Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Luke 18:1
Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. Luke 11:5-8
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Eph. 6:18
I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. As a prince hast thou power with God and with men. Gen. 32:26, 28
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Col. 4:2
[Jesus] went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12 *** Reading from Daily Light. It’s good to meditate on prayer. Who is our greatest example in this? Of course, the LORD Jesus, Who frequently came apart to commune with His Father. May I do likewise, may I daily grow more like Jesus.
Link https://youtu.be/tfOJ9rxQgaI Hymn - More About Jesus 1 More about Jesus would I know, More of His grace to others show; More of his saving fullness see, More of His love who died for me. Refrain: More, more about Jesus, More, more about Jesus; More of His saving fullness see, More of His love who died for me. 2 More about Jesus let me learn, More of his holy will discern; Spirit of God, my teacher be, Showing the things of Christ to me. [Refrain] 3 More about Jesus in His Word, Holding communion with my Lord; Hearing his voice in ev'ry line, Making each faithful saying mine. [Refrain] 4 More about Jesus on his throne, Riches in glory all His own; More if His kingdom's sure increase; More of His coming, Prince of peace. [Refrain]
Words by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt: Songs from a Bed of Pain
Can there be a purpose in a crippling ailment? Eliza Hewitt may have wondered that. Eliza was born on June 28, 1851 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Educated in the local school system, she graduated as valedictorian of the Girl's Normal School that she attended. She became a teacher in the public schools of her city. But then came misery. Her career screeched to a halt when she was forced to bed with a painful spinal problem. (Full post here - it's said her debilitating condition was caused by a wreckless student striking her with a piece of slate, an individual student's portable blackboard.)
Lying in bed, she could have been bitter. Instead, she studied English literature and began to sing and write:- "Sing the wondrous love of Jesus; sing his mercy and his grace. In the mansions bright and blessed he'll prepare for us a place."
We remember Eliza Hewitt today because of those hymns. Had she never been bed-ridden, she might not have written them. Among the best known are, "When We All Get to Heaven" "Sunshine in My Soul," "Will there be any Stars in My Crown?" and "More About Jesus Would I Know." Again the Lord had a higher wiser purpose in pain in this young life. May this bless you as it has me. Sending prayer hugs, 🙏🤗
Shaz in Oz.x
**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.
