Blog

What am I grateful for?

So many sad things going on in this world we live in. It’s so important that daily we pause and consider, “What am I grateful for?” Gratefulness is a key to being emotionally and spiritually healthy.

For me every time I read about someone who has passed away from cancer, or more specifically a brain tumour, (this week it was Roxette singer, Marie Fredriksson), my heart aches for the ones who have lost someone they love, and at the same time I am so grateful to God that that was not our story.

God’s healing power

And I am grateful for the way that God has continued to bring healing and wholeness to our family over the past 9 years. We have grieved (and sometimes surprisingly find we are still grieving) the expectations of how we thought our family would be. For me every time the tears have surfaced the Holy Spirit has given comfort and restored peace.

But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. John 14:26 AMP

Over the last few years the ability to dream about the future has returned. What a blessing it to be able to dream again! Dreams for me, dreams for our marriage, dreams for our children, all wrapped in God’s love and purposes. I didn’t realise how important dreams were until I was in an emotional place of being unable to dream of the future.

When there is no clear prophetic vision,
people quickly wander astray.
But when you follow the revelation of the word,
heaven’s bliss fills your soul.
Proverbs 29:18 TPT

A God who is always there

I am grateful for a God who doesn’t abandon us, but rather carries us when we need to be carried. He is always there in the midst.

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
Psalm 46:1-5 NKJV

A hope and a future

I am grateful for a God that tells us He has plans to prosper us, give us a hope and a future.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Grateful for Jesus and eternal life

I am grateful for a God who sacrificed His son Jesus, so we could have life to the full, and life eternally with Him in Heaven.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

I am grateful for a God that is no respecter of persons. His gift of eternal life is freely available to all of us when we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord.

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

So today, take time to consider, “What am I grateful for?”

For some more thoughts on the importance of being grateful, please visit these posts …
Thankfulness lifts our eyes to Jesus
Be thankful – Day 11 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

Not by might

There is a scripture that the Holy Spirit often quickens to me when I am unsure what to do about a situation. It starts with ‘Not by might ….’ I have some thoughts about the action I want I take – but often those actions are rooted in my own hurt and strong desire to see change. They are not necessarily the actions God wants me to take. That scripture is …

And he answered and said to me, “This is the word of Yahweh to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by strength and not by power, but only by my Spirit,’ says Yahweh of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 LEB

Take a moment

A recent example. Without getting too specific this week I was concerned about a situation and what it would mean for 2020. I didn’t want a repeat of what had happened in 2019. I had a plan of action, but I wasn’t entirely comfortable with it. Notice all the I’s in those few sentences!

That feeling of uncomfortableness made me stop and take a moment to speak with God, “God, please help me, I’m not sure if I should do this.” And then this scripture came to mind, thank you Holy Spirit.

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 NIV

Listen to God

“Not by might

Nor by power

But by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty

Yield and wait

My next words to God were something like this, “Okay God, by your Spirit. I will do nothing. I’m going to trust that if You want this conversation to happen, then you will orchestrate it.”

Within an hour I found myself with an opportunity to speak to the exact person, able to say what I wanted to say, knowing that I was being heard, and that 2020 would have a different outcome to 2019. Thank you Jesus.

God’s ways are higher

This was not the first time that God has used this Scripture to remind me that His ways are different to mine, and always much better! But it’s more than a reminder, every time it has been a call to action.

Actually it has been a series of actions that involve me:

  • surrendering my plans
  • examining my heart regarding my motives for wanting to take that action, repenting when necessary
  • waiting on the Lord to see what He was going to do
  • being ready for what God would ask me to do

In every instance of this happening God has worked in His mysterious ways, resolved the situation and brought about the change – all glory to Him.

Perhaps I need to add this scripture to my daily prayer …

“Thank you for this day Jesus. Thank you for loving me. Help me today to remember that it is not by might, not by power, but by Your Spirit, that all things will work together for good. …..”

We don’t have all the answers

In our world today we are surrounded by the narrative, “You can do it. You can make it happen. You are in control of your destiny.” I disagree with these statements, from the perspective that they are all relying on us – you and me to make it happen. We are imperfect and don’t have all the answers. The future is unknown. Furthermore we don’t know all the intricacies of people’s emotions and motives.

But God does. And when we surrender our life to Jesus, and change the narrative and acknowledge that He is the one that empowers us to do it; He is the one who makes it happen; and that Jesus is the one who offers us an eternal destiny, only then we will live a fulfilling life here on earth.

Only by His Spirit

A life where we are not forcing change, we are not living by our inadequate efforts alone, but instead day by day we are becoming more dependent on our Heavenly Father and His ways. We are growing the fruits of the Spirit and becoming the blessing to others that He has called us to be. Only by His Spirit.

Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Zechariah 4:6 NLT

For some more thoughts on living life God’s way please visit this post: God’s Armour – Day 21 – Drawing Closer to God

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

God hears our heart’s cry

Those who know me, know I love to pray, spending precious time with God, sometimes talking, sometimes listening. In the quiet of the early morning, in the hustle and bustle of life, in the office with my husband, in the car with my children, in the cafe with friends, walking and praying around the school, at church, well really wherever I am. For me it is always a good time to pray. I know that God hears our heart’s cry.

Over the years I have seen God answer many of these prayers, in many different ways, and mostly not in the way I expected! God is faithful.

Prayers from the heart

But then there are the other sort of prayers. The prayers that come from that deep place in your heart, knowing that man cannot fix it, only God can bring the change. We leave the request at the foot of the Cross, genuinely believing that one day, God in His wisdom and timing will answer it.

Life goes on and that prayer is no longer on our lips. It hasn’t been forgotten, it just isn’t the main focus anymore. Occasionally it is brought to the surface again, triggered by a situation or a conversation, and that cry of your heart comes out again, “God I am choosing to trust You, that You have heard the cry of my heart and You have got this sorted.”

Lord, you know and understand the hopes of the humble and will hear their cries and comfort their hearts, helping them all! Psalm 10:17 TPT

God is faithful

And then that “one day” comes, and the prayer is answered. God is faithful. There is an overwhelming sense of God’s love and a deeper understanding that He is always at work in the unseen. By His grace we move a step closer to the maturity that He is calling us to.

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

For some more thoughts on our Heavenly Father please visit these posts …
Our Heavenly Father’s love
I am a child of God – Day 4 – Drawing closer to God devotion.
Our Heavenly Father – Day 12 – Drawing Closer to God devotion
God is listening – Day 22 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

Where can I get some peace?

Have you found yourself saying that phrase, ‘Where can I get some peace around here?’ or, ‘God I just need some peace, please!’ Or perhaps you have been trying to go to sleep and that concern keeps going over and over in your mind, and you just want it to stop so you can get some peace and have a good night’s sleep.

Peace. We want it. We need it.

God gives us His peace

I’m still on my sojourn through the Old Testament, now in Numbers, and I read this scripture this morning …

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying,

‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” ‘

“So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27 NKJV

Reading it reminded me of a beautiful song by Matt Redman, Benediction, that starts with lyrics relating to this passage of scripture …

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord smile on you,
Shine His light upon you.
May the Lord lift you,
Turn His face towards you.
Give you His peace,
Give you His peace.

Perhaps this is a song to play if you find yourself tossing and turning unable to sleep. I remember hearing this song at lifegroup. The Holy Spirit would minister to me every time it was played. With open hands and an open heart it was as if the Lord poured His peace in everytime it was played.

The gift of peace

Or maybe it was more that it reminded me that I already had His peace in me, as Jesus tells us …

I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous! John 14:27 TPT

As I’ve said before I’m not a Bible scholar, but I do know this, there is a peace that Jesus gives that really does surpass all understanding.

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

Be anxious for nothing

Let’s have another look at the first part of verse 6 ….

The Passion Translation … Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing

New King James Version … Be anxious for nothing

New Living Translation … Don’t worry about anything

The Message … Don’t fret or worry

The Amplified Bible … Do not fret or have anxiety about anything

Maybe your response to this command, is ‘Yes, but you don’t understand …..’

But God’s response is still ….

Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing …
Be anxious for nothing … Don’t worry about anything …
Don’t fret or worry … Do not fret or have anxiety about anything

But where can I get some peace?

And whatsmore God doesn’t just tell us what NOT to do, He tells us what to do …

The Passion Translation … Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude.

New King James Version … but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

New Living Translation … instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

The Message … Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

The Amplified Bible … but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

Pray in Faith

Yes, God tells us to pray, but we need to pray with faith, not double-mindedness. And always give thanks for all He has done.

And what happens when we do that? Philippians 4:7 tells us we will experience God’s peace, as our focus shifts from our circumstance to Jesus and Who He is.

then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. The Passion Translation

New King James Version … and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

New Living Translation … Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

The Message … Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life

The Amplified Bible … And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Don’t give up on God

I’ve had many opportunities in my life to fret and worry, and I have fretted and worried. But Philippians 4:6-7, one of the first scriptures I learnt when I became a Christian, has always been a ‘go-to’ scripture in those circumstances. Sometimes I haven’t gone there immediately, but eventually I do get that place of petitioning God in prayer, thanking Him for what He has done, then experiencing His wonderful peace. And I am able to face the next day.

You may be thinking, “I have prayed about this before and nothing has changed.” Well, I really encourage you to pray again. There is an enemy who wants you to stop praying, as Jentezen Franklin says ..

“The devil knows your greatest weapon against his kingdom is your voice, your prayer life. Prayer will usher you into the presence, power, and purpose of God.” (The Spirit of the Python, page151)

So today, if you are wanting peace, take some time, perhaps play that beautiful song, Benediction, offer up a heartfelt prayer to God, your Heavenly Father, remember to thank Him for what He has done, keep your eyes on Jesus and be expectant that you will experience His peace.

For some more thoughts on the gift of peace from Jesus, please visit these posts …

God’s peace – Day 6 – Drawing Closer to God Devotion

Love and disappointment

Earlier this week I was having a conversation with one of our children and she said to me, “Mum, they just need to know that God loves them.”

God’s love for us

God’s love. It’s freely available for you and me. It is the love that doesn’t come with strings attached. It doesn’t change depending on what you do or don’t do. It doesn’t stop and start depending on how God feels. It is complete and forever love.

It’s available to us because of what Jesus did for us. It is comes to us via the Holy Spirit.

And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us! For when the time was right, the Anointed One came and died to demonstrate his love for sinners who were entirely helpless, weak, and powerless to save themselves. Romans 5:5-6 TPT

Derek Prince, in his book, The Flow of Divine Love, says,

“Hope, or love, is never disappointed when it is fixed in God because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts – the totality of God’s love. God withholds nothing. He just turns the bucket upside down and pours out the whole thing when He gives us the Holy Spirit.” page 39

Disappointment abounds

There are so many things in our lives that cause disappointment. We can be disappointed in ourselves – our reactions, our choices and our inability to change (probably because we are trying to change in our strength, without letting God lead the transformation). We can be disappointed in other people – their reactions, their choices, and their inability to change! Oh yes, many opportunities for disappointment to set in.

God’s love abounds more

But when we get a revelation of God’s love for us…

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. John 3:16 The Message

His grace given to us …. that is sufficient for every situation

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

His mercy available to us … as an on-going daily gift

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

Yes, when we have that revelation of God’s love, grace and mercy, then we can process disappointment in ourselves well.

God’s love for us does not change

The more we understand that God’s love for us does not change, we are able to have authentic conversations with Him, hear His guidance for our lives and act on that advice as best we can. His still small voice oozes love for us, and our acceptance of that love, helps us to better love ourselves, and ultimately move from that place of disappointment.

And when we get that revelation that God loves everyone in the same way – unconditionally, and that His grace and mercy is available for everyone, then it becomes easier for us to process our disappointment with other people. We are all sinners.

For we all have sinned and are in need of the glory of God. Yet through his powerful declaration of acquittal, God freely gives away his righteousness. His gift of love and favor now cascades over us, all because Jesus, the Anointed One, has liberated us from the guilt, punishment, and power of sin! Romans 3:23-24 TPT

God’s love enables us to love well

But before we can love others well, our personal revelation of God’s love for us has to come first …

Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us 1 John 4:19 TPT

Once we understand God’s love for us, we are more able to love others well and let go of the disappointment because we know that they, just like us, are in that transforming process. His grace is sufficient for everyone; His mercies are new every morning for everyone.

And when we are in that place, our heart is more aligned with God’s heart for people, what a beautiful place to be. A place of love.


If you would like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please email me at hello@wendyrobinson.com.au

For some more thoughts on living life with Jesus please visit this post: It is finished – Day 30 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

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

Courage to keep standing

Sometimes we need courage to keep standing. Have you been in that place where you feel like the enemy is tempting you to cross the line, to say the thing that is going to bring death, not life?

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat it’s fruit. Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

I’ve been there this week. It has taken every ounce of worship in my body to keep my focus on Jesus, and not let fear take hold and cause me to say something that would be destructive.

Every thought needing to be identified and categorised.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

Fear or faith? Truth or lies?

Fear or faith? Truth or lies? What are the promises God has spoken in the past? Do we know what His word says about this situation? What do I know about God’s character? Are we remembering the long, very long, list of testimonies of all God has done for us?

It has literally felt like there was a battle going on in my mind. And it has been just a little bit exhausting! But because of who God is, there has been no choice but to stand firm and trust Him.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT

Standing firm can be tough going. Thankfully God always goes before us, equipping us, if we remain teachable, with what we are going to need in the future.

Example … Two weeks ago I started listening to a podcast from the series – ‘Elevation with Steven Furtick’. However I only had time to listen to the first ten minutes or so. This week, in the midst of the mind battle, thanks to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I continued listening to the podcast. The title of the podcast? ‘I caught a thought.‘ A good dose of God’s truth, helped me to keep standing firm.

And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” John 16:33 TPT

Courage to keeping standing

There it is again, that word courageous. I wonder how many times it is written in the Bible. This week I needed courage to stand, to keep my mouth shut, to keep believing, to trust that God had a plan and it was unfolding even though I couldn’t see it.

Where does courage come from? From choosing to believe that God is God, and Jesus has conquered the world – no matter what we think, see or don’t see. Our courage to keep standing comes from having confidence that God is good and He loves us.

Praise God, this week I had the courage to keep standing until the breakthrough came. However, an interesting thing happened after the breakthrough came. I was doing a task that should have only taken ten minutes, however due to a software issue an hour later the task still wasn’t completed. Frustration bubbled to the surface and out it came! How disappointed was I in myself, to have stood firm on the major thing all week and then be broken over the minor thing!

The lesson for me – when the breakthrough came, I should have stopped, taken time to give thanks to God, not only for the breakthrough, but for the strength He gave me to keep standing.

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT

Pause and give thanks

Pausing and giving thanks, possibly combined with a few minutes of worship, would have allowed me to process well, giving the Holy Spirit space to minister and dissipate the underlying frustration that was there, but had not surfaced prior to the breakthrough.

Let’s pray,

Thank you Jesus for who You are and what You did for us, giving us victory over sin and death. Thank you God that You are at work even when we can’t see it. Please give us greater confidence in You and Your ways, confidence that gives us courage to keep standing. Thank you that you are always going before us, equipping us and making a way. Forgive us for when we stray into fear, doubt and unbelief. Please help us to identify the thoughts that are not from You, taken them captive and replace them with Your truth. Help us to always remain teachable, open to the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for Your love and desire to see us become all that You have called us to be. In Your Jesus Name, Amen.

For some more thoughts on the have the courage to stand and overcoming fear please visit these posts …
Don’t fear – Draw closer to God
Are you feeling battle weary?
Are you feeling fearful?
Courage to do the little things
Be strong and of good courage


What would you have done?

It can be so easy to read or hear about a situation and think I wouldn’t have done that! It’s easy because we are reading or hearing about it after it has happened. We are not the ones in the moment having to make decisions under pressure. We rarely know the full story, yet we judge.

This morning I was reading Matthew 27:11-26, the story where Jesus stood before Pilate. Here is the story …

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”  But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Now I am no Bible scholar, but as I read this story I thought about the pressure Pilate would have been under in this situation. Pilate knew the outcome that was expected of him from the religious leaders.

(Now, Pilate was fully aware that the religious leaders had handed Jesus over to him because of their bitter jealousy). Matthew 27:18 TPT

He watched them persuade the crowd to choose to free Barabbas.

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. Matthew 27:20 AMP

He even had his wife giving him advice.

Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.” Matthew 27:19 NLT

But he also knew in his heart that Jesus was innocent, and he didn’t want to take responsibility for Jesus’ death.

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere and that a riot was imminent, he took a basin of water and washed his hands in full sight of the crowd, saying, “I’m washing my hands of responsibility for this man’s death. From now on, it’s in your hands. You’re judge and jury.” Matthew 27:24 The Message

I guess you could say that Pilate abdicated his responsibilities to the crowd. Other than Pilates thought a riot was imminent, we don’t know what other thoughts he was having at this time. Clearly he wasn’t listening to his wife (joke!).

And this it the point of today’s post, to remind each of us, including me, that we don’t know the full story behind people’s decisions, and it is not our place to judge them.

God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor? James 4:12 NLT

Also keeping in mind that Jesus came to so that none may perish …

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT

It is not our job to judge, but it is our responsibility to pray for others including our brothers and sisters in Christ …

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18 NIV

… our political leaders ….

Most of all, I’m writing to encourage you to pray with gratitude to God. Pray for all men with all forms of prayers and requests as you intercede with intense passion. And pray for every political leader and representative, so that we would be able to live tranquil, undisturbed lives, as we worship the awe-inspiring God with pure hearts. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 TPT

… and those who persecute us.

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:44 NKJV

Just as Jesus prays for us.

Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34 NIV

So today, let’s take hold of those thoughts that want to judge others and instead say to ourselves, “No, I am not going down the judging path. Instead I am choosing to pray for that person today, Jesus bless them and draw them to Yourself.”


Pause and consider

There is as phrase I heard a long time ago, something like, “Always keep the main thing, the main thing.” I can’t remember exactly where I was, but it was in a church, and the ‘main thing’ was ‘living our lives Jesus’ way.’ Let’s pause and consider that now.

This week I thought about that phrase again as I was reading a passage from James:

Instead you should say, “Our tomorrows are in the Lord’s hands and if he is willing we will live life to its fullest and do this or that.” James 4:15 TPT

Beth Moore, in her book, James, Mercy Triumphs, discusses this scripture in conjunction with Jeremiah 29:11:

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

What if we really believed …?

And then she poses some interesting questions…

“What if we understood down to the marrow of our bones that His is the only plan that really does end up prospering us?

What if we really believed Jesus when He said that those who insist on finding their own lives will lose them and those who lose them for His sake will find them (see Matt 16:25)?

What if we really believed that, if we seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness, everything else of true value would be given to us, too (see Matt 6:33)?

What if we really believed that, “He did not even spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with him grant us everything” (Rom 8:32)?

What if we really believed that “godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim 4:8 NASB)?

What if we really believed that God is not only great, He is good?”

(Beth Moore, James, Mercy Triumphs, Page 153)

These are some very thought-provoking questions. Try substituting the ‘What if we really believed that…’ with ‘Do I believe that…’

Do versus talk

Then, lets take the questioning a step further, … not answering with words, but rather with an inventory of our past actions ie Does what we do line up with what we say we believe?

Please understand my intention is not to bring condemnation, but rather to encourage us (definitely me too), to pause and consider how we are travelling with ‘living with Jesus as Lord of our lives.’

There is always room for improvement, an area in our lives that the Holy Spirit wants to help us with – greater trust, quicker obedience, greater evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, just to name a few.

Ask God for help

So today, let’s determine to let God have His way in our life, helping us to keep ‘the main thing, the main thing’ as He alone knows what tomorrow will bring.

For some more thoughts on God’s favour and love for us please visit this post: God’s favour is on us – Day 25 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

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

God’s timing & our patience

What happens when God gives you a vision for something in your future? What is your response? Maybe there is an excited exclamation of ‘Yes!’ Perhaps there is a ‘Wow God, really?’ Maybe there is an acknowledgement of our inadequacy, ‘This will have to be all you God, as I have nothing.’ Whatever our response, one of the big lessons I have learnt is that God controls the timing of when that vision comes to pass. There is nothing we can do to speed up the process. It’s all about God’s timing & our patience.

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 AMPC

Option 1 – Ignore God’s timing

We have the option of ignoring this truth and toiling away in our own strength to make things happen in our perceived perfect timing. I have found that this option always leads to disappointment, frustration and often exhaustion. And to make matters worse, most often the vision doesn’t actually come to pass, and if it does, it doesn’t happen the way that God intended!

Option 2 – Submit to God

The other option is that we choose to let God be the leader, submit to Him and practice patience.

Patience is a supernatural fruit of the Holy Spirit.

But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. Galatians 5:22-23 TPT

Tips for practicing patience

What does practicing patience look like? Here are a few of my thoughts …

  1. Asking the Holy Spirit for help to practice patience
  2. Removing all our expected time-frames. This means not just erasing them from our plans, but saying to God, “I let go of my time-frame and submit to Yours.”
  3. Recognising that even though you prayed the prayer in #2, you may still be operating with your expected timeframe. So keep a careful watch on your reactions when something doesn’t go as you thought it would. Are you disappointed? Is there frustration? When you think about what happened, does your body tense up? If you are having these type of responses, take some time to ask the Holy Spirit a few questions … Why am I are responding this way? What is it that I haven’t completely surrendered to God? Holy Spirit, what do You want to teach me through this experience?
  4. Regularly remembering that God has the big picture. Reflecting on all the times when God’s time-frame was different to yours, but unsurprisingly, it turned out that His time-frame was always perfect.

This scripture always helps me to put my plans and thoughts in their rightful place ….

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
 “For 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 NKJV

My life example – writing a book

God taught me many things about patience when He gave me the project to write a book about the first three years of our journey with Victoria and the brain tumour. My time-frame for finishing the project was completely unrealistic in many aspects, from overestimating the actual time that I had available, to the unanticipated time for the emotional processing that would be required for me to complete the project.

As I missed each of my self-imposed deadlines, the more aware I became that this project wasn’t really my project at all. Yes, God had birthed the book project in my heart, but, as I now know, that did not mean that He had handed over the managing of the project to me. With each of my missed deadlines over the years, God was subtlety changing my mindset showing me that it was His project, and He was going to do it His way and in His timing. And I would just have to be patient.

God’s plans are always better

Years on, I understand just a little bit of His plan. But that little bit is enough to know that His plans will always be better than mine. And that the more I practice patience, the more I am able to enjoy the time that it takes for His plans to unfold. It becomes like an adventure, not knowing exactly when the next step will happen, but making sure that I am listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit to ensure I am prepared and equipped for when it does come to pass.

So if you are in the waiting season and finding it a bit frustrating, I encourage you to have those authentic conversations with the Holy Spirit, let Him guide and be open to what He wants to teach you. Remember God’s timing & our patience is key.

For some more thoughts on God’s faithfulness please visit these posts …
God hears our heart’s cry
God is listening – Day 22 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

We are welcome at the altar

At the start of the year I began reading The Bible from the beginning. It’s almost the end of September and I am up to Chapter 22 in Leviticus, the third book of The Bible! Just so you don’t think I am a complete slacker, I have been reading other parts of The Bible too – Proverbs, Psalms, and various books in the New Testament.

But I have struggled with reading the Old Testament. I’ve just calculated that it has taken me about 300 days to read 141 pages, so at that rate, I should finish reading the Old Testament by 2030!

Pressing on through the Old Testament

I have this mindset that that says ‘Some of the Old Testament is just not that interesting, so why should I read this.’ Now I know that mindset is wrong. So I have pressed on and will continue to read it, simply because God has been speaking to me through each passage I’ve read from the Old Testament.

This morning I read from Leviticus 21 ….

“He may eat the bread of his God, both the most holy and the holy; only he shall not go near the veil or approach the altar, because he has a defect, lest he profane My sanctuaries; for I the LORD sanctify them.” And Moses told it to Aaron and his sons, and to all the children of Israel. Leviticus 21:22-24 NKJV

Now I don’t pretend to understand much in these three verses, but these seven words stood out to me, ‘he shall not go near the veil.’ As I was reading those words this passage in Hebrews came to mind, thank you Holy Spirit.

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:19-23 NKJV

We are welcome at the altar

Today because of what Jesus did we can approach the altar. Because of Jesus’ blood we can commune with a Holy God. Because of Jesus, we have faith, hope and love.

The Passion Translation says it this way,

And now we are brothers and sisters in God’s family because of the blood of Jesus, and he welcomes us to come right into the most holy sanctuary in the heavenly realm – boldly and with no hesitation. For he has dedicated a new life-giving way for us to approach God. For just as the veil was torn in two, Jesus’ body was torn open to give us free and fresh access to 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. For our hearts have been sprinkled with blood to remove impurity and we have been freed from an accusing conscience and now we are clean, unstained, and presentable to God inside and out! Hebrews 10:19-22 TPT

Jesus restores our relationship with God

Aside, there is a beautiful song, Clean, from Hillsong UNITED‘s People -Live album, that simply declares that ‘because of Jesus my heart is clean.’ If you have a spare couple of minutes I think it is worth listening too, it very quickly centers your focus on Jesus.

Back to the scripture, let’s read these words again … He welcomes us to come right into the most holy sanctuary in the heavenly realm – boldly and with no hesitation.

I remember hearing these words soon after I became a Christian 20-plus years ago, and I took these words literally into my heart – because of Jesus I am welcome at the altar. How precious is that truth! This truth gave me the confidence to come, just as I am and ask.

The Amplified Bible translates verse 22 as …

Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 AMP

Let’s go to the altar today

So today, let’s acknowledge that Jesus has opened the way for us to go to the Father. Let’s draw near with confidence, not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of who our God is and His unconditional love for us.

Finally, just referring back to my Old Testament reading, lets encourage each other to read God’s word, even when it doesn’t seem very interesting to us. God is always wanting to reveal something more to us and remind us of His great love for us. He desires us to be purposefully drawing nearer to Him.

If you would like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please email me at hello@wendyrobinson.com.au

For some more thoughts on being a child of God please visit this post:
The Son of God – Day 28 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

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

>