Peace in your heart

I read a beautiful devotional today that spoke about the inner 'knowing', otherwise called peace. The result? Your heart is calm, free from confusion. It highlighted that when you walk closely with the Lord, He will guide your decision making...in His timing. See Romans 8 v 6.

From the 'Word For Today'...

When your thoughts, actions and plans are approved by God, He’ll confirm it by giving you an inner ‘knowing’. (See 1 John 2 v 20) The Bible says: ‘Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]...' (Colossians 3 v 15 AMP). When you trust the Lord with your life and all that lies ahead, when you’re being led by [Him], you’ll [experience] a sense of peace even in the midst of difficult circumstances. His peace is like a baseball umpire who decides what’s ‘safe’ and what’s ‘out of bounds’ for you.

But beware of false peace. Sometimes your desire to do a certain thing will be so strong that it will actually produce a false sense of peace that comes from your own excitement about the idea. As time passes this false peace will disappear and God’s true will, will emerge. So wait for it. As a rule you should never move too quickly on important decisions. The Bible says, ‘To be controlled by the Spirit results in… peace.’ In other words, to be guided by the Lord will result in decisions made with a sense of calm, and not confusion. So don’t proceed if your inner peace can’t hold its weight against what you think or hear. You don’t have to explain to others why you don’t have peace about it; indeed, sometimes you won’t know why. Just say, ‘I feel it’s not wise for me to do this at this time because I don’t have peace about it.’...or 'It doesn't feel right', which indeed it won't because without the Lord's peace, making the decision without His 'green light' can induce feelings of tension.

There’s power in having peace. And one more thing: once you know that you’ve heard clearly from God, do all you can to keep your peace and don’t become anxious. The devil will throw 'red herrings' into your thoughts to throw you off course.

Let me encourage you, God's timing is not our timing, and often we will have to wait some time for Him to answer our prayers and heart's desire, and thus receive His peace. And while at the time and during the course of waiting, things can seem unsure or confusing. Be reassured that He has heard you and that He will answer your prayer, but not necessarily in the way in which we want it to be answered nor in the time frame we want and expect Him to answer it.

*non-italic text within the devotion are my additives, as are the emphasised words.

Unconditional, Inexhaustible LOVE

We recently celebrated Valentine's Day - the one day in the year that the world sets aside to remind us to express our love...

Someone once asked a prolific author on Bible doctrine, “What is the most profound theological truth in the Scriptures?” He thought for a moment and simply replied quoting the lines of Anna B. Warner, “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.”

How often do we take this profound truth for granted? God’s love is unconditional and inexhaustible. His love is more than enough for everyone in the world, and it is amazing to know (as we read in the Bible) that there is nothing that will lessen, reduce, or minimize that love!

God is love and He proved His love for us in that He gave His One and only Son, Jesus for our wrongdoings so that we can have the opportunity to choose Him. For it is written in the Bible, and how true it is, that “We love Him because He first loved us” (John 1:19). In other words, our love toward God and others is simply a response to His great love toward us. We simply become a channel of God’s love to others.

God is the author and perfector of perfect love. When a loved one expresses love towards us, our natural response is to return love. That is how it is with God and us.

The English language provides just one word for a myriad of different types of 'love'. Yet, the Hebrew and Greek languages provide us with specific terms for specific meanings of the different types of love.

One type of love is 'Agape' (pronounced 'R-gar-pay') love. It is the highest form of love. It is God's love. God demonstrates His own love for us in this: (that) while we were still sinners, Christ died for us' ~Romans 5:7-8.

We can never repay Him for that. What we can and ought do is accept Him into our heart and life and honour Him in the way we live. "...By your love I am accepted; You're a good and gracious King..."

'Good and Gracious King', by CityAlight, from St Paul's (Church) Castle Hill (Sydney), Australia.

I approach the throne of glory
Nothing in my hands I bring
But the promise of acceptance
From a good and gracious King
... You deserve the greater glory
 Overcome, I lift my voice
To the King in need of nothing
Empty handed I rejoice

You deserve the greater glory
Overcome with joy I sing
By Your love I am accepted
You’re a good and gracious King
... 
*emphasis mine

Time is racing along! It is my prayer as you listen and meditate on the lyrics of the song and the Scriptures quoted above, that your heart and life may be enriched by the knowledge and acceptance of the unconditional, inexhaustible love of God.

Acknowledging the Sovereignty of God

A devotional reading from the Word For Today (September 20, 2015).

   In the book of Lamentations, chapter three describes Jeremiah’s despair, and how he conquered it. He opens with: ‘I am the man who has seen affliction…’ (Lamentations 3:1 NAS), and it intensifies as he lists all his troubles.

The fact is, when our circumstances deteriorate, we can sound a lot like Jeremiah. At first he sounds like he’s blaming God for his afflictions. In prayer he recites his troubles and fears of being singled out as an object of public ridicule. No wonder he felt powerless and hopeless! (Lamentations 3:18) That kind of situation, handled badly, can initiate and intensify despair, depression and feed a negative outlook on life.

Here’s the lesson to be learned: ‘This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.’ Jeremiah acknowledged God’s goodness and mercy: ‘Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed… His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.’ (Lamentations 3:22–23 NIV)

He also acknowledged the Lord’s sovereignty in his trouble: ‘For the Lord... though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies... Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well–being proceed?’ (Lamentations 3:31–38 NKJV). There is light at the end of the tunnel.

When you acknowledge the sovereignty of God in all things it gives your faith in Him a boost, no matter what! Take your mind off what's wrong, and focus on what is right and unchanging - focus on Him!  It doesn’t happen automatically; you have to deliberately refocus your thinking at the very time when you feel least like doing it.

Notice: Jeremiah’s circumstances didn’t improve—his outlook did. He was reminded of the sovereign goodness and faithfulness of God—and his depression lifted: ‘“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I have hope in Him.”’ (Lamentations 3:24 NAS).

I will follow Him; I will trust you all the days of my life

Have faith in God's faithfulness

This is a devotion from the Word for Today.

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Do you feel like God is leading you to do a certain thing or move in a certain direction and you’re feeling anxious because you’ve got lots of unanswered questions? Then read this:
  ‘By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.’ (Hebrews 11 v 8) 

That’s what you must do too! Not only will you not have answers to all your questions, sometimes you won’t be able to explain what you’re doing to the people you love either. God’s Word says, ‘He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.’ 

So you can say, ‘I don’t know all the details or how this is going to work out, but I do know that God has promised to be faithful and that is all I need.’  In other words, your faith is in the faithfulness of God. It doesn’t get any better than that! ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people… according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised.’ (1 Kings 8 v 56)

Even if you stumble on the road to success, the Bible says, ‘If we are faithless, He remains faithful.’ (2 Timothy 2:13) Will Satan attack you? Yes. You will be tempted, challenged and face adversity....   ‘But the Lord is faithful, who will establish… and guard you from the evil one.’ (2 Thessalonians 3 v 3).

[That doesn't mean to say that life will be 'just dandy'... it won't be free from troubles, adversity, challenges, struggles. The reality is, life is not perfect, it isn't all roses, BUT we have the Lord God on our side who is with us and "for us; (so) who can be against us?" Romans 8 v 31.  There is a reason for everything we go through - it is for our good. How can that be? Gold only forms under pressure. Strength, courage and resilience only comes through experiencing adverity. Our faith is strengthened through adversity, because we get a glimpse of His power.]

Knowing that, your attitude should be to ‘hold fast the confession of [your] hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.’ (Hebrews 10:23).

Today have faith in God’s faithfulness. Know that He is WITH YOU - ALWAYS.

Your Purpose Will Be Accompanied by Peace

A devotion taken from the 'Word For Today', June 8, 2016.
 

'You shall … be led out with peace.’ Isaiah 55:12
 
Perhaps you’re wondering, ‘What am I supposed to do with my life? What’s my purpose here?’

God answers these questions through our abilities. He leads us to our life’s purpose through the skills and talents He has given us. God-given gifts are the skills a person easily performs, often without formal training. We derive great pleasure from doing what we’re naturally good at doing.

So if you aren’t sure of your life’s purpose, just do what you do well and watch God confirm it by blessing your endeavours. Don’t spend your time trying to do what you’re not gifted to do, or what somebody else is good at. We know we’re operating in our gifts and calling when what we do ministers life to others. If what we do makes us miserable and fills us with a sense of dread, usually we’re not in God’s perfect will.

He gives us peace and joy to let us know we’re fulfilling His perfect plan: ‘For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace.’ Look at what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what God is giving you the grace to do—then let God be God in your life. He wants to flow through you, and it may not be in the same way as He flows through others. Trust His ability in and through you, and don’t be afraid to be unique. God has a specific place and a specific plan for each of us.

How will you know you’re in the right place fulfilling His plan? You will have peace!'

Midwifery is a beautiful profession. Picture from sah.org.au

What lights your fire?

A daily devotional from 'The Word for Today'.

*******

 
‘My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned.’ Psalm 39:3

When God gives you a vision for your life, it’ll burn within you like a fire that can’t be extinguished. The psalmist said, ‘My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned.’

So, what lights your fire? What burns ‘hot’ within you? When God calls you to do something, He creates within you both the desire to do it and the power to carry it out. Though you feel inadequate and unqualified, stand on His Word: ‘For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.’ (Philippians 2:13).

Mahatma Gandhi had a vision of a free and independent India at a time when it was governed by the British. Henry Ford had a vision of every family in America owning an automobile at a time when people were frightened of his new invention. Daniel K. Ludwig had a vision of a self-supporting industrial region in the heart of the Brazilian jungle at a time when there was no industry, no electricity, and no city of any kind for hundreds of kilometres.

Where do such creative desires come from? God, Who is our Creator! And when God gives you a wide-blue-sky mindset, you’ll never be happy living in a mental birdcage. Are there times when you’ll feel afraid and uncertain about what to do? Yes! Fear and faith are two sides of the same coin, and they’ll always be part of your thinking. But the one you choose is the one that’ll determine your future—and you get to choose!

'I know that you delight in me' ~Psalm 41 v 11

'For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favour and honour;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those who walk uprightly...blessed is the one who trusts in you' ~Psalm 8 v 11 & 12

'I know that you delight in me' ~Psalm 41 v 11

When Christ is at the centre on your life and His love lives in your heart, one's understanding and experience of life takes on a new form. Our understanding of who God is and what His intentions and goals for His actions are. When we seek to 'walk uprightly'; that is, we seek to live our lives the best we can according to the guidelines outlined in the Bible; the Lord begins to pour out His blessings on our lives. Often though, 'blessings' don't take the size and shape in the way that we expect and anticipate. What might be a disappointment or hardship now becomes a blessing in the near or even distant future. We may not know it until we reach heaven...

I have found this devotion, inserted below, quite insightful...

A daily reading taken from 'The Word for Today', Sunday 13th March 2016.

"The devil doesn’t want you to know that God’s favour is on your life, or that you’ve been blessed by Him with all the good things you enjoy. The truth is, the devil doesn’t want you to think God has done anything good for you at all!

He will try to convince you that you have no purpose, power or potential. He’ll try to persuade you that your background means you won’t amount to anything and, if that doesn’t work, he’ll play the childhood memories card. If that doesn’t work either, he will remind you of all the disappointments you’ve been through in life. And if you buy what he’s selling, you’ll end up with such self-doubt and low self-esteem you won’t believe God has blessed you in any way or that He has a wonderful plan for your life.

But He has! No matter how limited your ability or lacklustre your accomplishments, every blessing you’re enjoying today happened because the Lord is on your side.

The psalmist said, ‘By this I know that You delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me... You have upheld me... and set me in Your presence forever.’ (Psalm 41:11–12 ESV translation)
David understood that his enemies were attacking him because they witnessed the favour of God on his life.

The question is, do you understand that God’s favour is on your life too?
If you don’t, you won’t expect the attack, understand the reason behind it or how to overcome it.

When you Jesus is in your heart, you’re life is blessed and favoured—that’s why you’re a target from the adversary! Are others resentful because of what God has done for you? How come they see it and you can’t?"

Joy doesn't come from all the lovely things that happen in life, true joy comes from the peace in your heart that the Lord loves you and that he has only the best in mind for you that he will bestow upon you. Sometimes bad things happen to good people - that's true, that's reality and yes it's not fair, but life isn't perfect. People forget, the devil has his input too...but the Lord allows it for a special. Whether we choose to seek and listen to the message is something else.

I pray that as you read and meditate on the words in this post, you might be encouraged to think about what is in your heart, and is the Lord Jesus at the centre?