One of the best things about prayer is God's omniscience.
It doesn't matter when you pray, God is not in our time zone, in His eternal eyes its relevance is never lost. Even if for example another's request is sorted before you pray..
If you don't know, keep praying.
I remember in my youth discussing this with a very dear sister in LORD, she was saying no point in praying, it is decided.
I said, I don't know result, so I'm praying, God is big enough to figure that.
(yes, God figures that all out, eternally our time zone is irrelevant.)
Praise His holy name.
The verse attached is my calendar today.
A beautiful passage.
Good one to pray for all dear lost ones and for ourselves:
Jer 29:11-14
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
[12] Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
[13] And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
[14] And I will be found of you, saith the LORD..
Promise for Israel but also for us as Christ followers.
Key point is
Then shall ye call upon me,
and ye shall go and pray unto me,
and I will hearken unto you.
Whatsoever ye ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive. ... if its according to the Father’s will.
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:
[15] And if we know that He hear us,
whatsoever we ask,
we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.
The LORD ... is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Souls, heart requests for another in eternal perspective..
This is prayer our Father hears.. "for He is not willing that ANY should perish".
Pray on in faith to the Living God.
🙏☝🙏Prayer with purpose.
For souls 🙏🐑❤🙏and ETERNITY.
As believers it's important to "encourage ourselves in the LORD", as David did, as all his friends were about to stone him.
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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Some of you may know this hymn, but this hymn was re-etched afresh in my heart just before the beginning of 2022; a most memorable night after our wonderful family Christmas Day. As often happens, I was slow unwinding. So about 2am, standing at my bedroom window, and ready for my night-time chat with my LORD.
Have you had almost audible times when God speaks out aloud in the quietness of your heart?
So love the dark contrast to the bright twinkles of our amazing southern night skies (the northern hemisphere I’ve seen is half of what ours in southern hemisphere, to my eye, even in April on lake in Finland or balmy, summer Florida)!
This night after Christmas Day, standing at the open window - it made me blink, then look again! Hurrying out to back door and outside - there high up in trees in our yard and rear neighbours, all were full of twinkling lights, myriads of them! Moving gently, pulsating in the breeze.
I knew there were no Christmas lights of any sort, so it was momentary puzzlement!?
Then suddenly I realised the warm ‘after-storm-humidity’ of our summer night had brought out this ‘never-seen-before’ spectacle of about 80 fireflies some flitting, some just swaying on the trees, moving in time with the beauty of the gentle summer breeze; some were brighter and some different colours. I started to pray, praise turned into a hymn..
"Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord to the cross...
I stopped mid line of that refrain, taking in the meaning of next line.
” .. to the cross, where Thou hast died,
draw me nearer, nearer to Thy precious bleeding side”.
I knew what God was saying. How or details I've no idea, but know there is crosswork ahead..
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Yet one thing is ALWAYS sure, my Father knows the way through the wilderness, ALL I have to do is follow.
It’s most unusual to see fireflies here, we are not in the zone. None in my family have seen them before, but it was definitely a God gift, for a purpose yet to be known.
I managed with mobile phone to get one photo with three bright lights in darkness. Only three out of all the myriads of twinkles and they were different colours, that was miraculous too.
(I’m not sure if they’re visible on screen, but this from a large full size photo with just three fireflies shown and in different colours, how amazing is God!)
The next night there were just three fireflies again, moving around at similar time. However they were in side yard, next to the courtyard, nowhere else, just three, flitting moving in time to breeze.
I thought these verses so apt to think upon with this post.
2 Chronicles 6:1
Then said Solomon, The Lord hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
Isaiah 45:2-3,5, 7, 22
I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
There are many choice verses and treasures in Isaiah, my favourite O.T. book, along with Job.
This last verse holds the key to the treasures of darkness referred to in verse 3.
“I am God, and... none else!”
Darkness and treasure are not usually associated together.
How like God’s ways, which are higher than our ways, to put them together!
(*note these verses with notes section above was written in July 2021, this is a paste from Blog Drafts. Long before that night, yet how apt is this passage for this event?
Who else but God does these sorts of things?
AND I’m also very sure, this is not shared just for me, but written for others blessing, too.
God’s ways are past finding out)
Another night looking into the starlit sky it struck me, I’ll never do this in heaven, look out upon a clear, starry night.
Darkness CANNOT be seen in heaven - where God is, for He is LIGHT.
On a moonlit night, or lit up night sky, the stars are less bright, in God’s bright light they maybe there, they are simply not seen.
So that’s why there are no lesser lights to rule the day and night - no stars or moon or sun, and no more sea… what a changed place the heavenly realm is for those of us, who now are earth dwellers.
HOWEVER, there is still the promise a pure, unspoilt by sin, a new earth AND new heaven to contemplate upon (see Revelation 21) and we have Eternity to enjoy it all, as we worship our loving Father God, King of Kings, LORD of Lords.
To close, in the months since that night, another verse from this hymn has echoed frequently, strongly in my heart and mind (the section in red, especially the last part, my will = Thine).
It has an illuminated Prov 3:5,6 on it too. Most apt.
Yes, there IS cross work, heart work, or a moment by moment dying to self in various ways going on. To be honest there always is, in a growing Christian walk.
Nevertheless, as I think upon that night, I know its ACTUAL purpose is not yet mine to know yet, or may never know this of glory..
So I leave it in my Father’s safe hands till it is.
In the meantime, I strive to do my best for whatever He sends, for His grace is ALWAYS SUFFICIENT.
(The Lord spoke also like this in Christmas 1983/ New Year 1984. 1984 was indeed an unforgettable year,.. that time it was on pruning, in the vineyard 🍇.
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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It's Easter time, and really it's not about the bunny, but THE Lamb ..
The Lamb of God... as John the Baptist said of Jesus:
"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world".
Two verses (along with others but two main ones) repeat in my mind at Easter time. The first verse is John 19:30
Jesus said, “It is finished.”
With that, He bowed his head and gave up His spirit.
Read this Scripture in John 19 so many times – the last words Jesus spoke on the day He was crucified. There’s such gravity in that moment. Imagining the Son of God, our Savior, with His battered and broken body nailed to a cross, stirs up a sense of both sadness and shame.
Sorrow because it is MY SIN that He bore on the cross of shame.
Shattered in body and Spirit by the greatest grief of all time, as His Father could not look on our sin, and turned His back on our perfect Sin-Bearer, the LORD Jesus Christ.
Often the focus is on what happened, the events themselves, and less so on those three simple words He spoke at the end:
“It is finished.”
Let us to really consider those words.
Christ was not simply stating the obvious - that His earthly life was over.
He was declaring that our sins were forgiven once and for all, their price paid by His sacrifice."
"It is finished" last of Jesus' seven sayings on the cross. ...
It meant that salvation was bought!
It is paid for in full!
Wherefore,
as by ONE man sin entered into the world,
and death by sin;
and so death passed upon all men,
for that all have sinned:
For as by one man's disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners,
so by the obedience of ONE (Jesus) shall many be made righteous.
Romans 5:12, 19
The battle against sin's punishment was won, once for all.
"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin". I John 1:7b His blood bought our salvation..
We can never ever earn it ourselves. ... being a member of a church, a religion or any other thing we do, it all is as nothing - it will not buy your salvation. Only one way through the perfect Son of God.
(This is a very early text done in 1992, executed in water colours, ink and 23 carat Gold leaf. I chose this verse because it was the verse that lead to my salvation (see here) .. and it is pivotal in my heart. I now have another layout hanging on our loungeroom wall.)
The second verse that rings in my heart at Easter time - after Jesus cry of "It is finished!"
is the angel's saying at the empty tomb:
"He is not here, for He is risen as he said."
What a joy it is to serve a Risen Saviour! Our God is not dead ... He lives .. And how do I know He lives? ... as the hymn says "He lives within my heart!"
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this post. I pray it blesses you – for how richly I am blessed as a result of this gift of salvation at a young age.
I did not know until someone had told me, someone had asked me. So this is why I share it with you today.
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, which is on the top of sidebar. 😊 thank you!
(Excerpt from Daily Light - July 31 Morning - Oops, it's been in my drafts a lo-oong time!)
Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. II Tim. 2:3
I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Isa. 55:4
It became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Heb. 2:10
We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22
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. Eph. 6:12, 13
We do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.) II Cor. 10:3, 4
The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. I Pet. 5:10
Sometimes, it feels like we're fighting a losing battle?!
Who is the victor in those thoughts?
Not Christ, of course, it is Satan.
As a result, we will be the victim of our own foolish thoughts, thus dishonour Christ's holy name.
Sad, indeed.
As our Saviour was "perfected through suffering", so too are we.
"..no servant is greater thanhis master.." Jesus said, John 13:16.
So suffer, yes, we will. Whether by the illness of the frailty of flesh, sinful self, circumstances or those around us, nearest & dearest.
Read those verses again!
Find great rich encouragement, not in suffering, but in the fruit of such suffering - fruit of the Spirit of God.
Dont let "We must through MUCH tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" surprise you.
WATCH .. BE YE ALSO READY..
"Take ye heed, watch and pray:
for ye know not when the time is. Mark 13:33
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God..." Ephes 6:13a
Be in the Word, be in prayer frequently, not a quick duck into it when convenient! Frequent, deep drinking of the fellowship of Prayer and the Living Word.
"Pray without ceasing."
True, constant communication is as natural as breathing.
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, which is on the top of sidebar. 😊 thank you!
This is an oft heard exclamation. This post came in answer to a query. I loved what the LORD shared in the course of that conversation. I pray it blesses you as much as it did me.
Unique in each of our lives, God is perfecting us through the work of His spirit, AS we submit to His will.)
“There is power in the Word of God that creates a faith that is indestructible.”
What is faith?
Faith’s definition in religion or belief in part depends on what or Who the faith is in?
A Buddhist has belief = faith in Buddha
A Muslim in Muhammed.
A Christian in Christ.
However, it's the latter that is truly a faith that is indestructible.
Because it IS by the power the Word of God. It's not man-made faith.
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD.” Zech. 4:6b
Faith in the Living God was tested in the days of faithful prophet Elijah on Mt Carmel (1 Kings 18: 37-39 see link Here).
Elijah versus the prophets of Baal of his day - they were not unlike the prophets of today’s MSM (MainStream Media).
So onto faith in Christ Jesus, as our LORD and Saviour...
Faith is relative in its strength.
Relative in whatever or Whoever it is trusting.
If our faith is in the faltering ways of the world, THEN it is totally destructive and destructible.
This we see too evidently today, sadly.
However, faith in the Living God is totally living and indestructible.
Joy unspeakable to KNOW and WALK with our Saviour Divine.
So faith = belief is a limited definition of faith.
Faith is not just belief.
It’s totally relevant in what the faith is resting!
Paul’s definition in Heb 11:1 gives but a glimpse of the length, depth, breadth of God's idea of faith.
The human eye and comprehension cannot even remotely fathom it … but the eye fixed upon the word of the living God has a glimpse of it, a glimmer of understanding maybe found by study of it.
“Now Faith is the SUBSTANCE of THINGS HOPED for,
the EVIDENCE of THINGS NOT SEEN” Hebrews 11:1
That is not simply belief.
It’s much MUCH deeper.
Imagine at 99yrs being told that you and your equally old wife are going to have a son, AND believing it?
Abraham did, that IS REAL FAITH.. “he believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness”. Rom 4:3
Abraham had an indestructible faith because of Who it was in…
As Christian the key strength of faith is WHO it is in.
My faith is Christ Himself, not simply in Christ.. it’s a deeper oneness.
Above I wrote “ There is power in the Word of God that creates a faith that is indestructible.”
The key 🔑 is the POWER Holy Spirit in the written, God-breathed WORD, it’s that which creates the faith that is indestructible.
The Spirit of our three in one God at work.
This work of the Holy Spirit within the WORD, is MOULDING our very spirit by all the deep griefs, sorrows and suffering of our lives.
Purifying in us a faith that is indestructible, by the work of the Holy Spirit … Faith as pure as gold tried in the fire, as Job wrote in Job 23:10.
However, it is not because of our goodness, but of God’s great mercy - for we are but God’s servant, or His “doulos”, bondslave.
It’s all because of the power of God in His word. Christ, the Living Word of God is that very essence of the living Spirit within us.
The triune God, in action in our lives, how amazing is that?
As Paul wrote, quoting “In Him we live, move and have our being.” Acts 17:28
Drink deeply of the fountain of living water.
Yes, delight in drinking deeply, drink the WHOLE of scripture.
Reading it from beginning to end, year upon year upon year, for decades.
Then we have a glimpse of overview, a clearer idea of faith as God sees it…
However our temporal, human understanding is ever so limited.
Our God is ETERNAL, sees with eternal eyes, may we learn to do likewise by being in the book of books.
I’ve been very blessed, privliged to be able to do this. Saved at 12yrs and read the Bible through for every year saved. Had catch up, finally when saved 13 yrs, I was challenged to read it through! Did not occur to me till someone drew my attention to it!
Did extra as a private goal, took about 30 years to catch up, 😆😅😉 but it was soo worth it.
We all, though walk different paths.
Some may be like my darling dad, who was saved ten days before he passed, in his 90th year. That’s the greatness of faith in Living God! It’s unique to each who believe.
The yearly reading pattern of scripture, yes, it taught much, but most of all prayer with much meditation, must be combined… they so go together.
So keep your nose in the Book of books, your feet running, looking unto Jesus…
if they, like them, should die for thee! [Refrain]
3 Faith of the martyrs, we will love
both friend and foe in all our strife,
and preach thee, too, as love knows how,
by saving word and faithful life! [Refrain]
(The arrangement was originally created in respect to Catherine of Alexander, a fourth-century lady who was sentenced to death because of her faith. Hymn written by Frederick William Faber in 1849.)
Those who’ve gone before us in this race, have given their all, may we do likewise!
Praying on.
Praying for you, in all your burdens, also! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, especially if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement.
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 "ViewWeb Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link, which is on the top of sidebar. 😊 thank you!
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