But the great victory comes when the devil knows, that you know, that he is defeated
v1. In Christ alone, my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease My comforter, my all in all Here in the Love of Christ, I stand. v3. There in the ground, his body lay Light of the World, by darkness slain Then bursting forth, in glorious day, up from the grave he rose again! And as he stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me For I am his, and he is mine bought with the precious blood of Christ
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Saviour... 2 Samuel 2 v 2& 3
For your unconditional love, unending grace, abundant mercies, countless blessings and faithful fulfillment of your promises, we worship you xx
A devotional from the 'Word For Today', September 13, 2015.
When the angel of death visited Egypt, only those whose doorposts were painted with lamb’s blood were protected from ‘the destroyer’. And the blood of Jesus [the Lamb of God] is still your best protection from the enemy who ‘…prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.’ (1 Peter 5:8 NLT). Jesus' atoning death on the cross was to secure forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 2:12–16). Christians have also been sealed with the Spirit of God (Ephesians 1:13), and our salvation is assured by the Lord (Romans 8:38–39). So when Satan confronts us he knows he cannot ultimately succeed... but he still wants to try and make us stumble. Generally speaking, he’s looking for an ‘easy mark’. Just like a thief who cases your house for a hole in your security, Satan be on the lookout for a weakness in your life. But if you ‘put on the whole armour of God, [you’ll] ...be able to stand against the schemes of the devil’ (Ephesians 6:11 ESV), and he’ll have to move on.
Ephesians 6:13-18: ...Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
God put a hedge around Gomer, the prophet Hosea’s wife, a promise that He would always draw her back to her husband. He said, ‘…I will fence her in with thornbushes. I will block her path with a wall to make her lose her way.’ (Hosea 2:6 NLT). Before your family leaves home in the morning, remind them of Christ’s ultimate ‘hedge of protection’—His victory at the cross. Remind them to stand firm in the finished work of Jesus, wearing the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:10–18). In prayer speak out His promises (Psalm 118:6, Psalm 27:1, James 4:7) and ask Him to safeguard you and your family throughout the day, directing all your paths away from wrong influences.'
God is not out to ruin the supposed 'fun things' in life that the world tell us we miss out on if we don't join in, and we must be a part of. In fact God seeks to protects us from a whole lot of baggage, regret, hurt and consequences by providing His Word, the Bible as a 'guide to life'...and if we listen to the wisdom we read and follow it's advice, and seek to live a life that ignores everything that Satan throws in our face, life becomes filled with Him - a heart full of joy, a strength only He can give to face the uncertain and tragic times and the reward of spending eternity in Heaven when we die.
A devotional from the 'Word For Today', September 15, 2015.
'When you don’t understand what’s happening in your life, start with what you know for sure; namely, that God is good all the time, and His ‘…love for those who respect Him continues forever…’ (Psalm 103:17 NCV)
He’s not fickle. He doesn’t bless you one day and curse you the next: His ‘mercies…are new every morning.’ (Lamentations 3:22–23 KJV). But there are things God chooses to reveal to us, and ‘secret things’ He doesn’t—for our own good. Writer Beth Jones says: ‘If God keeps a secret from us, it’s for our benefit and the benefit of others… For example, He doesn’t go around blaming, tattling or disclosing our sins, weaknesses, unbelief, carnality, selfishness or pride to others.
When things happen, God knows why… Secret things belong to the Lord. And when He reveals something to us, it’s because He wants us to walk in that truth by faith. For example, He reveals His character and His will in His Word… so we can live by faith knowing that He’s good, fair, kind, generous, merciful, faithful, gracious, patient, and He’s in the saving, healing, redeeming, restoring, sanctifying, and blessing business.
Things revealed belong to us. When we don’t know why… here’s what we know for sure. God’s Word is truer than our circumstances or experiences… and just because He knows everything about us doesn’t mean He tells us about everything. We also know that when things look bad, God is still good.’ ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ (Job 1:21 ESV) No matter what happens or doesn’t happen, at the end of the day—God is still in control and worthy of our praise!'
sharegrace.org (Desperate Prayer)
Faith is believing in that which is unseen and unknown; faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see(Hebrews 11:1). We have faith in a wonderful God who sees all things and knows all things and reveals some things to us in His timing. Some things are best left untold and unknown, and He does just that for our benefit.
We just need to wait on Him and TRUST Him. It's not always easy, but worth it. Ask Him to help you, and He will.
A Daily Devotional that has been wonderful encouragement.
'Pour out your heart before Him...' ~Psalm 62:8
More than anything else in life, Hannah wanted a son. And as the years passed she wrestled with disappointment and despair. ‘…and [Hannah] was in distress of soul, praying to the Lord.’ (1 Samuel 1:10 AMP) However, she did two things that worked—and they’ll work for you, too!
(1) Instead of turning away from God, she turned to Him. Instead of praying less, she prayed more. She knew that while her husband couldn’t give her a child, God could. She may not have been happy with God’s timing, but she never doubted His goodness. Unfortunately, one of the things we’re tempted to do when things fall apart is to avoid God’s presence. That’s a mistake, because He’s the one you need most! Yes, it’s hard to pray when your heart is breaking. But unless you’ve prayed with a broken heart and a deep sense of your need, you’ve never really poured out your heart before God, or learned what the Bible truly means by prayer.
(2) She didn’t just think about what she wanted, she also thought about what God wanted. ‘…she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if You will…not forget Your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life…”’ (1 Samuel 1:11 NIV) And shortly after that Samuel was conceived. When you’re willing to make a promise to God that He can hold you to (which is what a vow is), you’re getting serious about prayer. And that’s when God will get serious about your prayer as well! So, ‘pour out your heart before Him.’
A couple of weeks ago I watched a beautifully inspiring and powerful movie. 'The War Room' - enlightening the power of prayer. We need to 'pour out our hearts' before God and plead to Him our worries, so he can do what only He can do. We must recognise Him and His power and ability to do what we cannot. Then we need to step aside and allow Him to do it. Just TRUST Him!
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me~Psalm 23:4
In the final moments of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran's lives, their testimony of steadfast love, devotion and faith in Christ Jesus stood firm and spoke volumes to a global audience.
Andrew had come a long way in his life from being addicted to and selling heroin at the age of 14 to ending up in a Balinese prison for a decade, facing the death penalty on a daily basis, then being sentenced to execution, then being shot in the heart by a Javanese firing squad while staring at the line of men when rifles aimed at him.
What did he do? Accounts of his and the other seven prisoners last moments have been recounted.
I'll never forget the pain that pierced my heart upon waking to the news that Andrew and Myuran had been executed. It was devastating - the injustice of taking the lives of these men that had sincerely repented, sought forgiveness and changed their ways and had sought to invest in the lives of countless others around them.
On transfer from Kerobokan prison to Nusakambangan (execution) island, with limitations of the number of possessions they could take, both men took a Bible - Andrew Chan's being one that he was given by his family weeks after his arrest — which he describes as his most treasured possession.
One of Chan’s last messages to his family and friends during his final days was: “I’m proof that Jesus is alive, give glory to Jesus..." ..."everything that (has) happened was God's will. Not a single feather would fall off a sparrow, without God permitting it."
Chan and Sukumaran told Pastor Tuhu they still believed in miracles and that God would save them but, if they were executed, it was (and they would accept that it was) part of God's plan.
The comfort they had was that firstly God's ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8) - that there is a powerful reason why their lives were being allowed to be taken. It was their hope that many would hear their testimony - their story of God's saving grace - the message of Christ's suffering and offer of salvation, in the weeks and months and years since their execution. Secondly, they were soon to meet their Saviour and spend eternity in heaven with Him.
As the eight prisoners walked onto the field they sang Amazing Grace; as they were tied up and as they died they sang Bless the Lord O My Soul (10,000 Reasons). Pastor de Vega stated that the moment "...was breathtaking. This was the first time I witnessed someone so excited to meet their God."
Andrew's eulogy read at his funeral:
'Thank you all for gathering here on this day to witness something great. It's a day that I will arise from my own coffin, right now as the words are spoken, in Jesus' name, arise... I know it is a sad day, we would have all wished it didn't come to this. However it is funny that even in death there's still a lesson to be learnt. We learned that we do not need to be old to die, nor do we need to have something wrong with us. But we learned that when it's time to go home, God has the kitchen table and sink ready. Every person that is sitting here now has impacted my life in one way or another. The truth is, you have all taught me just as much as I have taught you. If I had to thank everyone individually, I don't think I can place them on one sheet of paper. ...Another person I learned so much from is my wife, Feby. She has taught me the meaning of love and endurance, peace and much more. As I said, to all of you gathered here today, taught me something valuable in life which I have learned to cherish. Treat each day as a diamond, for each day is valuable, as you can never buy it back. Learn to use it doing the things you love, spend it with the people you care for most, because we just never know when we will say goodbye. My last moments here on earth I sing out 'Hallelujah!' I ran the good race. I fought the good fight and came out a winner in God's eyes and men. I do have a story to tell, that story's determined by you all on how you witness me. Ask yourself: 'What did I leave with you?' That will determine my legacy. I leave now in peace and love. I pray that you will all know how I valued and treasured you. Treasure your love and friendship. As you all leave here today, who will you witness to, today?' Love, Andrew Chan. Dear reader, I pray for you as I write this post - be encouraged and KNOW that God is in control even when it feels like all hell is breaking loose, when you feel confused or life is just stagnant. Continue to SEEK Him and His will for you, LOVE Him and SERVE Him in all things; and THANK Him in the good times and the bad for loving you and sending His only Son to die so that you could choose Him and live with Him in heaven.
Just keep reading His Word, the Bible and keep praying - and ask a Godly mentor to pray with and for you too.
I heard a saying once that the distance between heaven and hell is 12 inches (or 30cm)... The distance between your head and your heart.
How true this is - Christianity is about having a personal relationship with Jesus, a personal relationship with the God who created ALL things...
Too much to take in really, isn't it? That the God who created the universe and every living thing that inhabits the earth, cares about us! He wants a relationship with us!
Religion and Faith are two completely different 'things' - they are poles apart - literally like the North and South Pole.
Religion says "do", Jesus says "done". Religion is all about rules and workmanship - you have to earn your way to heaven.
Faith in Jesus is about accepting that we aren't perfect, and no matter how hard we try, we will never be perfect. It is about acknowledging that, apologising for all the wrongdoings in your life, and then making the commitment to do follow Jesus and seek to live your life and exhibit the same qualities as Jesus did when he walked the earth - qualities such as servitude, compassion, patience, meekness, forgiving, kindness, gentleness, self control, non-judgmental, giving, sacrificial, committed, humility, obedience.
There has been a huge uprise against the imminent executions of two convicted Australian drug smugglers in Indonesia. Why? Because of the injustice of such punishment on two changed and rehabilitated men. Men who have completely turned their lives around in the 10 years that they have been incarcerated. When such repentance has clearly been displayed - not just in their words, but in their actions; the question is... where is the forgiveness? And as Andrew Chan said earlier this year, "what does it take to get a second chance?"
One of the last things Andrew Chan said to his family and friends before both he and his companion convicted smuggler Myuran Sukumaran were transferred to the Javanese execution island, to await execution by firing squad, was "I’m proof that Jesus is alive, give glory to Jesus..."
On his pre-dawn early departure to the island, one of the few possessions that Chan took with him was his Bible, that which was to him given in the weeks after his arrest by his family — he describes as his most treasured possession.
Jesus changed this man in way that no doubt Chan - entrenched in the wicked dark dungeons of the drug world - quite possibly never imagined, never contemplated or even thought possible. Yet Chan met Jesus and was so overcome with his goodness, grace, mercy and sacrifice, that Chan made the life-changing decision to turn his back on his 'old' way of life and embark on the journey of his 'new' life.
'The old has gone and the new has begun!' ~2 Corinthians 5:17
Just weeks before he was transferred to the execution island, Chan was ordained as a Christian minister. He spent six years studying and has been described by an Australian senior minister as 'extraordinary, (with) such a determination to learn, in fact almost a desperation... I have never experienced a student like Andrew, and probably never will again.'
Chan's passion is so real, deep and passionate because he has experienced the other side of life - he knows all that he has been saved from. He has been saved from going to hell - saved from an eternity of agonizing suffering, pain and torment. He has been given 'freedom'; sounds contradictory and ironic considering that he incarcerated in Indonesia... however the kind of freedom I am referring to is that within - freedom from the burden of sin.
People think it's 'crazy' until they themselves experience Jesus for themselves... it happens time and time again... you only have to look at Andrew Chan - caught up the dark world of evil, totally reformed and transformed by Christ Jesus. AMEN!
