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Linger a little longer

In this full life lingering isn’t something that I often do. But this year God has been teaching me about the power in lingering. Being more of a Mary and sitting at the feet of Jesus and linger a little longer. I’m sure you know the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 …

Mary and Martha

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their journey, they came to a village where a woman welcomed Jesus into her home. Her name was Martha and she had a sister named Mary. Mary sat down attentively before the Master, absorbing every revelation he shared. But Martha became exasperated by finishing the numerous household chores in preparation for her guests, so she interrupted Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t you think it’s unfair that my sister left me to do all the work by myself? You should tell her to get up and help me.”

The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Are they really that important? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.” Luke 10:38-42 TPT

Over the years God has shown me the importance of sitting undistracted at His feet. This year He has been saying, stay there just a little bit longer. More of the ‘Be still, and know that I am God‘ (Psalm 46:10).

Three ways to linger

This lingering has played out in three different ways, firstly in my own prayer time; secondly when praying for people at church or healing services; and thirdly when praying at the school our children attend.

In my prayer time

In my own prayer time, when I am sitting, being still, not asking God for anything, just listening for what He wants to say, after I have heard something from Him there is a great temptation to say, “Thanks God, that’s good. I’ll mediate on that and I’ll talk with you some more later.” I guess that is not unlike when I am speaking with one of my children, wanting to communicate a few key things to them, and once they’ve heard the first one, they get up ready to leave saying, “Thanks Mum, got it.” And I say, “Hold on, there is more.” They stop and listen, albeit sometimes reluctantly.

However in these conversations with God I have noticed that sometimes my fleshly desire to ‘get on and do things’ means that I completely miss the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit telling me, “Wait, there is more.” And so I have learnt to linger a little longer once I have heard something from God, and most times there is something else that He wants to say. Something just as important as the first thing. Or maybe it is something else He wants me to see, as I’ll share further on in this post.

So now I am at the place, where after hearing two things, I will ask the question, “Is there something else God you want to speak to me about today?” Sometimes there is silence and I know that I have received all that is required for this moment. Sometimes there is more.

Praying for others

I have taken what I have learnt about this ‘lingering and listening a little longer’ in my own prayer time, and applied it when praying ‘face to face’ for other people. Before bursting into prayer, most times now I just take time to wait on the Lord. Simply waiting for His prompting on what to pray, not afraid of the silence, because that gives Him space to speak and be heard.

And then again, when the time of prayer seems to becoming to a close, I ask Him, “Is there anything else for this person God, specific healing? a word of encouragement from you? a prophetic word? a picture?” Often there is, and it is the thing that brings the touch of God and often the tears start to flow. Lingering and listening can open the way for God’s love to flow to others.

Praying in the playground

The third realm where God has been teaching me about lingering a little longer is in the playground, literally. A couple of times a week, I along with some other mums, with the permission of the school, walk around the school grounds praying. Sometimes the students are all in class, sometimes they are out and about on the grounds.

This week I was at an assembly. The assembly had finished and as the children were going to their classes, I felt the Holy Spirit say, “Sit a while longer.” So I waited until there was only one class left, and then I saw what He wanted to show me. A child for whom I know that school has not been easy, and there she was laughing and interacting beautifully with the children in her class. A child, one of many, that we had prayed for as we regularly walked through the school corridors.

I was so grateful to the Holy Spirit prompting me to linger so that I could see that joy, a tangible reminder that God is continually at work in each of our lives, wanting us to live with the freedom and joy that only He can give.

Linger a little longer today

So today let’s linger a little longer in His presence, listen to what He wants to say, see what He wants to show us, so we can do what He wants us to do.

We carry this confidence in our hearts because of our union with Christ before God. Yes we don’t see ourselves as capable enough to do anything in our own strength, for our true competence flows from God’s empowering presence. 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 TPT

For some more thoughts on being in the presence of God please visit this post: The River – Day 27 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

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

No options?

What happens when you are in that place where there seems to be no options, no obvious solutions?

This week I was reminded once again that there is an amazing God of the universe who is able and willing to intervene…

Let everyone give all their praise and thanks to the Lord!
Here’s why – he’s better than anyone could every imagine.
Yes, he’s always loving and kind, and his faithful love never ends.
Psalm 107:1 TPT

In the waiting time

But how difficult is it when we are in the waiting? We know that He is able and He will. But we just don’t know when and how! These are the times when we have to choose to trust Him, and keep choosing to trust Him, and keep choosing to trust Him.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. Psalm 56:3 NIV

It sounds so simple to do – just put your trust in God. It’s in these times that we need to keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus. We can’t look to the left or to the right as there are distractions all around. We need to do whatever it takes to keep God’s truth front and centre in our minds. His promises, His rhema words to us, that is what we need to be meditating on. Not the ‘I don’t know,’ the ‘What if,’ the ‘It’s not going to work.’ And I am reminding myself of this now too!

I set my heart on your precepts and pay close attention to all your ways. My delight is found in all your laws, and I won’t forget to walk in your words. Psalm 119:15-16 TPT

A couple of weeks ago someone asked me if there was a prayer in my book they could pray during a family member’s major operation. There wasn’t a prayer as such. However I spent some time reading through the scriptures that I had included, scriptures that had breathed life and hope into me in some very dark moments, when I felt there were no options other than God, and compiled them into this prayer.

Let’s pray

So let’s pray and declare God’s truth over our lives and circumstances….

We give thanks to you Lord, declaring Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night. (Psalm 92:1-2)

We are choosing today to approach Your throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

We look at the mountain in front of us and declare that our help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)

Thank you Jesus that you are here with us. We will not be afraid. (Joshua 1:9)

Your grace is sufficient for us today, for Your power is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Thank you Jesus that we do not have to fight this battle. We will take up our positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give us. We will not be afraid. We will not be discouraged because we know that the LORD is with us. (2 Chronicles 20:17)

Thank you Jesus that by your stripes, ______ is healed and made whole. (Isaiah 53:5) 

We know that you Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and out-stretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. (Jeremiah 32:17)

Help us to not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (with definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make our wants known to you God. Thank you that Your peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Thank you Jesus that as we wait upon You, You will renew our strength. (Isaiah 40:31)

We will hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

We declare that in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

And we declare that Jesus came that _____ may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (John 10:10)

We give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)

Blessed be the Lord, who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God of our salvation! Selah [pause and think calmly of that]! (Psalm 68:19)

In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

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

For some more thoughts on Jesus’ authority and power please visit this post:
Have faith in His name – Day 13 – Drawing Closer to God Devotions

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

It’s a good day for Christmas Carols!

This morning I felt to listen to some Christmas carols – yes it is June! Why not? Mary’s Boy Child/Oh my Lord by Boney M; Emmanuel by Hillsong; Mary did you know? sung by Hayley Westerna, Breath of Heaven sung by Amy Grant ….

Christmas Carols remind me of the gift that Jesus is to us. Not a gift that has you thinking – really? why did you give me that? Not a gift that once consumed is gone forever (like chocolate!). Not a gift that goes out of fashion #nottrendinganymore. No, Jesus is a forever gift. The gift that truly does keep on giving, here on earth and in eternity. He is the gift of salvation.

And what did we do to deserve this gift? Absolutely nothing!

For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ! Ephesians 2:8 TPT

How open are we to receiving the complete gift of Jesus? Forgiveness, acceptance, perfect love, joy, strength, peace, freedom, wisdom, healing and assurance of eternal life.

Over the past few weeks I have had the privilege of hearing people’s stories of the freedom that Jesus has given them, freedom from situations that were meant to destroy them. Freedom that can only come from One who loves unconditionally and has the authority to say ….

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 NKJV

Jesus. The gift. For you. For me. The only way to fully live. So we can fully give to others and do what God has called us to do.

Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new. And God has made all things new, and reconciled us to himself, and given us the ministry of reconciling others to God. In other words, it was through the Anointed One that God was shepherding the world, not even keeping records of their transgressions, and he has entrusted to us the ministry of opening the door of reconciliation to God. We are ambassadors of the Anointed One who carry the message of Christ to the world, as though God were tenderly pleading with them directly through our lips. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 TPT

Today, let’s ask Jesus three things, firstly, to show us where in our lives we are not fully receiving all He has done for us. Secondly to show us what we need to do to receive that freedom. And thirdly show us how we use that freedom to be His ambassadors in this world.

Hope – will you let Jesus rebuild you?

What happens when hope starts slipping away? Darkness descends. It is difficult to think or see anything other than the negative. Stuff happens. Sometimes from wrong choices we’ve made. Sometimes other people’s wrong choices impact us. Sometimes things just happen and we don’t know why. The question is, when your hope starts slipping away, will you let Jesus rebuild you?

Jesus – the master re-builder

Earlier this week I was listening to Amanda Cook’s song, City of Hope …

Once we were a barren land
Dry from disappointment
But heaven like a heavy rain
Revealed your heart for us
Now we’re dusting off our instruments
In you we found our will to live
What was once a wilderness
Is seeming with new life
‘Cause you are mending the broken-hearted
You are making all things new
And you’re rebuilding out of the ruins
A city of hope with the ones you love

How beautiful are those lines …

‘Cause you are mending the broken-hearted…

He heals the wounds of every shattered heart.
He sets his stars in place, calling them all by their names.
How great is our God!
There’s absolutely nothing his power cannot accomplish,
and he has infinite understanding of everything. Psalm 147:3-5 TPT

You are making all things new …

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5 NKJV

The One who gives hope

There is one that can give hope – Jesus. I have seen Him do that in my life, my husband’s life, and many other people’s lives.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
And they shall rebuild the old ruins,
They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities,
The desolations of many generations.
Isaiah 61:1-4 NKJV

The Rock

Jesus. Our Saviour. A foundation that is solid, The Rock, not the sand of this world that shifts and changes with the latest trends.

Everyone who hears my teaching and applies it to his life can be compared to a wise man who built his house on an unshakable foundation. When the rains fell and the flood came, with fierce winds beating upon his house, it stood firm because of its strong foundation.

“But everyone who hears my teaching and does not apply it to his life can be compared to a foolish man who built his house on sand. When it rained and rained and the flood came, with wind and waves beating upon his house, it collapsed and was swept away.” Matthew 7:24-27 TPT

Jesus. Only Jesus. Surrender. Let Him rebuild hope in your life.

He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I’m set for life. My help and glory are in God. So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be. Psalm 62:6-8 The Message

For some more thoughts on living life to the full with Jesus please visit this post: Life to the full – Day 17 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

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


Who likes pruning?

It’s almost that time of year when the roses need to be pruned. They still have a few blooms, but they are looking very raggedy. Not at all like the brilliantly flourishing bushes of mid-summer.

I’m a tough pruner. As pruning time approaches some of the rose bushes have branches that have grown to over 6 feet tall, and I cut them down to less than a foot in height.

A horticulturalist taught me a few very useful things about pruning roses….

  1. Consider the shape of the bush you are aiming for. The goal is to have the bush look like a vase with all branches cut so they will grow outwards, not towards the centre of the plant, and not crossing over other branches.
  2. Look for the slight showing of a bud and cut just above it, about 5mm, and on an angle sloping away from the bud.
  3. Clean the secateurs (pruning shears) with Methylated Spirits between each cut, so that disease is not spread in the plant or across the plants.
  4. When completed, spray the cuts with lime sulphur

For thirteen years I have followed this regime. Often when people visit our home in July/August they mention the ‘severity’ of my pruning, and ask do they really grow back? Yes they do, bigger and with more magnificent blooms.

Why this information about pruning roses?

When I was in NZ, I attended a church service and the message was on John 15:1-15.

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2 NKJV

Towards the end of the message the preacher said something like, “The reward for fruit is more pruning… Pruning means that God is pleased with you… Pruning leads to growth, it is not a punishment.

I don’t know about you, but for me the seasons of pruning can be a bit confusing and painful.

From my experience when the pruning season is approaching there is a sense that something is changing. It may not be absolutely clear what is changing and why it is changing. Fear may try to rise up and cause confusion. It is in these times that I remind myself of these truths …

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

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV

As the pruning starts my go-to places are God’s Word, and praise & worship. Reading His word – to understand why this pruning is taking place, finding answers to what is it that God is wanting to do in me. Praise and worship – to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to the pain and grief as God prunes, and to help me keep my eyes focused on Him and the end goal of becoming more like Christ.

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

And remind myself that …

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:39 NIV

Please don’t think I am saying that I love and embrace pruning seasons. I haven’t reached that place yet, and maybe never will. I have moments of doubts, fears and tears. But I know enough to know that God doesn’t cut and run. No, He gently prunes in exactly the right places, the places where there is the hint of the bud that He wants to see bloom, because it will bring the fruit He desires from our lives.

Philippians 3:13-14 from The Message bible says it this way …

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. Philippians 3:13-14 The Message

Let’s pray,

Heavenly Father, thank you that you have a plan and purpose for our lives. Thank you that you are faithful in every season. Thank you that always know what is best for us. Please help us to trust you more in the pruning seasons and embrace the change you bring into our lives, knowing that you will work everything together for good for those who love you and have been called according to your purpose. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

For some more thoughts on the benefits of pruning please visit this post … Pruning brings more fruit

Home town memories

There is nothing like visiting your home town to be reminded of where you have come from, and what was being sown into your life when you didn’t realise it.

The photo above is me standing outside Christ Church, an Anglican church in Ellerslie, Auckland, New Zealand. This is the church my mother took me to when I was a child. It was here that I played the pipe organ (badly) at Sunday services. It is the place where I first experienced the church embrace the community at large.

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. Zechariah 4:10 NLT

It is the church where I started to develop by own relationship with Jesus, before in my late teens becoming immersed in the world of marxist feminist teaching at University.

Now I am the mum of teenage children navigating their own faith journey. So as we drove around my home town of Auckland, God gently reminded me that I am also the mum who went into the spiritual wilderness for about six years before returning to the place of acknowledging Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Amazing Grace.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

God also reminded me of all the seeds that were sown in my life when my mother regularly took me to church when I was a child, all those years ago.

Dedicate your children to God
and point them in the way that they should go,
and the values they’ve learned from you will be with them for life.
Proverbs 22:6 TPT

Seeds of God’s truth and love that took root in my heart and have grown and bloomed in various ways over the years. Seeds that illustrate so clearly to me that God always goes before us, and He always has a plan.

It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit—depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm]. Deuteronomy 31:8 AMPC

One beautiful autumn afternoon while I was in Auckland, God reminded me of another way that He had prepared me for my future. I was blessed that afternoon to go sailing on the Hauraki Gulf with my father on his boat. For those who enjoy a fast exhilarating sail, this was not their afternoon. Rather it was an afternoon of contemplation as the yacht ambled along in the glorious sunshine, occasionally making 3 knots!

As we circumnavigated an island in the gulf I started to reflect on all that the sailing adventures of my youth had taught me, and how those lessons had helped me over the years.

One of those lessons that stood out was patience. On the sail that afternoon we had the option of turning on the motor and increasing the speed to 6 knots. But neither of us wanted the chug chug chug of the diesel engine to ruin the serenity of the quiet slapping of the water against the hull. Remember we were only probably averaging 2 knots! So we persevered with the sailing, although it really wasn’t that painful!

Sometimes in life we don’t have any other options (like turning on the diesel engine), to ‘improve’ the situation. We have to be patient and trust that God’s got this. He is the Alpha and Omega.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Revelation 22:13 NKVJ

We have to trust that He is Lord of all, and He is always working in our lives. A truth that God very clearly reminded me of during the past 10 days when visiting my home town.

I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you and will put his finishing touches to it until the unveiling[cof our Lord Jesus Christ! Philippians 1:6 TPT

Courage to do the little things

I used to think about courage in terms of doing ‘big’ physical things, like going on the giant swing at a Sport and Recreation camp, climbing out on the yard arm of a tall ship, and jumping off the 10m diving platform (I’ve never done that!).

But then a few years ago I heard a sermon about having courage for the ‘little’, but often life-changing moments. For example starting a conversation with someone you don’t know; opening a letter that you know you may not like the contents of; and learning how to confidently say how you really feel.

Building courage through action

That sermon changed the way I approached the ‘little’ yet ‘big’ moments in my life. I started to see these moments as opportunities to build courage – essentially increasing my trust in Jesus.

However, these moments/opportunities required more than trust. They required me to actually do something. I could say to myself, ‘I trust You God,’ and then leave the letter unopened on the table for days. Was I really trusting God? No. It was not until I actually opened that letter that the trust went into action and I became courageous. And wow did that feel good!

In my listening appointment with God this week, one of the things I felt God say to me was, ‘Have courage to let me do the work I want to do in you.’

My immediate response was, ‘Need more courage – I need to get more equipped!’ .

I know that over the years God has increased my courage. But this sounded like I was soon going to have some God-given opportunities to grow that courage to the next level. I didn’t want fear sabotaging the work God wanted to do in me.

My Courage playlist

Earlier in the week I had set up a playlist called ‘Courage’ and it included songs like:

‘You’re gonna be OK‘ by Jenn Johnson
‘Take Courage’ by Bethel Music
‘Your grace finds me’ by Matt Redman
‘Lions’ by Skillet
‘This I believe’ by Hillsong Worship
‘Whom shall I fear’ by Passion
‘No Longer Slaves’ by Bethel
‘Break every chain’ by Jesus Culture
‘Another in the Fire’ by Hillsong United
‘Oh Fear (My God is Near)’ by Moriah Peters.

So I added some more songs to the list and started playing them and declaring their truth

Courage scriptures to declare

Then I made a list of some scriptures relating to courage ….

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

The Lord is my revelation-light to guide me along the way;
he’s the source of my salvation to defend me every day.
I fear no one!
I’ll never turn back and run from you, Lord;
surround and protect me. Psalm 27:1 TPT

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NKJV

Also David told Solomon his son, Be strong and courageous, and do it. Fear not, be not dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail or forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. 1 Chronicles 28:20

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 NLT

Remember to say alert and hold firmly to all that you believe. Be mighty and full of courage. Let love and kindness be the motivation behind all that you do. 1 Corinthians 16:13 TPT

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

We do not have a spirit of fear

So now I daily worship and mediate on these truths, declaring that God has indeed not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. When the prompting from the Holy Spirit comes, step out trusting that He has gone before me. No fear, in Jesus Name.

Perhaps there is something in your life that requires you to step out and be courageous, and yet you are hesitating. I pray that as you read this post and take time to read again the truth from our God, trust and courage will rise up and you will be able to just do it – in Jesus Name. Remember God has gone before you.

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

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
Are you feeling fearful?
Be strong and of good courage

Do you trust Me?

So the other morning I woke up at 2am, things on my mind, people on my mind. Prayed for the people. Mulled over the things. Finally went back to sleep at 3.30am, which wouldn’t of been too much of a problem, except I had to get up at 4am to get ready to take a child to swimming training! Who needs sleep? Sitting at swimming training, my new location for quiet time with God, started mulling over those things again. And then I felt that Someone was asking me a question, ‘Do you trust Me?’

Yes, I trust You.

‘So why are continuing to mull, actually worry, about these things. Do you trust Me?’

Well, …………………. maybe I’m not trusting You with everything in my life. I’ll write down what I need to trust You with.

Maybe I’m not trusting God

And so on a blank piece of A4 paper I begin the list. Surprise surprise it didn’t take long to fill the paper with the things and people that I wasn’t trusting God with.

Down the side of the page I wrote Proverbs 3:5-6 …

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

Our Heavenly Father, in His gracious way, in the quiet of the swimming centre, had drawn my focus back to Him. He caused me to put Him in his rightful place, and to put my list of concerns in their rightful place – under the name of Jesus Christ.

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:9-10 NKJV

Are you trusting God with everything?

I don’t know where you are at, but just maybe you have a list of things and people that runs around and around in your head. A list that needs to be submitted to Christ, and left with Him. A casting of your cares, not to the wind, but to the One who has the power and authority to take action at the perfect time.

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

Or as The Passion Translation says,

Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 TPT

Trust. Something that doesn’t always comes easily. Something that we sometimes assume we are doing, when we aren’t. Something that is always safe to do with God. Choose to trust Him today.

Trust in the Lord completely,
and do not rely on your own opinions.
With all your heart rely on him to guide you,
and he will lead you in every decision you make.
Become intimate with him in whatever you do,
and he will lead you wherever you go.
Proverbs 3:5-6 TPT

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

For some more thoughts on God’s power and authority please visit this post:

God is BIGGER – Day 14 – Drawing Closer to God devotions

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Some days we just feel sad

Some days we just feel sad. Recently I had one of those days. There were many reasons, a funeral the day before; a conversation that left me wondering once again about this world that we live in; an ANZAC day ceremony that gave pause for thought about the sacrifices so many young people made; and a movie that reminded me of the crucial role parents play in their children’s lives.

There was a heaviness that I had not felt for a long time. And it was difficult to shake. I was having a constant conversation with Jesus, telling Him how sad I was feeling, knowing that He would understand.

As the afternoon progressed, and we enjoyed a beautiful few hours with friends out on the glorious Lake Macquarie, the conversation and laughter ministered to my soul. Along with the appreciation of how blessed we are to live here, in this country.

Home again, and the heaviness started to return. What an effort to prepare dinner for the family, I really just wanted to crawl into bed, and rest for a new day. It took every ounce of emotional strength to put the meal together and gather the family to sit at the table for dinner.

But as we did gather and eat, the most amazing things happened. Firstly there was reasonable conversation for more than five minutes (very unusual for us); then there was some serious discussion about the business of providing for a family; then there was an outpouring of emotion prompted by the funeral we had attended; then prayer with everyone thanking God for whatever was on their heart; and finally a family game of Scrabble that lasted for at least an hour. The heaviness had gone. Hope restored. Thank you Jesus.

So much in that little story …. sadness, heaviness, talking to Jesus, the power of friendship, pushing through, setting the table, tears and the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. He is there in the midst, we need to keep our focus on him.

We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! Hebrews 12:2 TPT

The culture is changing but Jesus is the same

I was reading a news article the other day and it included the phrase ‘post Christian Culture’. And I immediately thought about Hebrews 13:8 ..

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

How does the truth of Hebrews 13:8 reconcile with a ‘post Christian Culture’?

The culture in this country is changing, but Jesus isn’t changing.

Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

What Jesus did for each of us almost 2000 years ago, does not change. His act of sacrifice does not disappear just because the culture is changing.

Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes], and forever (to the ages). Hebrews 13:8 AMPC

We may not be consistent in how we live our lives, but Jesus is.

We may not always know who we are and what our purpose here is, but Jesus knew exactly why He was on earth and what His purpose here was.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 NKJV

Our Heavenly Father wanted us back with Him. But God is Holy and we were full of sin.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NKJV

Someone needed to stand in the gap. Someone who was perfect, without sin. Only Jesus, the son of God, could do that. The Jesus that is still perfect today, unchanging.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! Hebrews 13:8 CEB.

The Jesus that we still need today, tomorrow and forever because we make mistakes and we live in a world where the culture is changing. We need to be a walking expression of His love in this place.

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

And we cannot be that walking expression of His love without His transforming power, as Paul says in his letter to the Galatians …

My only boast is in the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus, our Messiah. In him I have been crucified to this natural realm; and the natural realm is dead to me and no longer dominates my life…The only thing that really matters is living by the transforming power of this wonderful new creation life. Galatians 6:14,15 TPT

Let’s pray,

Jesus, thank you that in a world that is changing, you are the same yesterday, today and forever. Thank you for what you did for us all those years ago on The Cross, an act of love for all time, regardless of the culture. Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy in our lives. Please help us to be a walking expression of your love in this place. In your name we pray, Amen.


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