He Prays for YOU!

I woke up this morning with these words on my mind, "I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren " Luke 22:32 where Jesus speaks to Peter about Satan desiring to have him and sift him like wheat.
Jesus did not tell Peter that he would avoid being 'sifted' but rather that Jesus Himself had prayed personally for Peter that his faith would not fail. And Peter experienced the answer to that prayer, though he had to pass through deep waters as when he denied Christ.
Because it was the first thing I thought of when I awoke, I felt God was telling me that Jesus himself, personally, had prayed for me. And that though I was being sifted my faith would not fail. I felt loved, secure, and strengthened. When God speaks to us, whether it be within as a still small voice, or through the scriptures, or by some other means, we are always encouraged and helped. There is never any condemnation, only LOVE.
God was telling me that though the sifting, wrought through the actions of Satan, was heavy and dark. That I was being tossed one way then the other, and the instruments used were sharp causing pain, the outcome was for the strengthening of the Brethren. There was a purpose in it all. I was becoming stronger than ever, my faith was unfailing because He had prayed for me!
How does He pray for us? Through His brethren all over the world who are in tune with the Spirit of God. He is not confined to one place, or in one person. He is in all who believe, and they pray His prayers for Him.

Time to Sing!

Today I will give you water. Water in abundance. Everlasting water that will quench your thirst and flood your dry soul. Are you thirsty for Me? Then sing! You may not feel like it. It may seem strange to you, but do it. Sing! Allow your innermost being to rise up and petition Me for streams to flow out of you. You do not need people to bless you. You have Me. I will bless and restore your soul.
Where there is no water, where you are in spiritually dry conditions, and all those around you are in unbelief, you can call to Me. I will refresh YOU. Dig your own well. Sing! sing! to it. The water will begin to bubble and rise and then you can move on in the refreshing that will come to you.

'They continued on to Beer, the well where the Lord said to Moses, "gather the people together and I will give them water." Then Israel sang this song: "Spring up O well! Sing about it." Num 21:17 Beer was a place that had involved weeping and mourning for the Israelites. It was there that they sang the song of the well!

Change Will Come

Do not think that I have abdicated responsibility for your life and circumstances because you cannot 'see' the changes that you want. I am at work 'behind the scenes', in the depths of your soul. This time is necessary for a deeper relationship with me to become 'real', not superficial, but a bonding with me to the very core of your being. The reality of something is proved by it standing the test of time and circumstances.
You have heard the phrase 'a fair weather friend', someone who walks with you, desires to know you, when it suits them. They don't stick with you through thick and thin, as they say, when things get tough, the tough get going!
I am one who sticks closer than a brother! Please stick to me in that same way. I will bring you through, and truly this season WILL change and you will have much light at the end of it.
'For with God nothing shall be impossible' Luke 1:37

Willing to Change.

Things around us change all the time. Often they need replacing because they get worn, old, obsolete. With use machinery wears out, needs new parts, or gets rusty. Everything changes. We have to change with our circumstances and it is not always easy to let go of the old.
Right from birth we have to change! Our human bodies are replaced several times over our life. We don't look exactly like we did some years ago! We have to lose our childish ways and adapt to growing up. it is not helpful to remain a child in an adult body.
These things are true in the spiritual realm as well. Another word for change is growth. We have to mature and eat spiritual meat, no longer feeding on milk. God has new things to show us, new truths to teach us, new paths to lead us in. To progress we have to let go of the old, and embrace the new. It is certain that we brought nothing into this world and can take nothing out. But we can take with us our personality and nature. As we become more like Jesus and have our nature renewed in His image, we take that with us into the other life that will open to receive us. Don't hold onto old ways and habits. Change for the better. He will help you to be willing and work out His purpose and will in your life if you surrender. God works in us, let work out our salvation with reverential fear.
'It is God who works in you to WILL AND TO ACT according to His purpose' Philipians 2:13
'See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland' Isaiah43:19

Let Peace Rule!

God is ever present with us. In fact He lives in the present, in the NOW. That is why Jesus taught us to live one day at a time, for God is always in that day. We are to rest in His will for us each day. Sometimes that is easier said than done! We fidget, fuss, waver, grieve over yesterday, fret over tomorrow, and allow our thoughts to rush around.
He said that we were to pray 'Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven'. I'm sure there is no panic, fear or despondancy in heaven! God's will is done there. Have you got an agenda pressing in on you? have things got to be done your way, because you think it is God's way? let your agenda go! Leave the arrangement of each day and season to God. It doesn't matter if things don't get done in your way and time. Stop pressurising yourself and others, and God. Let yourself have some space and come into the contentment that knowing the Lord can bring to you. Let His peace rule in your heart. You can only live one day at a time, so determine to enjoy each moment as it comes and rest in His will for your life. Only one pair of hands can hold the reins!
'But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is cetain that we can carry nothing out'. 1 Tim 6:6

Restore My Soul

It is God's nature to heal. Do not be in any doubt about that! He created the human body with a built in ability to renew itself. Why does a broken bone, normally, mend itself over time and grow new bone to bind the parts together? How does a cut or scratch nit together and renew with skin?
When He says that He makes all things new, He means it, for He cannot lie. One day your body will be redeemed and you will have a new one to house you in the new heaven and earth. Just as this earthly body has been suitable for you to live on this earth, so your new spiritual body will be just right for your new life in heavenly realms.
When Jesus was walking this earth He went about healing the sick. It was a foretaste of heaven. He showed that He was the Resurrection and the Life. He did not just 'say' things, He manifested, and showed forth God's power. He wants to touch you today!
Let Him start inside you. Healing works from the inside, outwards. You need spiritual renewal, and healing of your soul. Ask Him to start this work. He wants you to get better in every way. Renounce any bitterness and unforgiveness. These things cause you pain and tear you apart. They cripple you inside. And then let God do His work, when you have done yours!

'He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul'
Psalm 23:2,3

Your Best!

Don't sink into complacency. You are just about to realise the results of months and years of prayer. So give that small extra push to your faith. Whilst you have been waiting things have been prepared for you to walk into. Opportunities will soon occur that will need your active involvement. So take them and resist the tendancy to spirititual slumber. Give it your best!
This is not a time to 'wait and see' because these opportunities will not present themselves again in your life. Do not be fearful, for I am with you to support your endeavours and to give you just what you need at the right time. You have given me the control of your life, so I am taking control, says the Lord, and you will surely see it in wonderful ways. There will be no doubt that I am with you.
'Arise from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you-rise to a new life! Shine, be radiant with the glory of the Lord, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!' Isaiah 60:1 (amp)

A New Day!

I said, 'Lord may I ride my horse again? It is such a long time since I enjoyed the freedom of swiftly racing through the meadows and over the streams. My horse is waiting for me. I have groomed him, fed him with tasty morsels, and I have stroked his nose in pleasure. His deep eyes have watched me coming and his whinnying voice has greeted me. But I have not ridden him for a while, nor put the saddle upon him. He has not felt my weight upon his back and we are both chaffing to be going again. I want to experience the freedom again of just going! I need to feel the wind caressing my face and the delight of my steed taking me to new places by his powerful body. 'Please may I ride my horse again?'
He replied, 'Yes, you may ride again! But I am giving you a new horse. He has been prepared for the swift running of the journey. Very soon you shall ride, and none shall stop you. You will have a beautiful new saddle, all intricately wrought in purple, and white and silver. I kept it for you for such a time as this.I have designed it with you in mind. As you ride you will feel that you are flying! Your horse will have wings! you will cover more miles than when you used to ride. The going will seem effortless, and you will not be tired. A new day is dawning. Go forward to new horizons, new places where your feet have never trod, and new places that your eyes have never seen.

'Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.' 2 Corinth 5:17

God is Love.

God loves to help desperate people when they cry out to Him. He helps those who cannot help themselves. He reaches out to the unlovely and needy. The kind of people who are aware of their poverty of spirit and weariness of soul, are the very one's He is longing to touch. His Love is wrapped in mystery, but is there in the very essence of life. Like the yeast within the bread. His love is all around us wanting to penetrate our hard heart. You have to come to Him like a little child. In trust and surrender reaching out your arms of faith and saying 'daddy pick me up'.
He is not to be found in religious duty or practices, nor in hard worked prayers. He is found by the heart that seeks Him in honesty, humility and smallness. Ordinary life is His arena, and everyone who seeks for Him will find! He does not refuse anyone who comes to Him in trust and kneels at His feet. There is forgiveness for all who ask, and rest for the weary soul. His nature is pure love, and He longs to accept everyone who wants to come. There is no condemnation in His presence because Jesus bore that for us upon the cross so that we can have access to God.

'All that the father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away'
Jn 6:37

Keep on Praying!

It is exciting to see answers to prayer! It makes us realise that God is alive, interested in our pleas, and able to keep His promises. In fact, prayer is vital. Sometimes the answers come in surprising ways. Other times the answers come softly and slowly. But one thing is sure, praying for others involves compassion, and self abasement. It can be hard work praying for other people day by day when we don't get any feedback, or even thanks. But when we do pray we join Jesus in His great high priestly ministry of intercession. To know the power of His resurrection we have to enter into the fellowship of His sufferings. And we can do that through prayer. One day we will see the result of our sacrificial prayer and be amazed! Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, you can pray. And prayer does change things. Someone has said that prayer is the Christian's vital breath. Jesus brought all His petitions to His father. He spent nights on the mountainside because His work in the day was dependant on His life of prayer. His life was one long prayer poured out to God for the world and those around Him. True prayer brings 'action', it calls forth the power of God upon the earth and into the lives of those we pray for. Through prayer we become the answer to others. We become His heart, His hands and His feet, that others might find Life. Through prayer we become Jesus on this earth giving ourselves that others might see what God is like.
'And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends' Job42:10

God is at Work!

You are in danger of losing what you have gained! your confidence is waning. Don't give up, get up and trust again. It seems a long journey for you, but God has made provision along the way. Even though you feel that you are facing your problems alone. Don't fear because God is at work on your behalf. Let go of the worry and let God work on this. Your worry is only a hindrance. You need to get out of the way! be quietly confident, there is a purpose in the length of time all this is taking. Whilst you wait for the answer keep occupying yourself with good works, and praise Him that soon things will change for the better, and you will see the answers.

'So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised For in just a little while,"he who is coming will come and not delay". Heb 10:35-37

Good Works!

Jesus said that the gate to life is very narrow Matt 7:13. As Christians we lead limited, yet unlimited lives, with only one choice that brings abundance! The choice is to let go of your own life and follow Jesus in obedience which leads to receiving His life. His life is abundant. Our love for Him and others has to be genuine. Our commitment to Him and His work has to be total. We can't be half hearted and expect to receive anything from God. Make up your mind, don't change it, then you will receive great benefits that far outweigh any losses. God often tests our commitment to Him and His kingdom. He watches to see if we will press forward and see things through. Pass the test! Don't give up! Keep following each day, you will reap! Life will not always be like it is now. Things can suddenly change with Jesus in control. He is preparing you for good works now and in Eternity. You are not just going to sit around playing a harp in Eternity! You are being made ready for when the real work starts. This earthly life is just the kindergarten, nursey school stage, from which you will emerge, as the butterfly from the chrysilis, into your new resurrected life, with a new resurrected body. Our minds cannot conceive what God has prepared for us to be a part of. We would be totally mind blown! It would be like giving a one year old child a computer and asking it to design a skyscraper, or even a whole universe. Well of course it could not! nor can we have any idea what plans we will realise as creators in the great eons of Eternity.

'It is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do'. Eph 2:8-10

Only Believe!

Two blind men followed Jesus. In the hustle and bustle of the crowd they kept calling out "Have mercy on us Son of David!" They kept following and kept calling. They were determined to get an answer. Jesus went into a house and the blind men went in after Him. They came up to Jesus and He asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?". "Yes, Lord," they replied. So He touched their eyes and said, "Acording to your faith will it be done to you", and their sight was restored. Matt 9:27-30.
The question today is "Do you believe I am able to do what you ask?". What is your answer? can you simply say "Yes Lord". If we do not have the faith in our hearts we can ask God to give us the gift of faith. To receive we just put our faith in God. It may be small but we have a great God who always shows mercy to His children. Sometimes our perseverance is tested to its limits. The blind men showed their faith by their perseverance, not by their feelings. The important thing is to keep trusting that the Lord has heard our requests and in due time He will answer! Your circumstances can change because of your faith and petitions to God.

'Jesus Christ is the same Yesterday and today and forever' Heb 13:8

Lighten Up!

It is time to give your mind an overhaul! Take some thought about your thoughts! Stop allowing yourself to dwell on imaginary disasters that 'might' happen in your life. There is no need to wallow in morbid thoughts and plans for I have a bright future for you. My plans, says the Lord, are for good and not for your harm. My plans are for your fulfilment and enjoyment, not for sadness and emptiness.
Get rid of the dark imaginings and renounce negative thinking. Discipline your mind again to take hold of My blessings of freedom and love. If you continue to feed on unhelpful thoughts your days will be heavy and unfruitful. I desire you to dance with Me into your future, expecting that I will always provide the grace you need for every situation. It is time to lighten up! leave your baggage behind and let regrets go. You will find that the healing you need will become a reality and sorrow will vanish as a shadow. It will take a while for you to accomlish this. As the saying goes 'old habits die hard', and your traits to negativity have been with you since birth! So don't get discouraged. When you fall, just get up and try again. I am there to help you and you will have the victory.

'Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ'. 2 Corinth 10:5

Straight Talking!

It is time for us to talk things over together! you have thoughts and fears locked away in your heart that you have not shared with anyone. I want you to be strong and courageous and look deep within, and then share them with Me. I am waiting to take the burden from you. The baggage of worry that you carry is exhausting your reserves of energy, both physically and spiritually.
There is no need for you to be over loaded like this! I am ready to carry, to relieve, to dissipate your concerns. Often it is the little things that weigh the heaviest!
But you have to be very open with Me. I will not reject you, or laugh at you, or minimize your concerns. You will be surprised at the lightness that will come as you off load this 'stuff' onto Me. As you direct your prayer (conversation) to Me, so an opening occurs in the heavenly realm like an arrow piercing the skies. Through this opening, this rending of the heavens, I pour forth My aid to you. If you keep yourself shut away, nursing your fear and distress, I am unable to help you through. You create your own shield and barrier, like a dome of brass around you. Open the way by yielding to Me unconditionally. I want to invade every part of your life, but you hold Me back by cringing in the twilight of your mixed emotions. Let Me come in and spread Light, even where you think you don't need it!
Stop thinking that I only care about certain things concerning you. You are limiting Me. I care about EVERY detail of your life!

'The very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore' Matt 10:30.

Be Glad!

The most important time to praise God is when we don't feel like it! Sing a new song to Him today!Give thanks to Him for He is GOOD. He never fails. He is always merciful and kind. He washes away our sin and heals our wounded souls. Praise Him for the wonder of His creation. Praise Him for the new day; the trees and flowers; the birds and animals. Bless His name today! Bless His handiwork; your friends and family; your health and strength. Praise Him that you can breathe; Praise Him for the sunshine and light. Praise Him for loving you, just as you are!
As you give thanks, absorb His love into your being, just as you soak up the sunshine on a beautiful day. Even if your day is not beautiful, still praise Him, it will change, for all things change. There is an old chorus that says 'count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!'
'This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it'. Ps 118:24

Our Provision!

It always amazes me to read about the way God provided the Manna in the wilderness for the Children of Israel. The grainlike flakes appeared each morning with the dew for six days. They collected as much as was needed and enough for two days on the sixth day as nothing fell on the seventh. It was there for them without fail. When the camp moved on to a new place, so the Manna fell in that place too. Quietly, silently, it fell, making no big show about it. I'm sure they took it for granted, and they complained about the simplicity of the diet. It was not their choice. But it was God's provision that gave them strength for each day, kept them healthy, and they travelled many miles on that Manna! Jesus said ' I am the Bread of Life' Jn 6:35. He is there for us every day, has planned our provision, never fails, gives us extra when we need it, and is sufficient for all of our life come what may! All we have to do is come and collect His blessing each day, let the dew of His Spirit wash us, and be lovingly obedient to His words.

More To Do!

During my travels in Africa over twenty two years, one of the things that has stuck in my mind is the amount of unfinished buildings. I have seen little order and much chaos, but now things are slowly improving. Projects had been started, but the builder had run out of resources, gone away, died, changed his mind! The scaffolding, bricks, dust, mud, weeds on the land cry out 'who will finish me?'
The Apostle Paul was motivated by the desire to finish his course with joy, and to fulfill his ministry given by God. He had to keep working because that is why He was on this earth. At the end of his life he was able to say that he had fought a good fight, had finished his course and had kept the faith 2 Tim 4:7.
We are here on this earth to finish the work that Jesus started in His earthly ministry. God always completes what He started. He always provides the help needed to see things through. He doesn't abdicate His throne! But we need to make sure that we are actually doing what God has called us to do. Thing often go awry because God was not the initiator in the first place. But as we co-operate with Him, together we can bring His order into the chaos and change things, and create with Him. We are co-workers with Christ. He needs our input. Do not let anyone put you down, or stop your plans that have been given to you by God. The devil will use people to discourage you, block you, destroy you. God will use people to help you and come alongside you, and He will stand with you as you are tested and tried.
'Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completetion of it, according to your means. 2 Corinth 8:11

Wait On The Lord.

We may feel feeble and weary with the state of the world and circumstances around us. There maybe few we know that really believe in God, and many around us in unbelief. But take heart! be strong and of good courage! let us wait for our God; that waiting is not in vain. God will hear and help, for He will never disappoint His people. In the presence of our enemies we feel so weak and we so often have to wait for deliverance to come. The blessings for which we plead are spiritual and all unseen, things that are impossible with men, heavenly, supernatural, divine blessings. And we faint at times because the seen things around us seem more real than the unseen we are asking for.
Come to God, and however feeble you may feel, just wait in His presence. Just as the sunshine penetrates the body of an invalid that needs warmth, so the sunshine of God's holy love will warm the cold areas of your soul. Just absorb that love. No one sitting in the sunshine fights and struggles and says " I must soak this warmth up. I need it, and must get hold of it" No! they just lay in the sun and let it do the work. Come to God's love and let it do it's work in you. Slowly, little by little, He will permeat your being with His divine life. You will hardly notice it at first, but soon you will feel it and know it!
'Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait I say, on the Lord' Ps 27:14

Resist The Devil!

Temptations will come! If you want to live a godly, righteous life, obedient to the Lord, then you will be tempted. Often a season of temptation precedes a season of great blessing. Just as Jesus was led into the wilderness, after His baptism, to be tempted of the devil. So we are often led by God through a time of testing. But God never tempts us, though He allows us to pass through sometimes dire and unusual temptations.
After Jesus had been tempted He returned from the wilderness experience in the power of the Holy Spirit and was anointed for His work on earth. And likewise, we receive a new anointing of the Holy Spirit when we resist the lies and temptations of the devil.
Temptation is NOT sin. Though the temptations can be so subtle that we think that we are sinning because sometimes they are so awful, and they come in a form that mimics our own thoughts. Sometimes they come in the form of a throw back from our past. Something that once was sin in our lives, but has been cleansed and forgiven through the Blood of Jesus, can seem to return and we think we have fallen. It is then that Scripure is so helpful. Soaking the mind, and heart in the word of God keeps us from slipping into the devil's trap. He will use anything to try to seperate us from God and His Word and lead us into unbelief.
The whole process is allowed by God to strengthen us, to increase our faith, and to show the devil that we are truly, in word and deed children of Righteousness. Our faith has to be tested and tried! Endure what you pass through, as a soldier of Christ. Be strong, stand firm in the faith, and surely in due time, it will pass, when the purpose has been accomplished. Do not give way to it, because then it becomes sin because we have acted on it. Then you can go and strengthen your brethren, for we all pass through tseasons of temptation.
' There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able to; but will with the temptation also make a way to eascape, that you may be able to bear it'. 1 Corinth 10:13

Keep Going!

Expect Me to work and bring you through into new pathways. Some things have overwhelmed you and therefore you have thought it was impossible for improvement. But as you trust Me I will answer faith that does not waver. This is a time for you to stay strong in faith. Though the testing has continued over many months, you will soon see the benefits. You will need this stable, unwavering faith for your future assignments. So refuse discouragement, and don't give up, because the rewards of this time will amaze you. Don't fret over imaginery things! Let the peace of God rule in your heart each day.
'The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.' James1:3,4.

Let Him!

I had a few troubled hours in the night recently. Have you noticed that things loom dark and large in the early hours? I though of Jesus needing to slip out at night, away from His disciples and talk to His Father about some decisions and matters weighing heavily upon Him. So I was encouraged that He also had sleepless nights and knew the pressure I felt. I tried to pray but it did not seem to help! Eventually that verse ' Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart' Col 3:15 came to my mind. So I put my worries on hold and started to think of scriptures that pursuaded me that He was close even if I did not feel it. Then came 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly' Col 3: 15 to my thoughts, and it is so true, because I was able to draw out of my mind verses and promises that I had put there over the years. So I meditated on these.
Slowly I felt less stressed and then found that I was able to tell Jesus all about my problems and asked Him to show me a way through as I had some decisions to make. Eventually I went to sleep and felt at peace knowing that He was now responsible for all that I had committed to Him. Next morning a thought slipped into my mind about how to solve this situation, and without the confusion that had been blinding me, I tackled it and it worked!