Ever present in a boundless expanse

It's a natural tendency with humankind that we are materially-minded and believe only what we can see. Yet it says in the Bible that:

'The things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal' (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Last night, the sky was clear - not a cloud to be had, no mist, no rain, no moon. The stars were incredibly bright and I could see thousands of them. I thought of what I learnt in science at school - we can only see a fraction of the millions we cannot. It made me think back to a time when, a few years ago, I stood in the middle of a deserted road late at night, in the middle of the Australian Outback and gazed up into the sky. The brightness of the stars beamed out of the eerily black sky. I couldn't see my hand in front of me, or my friend who stood right next to me. I was filled with awe - to a point where words failed me - the majesty and awesomeness of out Creator God.

I thought last night, as I did that night, of the Bible verse in Psalm chapter 8 verses 3 & 4:

When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
    human beings that you care for them?
*emphasis mine

I read a daily devotional some time ago, for which the author I cannot remember, however it struck a cord with me, much like it did the audience at the time! Apparently it is a true story...

   When that astronaut completed the first orbit of the earth in 1961 he was awarded many honours and made lecture tours throughout his native land. On one of these occasions, when thousands had come to hear him, he ridiculed the existence of God. He said he looked up and down, north, east, south and west, but could not see God anywhere.

Many laughed at this audacious talk. Suddenly a believer from the back of the hall shouted out, "If you had fallen out, you would have met Him!"

For a moment there was a shocked complete silence and then, as though at a given silence, all the Christians in the audience sang, what was to them a well-known song:

Oh Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed;

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

The audience dispersed. They had been given something to think about.

...In the vastness of the Universe - who are they - one mere small fraction of a dot in the grand scheme of everything. 
...Who is God to them - their Creator who made and loves them? Or a figment of millions of people's imagination?
...Where will they spend eternity - in the blissful joy of Heaven, or the fire of Hell, where suffering and torment are endless? The wonderful thing is - people can choose where their soul will go when their earthly shell departs this earth. There will come a time, however, where the choice will be no longer available; God will have had enough of waiting and watching people destroy their lives and the lives of others. The world will become such an awful place to live, God will have to step in and say "Enough is enough".

We are living in a deteriorating world - morally and ethically, that seems to be happening at an increasingly rapid rate.

It is sad and yet amazing to watch people live their lives - they have no concept of eternity - they live for today, here and now; yet fail to see that 'today' is a fraction of a dot on the spectrum of eternity.

Consider Him - He who is 'great... and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.' ~Psalm 145 verse 3

 

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!