The UPWARD look! ..“Strengthen me with strength in my soul”..

(An excerpt from BTP Daily Light calendar) 

“Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail:...” Isaiah 33:21

“O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.” Isaiah 54:11

In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:8

Still I will trust, though all my hopes lie shattered

 In broken fragments at my feet; 

Though all my plans, like driven leaves, are scattered

By winds of darkness and defeat;

For in my need I hear my Saviour saying,

In answer to my pleading and my praying,

“I am thy God; be not afraid;

I will be near; be not dismayed “.

Looking upon this page in my daily calendar, I thought of prayers not seemingly answered!

Of burdens so heavy upon my heart..

I was comforted by these words. 

After all the children of Israel for 400 years in bondage in Egypt cried unto the Lord, and God heard all of those sorrowful cries (Exodus2: 23, 24) “God heard their groaning..”

If we look through scripture and or if we are saved for a while, in our own experience we see when the LORD moved mightily. 

And so He will again. 

In HIS TIME! 

Not OURS! These thoughts came to mind.. the need to look up.

In all things as believers in Christ Jesus, our Saviour, we need to

keep the UPWARD a look,

NOT the OUTWARD a look

Or the INWARD look!

Focussing on our Lord is keeping our perspective on TRUTH!

For Jesus said “I am the Way, the TRUTH and the Life..”. With a “Jesus” focus we will be obeying my life verse.

“Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, 

Who for the joy that was set before Him, 

endured the cross, despising the shame 

and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:2

We will in our walk be given grace for the day, strength for the way.

Tomorrow’s strength grace and mercy for tomorrow’s burdens will not come until tomorrow.... if it comes!

We will not be given the grace and strength for another’s burdens...  only for our own, so don’t try to bear another’s burdens yourself, as we will fail. 

Except in prayer and practical help.. for there we are commanded to “bear ye one another’s burden and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Gal 6:2

This refers to practical help - like a meal, a word of encouragement, and most of all prayer.

 Greatest gift is to pray earnestly and regularly for them to seek God’s strength for themselves.

For Jesus said “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

How can this be?

Ah, it’s ONLY when we get the order right!

And seek grace just for the day and burdens at hand. 

Video hymn link, if not showing, is Here!

 For thou hast been a STRENGTH to the poor,

 a STRENGTH to the needy in his distress, 

a REFUGE from the storm, 

a shadow from the heat, 

when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. Isaiah 25:4 

I don’t know about you, but when health fails, the world around you seems so anti God, seemingly even more so today, Satan loves to torment that all this is not worth while. 

However remember history - violent persecution under Roman rule, through the dark ages, and many centuries till today, in China, Iran, Burma, many countries and all ages, God’s people have suffered.

So when we see ungodly men in high places, we must not despair no matter how dark it seems! 

Especially here in Aust for those in the state of Victoria, the anti -God government has made it a criminal offence if a parent prays for their child, even at the child’s request, on matters relating to LGBTQI. 

This legislation reaches beyond state borders to criminalise anyone anywhere who says anything that causes “harm” by their definition to a LGBTQI person in the state of Vic. A prayer for your child in this legislation makes you guilty of child assault.

Just look at that conglomerate of letters! 🤔

Doesn’t that reflect the level of confusion they are evolving from, and inflicting of others by this? and we know who is the author of confusion. It’s not God, but the evil one..  

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, ..” 1 Cor 14:3a

Watch this video (link here if not showing), it will make you weep with sorrow, but informed hearts will truly pray earnestly ... why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem? Because of what He saw and knew, and He prayed the more earnestly... than we in our finite minds do!

We need to pray for those ones in power to be saved and/or removed. 

We are commanded to pray for them.

I think of US, UK Europe Middle East and Asia we see Satan so busy in every corner of the earth... this is his domain, but his power is limited and his days are numbered.

God does hear, and answers every prayer, in His time and way..

Wherever you are, whatever your burden, I pray for you to be comforted by our Lord God. He alone is our Anchor, our Stronghold in a time of storm. 

This world is a place of sorrows and great grief, but one glorious day we shall be free from this fallen, broken world.

Broken hearts will be mended and saved as we pray and trust. 

Even if it takes 55 years of prayer, as it did with my darling dad to know the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, or many centuries of waiting as they did for Jesus the Promised One to first come. 

And Glory!

Jesus is coming again... perhaps today? 

“Therefore be ye also ready: for n such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.” Matt 24:44

We need to pray for all men everywhere to repent before the Lord comes.

For it will be an hour when we don’t expect it. 

“Surely I come quickly! 

Amen, even so Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev 22:20 

THIS is the last prayer in the bible.

It should be ours daily.

Praying God’s watch-care upon you and all you love - wherever you maybe. 

“Our Heavenly Father knoweth.” 

“He careth for you.”

“Keep looking UP, NOT at the mud underneath.” (Bro. Mac)

Prayer Hugs, 🙏🤗❤️

Shaz in Oz.x 

Special message to Rita R. Sorry, I did not get your email. I have added the same email link to this blog too, and tested it and correct email came up. Your message not in spam, so not sure where it went. Maybe try again? 

God bless you in all things, and keep you looking up.

 

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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Thank YOU! 

Trusting in the God of Miracles?

It is sometimes the simplest things, almost childlike in understanding, that grab you. This hymn I knew, but as I came across it today it seemed so very apt. The words drew me in ... peace comes from simply trusting in our loving, all-wise Saviour and one can never do that enough!

I do not know what lies ahead .. do you? 

DO YOU KNOW ONE WHO DOES? 

I Do!

Link HERE if video not showing.

I Do Not Know What Lies Ahead,
The Way I Cannot See;
Yet One Stands Near To Be My Guide,
He’ll Show The Way To Me:

I Know Who Holds The Future,

And He’ll Guide Me With His Hand;

With God Things Don’t Just Happen,

Everything By Him Is Planned.

So As I Face Tomorrow,

With Its Problems Large And Small,

I’ll Trust The God Of Miracles,

Give To Him My All.

I Do Not Know How Many Days

Of Life Are Mine To Spend;

But One Who Knows And Cares For Me

Will Keep Me To The End:

I Know Who Holds The Future,

And He’ll Guide Me With His Hand;

With God Things Don’t Just Happen,

Everything By Him Is Planned.

So As I Face Tomorrow,

With Its Problems Large And Small,

I’ll Trust The God Of Miracles,

Give To Him My All.

I Do Not Know The Course Ahead,

What Joys And Griefs Are There;

But One Is Near Who Fully Knows,

I’ll Trust His Loving Care:

I Know Who Holds The Future,

And He’ll Guide Me With His Hand;

With God Things Don’t Just Happen,

Everything By Him Is Planned.

So As I Face Tomorrow,

With Its Problems Large And Small,

I’ll Trust The God Of Miracles,

Give To Him My All.

Hymn writer ~ Eugene L. Clark (1947 copyright)

Longtime music and radio consultant for the Back to the Bible Broadcast. Clark studied music at Wheaton College and at Moody Bible Institute before joining Back to the Bible in 1950 as an organist. He later served as the program's music director, manager and producer. He was active in broadcasting until 1963, when arthritis and blindness confined him to bed. --Daniel Mahraun (from Lincoln Journal Star, 1 Jul 1982, p.30, on newspapers.com)

Written just after the end of World War 2 (c. 1947), there was such hardship and suffering we cannot imagine in UK, Europe and even across to USA, as lots of folk emigrated... so the writer of this hymn with his ill health and sad times experienced the things of which he was writing.

It is a long time since I wrote about a hymn - however I often listen to and/or sing them... even in the night! 

What a wonderful promise this is!

Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, 

and in the night his song shall be with me, 

and my prayer unto the God of my life.

Psalm 42:8 

What a wonderful promise! 

How rich are we?

1. Gods commands that we KNOW of the wonder His loving kindness in the day.

Do YOU know that Love and Kindness?

2. The night He will fill with song (if we let Him) ... and is “with me” 

He is in those songs, hymns, and is with me. 

Never alone.

3. I, then, by day and by night make my prayer to the God of my life!

Don’t you love to meditate?

To chew over the word of God? 

Yes, it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.. one glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase...

Today it may seem difficult, hard, horrid... and a very steep hill up a dark path to climb, but take heart, weary pilgrim!

Press on! there is up there a land that is fairer than day, and by faith we shall see it afar!

This below is my prayer for you ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:  

The Lord make his face shine upon thee, 

and be gracious unto thee:  

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, 

and give thee peace.

****** 

Today the 20th January is Inauguration Day in USA. It may seem distant to those who live elsewhere, but here in the little country town in NSW Aust, where I live, it’s most definitely prayer-worthy.

May God have mercy on us all, and may God bless America, and wherever you live, too.

The current events of President Biden arriving and the exiting of President Trump affect us all whether we live there or not. 

Especially for us as Christians - and so I’m praying for Godly decisions to be made by Biden in respect to Israel, the unborn “about to be aborted” babies, businesses, the everyday people of USA, all of whom President Trump protected thus far. 

Where the future goes, only God knows. 

I saw this often when in panhandle Florida in USA, over doorways, buildings, on money:

“In God we trust”

 - may this truth live on in all our hearts. 

Thank you especially if you take the time to leave a comment, that’s deeply appreciated. So VERY much. 

Special shout out to Rita R. for her lovely comments, I can thank most people personally, but I can’t with you ... so I do now.

Praying God’s watch-care upon you and all you love - wherever you maybe. 

“Our Heavenly Father knoweth.” 

“He careth for you.”

Prayer Hugs, 🙏🤗❤️

Shaz in Oz.x

PS. this is a really, excellent video by Martyn Iles, of Aust. Christian Lobby, on Kamala Harris the new Vice President. 

She is VERY bad news - link HERE, or below. It will shock you. 😢

EDIT: a friend just wrote this to me.. and  it's a precious gem! 

"God can use Biden and Harris in any way He wants.

Every time Balaam went to curse Israel he ended up blessing them and even his donkey had stern words for him, so we should not fear man but trust in God."

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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What Faith for Today?

Every moment of every day it is good, VERY good to remind ourselves of this simple fact. 

God IS in control.

Satan wants us to focus on everything, 

but that!

Faith in the Living God is the key to this upward look as this Daily Light selection shares.

*****

The measure of faith. Rom. 12:3

Him that is weak in the faith. Rom. 14:1

Strong in faith, giving glory to God. Rom. 4:20

O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matt. 14:31

Great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. Matt. 15:28

Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.... According to your faith be it unto you. Matt. 9:28, 29

Lord, increase our faith. Luke 17:5

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:5

Building up yourselves on your most holy faith. Jude 20

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith. Col. 2:7

He which stablisheth us with you in Christ. . . . is God. II Cor. 1:21

The God of all grace ... after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. I Pet. 5:10

We ... that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Rom. 15:1

Let us not . . . judge one another: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. Rom. 14:13

Did you catch this one? ..it especially applies today:

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 

1 Cor. 2:5

*****

As I read these verses this saying came to mind, which I heard quoted in my youth in a sermon:

"Fear looks back.
Worry looks around.
Faith looks up."

Now FAITH is only ever good if its resting in the Almighty.

Some put their faith in others, others put their faith in themselves..

... BUT FAITH only works and is blessed if it's the El Shaddai, the LORD God Almighty.

Let us settle, rest, trust under His wings, till these troubles be past! 

Faith is measured, as very first verse states, there is more there for the asking,  that's why the disciples prayed, 

"Lord, Increase our Faith!"

Video Link HERE if not showing. 

(Only 50 sec.)

God is still on the throne... and we are the ones who've lost focus and fail... not Him. 

This man surely tells it like it is! 

We too often do not believe God! 

We need more preachers like him... please Lord have mercy upon us - personally, in our families, in our state, in our nation and in our world. 

By Helen Mallicoat. 

(Quote given me by a dear sister in Christ)

WE NEED YOU, LORD! 

Exodus 3:14 

And God said unto Moses, 

I AM THAT I AM: 

and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 

I AM hath sent me unto you.

Forgive us, O Lord God, we fall so far short in our faith, help us to believe in faith, send Thy Mercy please keep us faithful in faith in Thee alone.. but also in prayer for so many and for so much, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

*****

May God have mercy and God bless America. 

The current events affect us all whether we live there or not. 

Especially as Christians it will affect much, and so I’m praying for Israel, and the unborn, the businesses of USA, all of whom President Trump has protected thus far. 

Where the future goes, only God knows. And in God we trust. 

Thank you especially if you take the time to leave a comment, that’s deeply appreciated. So very much. 

Praying God’s watch-care upon you and all you love - wherever you maybe. 

“Our Heavenly Father knoweth.” 

“He careth for you.”

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! 

The LORD is my Light and Salvation - Fifty Five Years Walking With LORD

 Fifty five years of walking with the Lord!

Wow! It always amazes me that the LORD God of Glory reached down from heaven and touched the heart and life of a scared young Aust. child from an unsaved family at a beach early in January, 1966. If you want the full story of this day... read this post here!

Although I was a young child I knew what sin was, I knew fear, I knew joy, but without Christ, none really meant what they do with Christ. Fear was banished, it doesn’t mean I don’t experience it now, but it means God brings me through it.

Mostly through the Light of His word... 

 Precious friends (dear NazBaz)  gave me a journal for Christmas. Now folk think I’m good at diaries journals curiously, but I am not, I’m really bad at them. However I loved the verses in this journal, so decided yet once again to attempt one! This verse and the thoughts the LORD God gave me really blessed me.. simple but profound to simple, little me!

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

 the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Ps 27:1

Oftentimes as I’ve looked at Psalm 27:1 I’m deeply aware of my inadequacy and how far I fall short! 

The LORD is my Light and Salvation - Whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the Strength of my life - Whom shall I be afraid.

As I wrote those words out I immediately see what my problem has been with this verse all my life thus far!

I have focussed on the:

 “Whom shall I fear?” 

or “whom shall I be afraid?”

However the KEY 🔑 FOCUS is: 

LORD = MY Light & Salvation

 LORD = the Strength of my Life.

Looking at Christ alone, NOT THE FEARFUL SELF CENTRED shallowness of the “me-view”.

As I pondered I am reminded of two things. Bro Mac’s life verse was John 3:30, the words spoken of Christ by John the Baptist.

He must increase, I must decrease. John 3:30

Christ Christ Christ Christ Christ Christ CHRIST

me  me  me   me   me    me

They point also for me to my life verses.. which are Hebrews 12:1-6 but most especially to verse 2.

 Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.. 

Fear is a ploy of Satan, to take focus off our Saviour. Let’s see afresh the Christ, let’s forget self and fear and look up! 

Our years, months, weeks or days, minutes are not guaranteed, so what 2021 holds only God knows, but don’t let’s be bound by fear. Let’s look up! 

To our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, let’s rejoice as I did on that day I was saved and walk in the light of the joy of our salvation.

The joy of the LORD is your strength Nehemiah 8:10

*******

To close I’d like to ask for prayer for the USA especially in the next three days or this week. On 5th Jan are the Senate elections in Georgia, it’s one of the states where there were flawed election issues. Pray the Lord and right will rule in in free fair elections and God’s will be done.

Especially important as those two senators will hold the balance  of power in the senate.

On 6th Jan is the day both Houses - the Congress and Senate meet. A decision is made to accept or reject the elections as they were held of Nov 4th. May God in His great mercy overrule and not allow the acceptance of flawed states votes. Pray for truth to prevail.

May God have mercy and God bless America. 

This affects us all whether we live there or not. 

Especially as Christians it will affect much, and so I’m praying for Israel, and the unborn, the businesses of USA, all of whom President Trump has protected. 

Thank you especially if you take the time to leave a comment, that’s deeply appreciated. So very much. 

Praying God’s watch care upon you and all you love - wherever you maybe. 

“Our Heavenly Father knoweth.” 

“He careth for you.”

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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Christmas 2020 - A Magical Starry Night

  Well, it’s arrived! Christmas Day 2020! Tis here, heralding the celebration of our coming King of Kings over two centuries ago. And also heralding soon the end of 2020... is that cheering that I hear? at the thought of 2020 passing?!

Wherever you are, I’m thinking and praying for you all, many are affected and will admit we are here too, as some who planned to come were obliged to stay in Syd due to outbreak there. Thankfully we here on North coast of NSW are still fine, no Covid since April. Long may it continue! Living in country definitely has its advantages.

Now Christmas is important, it’s really the most important Advent of human history. Advent meaning coming... if Christ had not come all those many years ago to be our Saviour, we truly would be bereft of ALL hope! Through sin we are in isolation!

Isolated, cut off from God. 

As COVID isolates many, so too are we isolated, without Christ as our Saviour.

Luke 2:7-11 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

This is a beautiful piece I read on a friends page on FB, I’m not sure who wrote the original. If you know, please let me know, so I may credit them.

"A Magical, Starry Night"

How many long, exhausting days had the shepherds spent feeding, protecting, and caring for their flocks? 

How many nights had they spent looking into the starry sky? 

I wonder what they thought about and if they prayed much on the hillside. 

On an ordinary night, as the shepherds were just doing their jobs, heaven exploded into the sky and invaded the hillside, their hillside, to give them a special message. 

Unbelievable! The Saviour that was promised had come to them. They were told where to find the baby! 

They were told where to find their Messiah. They were going to see God. They had been invited to see God. 

If the newborn Savior had been born in a palace, the shepherds would not have been at the top of the guest list. They were, however, perfectly dressed for a stable and would feel totally comfortable going there for a visit.

 I wonder if part of the message to the shepherds is a message to us. 

In the middle of our ordinary lives, our God wants to meet us and reveal who he is. 

He is an intimate, loving God who chose to come to us as a helpless baby in a smelly barn. Jesus is a gift of love, mercy, and grace. He has the power to save us. 

What a God!  (copied from a friend)

However all this is worthless!

... unless we come simply and humbly to Jesus as sinner - needing His salvation full and free.

 I think many of us this year have been strongly reminded that life maybe snuffed out as quickly as a candle flame! 

Having had a heart attack in June and adding to my list of another close call, I walk mindfully of this fact, EVERY day!

 That is why I do not stay silent, but mention it often. I’ve seen and know  how fragile life is!

God is only a prayer away, please I beg of you dear friends, do not close your eyes this night, without trusting in Him as your Lord and Saviour. 

None of us are promised tomorrow or even this whole minute.. only this second.

 “What is our life? but a vapour that appeareth for a little while then vanisheth away.” 

To read how I trusted in Christ as a child, over fifty years ago, read this post here, please, and do likewise!

Hymn O Holy Night , link also here.

 

  Are We an Innkeeper Who Found Room for Jesus?

I may take a wee break from blogging and come back in the new year. Depends on what happens as uncertain at moment. 

However I really want to thank every single one of you who comment so faithfully even though I’m not as good at returning your kindness as I ought to bel you really bless my heart so much.

I pray every blessing upon you and yours this Christmas and in the days ahead, especially prayers for USA, UK, Europe, and too in Oz the north Sydney beach area in lockdown, I’ve family there...  and too many other places. 

Let us keep praying for our countries, especially for the USA. 

PRAY for right to be upheld, Godly governments, God's righteousness to be exalted, Satan's power be bound and ultimately defeated, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Thank you especially if you take the time to leave a comment, that’s deeply appreciated.

So very much. 

Praying God’s watch care upon you and all you love - wherever you maybe. 

“Our Heavenly Father knoweth.” 

“He careth for you.”

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