Tag: trust

The canopy and God’s protection over us

Earlier this week I was walking in our local park, making my way to the beautiful bush walk we are blessed to live near. As I walked from the open space with the heat of the summer sun beating down on my head, into the bush with the canopy providing shade and protection, I was struck by the sudden change of circumstances. With only one step I went from the open, unprotected area into the covered, protected place. And wasn’t I glad I’d taken that step! That sudden physical change in the atmosphere made me think about the canopy and God’s protection over us, and how different life is when we choose to walk under it.

But let them all be glad, those who turn aside to hide themselves in you. May they keep shouting for joy forever! Overshadow them in your presence as they sing and rejoice. Then every lover of your name will burst forth with endless joy. Lord, how wonderfully you bless the righteous. Your favour wraps around each one and covers them under your canopy of kindness and joy. Psalm 5:11-12 TPT

The Psalms

How reassuring the Psalms are …. Your favour wraps around each one and covers them under your canopy of kindness and joy…..

There was a time when I didn’t read anything in The Bible except the Psalms. The deep pain in my heart so often resonated with the words of the Psalmist.

Please, God, show me mercy! Open your grace-fountain for me, for you are my soul’s true shelter. I will hide beneath the shadow of your embrace, under the wings of your cheribum, until this terrible trouble has past. Psalm 57:1 TPT

Please, God, show us mercy! And He has.
Open your grace-fountain for me. And He did.
For you are my soul’s true shelter. And He is.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your embrace. And I do.
Until this terrible trouble has past. And it has.

If the season you are in now is a difficult one for you, I really encourage you to immerse yourself in the truth of the Psalms. God is listening to the cries of your heart and He is on your side.

You’ve kept track of all my wandering and my weeping. You’ve stored my many tears in your bottle – not one will be lost. For they are all recorded in your book of remembrance. The very moment I call to you for a father’s help the tide of battle turns and my enemies flee. This one thing I know: God is on my side! Psalm 56:8-9 TPT

This season will end

The end of this season will come. There will be a time when you can declare this, as the Psalmist does in Psalm 57 …

My heart, O God, is quiet and confident. Now I can sing with passion your wonderful praises! Awake, O my soul, with the music of his splendor-song! Arise, my soul, and sing his praises! My worship will awaken the dawn, greeting the daybreak with my songs of light! Wherever I go I will thank you, my God. Among all the nations they will hear my praise songs to you. Your love is so extravagant it reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness so astonishing it stretches to the sky! Lord God, be exalted as you soar throughout the heavens. May your shining glory be shown in the skies! Let it be seen high above all the earth! Psalm 57:7-11 TPT

Be encouraged, protect your heart and choose to stay under the canopy of His kindness and joy.

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 as our refuge, please visit this post …
Our refuge – Day 9 – Drawing Closer to God
A safe place – Jesus

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

Are you listening to me?

“Mum, are you listening to me?”

“Well, I do know you were talking about ……, but I might have missed some of what you said.”

To be honest, I probably missed quite a bit of what my child said because when they came to speak to me I continued on with whatever I was doing and only half-listened to what they were saying to me! Too task focused.

I apologise for my inattentiveness, but our child still has that sense that Mum doesn’t always listen to me.

God is listening

Thankfully our Heavenly Father is not like that. He, in His majestically mysterious way, is available 24/7 for each one of us. In Jeremiah, the Lord says,

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:12 NKJV

God listening to us does not necessarily translate into Him doing what we ask. Just like as a parent we listen to our children’s requests, but we don’t always fulfill them as we often have a bigger picture in mind. Our Heavenly Father is the same. Our job is to stick with Him, wait and trust.

But me, I’m not giving up.I’m sticking around to see what God will do.I’m waiting for God to make things right.I’m counting on God to listen to me.Micah 7:7 The Message

Stick with Him and trust

Trust. Trust that His promises are true, despite what we see. How difficult that can be sometimes. We need to remind ourselves of the good things our God has done – starting with our salvation.

This I recall to my mind,Therefore I have hope.Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,Because His compassions fail not.They are new every morning;Great is Your faithfulness,”The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,”Therefore I hope in Him!”The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,To the soul who seeks Him, It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:21-26 NKJV

Wait patiently

Wait patiently upon the LORD – Not always an easy thing to do. But as we go through trial after trial, hopefully we start to hone that skill of waiting patiently. As in each of those trials we see more and more of our God’s faithfulness so our trust levels increase. We come to a place of knowing without a doubt that He listens to us because He loves us, and He has a plan for us. So next time we are tempted to ask God, ‘Are you listening to me?’ remember He is at work in the unseen.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

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

Life gets messy when we don’t trust God

A little story …. this week I have been reminded once again of what it means to do life ‘in your own strength.’  Those times when you are pushing through, but doing it the hard way, often with a really bad attitude – resentment being a key factor. Life gets messy when we don’t trust God.

Juggling work & children

Over the past couple of years I have become more involved in our business, which has been great for me, Ken and the business. But not always great for our children especially when school holidays come around.

During the school holidays resentment can creep in as I have a strong desire to complete the day’s work jobs well, but also have a strong desire to actually have some fun with our children as they are out of the normal school routine. One moment I am resenting the work, but then God reminds me this is the means by which we have a warm, dry home and food to eat. The next moment I am resenting the children being at home, but then God reminds me that they are a blessing from Him and how different my life would be without them!

A lack of trust in God

This morning I realised that the source of that resentment is actually a lack of trust in God.  That is, I’m not trusting that God will give me enough time in my day to do the things that He wants me to do (not the things I think I need to do).  But rather I am trying to work out myself how to fit it all in (ie doing it in my own strength), and getting very impatient and frustrated with everyone around me.

The funny thing is, yesterday morning I expected that I would have to work all day to get various tasks done before we closed for the Christmas holiday period. The stress levels had risen by 8am when the children started waking up and my time of non-interrupted work suddenly became 10 minutes slots of concentration in among children’s requests.

Then I went to a 10am appointment, only to find that the appointment was for today! So there was 45 minutes wasted.

Home again to work on some financial reporting, which turned out to be a lot simpler than I thought it was going to be. Finished! I looked at the clock on my computer – midday. Not the 6pm that I thought it was going to be. I felt pretty stupid. I had caused angst to myself and my children for nothing – other than for me to be reminded that it is always better to walk with God through the day, rather than try to run my own race and cause havoc in the process.

A morning prayer

A simple matter of getting up in the morning, taking a deep breath, giving all the tasks I think I need to do to God, and saying, ‘Please show me which ones I need to do, and how and when to do them.’  And then waiting to hear what He says, and be guided by Him. Not charging off on my own agenda – doing it in my own strength.

“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

Thankfully God is gracious and merciful, and there was a time of restoration with the children in the afternoon as I switched off from work and we watched some Christmas movies together.

My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9 TPT

Remember to trust God

Hopefully when we re-open the business in January I will remember this lesson and trust that God has it all sorted!

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. Proverbs 3:5 TPT

For some more thoughts on life with Jesus please visit this post:

Jesus is with us – Day 23 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

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

Be strong and of good courage

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

There is a song, “Take Courage” by Bethel Music, here are some of its lyrics,

‘Hold on to your hope as your triumph unfolds’

Oh that can be so hard to do, hold on; press in; stand. But sometimes there is no other choice. We have to believe that our triumph will unfold. And that we can learn to worship God in the waiting, something that I believe we only truly learn in those deep dark moments.

I remember a milestone moment in my constant journey of learning how to trust God more, and more, and more, and more. It relates to our daughter Victoria, and happened about 4.5 years when we had just found out that the tumour had started to grow for the third time.

There was a choice to be made – continue to live in fear that the tumour would continue to grow, or be strong and of good courage and choose to live each day to the full – trusting God that no matter what happens He would get us through this. God helped us with making that choice by taking us to a Camp Quality camp where His Word – John 10:10 was displayed on posters in the dining hall.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Getting God’s truth louder in our mind

That visual message was the starting point for helping me to change my hopeless thinking. I say starting point, because although God had given me that clear sign with the posters, those feelings of hopelessness didn’t just go away overnight. They had to be attended to, and over-time they got quieter and quieter and God’s truth got louder and louder in my head.

Here is a bit of what that process required …

An Awareness of what my focus was on – diagnosis vs declaration of faith (John 10:10)

Action to replace those thoughts of hopelessness and fear with God’s truth

Acknowledging that I couldn’t do that replacement in my own strength.

Asking God daily to help me take that action.

Allowing God to do that work in me – not resisting, but instead surrendering. And only then I could ….

Authentically worship God, despite the circumstances because He was restoring my hope in Him.

Pressing into Him in the waiting season, learning to trust that not only would He get us through, but that His triumph would unfold – no matter what – here or in Heaven, has been a huge journey – and it continues now only in different spheres of our lives.

But it is a journey that despite the pain, I would not swap because it has grown a greater hope, a stronger faith and a deeper understanding of God’s love for us.

Let’s pray …

So today, as you face the circumstances in your life, why not take a deep breath and say to God,

Okay God, I’m trusting You with this, please help me to grow in hope, faith and love through this situation. I choose to worship You. Thank you that you are with us wherever we go and that will get us through this day. Thank you that our triumph will unfold because of Who you are and what you have done. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Lord, I will worship you with extended hands as my whole heart explodes with praise! I will tell everyone about your wonderful works and how your marvellous miracles exceed expectations! I will jump for joy and shout in triumph as I sing your song and make music for the Most High God. Psalm 9:1-2 TPT

Be strong and of good courage, in Jesus Name.

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
Courage to do the little things
Are you feeling fearful?

Don’t give up on God

How enriched are they who find their strength in the Lord; within their hearts are the highways of holiness! Even when their paths wind through the dark valley of tears,they dig deep to find a pleasant pool where others only find pain. Psalm 84:5-6 TPT

Over the past few weeks I’ve had plenty of opportunities to marvel at God’s grace and mercy both in our own family, and with our friend’s families. He has shown time and time again that He grace is sufficient and His mercies are new every morning. He is a God of restoration and breakthrough.

Dig deep

And exactly as this scripture says, when we walk with Him and find our strength in Him, we can, in those really difficult times, dig deep to find a pleasant pool where others only find pain.

That pleasant pool is an overwhelming sense of His presence and a trusting that He’s got this. He’s got you. He’s got your future. This is truth ….

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

I implore you, don’t give up on God. The answers to your prayers may not come immediately, they may not come in the short term and they may not come as you expect them to. But He is there, He is at work and His end goal is always to spend eternity with you.

You are not abandoned

Right now it may feel as if you are alone and abandoned. But the truth is that you are not alone or abandoned. 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

Lift your head and look for things to be thankful for because those things are a tangible reminder that God is with you.

Let joy be your continual feast. 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 5:16-17 TPT

Ask for help with your unbelief

I implore you again – Don’t give up on God. Ask him to help you with areas of unbelief. Declare His promises until you see them come to pass. No one or no thing can deliver anything as good as our God can. Do not give up on God. Cry out. Press in and press on. The victory is ours in Jesus Name.

Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything. 

So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us – no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! Romans 8:37-39 TPT

With God you can find that pleasant pool in the midst of darkness. Dive in today.

For some more thoughts on God’s power please visit this post: By my God I can – Day 20 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

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

Victoria Grace Update – Definitely a new season

​So it's been a while since I've posted, but now seems like an appropriate time. Praise God we are definitely in a new season. Victoria and I are currently at the School Sports Australia Track and Field Exchange (ie schools national athletics championships) in Melbourne. Victoria has won a bronze medal for the 11 year old girls multi-class discus. As you can see in these photos she is a very excited girl!

​What a journey to get here! There are many people who have helped Victoria get to this place, starting 8 years ago with all the John Hunter Children's Hospital therapists that helped her after she had a stroke during the brain surgery. We are so grateful for the time and care they put into her rehabilitation, along with many other friends and family who came to our home and helped out with blocks of intensive OT and Physio.

​January 2011 - Left arm and left leg splints - still smiling

March 2011 - Hydrotherapy - Still smiling

May 2011 - First AFO (Splint)

May 2011 - Constraint therapy - forcing Victoria to learn how to use her left hand again (no smiling - all concentration!)

​Since starting school at Belmont Christian College in 2012 (the year in which we found out the tumour was growing again and Victoria had to start 15 months of weekly chemo), she has been surrounded by teachers and students that have prayed for her and supported her on the 'off days'. We are grateful for her sports teacher, Mr Robins who has continually encouraged her in her sporting endeavours since kindergarten. In Victoria's words, he has always challenged her to try new things in sport, taught her how to set goals and keeps reminding her not to give up.

Victoria and Mr Robins

​When we found out that Victoria had qualified at the State competition for the nationals Mr Robins arranged for Victoria to have some more technical coaching from a national age discus champion - Ash Blackstock (and her mum Emily), which was invaluable. And there was plenty of laughing too.

I can't post any of my videos from the events in Melbourne, however click here to see a video of Victoria training, practicing the tips she learnt from Ash and Emily.

We are also extremely grateful for the help of the physios and the OT that regularly work with her to ensure her muscles are doing the right things.

And of course we know that as well as all the hard work, the power of prayer is essential and we are grateful for those who pray for Victoria and those who continue to provide encouragement verbally, in messages and practically. God is building a great team around her. Thank you for coming on this journey with us - the best is yet to come.

After winning the bronze medal, and we were walking to our seats, Victoria asked me, "Are you proud of me mum?" I'm pretty sure I had said that to her at least three times, but obviously she needed to hear it again, so I said,

"Yes, I am proud of you for winning a medal, but there are also at least 6 other things I am proud of you for ...

the hard work you have put in over the years to keep your body functioning;

overcoming the fall down the stadium stairs when you hit your head on the concrete this morning;

getting through the classification process without falling apart;

not giving up when you kept throwing fouls today;

being a friend to other competitors that don't find it easy to make friends;

continually relying on God to get you through each challenge you face.

Yes I am very proud of you."

On Sunday Victoria also competed in the 11yr girls multi-class relay, for the ACT/NSW team, as the first runner. She was a little bit nervous as she had never run a relay race competitively before (they only do it at this level for multi-class). Here she is on the tram on the way to stadium trying to settle the nerves.

Again I can't post my video of the relay, but her team came fourth. When Victoria came off the track, the first thing she said to me was, 'I want to do it again!'

Unfortunately we cannot all be here to support Victoria at the this competition, but Ken and my Mum and Dad are doing a great job at home, keeping things going. Marshall, Charlotte and Alexandra are often ringing with messages of support.

The experience of coming to this competition has been wonderful for Victoria, not only from a sporting perspective, but also from a personal perspective. The NSW team has about 150 children in it, of which about 42 are multi-class children, so in this environment she is not 'different' but she is part of a large team of children who have all overcome so much physically and mentally to compete in these track and field events. The value of experience cannot be underestimated. So thank you again to everyone who over the years has helped make this possible.

And we are ever thankful to our God who has never left us or forsaken us throughout these year. He has carried us many many times, and always provided what was needed. He is faithful.

Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. Romans 8:37

And now an update on my book ... I've had a couple of copies printed to check out the layout etc before doing a larger print run ....

There are a couple of minor things that need to change and then it is complete! What a journey this project has been too.

My prayer is that this book will be a blessing to many people, not just those people who find themselves on a similar journey to us, but to anyone who is in a situation where they have no options other than to trust God - and the challenge that presents as we fluctuate from belief to unbelief and back to belief.

As I was asking God what to put in this post about the book He reminded me about the dedication page in the book ...

Just in case you can't read it in the image, it says ...

This book is dedicated to our daughter, Victoria Grace, without whom there would have been no story to write. I love you Victoria. Thank you for showing me how to live in victory despite my circumstances.

As I re-read the dedication I realised that once again over these past few weeks Victoria has shown me how to 'live in victory despite my circumstances.'

In the past couple of weeks Victoria has had some appointments that have negatively impacted her emotionally - lots of anger and tears. Then as I mentioned briefly above, here in Melbourne on the Saturday morning just before she was to go to the classification appointment she fell down the steps in the stadium and hit her head.

After being checked out by the first aid people, she slowly and carefully made her way to the classification appointment (which has previously been an experience that also resulted in a lot of negative emotion as her level of physical disability is assessed - it is a bit 'in your face'). Thankfully the classifiers were very child friendly, and there was no emotional outfall.

Then it was time for the discus competition, she was a little shakey on her feet, and after throwing a couple of fouls she looked to me standing at the fence and indicated for me to pray (as if I wasn't already praying!!!!). She knows Who gives strength in moments like these. She didn't give up, kept focused and eventually won the bronze medal.

So despite the years of heartache, pain, disappointment, fear and emotional depletion, I can see God's hand on her life, and our entire family's lives as the years go on and His purpose unfolds. And I am grateful that He has carried us through, continually building a deeper level of trust in Him - learning how to live in victory despite the circumstanced - In Jesus Name.

So if you are local and interested in purchasing a print copy of my book I am selling them (cash only) for $25 (incl GST) each, or $20 (incl GST) each if you order two or more - perhaps you might like to give one as a gift to someone who is going through a similar journey to us (there is lots of practical information in it too) or to anyone who is needing hope and inspiration to just keep going.

If you are not local, I will very soon have my website ready to accept online orders and payments. I'll let you know when this is ready, along with the availability of ebook and audio book.

Initially the profits will cover the outstanding production costs, and then a portion of the profits will go to the charities that have helped us over the years.

For anyone interested, the book covers the first three years of this journey. The table of contents is listed below ...

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Diagnosis

Christmas Holidays

Reflection – The importance of a shared faith when the going gets tough

Chapter 2 Family, Fun and Fear

Waiting Days

Reflection – Distractions – there is a battle going on

Chapter 3 Post Op Recovery

Hospital and waiting days

Reflection – The Holy Spirit – our Comforter

Chapter 4 Home and Rehabilitation

Emails 8 Feb to 3 Mar 2011

Reflection – Rehab – Conquering and creativity

Chapter 5 More Therapy

Emails 14 Mar to 18 May 2011

Reflection – Creativity in therapy

Chapter 6 New Things and Events

Emails 16 Jun 2011 to 30 Jan 2012

Reflection – Camp Quality meets our needs

Chapter 7 The News We Didn’t Want

Emails 22 Feb to 18 Jun 2012

Reflection – Dealing with disappointment

Chapter 8 Chemotherapy

Emails 19 Jun to 22 Jul 2012

Reflection – The Carer needs to be cared for

Chapter 9 Wonderful Support

Emails 1 Aug to 14 Sep 2012

Reflection – Community, giving and receiving

Chapter 10 Scans and A Big Scare

Emails 1 Oct to 16 Nov 2012

Reflection – Plan B preparing for the crisis

Chapter 11 The Silly Season

Emails 26 Nov to 28 Dec 2012

Reflection – Mothers

Chapter 12 New Year and a Blog

Emails 6 Jan to 24 Jan 2013

Reflection – Writing as therapy

Chapter 13 School and Another MRI

Blog posts 31 Jan to 15 Feb 2013

Reflection – Fathers

Chapter 14 Normal Life

Blog posts 19 Feb to 29 Mar 2013

Reflection – Siblings are a blessing

Chapter 15 Living From Scan to Scan

Blog posts 9 April to 21 May 2013

Reflection – Thankfulness is key

Chapter 16 High Temperatures and Hospital Again

Blog posts 29 May to 5 Jul 2013

Reflection – Practical tips for the home of a child on chemo

Chapter 17 Precious Family Time

Blog posts 12 Jul to 26 Jul 2013

Reflection – The Bible

Chapter 18 The Wish

Blog posts 3 Aug to 9 Aug 2013

Reflection – Charities

Chapter 19 Reality Hits Fast

Blog posts 11 Aug to 19 Sep 2013

Reflections – Keeping the left leg working

Chapter 20 Living from a Place of Victory

Blog posts 27 Sept to 29 Oct 2013

Final Reflection – Three years of learning

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

About Wendy Robinson

Appendix A Scriptures

Appendix B Victoria’s Medical Diagnoses

Appendix C Occupational Therapy Activities

Appendix D One Hour Occupational Therapy Plan

Appendix E Master List of Lists

Appendix F Emergency Hospital Bag Contents Checklist

Appendix G Homecoming Checklist

Appendix H School Booklet

Appendix I Signs for Displaying at Home

Appendix J Home Medical Kit

Appendix K Charities that have helped our family

Appendix L Maintaining and Improving Leg Function

Notes

My sense is that there is a second book to write, and the story is only just beginning!

Anyway, that is more than enough information for now! Thank you so much for staying the distance with us. Please continue to pray for Victoria as she approaches the teenage years and the challenges they can bring. I am going to finish this long post (sorry that it is so long - but there was so much good news to share!) with one of my favourite scriptures ...

But me, I'm not giving up. I'm sticking around to see what GOD will do. I'm waiting for God to make things right. I'm counting on God to listen to me. Micah 7:7 The Message

I pray that God will bless you and your family and give you the strength to overcome and live in victory, In Jesus Name, Amen.

It’s okay to fall on your face

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, GOD showed up and said to him, "I am The Strong God, live entirely before me, live to the hilt! I'll make a covenant between us and I'll give you a huge family." Overwhelmed, Abram fell flat on his face. Genesis 17:1-2 The Message

This morning I had no idea what to write about, so I prayed and continued my reading of Genesis, and one verse jumped out at me,

Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him saying, Genesis 17:3 NKJV

Well, it wasn't even the whole verse, just those first 6 words,

Then Abram fell on his face 

There have been a few times in the past couple of weeks when I have felt so overwhelmed with the faithfulness of God that I felt like doing that - just falling on my face, lying prostate in awe at our God. (I'll share more about that in future posts) But I haven't. I've just either sat my desk weeping, or stood at the ironing board... weeping, or driven my car ... weeping.

There is something so special about waiting, trusting, and then seeing that second part of John 10:10 manifest....

But I have come to give you life in abundance, more than you expect - life in its fullness until you overflow. John 10:10 TPT

Actually the waiting and learning to trust is not really so special - just a lot of relying on the Holy Spirit to teach me patience and self-control.

But lets get back to the falling on your face... as I read that scripture I thought, I wonder how many people mentioned in The Bible fell on their face at the wonder of God? So I did a google search. Here are some of the results.

Moses and Aaron...

Moses and Aaron walked from the assembled congregation to the Tent of Meeting and threw themselves facedown on the ground. And they saw the Glory of God. Numbers 20:6 The Message

The children of Israel, at the time of Elijah's victory on Mount Carmel ...

Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God! 1 Kings 18:38-39 NKJV

The three disciples that saw Jesus' glorious transfiguration ...

But while Peter was still speaking, a radiant cloud composed of light spread over them, enveloping them all. And God's voice suddenly spoke from the cloud, saying, "This is my dearly beloved Son, the constant focus of my delight. Listen to him!"

The three disciples were dazed and terrified by this phenomenon, and they fell facedown on the ground. Matthew 17:5-6 TPT

Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane ...

Then he walked a short distance away, and overcome with grief, he threw himself facedown on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if there is any way you can deliver me from this suffering, please take it from me. Yet what I want is not important, for I only desire to fulfill your plan in me." Then an angel from heaven appeared to strengthen him. Matthew 26:39 TPT

In Heaven they are falling on their faces...

All who were standing around the Throne - Angels, Elders, Animals - fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, singing:

Oh, Yes!

The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,

The honour and power and strength,

To our God forever ad ever and ever! 

Oh, Yes!

Revelation 7:11-12 The Message

From just these few scripture we can see that it is okay, actually more than okay, to fall on your face, as it positions us to ....

Acknowledge the greatness of God when you physically can't do anything else (example - Abraham; the three disciples)
See the glory of God (example - Moses and Aaron)
Submit to the truth that the LORD is God (example - Children of Israel)

Surrender and receive strength from God (example - Jesus)
Worship in awe (example - Angels in heaven)

For me, in the times when I have literally fallen on my face and worshipped God, they have been an amazing times of surrendering, overwhelmed with awe, followed by a beautiful time of the Holy Spirit ministering God's love. Times when my hands and feet weren't tempted to do something else, but just be and focus completely on God.

In our world today we need to be constantly reminding ourselves of who our God is, and purposefully drawing closer to Him. Falling on your face is a great way to position yourself to do exactly that. Why not try it sometime and see what God does. Be expectant.

You are ‘the one’

During the weekend I had the privilege of listening to someone’s story of God’s grace in their life as they shared about circumstance after circumstance that God had used (not created) to draw them to Himself. Of course I was in tears. It was a wonderful testimony of God continually seeking after ‘the one’, and not giving up until she had returned home to Him.

God’s heart for us

In Luke 15 Jesus shares about God’s heart for us…

In response, Jesus gave them this illustration:

“There was once a shepherd with a hundred lambs, but one of his lambs wandered away and was lost. So the shepherd left the ninety-nine lambs out in the open field and searched in the wilderness for that one lost lamb. He didn’t stop until he finally found it. With exuberant joy he raised it up and placed it on his shoulders, carrying it back with cheerful delight!

Returning home, he called all his friends and neighbours together and said, ‘Let’s have a party! Come and celebrate with me the return of my lost lamb. It wandered away, but I found it and brought it home.”

Jesus continued, “In the same way, there will be a glorious celebration in heaven over the rescue of one lost sinner who repents, comes back home, and returns to the fold – more so than for all the righteous people who never strayed away.”

Luke 15:3-7 TPT

God wants us to do life with Him

It is difficult to describe the depth of God’s love for us. He doesn’t want us in the wilderness, doing life without Him. He wants us to make the choice to receive His love, and grow in His strength and live doing what He has called us to do – be His light in this world.

Now you must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live in the holy awe of God – which brings you trembling into his presence. God will continually revitalise you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13 TPT

Live in holy awe of God – that awe is what I felt when listening to my friend’s story. Awe that God would patiently wait for her to return, bringing people alongside to pray for her, to share His love with her in many practical ways and to speak of His love. Even now as I think about it, the tears come.

Brings you trembling into his presence –  about a month ago one of our children was unwell and couldn’t go to church, so I stayed at home with her and we watched Louie Gigilo’s Indescribable video. I still find it difficult to understand that this all powerful God passionately desires to have a personal relationship with me, you and other 7 billion plus people on the earth.

God knows everything about us

That He knows each one of us … not like we know a spouse or a close friend. No, much much more intimately than that …

You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. 

I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvellously breathtaking.

It simply amazes me to think about it!

How thoroughly you know me, Lord!

You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place, carefully, skillfully shaping me from nothing to something. 
Psalm 139:13-15 TPT

Only by the grace of God

But what helps me come to that place of reconciling this  unfathomable all powerful God and His love for me is the many personal experiences I have had of His love… That continual revelation of seeing how He goes before us, preparing a way… That witnessing of His mercy when you know a situation could have been much much worse… The receiving of His grace when you know that there is no other explanation than … only by the grace of God… The sense that He is carrying you because you have absolutely nothing left in you… The knowing that you are ‘the one’ that He went looking for, so He could bring you home to where you belong.

Knowing that He is the creator of the universe AND the creator of me, having experienced His love, bring me trembling into His presence.

The purpose of today’s post? To help you take a moment to reflect on just how much your Heavenly Father loves you, and to encourage you to take some time to enjoy His presence today. You are ‘the one’.

For some more thoughts on God’s love for us please visit this post:
God is watching over us – Day 24 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

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

A safe place – Jesus

Are you searching for a safe place to express exactly how you feel today? Sometimes when the circumstances around me are in turmoil I picture myself being wrapped in the strong arms of my God, protecting me. His peace settles in me and I am assured of His overwhelmingly tangible presence.   Psalm 91 says it this way,

His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm. Psalm 91:4 TPT

Talking about running, at other times I want to run away, saying to myself, “It is all to hard, I want to have a simple life – with no responsibility and commitments.” But that’s not really life is it?

In those moments I know there is one place I can always run to – that place of worship and abandonment, that place where I commune with Jesus, that place where the tears come, grateful for His grace and mercy in my life. Grateful for who He is – the one who saves. Knowing that He has the big picture and I need to keep my focus on Him.

Don’t be pulled in different directions

Philippians 4:6-9 reminds us of that,

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 answers known to you through Jesus Christ. So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things. Philippians 4:6-9 TPT

A few words that jump out at me as I read that scripture …Don’t be pulled; Be saturated in prayer; Overflowing gratitude; Tell every detail God’s wonderful peace; Make answers known; Through Jesus Christ; Thoughts continually fixed; Fasten your thoughts; Praising Him; God of peace; With you in all things 

Jesus is a safe place

Well actually, that is more than a few words – that is a high level summary for finding that safe place, Jesus, who helps us to push through and find that place of feeling those massive loving arms of God around us.

When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds me and the Stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence. Psalm 91:1-2 TPT

For some more thoughts on God as our refuge, please visit these posts …
The canopy and God’s protection over us
Our refuge – Day 9 – Drawing Closer to God devotion

Mum, is it okay to have a singular goal?

Last night one of our children asked me, 'Mum, is it okay to have a singular goal? Just one thing you are aiming for.'

'It depends what that singular goal is. I had a goal in my early 20's, to buy an apartment, and that was all I focused on,' I replied.

'What were your other goals?' she asked.

'None. I didn't have any other goals - just making money so I could live in a nice place and buy nice things,' I replied starting to reflect on how my life had changed since then.

'But surely you had other goals. What happened when you reached that goal - what next? Remember how a few weeks ago that preacher kept asking us 'what next?, then 'what next?', then 'what next?' What was next for you Mum ?' she pressed the point.

'Yes, well that was the problem, after buying the apartment I felt so empty and unfilled that I started asking questions about the purpose of my life, what was it all about? Buying that apartment and the subsequent feelings were one of the catalysts for me seeking Jesus. Now I realise He was using those circumstances to draw me to Himself. And now my singular goal is to do all that God wants me to do with my life.' I responded, amazed at the clarity of this answer as it was three hours after my normal bedtime, so all credit goes to the Holy Spirit.

We had some further conversation about how that singular goal of doing all God wants me to do has many facets in terms of being a wife, a mum, a business person, volunteer, writer, but the motive is the same - all for Jesus. Here is how Paul talks about his change in motive ....

Yet all of the accomplishments that I once took credit for, I've now forsaken them and I regard it all as nothing compared to the delight of experiencing Jesus Christ as my Lord!  To truly know him meant letting go of everything from my past and throwing all my boasting on the garbage heap. It's all like a pile of manure to me now, so that I may be enriched in the reality of knowing Jesus Christ and embrace him as Lord in all of his greatness. Philippians 3:7-8 TPT

As a Christian there is a process that takes place over the years as we press into God, through the good and troubling times. I think the proper word is sanctification. The more we press in, the more we learn of God's character, a learning that feeds that deep yearning to know Him and His love for us more and more. For me, I never want to stop doing that as I am so grateful for the love, grace and mercy He has shown me over the years. The more closely I walk with Him, the more complete I feel every day.

Let's hear some more from Paul on his singular goal ...

I admit that I haven't yet acquired the absolute fullness that I'm pursing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. I don't depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them. And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion. Philippians 3:12-16 TPT

Let's pray,

Jesus, thank you that you love us and you have called us for your purposes. Thank you that you have made us all unique, but with a heart for you.  Thank you that you are continually drawing us to yourself, revealing more of yourself to us. Please help us to run this race you have set before us with passion, not getting distracted, but keeping our eyes on you. Please show us today, what you want us to do and help us to do it in your strength, not our own. In your name we pray and live. Amen.

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