Thoughts for reflection . . . (Thorns)

Our lives are like a garden, our hearts being the soil. Am I keeping my heart clear of weeds and thorns?

The Lord indicated that the fruitfulness of my life will be determined by the presence of God's Word and the quality of the soil of my heart in which that Word is planted. For me to grow spiritually, God's Word needs unchoked access to my life, and the correct conditions to be effective in me.
[Matt13.23, Mark4.20, Luke8.15]

The Lord describes the choking thorns in our heart as 'cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches', 'pleasures of this life' and the 'lusts of other things entering in'. All these things have a common effect of distracting our focus, consuming our thoughts and absorbing our time.
[Matt13.22, Mark4.18-19, Luke8.14]

What does the landscape of the garden of my heart and life look like? Am I cultivating an environment where God can have unhindered influence in my life and His Word can bring forth the fruit for which it was sent? Or is my life more taken with the 'natural' daily issues of living to the expense of knowing God and growing closer to Him?

As a natural garden must be constantly maintained to keep it free from weeds and thorns, so our own hearts must be diligently cultivated, inspected and kept in such a condition that will bring forth fruit with patience. A lack of action and passivity leaves us vulnerable to the seeds of this world settling in our lives so that we will bring no fruit to perfection.
[Luke8.14-15, Prov4.23]

May I be diligent in keeping the garden of my life in a condition that is free from all that would choke and hinder my advance in fruitfulness and Christlikeness.

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Response)

Much of our lives consists of a series of actions and reactions. Situations arising that bring about a response in us or to which we will be tempted to respond.

Learning how to respond in the right way in every situation is part of growing in Christlikeness and will determine the level of victory I experience in my life, where I see God's promises working effectively in me.

Ps106.33 provides a lesson in responses. Here we see Moses provoked by very trying circumstances and responding in a wrong way which brought severe consequences. Our responses will be in word, thought or action. The nature of the response will be according to how we let the situation affect our spirit (heart, inner man). The Scriptures declare in Proverbs that 'He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.' Also, 'He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.'
[Num20.7-12, Prov16.32, 25.28]

One of the ways to rule our spirit is to maintain the correct perspective at all times. The moment we lose the perspective God wants us to have, we become vulnerable to attack, like a city without walls and can be affected and influenced in our thoughts and emotions in a way that can bring about wrong responses and reactions with damaging consequences to our lives.

May my perspective always be one that is spiritual not just physical, eternal and not just temporal, and with consideration of how the Lord would walk through those times and circumstances. Then through a total dependancy upon God, when the sponge of my life is squeezed by the pressures around me what will pour forth in reaction is God's grace and the fruit that the Holy Spirit is developing in my life.
[1John2.6]

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Open Book)

Our lives are like pages of a book. Yet it is not a book hidden from view, but known and read of all that we come into contact with. What do others read from the pages they see of my life?
[2Cor3.2]

Does my life story display a life that is submitted to God? A life where the grace of God is in operation? When the world reads the pages, do they see that although I may experience the same 'sun and rain' as them that there is a divine difference in how I pass through? Is the fruit of a character that is being moulded by the Lord evident to others?

We are always being watched and read by those around us, even when it is not apparent. Let us remember that to some we may be the only pages they read that will speak of Christ the Saviour.

May the book of my life that is being written day by day be a consistent reflection of Christ, a story of God's working in a life that is consecrated to Him. May the message written in those pages be clear and easily understood by others, that through me God may reach out and save those that are reading.

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Because)

The pages of our lives can be full of many questions. Circumstances that we pass through may raise many "why's?". Yet we should not be living our lives in the shadows of these questions, legitimate as they may be, but turn our focus to the many 'because's' that we find in Scripture. Living in the 'because' will raise faith and hope, whereas living in the 'why?' can just result in doubt and unbelief.

In the words of the old song, 'because He lives I can face tomorrow'. As we search the treasure of the Scriptures we will find many a 'because' that can be the bedrock of our daily living and give us a persistence to move forward positively.

Because God will never leave us nor forsake us, we can have assurance; because He is for us, we can have confidence; because He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world, we can overcome; because all His promises are 'Yes' and 'Amen' in Christ, we can have expectation.
[Heb13.5, Rom8.31, 1John4.4, 2Cor1.20]

Because He that leads us is Faithful and True, let us follow faithfully and closely; because the days are evil, let us be redeeming the time; because we want to see the Lord, let us be pursuing holiness; because we are looking forward to new heavens and a new earth, may we have a diligence in being at peace, without spot and blameless before God.
[Rev19.11, Eph5.16, Heb12.14, 2Pet3.13-14]

May I always be mindful of all that I have because of Christ Jesus, and live each day from that perspective.

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Desire)

Amidst the clamour of the world and activities of living, what is my true heart's desire in life?

The psalmist declares, 'whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.' Can I in truth make that same statement? Is God totally the focus of the desire of my life? Are all my ways filtered by my love for Him? Am I consumed with a desire to know God?
[Ps73.25, Phil3.7-11]

A singleness of desire toward God will be seen in my seeking to bring Him glory and honour in all I do. It will be seen in the shunning of all sin and evil, that in all my ways I may bring pleasure to the Lord. It will be known by the purity and nature of my speech, conscious of the ever abiding presence of God and out of a desire to not grieve the Spirit of God.
[1Cor10.31, 1Thess5.22, Eph4.29-32]

The Psalmist again says, 'One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord . . .'
[Ps27.4]

Such a desire will find it's root in a revelation of who God is and all that He has done for us. None can compare to our God, to His awesomeness, His majesty, power, wisdom and love. The essence of eternal life is knowing God. What we will spend eternity discovering of the wonders of God should start now and should be the magnet that guides the compass of our life.
[Is40.18,25-26, 1Tim1.17, John17.3]

Though my desire today may fall short of where it could be, may my heart cry be that my desire for Him may burn stronger. May I make that decision to turn the focus of my life away from the temporal things of this world that are all passing away. Instead to steer the rudder of the vessel of my life in the direction of deeper devotion and loyalty to the Living God, the only One Who deserves nothing less than my all.

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Follow)

How closely am I following the Lord? How much of my life conforms to the pattern that the Lord provided in His earthly life? Or how much of my life is still following the pattern of the world and it's ways?

As the Lord walked upon this earth, the call He made to His disciples was a simple 'follow Me'. The calling of the believer today remains the same, we are to be followers of Christ.
[Matt4.19, Matt16.24, Mark10.21, Luke9.59, John1.43, John12.26, John21.22, 1Cor11.1, 1John2.6]

Am I blazing my own trail through life and the circumstances and trials that confront me? Am I tackling life in my own way and wisdom? Do people see in me traits that are earthly in their origin, or do they see in me those qualities that can only be seen from a life that is closely abiding with the Lord and heavenly in nature?

The Lord Jesus lived a life in close communion with God the Father. He lived out the purpose He came for and fulfilled all of God's will. In the process He trod a road that included temptation, suffering and rejection. In all these situations He provided us an example to follow.
[John4.34, John8.28-29, John15.10, John17.4, Heb4.15, John1.10-11, Is53.3-8, 1Peter2.21-23]

Am I taking my example from Him? Is the Lord the Plumbline against which I measure my life? Do I study the Scriptures from the perspective of what I see in the Lord's ways is how God has empowered me to live by providing me the gift of the Holy Spirit?
[Acts1.8, Rom8.1-11]

May I always keep the Lord in front of me, fixing my eyes on Him. May I not be pulling in my own direction but submit to His yoke that is easy and lead a life that is lead.
[Ps16.8, Heb12.2, Matt11.28-30]

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Diet and Exercise - Part 2)

Just as the correct 'diet' is needed for us to remain spiritually healthy, so is there a need for exercise and training that we may be equipped and prepared for all that we pass through in our lives in our walk with God.

Exercise spiritually speaking can be seen as putting to use that which we receive from God; living out in obedience what we feed on in God's Word; practically applying the truths of Scripture into every avenue of life.

The apostle Paul speaks of exercising himself to always have a conscience void of offence toward God and man, of exercising unto godliness, and the writer of the book of Hebrews speaks of those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern between good and evil. All these statements imply proactivity on the part of the believer, action rather than passivity, a progression rather than stagnation.
[KJV: Acts24.16, 1Tim4.7, Heb5.14]

Am I applying God's Word in my daily living? Is the daily bread I receive having a transforming effect in my being the person God has called me to be, and also in my doing of His will in my life? Is my faith being exercised, showing that it is alive and well?
[Jam2.14-26]

We should see our lives as a training ground and the experiences we face as opportunities for God's Word to be active in us and for us to know God in an ever greater way in all we do.

May I not become lethargic as a follower of Christ, but may my life be energised by the working of the Holy Spirit in me: that my life may not be in words only but in the practical living out of the truth through the power of God..

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Diet and Exercise Part 1)

What am I feeding on?

Just as our natural diet affects our physical frame and strength, so spiritually the diet I feed my life on with what I see, hear and do, will directly impact the health and strength of my spirit and soul before God.

God's Word is spoken of in terms of milk and food, and consequently our nourishment and health spiritually necessitates the appropriate use and application of God's Word in our lives.
[Matt4.4, Heb5.12-13, 1Pet2.2, 1Cor3.2, 1John2.14]]

But the presence of God's Word in my life alone does not guarantee a healthy spiritual condition. The world and age within which we live furnishes a table before us which we can easily become partakers of, but which is laced with deadly poison. To be healthy requires taking sufficient quantities of good food but also excluding and avoiding that which would poison and damage our health.

Am I aware of the world's contaminants that may be part of my daily life? Those things which I listen to or watch which promote the ways and thinking of the world as opposed to God's ways. Those things which will deaden my senses and conscience to sin and weaken my pursuit of holiness. Those activities which will blunt the edge of my spiritual alertness and usefulness to God. That which would draw my affection toward this world instead of the devotion and affection that God alone deserves.
[1John2.15-16]

May I be alert to the impact of the world's menu on my spiritual life and determine to feed only on that which will quicken me in my walk with God, provide strength to accomplish all He has prepared for me to do by His grace and ready me for the Lord's return.

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Serving)

Through faith in Christ Jesus we are adopted into God's family and become His children. As well as being God's children we must be ever mindful that we are also His servants; servants of the Lord Jesus. Our lives should be lived to see His will and purposes accomplished in this world from that perspective. We are no longer our own, we were purchased with an extremely great cost and owe all to the One who redeemed us.
[Rom1.1, Phil1.1, Titus1.1, Luke12.35-37, Luke17.10, 1Pet1.18-19, 1Cor6.19-20]

How we serve God is of utmost importance. We can be living in obedience to God, yet have an attitude of reluctance as we travel the pathway of following the Lord. We can be walking on the road to the promised land but have our hearts looking back with desire to the lifestyle of Egypt.

In Deut28.47-48 God warns the Israelites that if they do not serve the Lord God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things, they will serve their enemies. This gives us a perspective of how God looks upon the heart attitude when we are serving Him.

In Christ we have such abundance of blessings. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. All the promises of God are 'yes' and 'Amen' in Christ. We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
[Eph1.3, 2Cor1.20, Rom8.17]

We have such reason to serve God in a joyful way and with great thanksgiving and gladness in our hearts. What it requires is for us to have a full 'heart understanding' of all that God has done for us. A deficiency in our understanding and lack of the reality of the truths of Scripture will leave us vulnerable to serving the Lord with the wrong motivation and attitude.

May I set my focus on the abundant goodness of God and the greatness of His mercy daily to me, that my serving Him in holiness and godliness all the days of my life will be a pleasure and out of deep love for Him.

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Sight - Part2)

One of the keys to walking in all that God promises to us and all His will for us is to see ourselves as God sees us.

Not only can this physical world dominate our time and energies, but it can also limit how we see ourselves after we are born again and enter into relationship with the living God.

This new relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ changes our position, our condition and who we are before Him. We must see ourselves in that new light. The Bible says the old has gone. We must look through the eyes of faith and align our thinking to the Scriptures.
[2Cor5.17, Heb11.1, Rom6.11]

When feeling weak, we must see ourselves strong in Him. When faced with insurmountable obstacles we must see ourselves as more than conquerors through Christ. When confronted with our own inadequacies with must see ourselves complete in Him. When condemnation may cast it's shadow over us, we can come in repentance knowing we are cleansed and accepted through the blood of Christ, adopted children, made sons of our heavenly Father.
[Phil4.13, 2Cor12.9-10, Rom8.35-37, Col2.10, 1John1.9, Eph1.4-6, Rom8.1, 14-16]

We are seated together in Christ in heavenly places. A place of security, peace and authority over all the works of darkness. We no longer need to be subject to this world's passions and lusts. Seeing ourselves as set free from these things will enable us to walk in that freedom that God has provided.
[Eph2.6, Rom6.11-14, 1John2.15-17]

May our eyes be opened to what God has already made us in Christ. May we believe it, and choose to walk in the experience of those truths through the grace that God supplies.

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Sight - Part1)

How is my 'eyesight' as I look at myself and the circumstances around me? How do I see myself and the time I am living in?

Looking at things only from a natural viewpoint will severely limit the effectiveness of our walk with the Lord. We are to view things the way that God does. The Scripture says, 'While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.'
[2Cor4.18]

All that we do and the manner in which we spend our time and energies should be from an eternal perspective. The time that remains is short. The Lord Jesus is coming back.
[Rom13.11-14, 1Cor7.29-31,1Pet4.7, 2Pet3.10-15]

Am I using my time wisely? Do I attach the same values to activities that God has. Am I maximising my time to see God's kingdom come in my life? All that we achieve in this life will be tested by fire. Will what I have done be burnt up or endure such testing?
[1Cor3.10-15]

Living in a physical world, we can be dominated by our five senses and the activities of our physical life, yet a spiritual world exists that is equally real. A world that we will become fully aware of once this life is over. We need to be living in a state of awareness of God's presence and of His purposes for our lives and allow that reality to impact every relationship, every activity and every word.

May we so seek God that His reality becomes our greater reality. That His truth becomes our primary influence, and we live our lives with maximum effectiveness for our Lord and Saviour.

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Forgive)

The condition of our relationship with those around us is of vital importance in keeping our lives free from oppression and in continual peace.

As we travel along the pathway of life there are many situations we will encounter with people that will create a potential for offense and hurt: events that would cry out for us to seek retribution, vindication or rectification.
[Matt18.7, Luke17.1]

We need to recognise that hidden in the shadows behind those circumstances is one of the most dangerous enemies of our souls, namely unforgiveness. Unforgiveness has many masks, many polite exteriors, yet the deadly poison it is remains the same whatever title is written on the bottle.

The Lord Jesus when teaching on forgiveness, after telling of the lord that delivered the unforgiving servant to the tormentors says, 'So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.'
[Matt18.32-35]

Having received such undeserved forgiveness from our heavenly Father there is an obligation for us to live in a perpetual state of forgiving others the wrongs done against us. Where we live a life refusing to judge others or allow negative feelings to rise against those that enter our lives.

By holding to grudges, resentment, feelings of hurt and offense, reactions to unfair or unequal treatment and refusing to forgive, we open our lives to 'tormentors' and all manner of trouble: physical, emotional and spiritual.

In his second letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul when talking about forgiving a brother says, 'Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.'
[2Cor2.10-11]

Taking in the dark guest of unforgiveness into our hearts will open wide the door of vulnerability to the enemy's attacks both physically and spiritually. The writer of the Hebrews speaks of the root of bitterness that springs up and brings trouble, defiling many.
[Heb12.15]

Unforgiveness will even hinder our receiving forgiveness from God Himself. Jesus says, 'But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.'
[Matt6.15]

It is very serious. May I have a revelation of the huge debt I have been forgiven. And in all my relationships be on guard for those situations where unforgiveness is prowling, and so walk with such a heart of humility and love, that the arrows of the enemy's offenses cannot find any part of my life to attach themselves.

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Stability)

Faith in Christ Jesus is grounds for great stability in our lives as believers. When all around us is in a state of flux and in constant turmoil, our hearts can be in a condition of tranquility and peace because of God and His promises toward us.
[Matt7.24-25, Ps91.1-2,7, Ps119.165]

As the Psalmist says of God, 'He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defense I shall not be moved.' God is awesome in His power. He has no equal. There is no limit to His understanding, wisdom and might. He arrayed the heavens with the galaxies, names all the stars, upholds and sustains all things. That same God is in the midst of His children whom He redeemed through the shed blood of our Saviour and Lord. He is not far removed from us but very near. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us.
[Ps62.6, Is40.25-26,28, Ps147.4-5, Is48.13, Jer32.17-19, Col1.16-17, Heb13.5-6]

Knowing in the core of our being the nearness and involvement of God in our lives brings a calm that none other can bring. 'Knowing' is not just an acknowledgement of a truth but a living experience of the reality of that truth.
[Ps46.10, Ps9.10, Is32.17, John14.27]

The key to remaining unmoved in times of shaking is therefore to plant the anchor of our souls deep into the Rock that cannot be moved. That anchor will be so fixed through a revelation of who God is and applying simple child-like faith and trust in Him in every circumstance.
[Heb6.19, Ps125.1, Jer17.7-8]

This being so, we need to have that same yearning to know the Lord God as the apostle Paul declares in Phil 3.8-11.

May the foundation upon which I build be Christ alone and may my life's pursuit be that I may know Him.
[1Cor3.11]

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Ready?)

Is my life in an ever increasing state of readiness for the Lord's second coming? Do I believe in His imminent return? Or do I push the event into the undefined future and remain unaffected by it's impact?

Jesus' words to His disciples in reference to His return was, 'be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.' and 'take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.'
[Matt24.44, Mark13.33]

Nearly two thousand years later those same words equally apply to us and can be considered with even greater urgency as we near the conclusion of the age.

The level of my expectation of the Lord's return will have a direct influence on the focus of my preparation and my life now. The final verses of Scripture have the Lord declaring, 'surely I come quickly', and our heart cry in return should be as in those verses, 'Even so, come Lord Jesus.'
[Rev22.20]

But am I ready if He should come now? Is there a diligence about my life that refects such a cry of desire to see the Lord? 'Holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord', says the Psalmist. Is my life separated and unspotted from this world? Will the Lord find me about His business as a faithful servant when He comes? Is there an urgency in my heart to share the words of life to those around me, knowing that the time is short and I may be the only voice for God that they may hear?
[Ps93.5, Matt24.44-46, 2Tim4.2, Acts20.26-27]

The prophet Malachi declared, 'who may abide the day of His coming?' His appearing will be glorious and a rejoicing to His children, yet the Scripture says the righteous will scarcely be saved and Jesus said, 'when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?
[Mal3.2, Titus2.13, 1Pet4.18, Luke18.8]

The condition of readiness in my life will be known by a daily closer abiding in the Lord, a progressive level of holiness in all my ways, and my loins being girded about and my light burning.
[1John3.3, 1John2.28, 2Pet3.14, Heb12.14, Luke12.35]

May my spiritual senses not be dulled and numbed by the world around me, but may I be awake, alert and getting my house in order, that when He appears there may be no regret.

- sent from Palm T|T3

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Trials)

What is my reaction to trials and difficulties in my life? How do I handle them? Do I submit passively to those times and find myself crushed beneath their weight? Do I rise up in complaint, or self pity? Do doubts and questions arise in my heart?

The Scripture declares in a number of places that entering the kingdom of heaven will be through much tribulation, that in this world we will have tribulation and all that desire to live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. The life of a believer is not one of guaranteed ease in this world.
[Acts14.22, John16.33, 2Tim3.12]

Yet in the midst of trials and difficulties, God has furnished us with many promises that enable us to not be overcome in those times of hardness. All around may be darkness but Light is available to us.
[Rom8.35-39, John12.46, Ps18.28, 97.11]

Jesus said that 'he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness but will have the Light of life'. We therefore need to be following Jesus and His example in the midst of the darkness of trial and suffering we may be encountering.
[John8.12, 1Pet2.21]

In all of the Lord's sufferings and rejection by man He never complained, never shrunk back, but moved forward through those times with resolve and purpose. He had the absolute assurance of the presence of God the Father with Him. He knew He was never alone, and saw ahead to the final outcome.
[1Pet2.21-23, John8.29, 16.32, Heb12.2-3, John12.32]

When times are hard our focus and perspective will determine how we are affected by those circumstances. Our eyes must be on Jesus, our strength must be drawn from Him. Our hope must be in His Word and His faithfulness.
[Heb12.2, Ps18.1-2, 27.1, Hab3.17-19, Phil4.11-13 Ps119.81,114, Ps89.8, Deut7.9, 1Cor10.13]

God knows our frame, He remembers we are but dust. He does not expect us to just endure, survive and exist in our own strength but calls us to find Him our all in all, and by Him overcome. He is the source of endless strength, the well that never runs dry, the Hope that never disappoints.
[Ps103.14-16, Is26.4, Ps9.10, Rom5.3-5]

May I continually turn my eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. Then the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

- sent from Palm T|T3

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Fear God)

How much of the fear of God is present in my life?

The Scriptures describe the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. True wisdom in the heart of man finds it's origins in the fear of the Lord. The presence or absence, and the degree of the fear of the Lord in my life will be revealed by how I live. Do I highly esteem God, greatly revere Him and honour Him, walking humbly before Him? Do I tremble at His Word, esteeming that same Word more than my necessary food?
[Ps111.10, Prov1.7, 9.10, Prov8.13, Mic6.8, Is66.2, Job23.12]

The Proverbs declare that by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil, and the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. What is my attitude to the evil around me that can be found in the media, entertainment world and society in which I live? Do I tolerate it? or shun it and exclude it from my life?
[Prov8.13, 16.6]

The working out of the Christian's life, a life lived out of love for God, must be in the context of fearing God: We are to be perfecting holiness in the fear of God, submitting ourselves one to another in the fear of God, and through grace serving God acceptably in reverance and godly fear.
[Phil2.12, 2Cor7.1, Eph5.21, Heb12.28]

The fear of the Lord is a serious matter. For those who walk in this fear, it is a fountain of life and there are abundant promises.
[Prov14.27]

As I walk in the fear of God:
- the Lord's secret is with me
- great goodness is laid up for me
- the Lord's eye is upon me
- the angel of the Lord camps around me
- I will have no want/need
- God will be a banner to me
- His salvation is near to me
- His mercy is toward me, as high as the heavens above the earth
- the Lord pities (has compassion on) me
- the Lord will bless me, fulfil my desire and takes pleasure in me.
- my days will be prolonged
- I will have strong confidence and assurance
[Ps25.14, Ps31.19, Ps33.18, Ps34.7, Ps34.9, Ps60.4
Ps85.9, Ps103.11, Ps103.13
Ps115.13, Ps145.19, Ps147.11, Prov10.27, 14.26]

May my heart be united to fear the name of the Lord, and be ever learning what it means to fear Him
[Ps86.11, Ps34.11-14]

- sent from Palm T|T3

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Satisfied)

How satisfied am I with where I am in my walk with the Lord, and how does that reflect in what I am doing with my life each day?

Do I get disillusioned with my own shortcomings, weaknesses and failures and thus stop where I am, or have I become tired of the journey and content to settle with where I find myself?

The Psalmist declared in Ps17.15, 'I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.'

How important is it to me to be Christlike in all my ways? Christlikeness is not just words and deeds conforming to a pattern that we see in Scripture, it is a life yielded to God that results in His divine life flowing through us, bearing fruit that shapes our whole being.
[Gal5.22-25]

Our life in Christ is a journey with a destination of a promised land. A 'land' where Christ will present us to Himself holy and without blemish. Where we are to be found in peace, without spot and blameless, clothed in a righteousness that is not our own but from Himself.
[Eph5.25-27, 2Pet3.13-15, Phil3.8-10]

Such a promised land awaits, but we can become satisfied with life in the wilderness, staying with the familiar but far short of where we are called to be. Until the day when we see the Lord, we should be careful not to settle where we are, but be seeking God with great diligence, to run the spiritual race with focus, and never stop at where we have thus attained but press forward to what is ahead.
[2Pet1.5-12, 1Cor9.24-27, Phil3.13-14]

2Pet1.4 indicates that the provision of the exceeding great and precious promises God has given us, is so that we might be partakers of the divine nature.

May I make full use of the promises that God has given me to see His life transform me, changing me day by day, so that I can echo the Psalmist: that I will be satisfied when I awake with likeness of Christ my Saviour.

- sent from Palm T|T3

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Walk, Stand, Sit)

As followers of Christ our relationship to the world (it's values, opinions and ways) and whether we allow it to be part of our life and influence us, will determine our progress and health spiritually and our effectiveness in the Kingdom of God.
[Luke9.62, 16.13, Rom12.2, 2John2.15-17]

The Scriptures declare in Psalm1.1, 'Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.'

The blessings of God come as we step off the path of conformity to the world's ways and expectations and stand in that place of separation unto God and obedience to Him. We are to live by the principles of another kingdom as revealed in the Scriptures. A kingdom that is not of this world.
[Ps128.1, Matt5.8, Luke11.28, 1John3.22, Rev22.14, John18.36]

We need to guard ourselves daily from adopting the traits of this age. The world's counsel will appear to us like signposts on our pathway which if followed will lead us off the narrow way that leads to life and take us down the same path of darkness as the world is walking. Instead we must allow the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to light our path, to be our Guide and be the source of our counsel and instruction.
[Ps119.105, 130, Ps32.8-9, John16.13, 1John2.20,27]

The way of the wicked and transgressor the Bible says is hard, is darkness, and will be turned upside down - but we can find ourselves standing in that same way if we adopt the pattern of the world in our lifestyle and our thoughts. Our lives reap what we sow.
[Prov13.15,20, Prov 4.19, Ps146.9, Eph5.5-8, Rev18.4, Gal6.7-8, Rom8.13-14]

We must walk through this world even as Jesus walked, keeping ourselves unspotted from it. We must stand in this evil day clothed in the armour that God has provided, with Him as our defense, keeping on the way of holiness. From that place of set apartness we must not look with a heart that judges those around us, but in humility recognise our position as recipients of grace, seated in Christ in heavenly places, and allow His influence to dominate our lives.
[1John2.6, Jam1.27, Is35.8, Eph2.6]

- sent from Palm T|T3

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Pursue]

Our lives can be characterised by passivity in spiritual matters or a passion that causes us to press forward into knowing God and all He has for us.

The Lord when speaking to the Church of Laodicea said He would spue them out of His mouth because of their lukewarmness. We must not allow our love for God to be cooled by deception or by the winds of the world's indifference, nor lose the recognition of our true condition before Him.
[Rev3.15-19]

In 2Tim2.22 the Apostle Paul says to 'flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, love, peace . . '. The Greek word translated here 'follow' is elsewhere translated in a different context as 'persecute'. The implication of this word therefore implies intensity and focus in going after the subject at hand.
[Matt5.10-12, John5.16, Acts9.4, 22.4]

My life as a believer should be one of zeal and passion in following Christ, a life with a single undistracted focus and devotion. My heart should be strongly pursuing righteousness: the godly, holy lifestyle that is the outworking of the righteousness I have in Christ Jesus. Pursuing faith: that simple believing and trusting in God in all areas of my life. Pursuing love: the root from which every part of my life in word and deed should grow and pursuing peace: that inner calm and stillness that is independent of external circumstances and only found in Christ.
[1John3.7, Heb12.14, Gal5.6, Eph2.14, 3.17, 5.2, Col3.15]

May my eyes be anointed to see clearly the true condition of my heart. May I fan the flames of devotion to the Lord through repentance where necessary, and by realigning the activities of my life provide fuel to that fire of love for Him.

- sent from Palm T|T3

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Stayed)

One of the secrets of our walking in peace amidst every circumstance will be the governing of the direction and content of the thoughts of our minds.

The promise in Scripture is that 'He will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in Thee.'
[Is26.3-4]

The field of our mind is the scene of many a battle, the outcome of which will influence whether I live in faith or doubt, trust or worry and fear, humility or pride, in purity or lust. Uncontrolled, our mind can lead to us to a place of weakness, vulnerability and ultimate failure, yet a mind fenced in by the protection of the instruction of Scripture and whose thoughts are governed by the Holy Spirit will be as a city protected by defensive walls.
[2Cor10.3-5]

My mind must be stayed upon God, trusting in Him. In all times and seasons my thoughts should lean upon Him that has redeemed me. Thoughts of His greatness, faithfulness and mercy. Thoughts of His everlasting, ever abiding presence with me. Thoughts of the supreme King and Ruler over all, Who holds me in His hand.

Dwelling on the greatness of my God and King will shrink the size of the giants I face. Envisioning the bountifulness of the 'Lord who provides' will bring faith when in time of need. Thinking upon the One Who is mighty to save and deliver will endue me with courage to face that which would seek to bring fear into my life.
[Ps77.13, 86.10, 95.3, Gen22.14, Zeph3.17, Ps56.13]

May I renew my mind through God's Word, choosing to think on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy, shutting my life and heart to those activities which would pollute and compromise my life in Christ, leaving me in a place of trust in God that results in ultimate peace.
[Phil4.8]

- sent from Palm T|T3

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Wind and Clouds)

Our lives as followers of Christ should be lives of fruitfulness. As a farmer would never expect a harvest without the planting of seed, so we also cannot expect to look for fruit and a harvest where the necessary labour has not been undertaken to see the desired results.
[John15.16, 1Cor3.8-9, 1Cor15.58, Col1.28-29, 1Thess3.5]

Fruitfulness requires action and obedience on our part. The Scripture declares that 'He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.'
[Eccl11.4]

The spreading of the Gospel and extension of God's kingdom is one of the primary areas we should be looking for fruitfulness in our lives. However, it can be too easy for us to be observing the winds of change and storms around us and be waiting for circumstances to become more compliant before fulfilling our call as ambassadors for Christ. We need to be taking every opportunity to communicate the truths of the Gospel and sowing seeds of God's Word in the lives of those with whom we meet in this world.
[2Cor5.20]

Man's countenance can also be an obstacle to us going out to reap in the harvest that Jesus spoke of. The Lord said to Jeremiah, 'Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee.' We need to be set free from the fear of man so that we are not hindered in moving forward to see the advance of the kingdom of God. Not fearing people's reactions, nor trying to predict their responses, but reaching out with faith and expectation, remembering God's promise that He is with us and will never leave us.
[John4.35-38, Jer1.8, Ps118.6, Prov29.25, Heb13.5-6, Is41.10, Ps56.4]

Clouds of the storms of persecution and rejection may build. Clouds of difficulties and trials may cast their shadow over our lives, yet in the midst of such times God still has a harvest field for us to work in.

What other winds and clouds am I observing that are holding me back? May my focus not be on the atmosphere around me or the threatening skies that would try and bring fear and hesitation, but on the Lord of the harvest: the One to Whom the winds and storms must obey. With such focus may I then be a faithful witness and not shy away from declaring the truths that can set people free.
[Matt9.38, Mark4.41, John8.31-32,36]

- sent from Palm T|T3

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Dependence)

In the varied terrain of the circumstances of life that I pass through, am I walking with dependency upon God in all things, or is there independence in my life? Do I rely upon my own experience, wisdom, strength and determination to get me through the valleys, or to scale the mountain slopes of difficulties I face, or do I recognise and acknowledge my own limitations and therefore seek God for all I need?

The Scriptures show that a believer's position of strength, and the overcoming of what we face, comes through Christ and a total dependence upon God.
[2Cor4.7, Phil4.11-13, 1John4.4, Ps18.1-3, Prov3.5, Ps44.5-8, Ps55.22]

The Apostle Paul says, 'Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;'
[2Cor3.5]

Genuine trust in the Lord will be reflected by a total reliance upon Him. The purpose of our lives is to bring glory to God. God receives glory when I can look back on my life and point to Him being the source and foundation of all that was accomplished.
[1Cor10.31, 2Cor1.20, 2Cor4.15, Phil1.9-11, 1Cor4.11-15, Rom11.36]

Walking in independence places trust in my own abilities and finds it's roots in pride. Jesus said, 'for without Me ye can do nothing.' If we believe what Jesus said to be true, it will cause us to depend totally on Him, to abide closely to Him, to not seek to achieve anything through our own resources, but instead drawing on the treasures of provision that God has given us in Christ.
[John15.5]

May the testimony of my life be as stated by John the Baptist, 'He must increase, but I must decrease.' May all I do be in His strength and for His glory.
[John3.30, Col3.17, 1Cor10.31]

- sent from Palm T|T3

Thoughts for reflection . . . (Home)

There's a familiar expression that says, 'Home is where the heart is'. Jesus declared, 'Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.'
[Matt6.21,Luke12.34]

As I travel through this world, encountering the varied circumstances that make up the tapestry of my life, what do I consider home?

Is home to me limited only to the place I live, or maybe being in the presence of loved ones, such as family or friends? Or do I have a greater vision, one of an eternal home, in the presence of my Saviour for time without end? Where does my heart naturally incline to? What perspective influences me the most?

How I spend my time and energy, together with the way I think will either tie me to this world and shackle me to a worldly perspective, or it will bring focus on the unseen and free me into a life of preparation for the tomorrow that is coming, and the eternal home prepared for me.

The Lord's return or my going to meet Him may be many years hence, yet I need to be living as if it were tomorrow. Jesus said, 'Surely I come quickly', 'be ye also ready', 'watch therefore for ye know neither the day nor the hour', 'Watch therefore and pray always.'
[Rev21.20, Matt24.44, 25.13, Luke 21.36]

Jesus said that His return would be as in the days of Noah: eating, drinking, marrying, the normal activities of life taking place with people totally unawares of the pending 'end of things as they know it'. For the believer it should be different than for those of the world. With a pilgrim mentality and a heart focussed on preparation we should be in a continual state of readiness for the Lord's return, being about our Master's business.
[Matt24.38,1Pet2.11, Heb11.13, Luke12.35-38]

May my heart be drawn to the eternal, that I may be effective in the temporal. May my focus be on where I'm going and not from where I come. May I be sowing my life into those God directed activities which reap eternal reward.

- sent from Palm T|T3