For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are
tempted. Heb. 2:18
He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the
earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death. Psa. 102:19, 20
Link here for Hymn, also.
He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job
23:10
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path. Psa. 142:3
He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye. Zech. 2:8
In all their affliction He was afflicted; and the angel of His presence saved them. Isa.
63:9
"Our Heavenly Father knoweth."
"He careth for you."
God sees what none else can.
He is always only a prayer away.
These scriptures blessed me this week.
I do hope this blesses you also.
Believers have since Christ went to heaven lived in varying times and distresses.
But in Christ is HOPE!
We are NEVER alone.
Praying for all of you, dear sisters, and your dear ones across this planet too! Mercy, Lord, please - mercy! 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.
Well, ‘twas in prayer that this subject came to me, praying for our nation, leaders, dear ones everywhere! How much prayer is needed! We in Oz had drought, many prayed, the rains came, drought not in all places broken, but many have been so blessed. Then we had the dreadful fires so we all prayed some more and God in His mercy put out those fires with this rain, which is still falling here. God is faithful! So again a need arises. The call to earnest, fervent, fasting prayer once again goes forth. This verse came to mind, as I pondered and prayed!
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14 .. come for such a time as this?
Why are we here, dear ones? Some of you like me I know have been at death’s door, at different times yet we are still here? Why? Our work is not yet done, the call has gone forth - to PRAY! What if we altogether hold our peace...? Yes, we need to comfort or "to speak a word in season to him that is weary"(see link Isaiah 50:4) However it struck me that our lack of prayer in such things might be holding our peace. We need to pray much, each and every day, and very, very often. Without ceasing.. for our nations, for our leaders, for medical staff, for all men everywhere to repent, for Satan’s power to be bound in Jesus’ name, that the LORD Jesus Christ might be lifted up and glorified in our lives in the lives of dear lost ones. We are in a battle that souls might be won for eternity.
Our time might be limited for quiet, secluded prayer, but we can pray instead of relaxing at night over some choice activity, or in the car, in transit, wherever we are going in our day!
Or as did Susanna Wesley, (John & Charles Wesley's mother) a home schooling mother of 19, she simply bowed her head, placing her apron over her head. Her children knew not interrupt, mother was in her tabernacle of prayer.
Esther was a woman in special place for a special time. As a result of her courage a nation was spared, for the nation of Israel was under threat. Read the very short ten chapter book, it’s a quick read and will cheer your heart (Link here). This was a lady willing to be used of God, she listened to the wise counsel of her uncle Mordacai, she stood firm behind the onslaught of possible death through a jealous man, Haman. But what was key behind this action of Esther? See these verses HERE, especially note v17. Gather together to fast... and although it’s not added, the Jews fasted and prayed together. The key 🔑 to Esther’s success and blessing of God was the prayers of faith - of herself and of others. As dear Bro Mac. now in glory said: “Prayer is power, it brings about the mighty action of the Almighty.” We are here for such a time as this. This is not simply a physical battle we see around us with the current virus or Covid-19. It’s a spiritual battle for souls too. More enter eternity in any given day through abortions, or diseases like heart attacks, strokes or cancer, than CV, yet we scarcely blink an eye about them!? Do we run around in fear panicking, stocking up our cupboards, lest it come our way? No, of course we don’t, they’re known conditions! Familiarity does breed contempt. Let us pray earnestly for souls to be awakened in this time, and PRAY for grace to be given to all medical staff suffering under acute shortages, unimaginable ones ...
Oh, may we awaken out of our slumber, and do as Esther did.. to pray earnestly for our nations, our leaders, our people, who are lost blind leading the blind. It’s prayer that will make the difference. I’m praying over world maps, I'm acutely aware, as are many others, that it’s the third world nations that will suffer. A dear 70 y.o sister, an "Esther" midwife in Suriname (near equator in Sth America), her village hasn't even clean drinking water! Suriname has one CV case. Also our church has another dear Esther in the front line in a hospital in Liberia, Nth Africa ... they’ve just one case also of Covid-19 in Liberia (acc to Aljizeera, can't find that now. However is Here and here). That’s all it takes. You know what the Liberian hospital has for breathing apparatus? a box with few hoses, etc which have been used multiple times and will be again. This hospital was at the forefront of the Ebola epidemic. God brought them through it! I say God because they’re are believers there. So let us awake to pray and pray and pray believing! This leapt out at me afresh yest. as I prayed: … "or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 - 15
For as we pray then the LORD will bless. We are here.. to work - but most of all to pray. So let us pray.. yes! there are meals to prepare, homes to clean, etc. but let us be like Esther, and fulfil our call to be women of prayer as well as action of obedience in doing, be a Mary and a Martha in one. "Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." Zech. 4:6b And as you pray, I will agree with you by faith in your prayers, meeting at the throne of grace, where we find grace to help in time of need. A few weak women can become a mighty powerhouse of prayer. May the Lord bless you dear ones. I pray for all who come here, that the Lord will bless, and keep you and that all those for whom you’re burdened safe, and bring each of them through to a saving knowledge in Christ. “Fear looks back, Worry look around, Faith looks UP!” Prayer hugs, 🙏🏻 🤗 Shaz in Oz.x
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"Cheer up - or be of good cheer." Jesus sees, He knows, He sees the dilemma, our great distress, or our shortfall in our certain situation. The very struggles that seem to steal our peace, are the VERY ones He is using to draw us to Himself.
Buffeted as the disciples were in that boat on the sea of Galilee, so in our life we are battered upon cruel, fearful waves of dread, doubt and dismay.
Mark 4:35-38
(*note the references are of two (2) different events upon Sea of Galilee recorded by Mark.)
"And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full." ****
"And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?"
Mark 6:50
"For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid."
"Cheer Up" or "Be of good cheer"
When the Lord Jesus cries
"CHEER UP!"
NO FEAR CAN ENTER IN. Asleep on a pillow... perfect rest for a trusting Saviour.
Without Jesus, we fumble, flail about and fall, full of fear.
Mark 4:38-40
"And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?"
"PEACE, be still!"
Amen!
Peace, really lasting peace IN the storm is by being still. Be still, by our will, BUT in God's strength, So still those thoughts.
Phillipians ends with some pithy treasures for then and this very day!
Philippians 4:5-7
.. the Lord is at hand.
Be careful (= be worried) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
..the LORD is AT our very hand!
His coming is as sure as the dawn (see Hos.6:3). He is at our hand! "Amen, even so come Lord Jesus."
"Look up, for Thy redemption draweth nigh."
The verses of Jesus in sea storms are a beautiful correlation of passages, full of beautiful truths for everyday life. God's Word is our anchor. Anchor our heart in God's word, and we will - Cheer up! Peace, be still!
How much of the Word, our anchor, do we have around our home to battle, and overcome fear, worry, etc,? Anchors only hold if they are in use.
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. —Romans 8:37
"We are more than conquerors through Him” “IN all these things”; Yes, in the midst of them. A saint doesn’t know
the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, “I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 7:4). From Oswald Chambers, Utmost for my Highest. "The Source of Abundant Joy". "As he thinketh in HIS heart, so is he." Prov. 27:3a If media is on constantly, filling our thoughts with every latest update, discussing it at every moment in our head and heart - we set ourselves up for fear! Too often "news" is rumour, innuendo, half truth, or facts, blown out of proportion. Thinking only on such "news" the heart will founder upon the rocks of fear. Less of 24/7 media and more in God's word: for we live in end times. It's a world run by the prince and power of the air. Satan is happiest when we look to the world for information. To be honest, the TV is rarely on here. It's too demanding. It steals too much peace, time. It's is a personal choice. But it does bless much. Keep up to date, but not in media's clutches. Remember the 24/7 media has to bombard us every moment of every day, with NEW news. Never the good stories: eg 150 quarantined in Aust with Coronavirus from Diamond Princess cruise from Japan. Less than 1%, just one elderly man, with pre-existing lung condition sadly died. Ten out of 150, less than 7%, caught it, in this instance. Coronavirus is not new. They've been other previous infections, best known is SARs from 2003 To read up on the four types, see link Here. Another link here on comparisons of other CV. Excellent article HERE compares stats in factual non dramatic way.
What is new - with Coronavirus, or more correctly, Covid-19 is the accompanying widespread fear epidemic. God is still in charge. "Our Heavenly Father knoweth." In Eph 6 we have the Christian's armour, nearly all are for defense. ONLY one is a weapon. The Sword of Spirit the Word of God!!
Do I use that weapon, or is it neglected ... or read in a brief, & rushed way? Do I spend as much time in Word, in communion, meditation, in prayer, as I do watching TV, using devices or other tools?? Look to the Lord alone. He IS trustworthy. "Rest in Lord Trust also in Him, Wait patiently for Him, Fret not thyself.." Ps. 37: 4 -7
So let's pray, rest, trust.. and wash our hands! 😁
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.
(Apologies for longer than normal post. Precious thoughts, pray you're blessed as I was.) Some things in our Christian life are instantaneous. As at the time of our salvation by faith in Christ Jesus, we are made new by faith in Him. In beginning as a babe, wanting milk not meat at first, we grow in Him everyday.
Some spirit knowledge is a deeper realisation in an aspect of our walk. It suddenly dawns, as it is impressed upon one more and more ..
It was thus with me recently. In a moment of real need the Lord brought clearly to mind this phrase: "Resting in His Love". I was being challenged to do just that.
Rest in His love.
*****
Rest is repose.
It’s place a complete and utter child-like trust. Trust = Rest Trust in "the Almighty", or the El Shaddai of the Old Testament. As well as complete faith in the Good Shepherd of the New Testament, Who giveth His life for His sheep.
It allows no doubt to hinder that rest. No doubt or distrust can be present if we are truly resting, there's no wandering, or wondering or presuming. As Zeph. 3:17 says God rests in His love.
Our GOD IS LOVE! Thus we should we rest in His Love! His love is infinite. Perfect! This verse Zeph 3:17 for me now has a fresh meaning. Oh, to always keep its freshness!
“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zeph. 3:17
At that moment last night, after a time of much prayer over various things, the clear thought: “Resting in His love” came yet again to me. It flashed like the lightening streaking the night sky outside. It came truly as it says in the hymn: “In the dark of the midnight, have I oft hid my face, While the storm howls above me, and there’s no hiding place 'Mid the crash of the thunder, precious Lord, hear my cry Keep me safe till the storm passes by.”
Well, it was then the thought of “Resting in His Love” banished all but peace from my heart. Those words mean great deal in a period of storms in my life, “When the Storm Passes By”.
(Link if needed https://youtu.be/0JQX25fnDGE) God speaks like that sometimes, clearly .. strangely so. But, oh it’s precious.
And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; Is. 32:18 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray.... they have forgotten their resting place. Jer. 50:6
… And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Heb. 4:4b, 5 , 9 -11
So the difference between rest and unrest is: belief or unbelief .. faith or faithlessness! It was a reaffirmation in my heart that God was in charge of my dilemma. God IS in charge. Not me, not any circumstances or any other person. God Alone. For my Beloved is mine and I am His, His banner over me is Love. ***** Yes! God is LOVE. Perfect Love casteth out fear. His love... true love forgives, casts my sin as far as the east is from the west! True love is patient, kind, thinks no evil, seeks not his own.. and all of 1 Cor. 13 attributes, which really describe ἀγάπηagápē or the deep heart love of God’s love.
For God is Love, So as servants of the Living God the key is Rest. Abide. Trust in His Love. There is Peace in Resting in His Love. ***** Some of you in relation to this subject may think of this more popular hymn "Jesus I am Resting." (Link if needed https://youtu.be/fZ0TpIx-hb4)
Thanks dear ones for your faithfulness in visiting here and leaving loving comments to cheer my heart. I've had mixed health but hopefully improving, as Lord wills.
In Jesus' precious Name above all Names, AMEN!
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.
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.***
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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