God-Traveled Roads.

 

     And how blessed all those in whom you live,
      whose lives become roads you travel;
   They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
      discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
   God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and
      at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!

                                                Psalm 84:5-7

 

 

The seasons of a life surrendered have God’s footprints all over them.  There are times of seemingly unending winding through valleys shrouded in loneliness and questions of “Are you still with me Lord?” There are sudden moments of refreshing at a brook, but just as quickly as it was set upon it fades into the distance. The discovery of a cool spring and overflowing pool brings welcome relief. And when the mountain hike is complete there is the fullness of His presence to bask in.

 

 

 

I take note that the psalmist never implies how long the journey; the length of time in each season. He never promised the winding valley of loneliness would be but a moment or that you can simply sit and soak in the cool pool. He does say however that these a re God-travelled roads and the promise of His presence awaits.  I need to be aware in the seasons in the valley and even the hike up the mountain that God is travelling the roads with me.  That the lonely valleys are there so I cling even closer and the curve up the mountain is when I lean into Him.

 

 

 

Father, I’m so thankful that you not only know the road I travel but you are my travelling companion.  I am going to stop asking “Are we there yet?” and start asking that you teach me to enjoy every moment of my journey with you. amen

Lonely places & Prayer

 

Scripture

Luke 5:16

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

 

Observation

There where miracles, people being healed either side of this sentence!

Jesus need strengthening, needs his spirit filled rejuvenated, he needed time alone with God.

 

Application

If Jesus needed this often, then we need it even more.

This simple statement just highlights how important our prayer life needs to be to us.

To think Jesus, Gods own son, the one perfect person to ever walk on the earth! The one person who never did anything wrong never did the things we do daily – he often withdrew to

Lonely places and prayed. He knew what he needed and he did it, he knew the important it was to spend time with God.

To help our intimate relationship grow, to be able to hear his voice, to follow, to obey, to be strengthened, refreshed and filled, to follow the example Jesus showed us.

 

Prayer

Dear Lord, forgive me when l turn to other things or others instead of you. Help me to put you and prayer time in proper priority in my life. In Jesus name Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

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God’s Waiting Room

Scripture:

Ezekiel 43: 27

‘On the 8^th day and on each day afterward the priests will sacrifice on the altar the burnt offerings and thank offerings of the people, and I will accept them says the Lord God’.

Observation:

It’s been a long wait for the people of Israel, but rejection has now turned to acceptance.   The journey of being a set-apart nation, blessed and provided for in every area of their life and falling from grace to do it ‘their way’, have now come to an understanding that God WILL have his way and you can’t fight with God and win.

 

The daily sacrifices on the altar will make all things right again and rejection has now turned to acceptance.

 

Application:
Acceptance from God – Almighty God.  His face will look at you and shine on you with tenderness and love is a precious thing and not to be taken for granted.

 

Like a mother’s love that is always there for her begotten ones, so it is with God’s love, always there waiting for a small gap in the child’s emotional armour to reach out and say ‘help’ ‘you are right’, ‘I need you’, ‘I need your strong arms to lift me up’ – and re-assurance is immediately there.  Love and acceptance is immediately there- always was – always will be.  God’s love and acceptance, like a mother’s heart is just waiting for the opportunity.

 

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you that you are always in the ‘waiting room’ in my life.  Waiting for me to ‘come to myself’ and see that my ways are not your ways.  It is your way or not at all.  Thank you that you have received my sacrifice – each and every day of my life as I lay my life before you.  Your head and heart is turned towards me and you have accepted me.  Because of your son’s sacrifice you have accepted me and I am grateful and thankful.

 

What a wonderful thing to say to yourself that I am accepted by the Lord God almighty!

 

Terry B

 

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Spiritual Sit-Ups

 

Scripture:

Revelation 15: 7

And one of the four Living Beings handed each of them a golden flask filled with the terrible wrath of the Living God who lives forever and forever.

 

Observation:

The wrath of God – contained in seven flasks – ready to be poured out over the earth.  The victorious ones look on as the 7 plaques commence.  The wrath of God vs succumbing to satan’s ways is the scale that is before us all.  Standing strong til the end.  Remaining firm, feet planted and rooted in the only one that is above all – even satan - is the only choice that needs to be decided on – BEFORE the great day – before the great and terrible day. 

 

The flasks of wrath will by-pass the strong and well grounded ones in Christ.  The plaques will be of no consequence – they have already been through God’s fire.

 

Application:

I need to be strong.  I need to exercise – build on what god is teaching me today – for tomorrow I will be tested.

 

If I do 5 sit-ups today, I need to do 6 tomorrow – and by next week I can do 10 or more!  But I need to do sit-ups every day in order to build up my muscles.  I have no excuse not to exercise.  I have no excuse not to build my spiritual muscles.  The great day – the great and terrible day is nigh and I need to be ready and avoid the 7 flasks of God’s wrath.

Prayer:

Lord,  I quietly stand at the foot of your throne.  And as you see me in all that I am, may you see a strong, steadfast believer, consistent in you.

 

Hold back the 7 flasks a little longer so I may be strengthened a little more and be a true overcomer.

 

 

Terry B

 

 

 

Searching

Scripture

Psalm 70:4 “But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout “God is great!””

 

Observation

This psalm was written as a prayer to the Lord for Him to remember the plight of his people and for him to rescue them from their enemies. David recognised the power of intentionally searching for the Lord and His purposes. He knew that fulfilment and joy lay at His doorstep. He understood that the salvation offered by the Lord would bring satisfaction and safety to those who treasured it. Destruction and humiliation lay on the side of self reliance – salvation and joy lay on the side of the Lord.

 

Application

Searching for anything takes effort. If I go fishing I need to ensure I prepare and use the necessary equipment to succeed in my quest. The search is intentional, it is purposeful and focused. I don’t just stumble across fish as I walk along the road! My search for God and His ways is the same. I posture myself to find him. I pray, I read the bible, I meditate on his words – and as the new testament tells me – as I seek Him, I will find Him.

 

Prayer

Lord, you are not hiding from us but you are looking for a people who long for your presence. As we seek you, you show up.

 

Jim Jung