Blog - Page 6 of 12 - Drawing Closer to God

Our God – Day 1 – Drawing Closer to God

I’m so pleased you are starting this journey of drawing closer to God with me today. I hope you have found a quiet place, perhaps with your device to search and read other translations of these scriptures, or other scriptures that the Holy Spirit leads you to – please share these in the comments, and likewise with other worship songs – there are so many wonderful worship songs today.

Be expectant that God will speak to you today, have your pen & paper or word doc etc ready to record what He has to say. This devotion is also available on YouTube.

Let’s get started …. Thank you Jesus for this time to focus on You, please give us ears to hear ….

Our God

Dare to declare these truths over your life and family

Scriptures

No weapon formed against you shall propser, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD. Isaiah 54:17 NKJV

The LORD is my strength and my [impenetrable] shield; My heart trusts [with unwavering confidence] in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I shall thank Him and praise Him. The LORD is their [unyielding] strength, and He is the fortress of salvation to His anointed. Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever. Psalm 28:7-9 AMP

Worship Songs for today

Our God (Chris Tomlin)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Joachim Neander)

Remember …

Our God has given you everything you need to get through this. He has given you Jesus.

Please add your comments about other scriptures and worship songs God speaks to you through today, please share as you are led. We all need the encouragement to keep our focus on Jesus.

If you would like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please contact us.

For some more thoughts on God and His sovereignty, please visit this post … I will be exalted in the earth.

If you are looking for more encouragement, check out my podcasts.

Don’t fear – Draw closer to God

Today is a fabulous day to draw closer to God. With so many unknowns in our world, how good is it to know that there is one constant, one that does not change – yesterday, today or tomorrow.

Jesus, the Anointed One, is always the same—yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 TPT

It can be so easy to let our thoughts be consumed by the news reports and let the Word of God take a back-seat. But now is the time to be more purposeful about spending time reading the Bible, ensuring that it is the first thing we read each morning – not the news feed.

Every day speak to God first

In fact, we need to have our focus right from the moment we wake up, an immediate conversation with God – perhaps even before you get out of bed. A short prayer of,

‘Thank you God for this day. Thank you that you are sovereign and you know what this day will bring.

Please help all the leaders in this world to seek Your wisdom. Please give them the courage to do what You ask them to do.

Please help me to trust You in everything.

Thank you for your peace and protection over those I love. Thank you that You have the victory, in Jesus Name.’

Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 TPT

If you have a yearning to improve your relationship with God, this is a great opportunity. Don’t waste it. Embrace it. Every time you feel fearful or anxious remind yourself that God is with you …

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV

And that God has not given you a spirit of fear …

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

The Passion Translation says …

For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 TPT

Draw closer to God through worship

Another way to daily draw closer to God is to make room in your day to have some time to worship God. Here are some worship songs that have helped me lift my eyes to Jesus when I have been struggling …

You’re Gonna Be Okay – Brian and Jenn Johnson

Be Still – Hillsong Worship

Who can compare – Christy Nockels

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – Matt Redman

Eyes on Jesus grows our capacity to love

When we have our eyes on Jesus, and purposefully draw closer to Him we will find that through the love we receive from Him, we have greater capacity to help others in these challenging times.

Look at how much encouragementyou’ve found in your relationship with the Anointed One! You are filled to overflowing with his comforting love. You have experienced a deepening friendship with the Holy Spirit and have felt his tender affection and mercy. Philippians 2:1 TPT

We will have a greater capacity to put others first – perhaps other family members or someone else in your world.

So I’m asking you, my friends, that you be joined together in perfect unity—with one heart, one passion, and united in one love. Walk together with one harmonious purpose and you will fill my heart with unbounded joy.

Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests. Philippians 2:2-4 TPT

So I really really really want to encourage you in these ‘unprecedented times’ (a phrase that I have seen often recently in all the cancellation emails!), times that are not a surprise to our God – that every moment we choose to draw closer to God rather than focus on our circumstances, will give us the strength and peace to finish this season well.

Four steps for drawing closer to God

I’ll finish up with a quick summary of some steps on how to draw closer to God:

Have a conversation with God before you get out of bed. Remember to thank Him for something – your salvation is always a great place to start.
Read your Bible before your news feed.
Set aside time to pray and worship
Seek out someone else you can help and encourage in these times.

How great is our God!There’s absolutely nothing his power cannot accomplish,and he has infinite understanding of everything. Psalm 147:5 TPT

For some more thoughts on the overcoming fear and having the courage to keep standing, please visit these posts …

Are you feeling fearful?
Courage to keep standing
In the Battle
Be strong and of good courage
Courage to do the little things

Are you feeling fearful?

Are you feeling fearful today? There is so much going on in this world that can cause us to experience fear. But what is it that we are afraid of? And what does God’s word say about those fears?

Are you fearful of ‘not having enough?’

With all the media reports about our economy, are you feeling fearful about not having enough?

God’s word says …

The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd.
I always have more than enough. Psalm 23:1 TPT

And in Matthew 6:31-33

So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require? So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. Matthew 6:31-33 TPT

I know sometimes it can be really hard to believe the truth in this scripture, but I encourage you to meditate on it and ask God to give you faith to believe it.

Are you fearful of anxiety crippling you?

Are you feeling fearful, wondering if you are losing your grip on reality and that anxiety is taking over?

God’s word says …

He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.
His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.
That’s where he restores and revives my life.
He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasure
and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness
so that I can bring honor to his name. Psalm 23:2-3 TPT

And remember Jesus left us with His peace …

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV

Are you fearful of loneliness?

Are you fearful of being alone and having to face things by yourself?

God’s word says …

Lord, even when your path takes me through
the valley of deepest darkness,
fear will never conquer me, for you already have!
You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way.
Your authority is my strength and my peace.
The comfort of your love takes away my fear.
I’ll never be lonely, for you are near. Psalm 23:4 TPT

God tells us He is always with us.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

Are you feeling fearful of the enemy?

Are you feeling surrounded and powerless?

God’s word says …

You become my delicious feast
even when my enemies dare to fight.
You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit;
you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows.
Psalm 23:5 TPT

You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you. 2 Chronicles 2:17 NKJV

Here are four ways we can ‘position’ ourselves when we are feeling surrounded by the enemy:

Meditating on God’s Word
Worshipping God
Having quiet time with God
Being in the company of believers

Are you fearful about the future?

Are you feeling fearful about the future?

God’s word says …

So why would I fear the future?
For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life.
Then afterward, when my life is through,
I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!
Psalm 23:6 TPT

Our eternal destiny is heaven. Our God has the victory, and we are more than overcomers in Jesus Name.

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37 NKJV

So while it is important to be aware of what is happening in this world, let’s always remember to keep reading God’s word, meditating on it and declaring His promises.

No more fear in Jesus Name. AMEN!

For some more thoughts on the overcoming fear and having the courage to keep standing, please visit these posts …
Don’t fear – Draw closer to God
Courage to keep standing
In the Battle
Be strong and of good courage
Courage to do the little things

Pruning brings more fruit

Something wonderful has happened in our garden. After receiving the beautiful life-giving rain the plants are growing again! Thank you God. The boundary hedges are expanding upwards and outwards. So much so, that our gate had difficulty opening. The power from the protruding branches was almost too great for the electric motor. The gate shuddered as the electric motor pushed against the branches. Finally the breakthrough came and the gate continued on it’s path. When I observed this struggle I realised some pruning was required to ensure with the longevity of the gate motor! So out came the pruning shears and off came the branches. The gate is running smoothly now.

There are a few things we can draw from this gardening story …

God makes things grow

Firstly, while we planted the hedge plants, it is God who makes them grow, just as it is God who makes us grow …

After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us.I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 NLT

We are God’s workers, working together for His purposes. The Passion Translation says it this way,

I was the one who planted the church and Apollos came and cared for it, but it was God who caused it to grow. This means the one who plants is not anybody special, nor the one who waters, for God is the one who brings the supernatural growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 TPT

And we always need to remember that truth and as Micah 6:8 says,

Walk humbly in the company of your God. Micah 6:8 ISV

God knows the pruning plan

Secondly, God will discern when and how our pruning is required, and it will always be at the right time and in the right way. We need to trust Him.

I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. John 15:1-2 NLT

How important is that cutting off of the branches that don’t produce fruit? In my garden example, if those branches hindering the gate’s movement had not been chopped then we would not have been able to get into our property. In a spiritual sense, we need that tidying up – cleansing – so we can enter into all God has for us – a relationship with Him for now and all of eternity.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV

Jesus enables us to live again

Yes, Jesus has done that cleansing for us. He enables us to live fully again, so we need to stay connected to Him.

I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. John 15:5-8 The Message

As we stay connected to Jesus, and allow God to do the pruning, we can then confidently run the race set before us.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

And that race may not be run quite as smoothly as my electric gate is running now, but with perseverance and the power of God, we will complete the race, in Jesus Name.

For some more thoughts on the benefits of pruning please visit this post … who likes pruning?

Reading The Bible with the Holy Spirit

God has given me a scripture to start today’s post, Proverbs 8:14. But I have no idea what will happen after that, so I am trusting the Holy Spirit will guide me and bring revelation. Let’s see where He takes us.

“You will find true success when you find me,
For I have insight into wise plans that are designed just for you.
I hold in my hands living-understanding, courage, and strength.
They’re all ready and waiting for you.”
Proverbs 8:14 TPT

I read this scripture in The Bible last week. It encouraged and challenged me.

It encouraged me with the thought that God has a wise plan designed just for me. And He has a wise plan designed just for you too.

It challenged me with “You will find true success when you find me” – What is “true success”? And what does it mean to “find God”?

What is ‘true success’?

I don’t have a succinct answer to what is “true success”, but for me, I know that is has something to do with the closeness of my relationship with God. My heart is to keep drawing closer and closer to God.

Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you.But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting. James 4:8 TPT

Oh look, there are another few challenges …. cleanse your life… keep your heart pure… stop doubting. I need some help with those actions. Thank you Holy Spirit that you are my helper.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will bein you. John 14:16-17 NIV

And thank you God that your grace is sufficient for me every time I get it wrong.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Going back to Proverbs 8:14, God has a wise plan that is perfectly designed for each of us, and when we are weak and rely on God, we have more of Christ’s power is us. The power that raises the dead to life.

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians

Here is Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, asking God to give them wisdom, revelation, and to experience the power of God.

I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelationto know him through your deepening intimacy with him.

I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination,flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling—that is, the wealth of God’s glorious inheritances that he finds in us, his holy ones!

I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm! And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is ever praised, not only in this age, but in the age that is coming!

And he alone is the leader and source of everything needed in the church. God has put everything beneath the authority of Jesus Christ and has given him the highest rank above all others. And now we, his church, are his body on the earth and that which fills him who is being filled by it!
Ephesians 1:17-23 TPT

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

Reading The Bible with the Holy Spirit leads us to Jesus

WOW! When I started writing this post, I had only two things, firstly the scripture from Proverbs 8:14, and secondly a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide in writing this post. And look where we ended up – with a declaration about Jesus and His power ….

And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is ever praised, not only in this age, but in the age that is coming! Ephesians 1:21

This is exactly where we need to be – focusing on Jesus – the author and perfecter of our faith.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

So what is the purpose of this post? To encourage you, on occasions, to wander through the scriptures, don’t stop at the first one you read, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in where to go next. Let Him direct your time reading The Bible, and be open to what He wants to reveal to you. Time spent in God’s Word, with an open heart, will always be a blessing to you.

Who am I?

Have you ever thought ‘Who am I?’ Often we are identified by our relationship to other people. For me, some of those relationships are … Ken’s wife, Marshall’s Mum, Charlotte’s Mum, Victoria’s Mum, Alexandra’s Mum, Betty’s daughter, etc.

Or we can be defined by the roles we undertake … the coach, the teacher, the doctor, the pastor, the writer, etc.

Or by where we live, where we were born, what we eat, what we wear, what we didn’t do and the list goes on and on and on.

So many things in this world to define ourselves by.

What or who defines you?

Sometimes the world defines us, and it doesn’t always do it in ways that are empowering. There are some great examples in the movie The Greatest Showman.

But if all those people and roles were stripped away, what then is the answer to ‘Who am I?’

I am Wendy.

So what?

Who is Wendy?

For me, there is one simple answer to that question. God reminded me of it yesterday, when I had the blessing of sitting by myself in the shade of some trees. No other people, no other roles. Just me, the trees and God. He reminded me that when everything else is stripped away, there is only one answer to the ‘Who am I?’

I am a child of God

I am a child of God.

What peace there is in knowing that truth. Regardless of whatever happens or doesn’t happen in my life, I am loved by my Heavenly Father and I have an eternal destiny in Heaven with Him.

You can have that peace too. A simple prayer of surrender and accepting of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

Say the welcoming word to God—“Jesus is my Master”—embracing, body and soul, God’s work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead. That’s it. You’re not “doing” anything; you’re simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. That’s salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: “God has set everything right between him and me!” Romans 10:9-10 The Message

Keep building your relationship with God

If you have prayed that prayer, don’t stop there. Keep communicating with God, tell Him everything, and listen for His wisdom and direction.

Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:6-7 TPT

No matter what you face each day always remember, ‘I am a child of God and He chooses to lavish His love on me.’

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 NIV

For some more thoughts on being a child of God please visit this post:
We are God’s children – Day 26 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

Let’s dream the impossible

What do you believe God is capable of? Maybe your answer is, “Everything, because in Luke 1:37, the angel Gabriel told Mary, ‘For nothing will be impossible with God.’ ” That’s a great answer. So let’s dream the impossible and write a list of all the things you would like the ‘God of the impossible‘ to change in your life or the lives of those you love.

What’s on your list?

Re-read it.

Is the list complete? Is there anything you have subconsciously put in the ‘That will never change’ basket, so you haven’t bothered to put it on the list?

Things like …

… the medical condition that doctors said would never improve or change?

… those areas of deep emotional pain that you don’t dare to think about?

This week I wrote a list with some of these ‘This will never change’ items, and it really challenged me.

Yes, I believe God is the ‘God of the impossible.’ I have witnessed Him change many circumstances in our lives over the years.

Have you become complacent?

But perhaps now, with some of the things on my list I have become complacent, even apathetic, with the thinking that it will be okay if that doesn’t change. And perhaps it will be okay. But is that how God wants us to live? in the okay?

I’m not so sure.

The apostle Paul tells us…

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

Content – is that content for the status quo?

Or is that content knowing that God is in control, He is at work in the unseen and that He has a plan?

Be content – God is in control

For me, I’m going with the second idea of contentment.

I remember the time in 2015 when we found out the tumour in Victoria’s brain had grown for the third time. We were devastated. During the following three months there were many tears, conversations with God, reading of His Word, declaring of His promises and building faith to once again believe His promises.

Declare God’s power

Around that time a friend sent me a message with Ephesians 3:16-21 …

May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,

That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience];

That you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] –

To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). Ephesians 3:16-21 AMPC

The God of the impossible

I had never read this scripture before. When I read it for the first time, I was in a place of absolute desperation, not knowing what would happen to our child. It was one of those moments when I knew without a doubt that God was speaking to me through His word, reminding me of His power and that He was indeed the ‘God of the impossible.‘ That truth helped me to move back to a place of faith and that contentedness knowing that God was at work in the unseen.

And indeed He was at work. The next routine scan showed the tumour had stabilised without any human intervention. And whatsmore it has remained stable for four years.

Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ—and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. Amen! Ephesians 3:21 TPT

So today let’s take each of the supposedly ‘unchangable’ items on our list and declare that we will …

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you. Ephesians 3:20 TPT

Let’s dream the impossible, in JESUS Name.

For some more thoughts on putting your confidence in God please visit this post:
Keep asking
He is Able – Day 16 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

Are you having trouble standing strong in faith?

We all have times when we struggle to keep standing strong in faith. The times when we start to ask questions like, ‘God what are You doing?’ and ‘God, what do I need to do?’

Keep standing

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, says he is longing to visit and equip them to keep standing in faith.

I yearn to come and be face-to-face with you and get to know you. For I long to impart to you the gift of the Spirit that will empower you to stand strong in your faith. Romans 1:11 TPT

The Amplified Bible says it this way,

For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift, to strengthen and establish you. Romans 1:11 AMP

The Message Bible says it this way,

The longer this waiting goes on, the deeper the ache. I so want to be there to deliver God’s gift in person and watch you grow stronger right before my eyes! Romans 1:11 The Message

The gift of grace

Paul talks about the gift that will help the Romans to stand strong in their faith, and strengthen and establish them. What is this gift?

I found this explanation in the MacArthur Study Bible ….

Romans 1:11 Spiritual gift. The Greek word translated “gift” is charisma, which means “a gift of grace” – a spiritual enablement whose source is the Spirit of God. Romans use this same term to describe: 1) Christ Himself (5:15,16); 2) General blessings from God (11:29; 1 Timothy 6:17); and 3) specific spiritual gifts given to members of the body to minister to the whole (12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31; 1 Pet 4.10,11). Paul probably intends to encompass all 3.

Going with the ‘encompass all 3’, let’s explore the concept of ‘the spiritual enablement whose source is the Spirit of God.‘

Recently in a radio interview about our journey with a child with cancer I was asked about “Finding meaning when things don’t go the way you had dreamed.”

“Finding meaning” could also be expressed as ‘How do you come to a place of standing strong and trusting in God when you are overwhelmed with disappointment and grief?”

Processing disappointment and grief

For me, the answer is about the processing of disappointment and grief. A processing, that to get the best outcome, must be facilitated by the Spirit of God. In my experience that processing involves many aspects including:

Having authentic conversations with God, expressing my inner most thoughts, heartaches and fears, and then giving Him time to speak and minister to me.

Having authentic conversations with people God brought into my life, close friends, counsellors, support groups.

Gaining an understanding of the stages of grief, which helped to normalise the process for me. I can highly recommend a short but very informative book, Good Grief – By Granger E. Westberg.

Regularly reading God’s Word, expecting that He would speak to me through it, helping me to understand that He did understand the pain I was in. The Psalms so often reflected all my emotions! When I was feeling overwhelmed and unsure what to do next, the declaring of this scripture brought peace.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Constantly surrendering my plans, my dreams for me and my family to God. For me, this mostly happened during times of worship, usually when I was in my car by myself.

Increasing the ‘closet’ time I spent with God by, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, getting up earlier to have that daily quiet time with Him. That was truly a spiritual enablement whose source is the Spirit of God. Getting up an hour earlier, having a more focused time of worship, prayer, listening and reading God’s word transformed my relationship with God.

So there are some of the key activities I did that enabled me to stand strong in my faith during challenging times. Easy!

But no, it is far from easy. Mainly because we have our own thoughts and ways of doing of things, and processing disappointment and grief with the spiritual enablement whose source is the Spirit of God, is all about doing it God’s way.

Continually surrendering all

It is a continual surrendering of all we know and letting God have control. It is repeatedly choosing to say “Jesus, you are Lord of my life, all of it!”

Every activity we undertake in this process must be accompanied by that desire to believe that God is good, He is faithful and that He has a plan. I say desire because sometimes the reality is we don’t believe that God is good, but we want to believe it. We need God’s help to get back to that place of belief. Remember the father’s prayer in Mark 9:24….

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” Mark 9:23-24 NKJV.

It is the spiritual enablement whose source is the Spirit of God, which really does enable us to process disappointment and grief well, bringing us back to that place where we can declare with certainty in our heart scriptures like Romans 8:37-39

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 NIV

Ask God for His help

So today, if you are having trouble standing strong in faith, I encourage you to make the time to sit quietly with God, tell Him how you really feel, ask Him for His help to enable you to believe that He is at work in the unseen, declare His word and then choose to worship Him in faith.

And we know that in all things God works for the good for those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV

For some more thoughts on standing firm in Jesus Name please visit this post: Stand firm – Day 19 – Drawing Closer to God devotion.

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

Pray without ceasing

This morning I had no thoughts on what to write. My heart is heavy for the suffering this country is going through with the bushfires, and I have a great sense of helplessness. Last night I struggled to pray, ‘Please bring rain God.’ So my words shifted to ‘Please make it not be as bad today as predicted. Please give the firefighters strength. Please protect people.’

Perspective comes

Earlier this morning I was frustrated by a technical issue with my PC. And then I remembered the people who will be wondering if they will have a home by the end of the day. And the people who have chosen to stay and protect their homes. Perspective came.

Where to start?

But still the question is there, ‘What do I write about today?’ So I ask God, ‘Please tell me what to write about today.’ He simply responds, ‘Me.’

Start at the beginning ….

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 NKJV

The earth. Our temporary home. Heaven. Our eternal home.

Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26-27 NKJV

God forgive us for not taking care of all you have given us.

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV

When we are seemingly hemmed in, help us to trust that you have gone before us, you are with us and you will not leave us.

God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge!
You’re a proven help in times of trouble – more than enough and always available whenever I need you. Psalm 46:1 TPT

Sometimes your help comes in ways we don’t expect. You are always more than enough. Thank you.

For this how much God loved the world – he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life. John 3:16 TPT

Jesus Christ. Choose to believe in Him.

And since we now have a magnificent King-Priest to welcome us into God’s house, we come closer to God and approach him with an open heart, fully convinced by faith that nothing will keep us at a distance from him. Hebrews 10:21 TPT

We open our hearts to you God.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

We choose to trust that your ways are higher than ours and that you are at work in the unseen.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and eliminate death entirely. No one will mourn or weep any longer. The pain of wounds will no longer exist, for the old order has ceased. Revelation 21:4 TPT

We know the end-game. Eternity with You, our Heavenly Father. Thank you.

The Lord’s prayer

Let’s finish with the prayer Jesus suggested we pray, from The Passion Translation ….

Our Father, dwelling in heavenly realms, may the glory of your name be the centre on which our lives turn.
Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is fulfilled in heaven.
We acknowledge you as our Provider of all we need each day.
Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.
Rescue us every time we face tribulation
and set us free from evil.
For you are the King who rules
with power and glory forever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13 TPT

Today is a good day to ‘pray without ceasing’ for this nation.

For some more thoughts on God as our source please visit this post:
God is our source – Day 18 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

The gift of love – Jesus

“You love me as you find me … Your love’s too good to leave me here.”

These lyrics are from Hillsong United’s song, “As you find me.”

The ‘you’ in these lyrics is Jesus.

Jesus, who today, willingly lavishes us with His love – no matter where we are, what we are doing or not doing, what we are saying and thinking.

A love that says, “I know you aren’t perfect and that’s okay.”

A love that says, “I’m standing in the gap between you and your Heavenly Father, so your relationship with Him is restored.”

A love that says, “I have plans for you. Let my love take you into your future.”

A love that has transformed my life, given me love, purpose, strength, healing, joy and peace. What a gift!

What do you want for Christmas?

What’s on your gift list for this Christmas?

Is love on your list?

Is purpose on your list?

Is strength on your list?

Is healing on your list?

Is joy on your list?

Is peace on your list?

Where do you purchase these gifts?

On your knees. Confess that Jesus is Lord, believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

You may say, “Oh, I can’t do that, I’m not good enough.”

And I would reply, “Well, neither am I, and Jesus knows that. He loves us as He finds us. There is no checklist to see if we measure up, because we don’t, and we never will without Him. He loves us as He finds us. We just need to respond to His love and choose to make Him Lord of our lives.”

You may say, “But if I do that, won’t I need to change the way I live?”

And I would reply, “You don’t need to do the changing. Over time as you understand more of Jesus love for you, the changes will happen. His love’s too good to leave you here. Just plan some one on one time with Jesus every day, and see what He will do in you.”

You may say, “Oh I’m still not sure this is for me.”

There is a God in Heaven Who loves you

And I would reply, “There is a God in Heaven Who loves you. He knows your heart’s desires. He knows your pain. He’s made a way for you to be lavished with unconditional love, know your purpose, have strength, receive healing, live with joy and peace. That way is Jesus and He knows your name. Just talk to Him.”

Jesus … “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” John 10:10 The Message

The gift of love – Jesus.

To read more about Jesus’ love for you, please visit this post:

Eyes on Jesus – Day 10 – Drawing Closer to God devotional