Words of life | Children of God

Words of life | Children of God

John 1:12 (ESV)

“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God”

Reflection:

If you have found yourself on social media over the past six weeks, I have no doubt that you have encountered arguments for and against social isolation. There are people who agree with the steps the government has taken, and those who do not. Along with all this, the discussion of people’s rights is often closely linked. In the Kingdom of God we too have rights. Here John lets us know one of them, “The right to become children of God.” This right to become children of God is foundational. We build our lives on truths such as this and this truth comes at the very start of our walk with Christ. As it says, “To all who did receive Him, who believed in His name.” You might ask, “Why is this important now?’ or, “How does this affect me at this time?” Simply, we can experience doubt at the best of times. These are not the best of times for many folk, but it is always the Word of God that is  able to refute the doubt that creeps in. That is why this truth is important , especially in these troubling times. We can know through this promise, that it is our right to become a child of God if we have indeed received Him and believed in His name.

Prayer outline:

Father, I thank You that we have the right to become Your children. I thank You for giving us Your Son, Jesus. I ask that this truth, however foundational, would be before us. It would be present in our thoughts. We are Your children. Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | For who is God, but the Lord?

Words of life | For who is God, but the Lord?

2 Samuel 22:32-33 (ESV)

“For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless.”

Reflection:

I don’t know about you, but I feel like this time of lockdown has been quite a revealer of my limitations, both in terms of how easily I am restricted by circumstances and external (lack of) freedom as well as a personal inability to be in control. It has highlighted my utter need for dependence on Christ. It has magnified an understanding that, outside of God, nothing can be 100% certain.

This verse brings me great comfort to those thoughts, because “Who is God, but the Lord?” and “Who is a rock, except our God?” You see, these limitations bring a freedom from needing to be in control of everything around us or needing to be ‘the strong one’; there is only one God and He is the Lord. He is the One who is our strength, our refuge, our rock, our salvation. Our need of Him is by His design and His desire; a need which brings freedom, grace and empowerment. When everything else seems out of control – sometimes including our thoughts and inner emotions – we can trust that God is still the Lord and He is still the rock.

Prayer outline:

Father, I thank You for Your grace and patience. I thank You for Your desire to be all that I need. You alone are God, the Lord, and I find security in that. I choose today to surrender afresh into Your capable hands and look to You as the One who is in control. I place You on Your eternal throne in my own life and let go of those expectations of myself (or others) to be what only You can be. Jesus, be magnified and glorified, lifted high as the steadfast rock and our salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | The Lord is not slow about His promise

Words of life | The Lord is not slow about His promise

2 Peter 3:9 (NASB)

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Reflection:

Perspective is an interesting thing. The way I interpret a situation can be totally different from how you interpret it, yet both perspectives can be correct. Sometimes however, one perspective can be correct and the other can be skewed. This verse hit me like a hammer this morning as I read it. Peter tells us, “The Lord is not slow about His promise.” Is this a gentle rebuke? Is Peter addressing something we all do? Do we try to pull God along to join us at our pace? His statement is pretty absolute, “The Lord is NOT SLOW about His promise.” It may not be a rebuke, but it may be an instruction, “Change your perspective. Don’t count according to your understanding of slowness; the Lord is not slow about His promise.”

Another change in perspective Peter is leading us to make, is who is showing patience. We often believe it is us who are being patient towards God as we wait for Him to move in our lives. Peter states plainly that God is being patient towards us. He writes, “but (the Lord) is patient toward you.”  Our Father is wonderful. He is patient towards us, He waits for us. His endless grace and mercy have been poured out in love. It is with this great love, He patiently waits for us.

Prayer outline:

Response: You wait for me. You…wait…for me. Take the time to think about this. He is patient towards you. He waits for you. You are on His mind, even with all the millions of people speaking to Him right now, He is waiting for you. 

Father, help me hold the beauty of this reality, You wait for me. Your heart is towards me. May I know Your love afresh. There is nothing more precious than knowing Your love. In this time, may I grow closer to You. Draw me into communion with You. May I know You and be known by You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | Fullness of Joy

Words of life | Fullness of Joy

Psalm 16:8-11 (ESV)

“I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let Your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Reflection:

“Fullness of joy” – have you ever wondered what that looks like? It is a promise that Jesus gives His disciples on a number of occasions. This joy can’t be obtained by anything this world has to offer. The joy of the Lord is found in His presence, in unity and intimacy with Him. When we spend time in His presence and “set Him before [us]”, our joy is made full, as earthly things fade away in light of His glory and His love.

God is for us. His heart is toward us. He loves giving good gifts to His children – that’s you and me. He only wants what’s best for us. Do I believe that when life around looks unstable and bleak? Do you? Yet when we have intimacy with God, we “shall not be shaken”. There is something that is found in God’s presence that cannot be manufactured by anything, or anyone, else, and that grounds us, secures us and brings us to life of a supernatural kind. It is everlasting; it is joy complete.

Prayer outline:

Father God, thank You that Your heart toward me is good and kind. Thank You for Your unending grace and Your desire for me to walk in the fullness of Your joy. Holy Spirit, lead and guide me in Your truth. Set my gaze upon You, Father, as only You will do. Show me where I have turned to substitutions in life around me and remove them from before me. I choose to set You always before me, my Rock and my Foundation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | The Spirit intercedes for us

Words of life | The Spirit intercedes for us

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Reflection:

Confidence. Is this something you possess? Perhaps you are confident in specific skills whilst lacking confidence in others. Through study and practice you grow, increasing your knowledge and ability. This is the same for our spiritual journey. By God’s grace, we spend time in the Word, prayer and other spiritual disciplines. Through these practices, He shapes us into the likeness of His Son. Yet, v26 shows us the utter dependence we have on the Spirit of God. This is a tremendous encouragement. It should bring peace to our hearts and minds. It declares to each of us, “your prayer alone is not sufficient,” and, “it is not solely dependent upon you.” But praise be to the Father, for there is a wholly sufficient prayer, one that is from God to God. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, on our behalf. It is done according to the will of God. Here is a confidence that cannot be shaken. We cannot practise for this confidence, we cannot learn this confidence. What we can do, is rest in this confidence, knowing that God the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.

Prayer outline:

Thank You, Father, for giving us Your Holy Spirit. He is truly the One who comes alongside us. As I pray during these uncertain days, may I know in my heart the certainty of Your intercession. Open my eyes to see Your hand at work in my life and in the lives of those around me. I thank You for the grace that has been given to each of us. May Your peace guard my heart and mind, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | The River of God

Words of life | The River of God

Psalm 46:4-5 (ESV)

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.”

Reflection:

Psalm 46 paints us a picture of contrasts: on the one hand there is tumult, chaos, destruction, the collapsing of things that seem lasting and permanent. On the other hand, we see security, steadfastness, strength and safety.
Verses 4-5 speak about the river of God that is abundant, unshakeable and present. Throughout Scripture, the imagery of a river of God speaks of abundance of life, of provision, of joy and gladness. His Holy Spirit is a river that overflows with living water, coming from within those who believe (John 7:38-39). With this river inside of us, we can be glad and rejoice, we shall not be moved, we have hope for the morning. “Though the earth gives way”, though life as we knew it seems to crumble around us, “we will not fear” (v2). Let’s invite the river of God’s Spirit to flow through us and bring His everlasting joy.

Prayer outline:

Take time to invite Holy Spirit to fill you (again). God’s Spirit is a gift to us and He longs to give us His good gifts. Receive His Holy Spirit today as your comforter, companion and constant source of joy.

Holy Spirit, come and breathe new life into us today. Stir up the rivers of living waters in our hearts to sustain us and to bring us Your joy in this time of uncertainty. Fill us afresh today. Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | Resurrection and Life

Words of life | Resurrection and Life

John 11:25-27 (NASB)

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.’”

Reflection:

Here Martha has one of the clearest descriptions of Jesus presented to her by Jesus Himself. He states in no uncertain terms that He is the resurrection and the life. In the midst of the death of her brother Lazarus, as she is experiencing personal tragedy, Jesus opens her eyes, revealing to her the truth about who He is. I believe He is inviting her to Himself, and He wants her to answer, “Yes Lord, I believe.”

Do you believe this? Do you hear the same invitation, “Believe Me?” The same question could be asked of all us at this time. But, what we are being asked to believe could be completely different. Maybe the Lord is saying to you, “I am your healer,” or “I am your shield and strong tower,” or maybe He is saying, “I am your hope.” Do you believe this? He is presenting Himself to us, revealing His heart towards us in the midst of adversity. He is inviting us to believe Him, that He is who He says He is.

Prayer outline:

Take the time to remember the promises God has given you. Write them down. Remember His faithfulness.

Father, thank You for revealing Yourself to me at this time. Thank You for the promises You have given me through Your word. May I have the grace and faith to believe what You have said. May I not waiver or doubt. Standing firm in You, I am able to overcome and rejoice in Your victorious promises. Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | Remembering Jesus

Words of life | Remembering Jesus

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NLT)

“For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord Himself. On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then He broke it in pieces and said, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, He took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and His people—an agreement confirmed with My blood. Do this in remembrance of Me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until He comes again.”

Reflection:

The thing that first strikes me as I read this passage is the use of the word ‘remembrance’. I’ll be honest – I struggle to remember why I’ve just walked into the kitchen, why I opened that cupboard door or whose birthday it is today! Life can be so busy, and even in this exceptional time of lockdown where normal patterns and routines have stopped, you have probably noticed there is still a fight for your thoughts and so much that goes on in our heads. The invitation to the Lord’s supper is a wonderful opportunity for us to stop, draw aside and take time to actively remember the most important things. In the midst of uncertainty and fear, there is something so grounding for us as believers to pause and remember Him.

Jesus began His supper by giving thanks despite the fact that He was going through a personal betrayal (V23). He teaches us here to put aside what is going on around us and remember Him and what He has done for us. He gave His life for us, established a new covenant between us and Father God which was confirmed through His blood, shed for us.

Prayer outline:

– Begin by giving thanks. Maybe you feel fearful, hurt or even betrayed in this difficult time? Jesus identifies with the wrestle within, but shows us how using thanksgiving postures our hearts to receive His blessings.
– Take time today to pause, break bread and remember what Jesus has done for you. Come to His table, feast upon the wonderful meal that feeds and nourishes your soul. I promise, as you ‘remember Him’ everything else gets in line behind our unchanging and unshakable Saviour.
– To help us feel connected to our Jubilee family today, as you break bread take a moment to remember your fellow brothers and sisters and pray God’s blessing over them too.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | God Saves and Provides

Words of life | God Saves and Provides

Psalm 68:19-20

“Praise be to the LORD, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.”

Reflection:

Once free from captivity in Egypt, the Israelites entered the wilderness. They didn’t have a copy of God’s action plan for what was next, nor did they know God’s timing – they were blind to what lay ahead. All they knew was that God had just rescued them and brought them into a spectacular freedom. Wow! But it wasn’t long until their very real and practical needs, like food, water and shelter, brought them into a bit of a panic and they started to question God’s care and concern for their wellbeing. Did God see them? Did God care for their basic needs? Or had He forgotten them after the glory of the Exodus rescue?

Skip forward 40 years in the story and we learn that not once did the Israelites go without food, water, or protection. For all the time spent in the wilderness God brought daily provision for His people, even to the point that their shoes did not wear out in 40 years! God took care of their needs and had grace for the people’s expression of their anxious thoughts. He did not bring them into freedom only to abandon them. No, He rescued them and then cared for them in their daily needs, like a good Father to His children. This is who God is – a God who rescues on a grand scale, and a God who cares for the everyday needs of His people.

Prayer outline:

God, You are a good Father who reached out to rescue us and deliver us from an eternal death. Your love is so evident in sending Jesus. What a spectacular plan of salvation! But You are also God of the details and all the very real burdens in our daily lives. You care for us and You carry concern over our daily wellbeing. Please help our hearts to trust You – for both the big and for the small. Amen.

Find the whole Words of Life series here

Words of life | God’s Promises

Words of life | God’s Promises

Psalm 91:14-16 (ESV)

“Because he loves Me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. He will call on Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”

Reflection:

When we think of God’s promise to Abraham, He brings all that He is and enters into a covenant with this mortal man. There is nothing that Abraham can offer God, as if God were in need. In this psalm, we see a similar gap between what we bring and what God provides. The writer does not bring anything that God needs. All he has to offer is his heart. On the other hand, God brings all that the writer needs and more.

What is it that you need at this time? Where can you find it? Where can you go to see your needs fulfilled? Is it a place, is it a person or is it an organisation? God’s promises in these few verses show us a picture of the one true source, God Himself. God’s heart towards those He loves can be measured in this way, He gave His Son in your place. Knowing this, it moves our heart to love Him and to want to know Him.

Prayer outline:

Reflect on each of the following promises, taking note of how God has fulfilled these to you and write them down.
I will: rescue him, protect him, answer him, be with him, deliver him, honour him, satisfy him, show him My salvation.

Find the whole Words of Life series here