Blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

Imagine the maker of the heavens and earth shining His face on you. His warm love melts away our fears and He gives us His peace. Thank God for His grace and lovingkindness. I have a sitting room and when the sun streams in the window, what a blessing. That reminds me of the Lord shining over lives. As we lift up loved ones in prayer, we are able to believe for the Lord’s face to shine upon them, for His grace to overwhelm them and His peace on their lives. We are blessed to have the presence of God with us wherever we go.

How have you experienced the Lord’s face shining upon you?

Who could you believe for today for the Lord to move in their lives?

Lord Jesus,

Thanks for your wonderful presence. I bless you Lord. Thanks for being mindful of my loved ones and shining on them with your face Lord and blessing them with peace.

Perfect peace

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

Praise and worship is something that fills our hearts with who God is and helps our focus. Jesus does a sanctifying work in our lives as we dwell in His presence. It’s the goodness of God that leads us to turn our lives around for Him. Praise the Lord for His abiding presence. He’s always working in our lives, refining and helping us be a light for Jesus. Keeping your mind on the Lord is something spending time with Him helps. You are God’s beloved and He wants to dwell with you.

How are you being reminded of God’s presence with you?

What is something about Jesus that has impacted you today?

Lord Jesus, thanks for your abiding presence and faithfulness. Help me guard my heart and fix my soul on praising and worshiping you Lord.

Zealous for Jesus

not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; Romans 12:11

Being zealous for the Lord means we are passionately committed to God’s kingdom and Jesus is number one in our lives. Before the world began, God had you in mind. Jesus has purposed you for life to the full in Him. Today is the day of God’s salvation. Is the day to live for Jesus. Being in the Lord is not a heavy burden. His burden is light. As you follow the road map God has set for you from His Word, you are going to find encouragement, guidance and help from the Holy Spirit. More than will power alone, the Holy Spirit empowers us in our walking with Jesus. If you try in your own strength, that’s tiring, when you are being filled by the Holy Spirit, He leads us and helps us and lightens the load.

How could you wait on the Holy Spirit today?

What could you train in diligence for, in serving the Lord?

Lord Jesus,

Renew my passion for you Jesus. I want to be on fire for you Holy Spirit.

Life building

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”  2 Corinthians 9:15

When we are grateful, we have more happiness. There is something so life building about counting our blessings. Really helps to have our focus on the positive. Always, there will be other things we may find ourselves dwelling on, except as we intentionally remember the Lord and all the good things He has done in any given day, what a blessing. Being grateful isn’t just an automatic happening. Is something we can stoke up in our lives, gratefulness. Really is a key to our wellbeing. We will always be blessed, if we are aware of the goodness of God. I love that song Jenn Johnson wrote about the goodness of God. The song says what we all want to articulate of God. All our lives the Lord has been faithful and so good. Such an incredible God that we serve.

What are some good happenings you could give thanks to Jesus for today?

How could be intentional about gratitude in your daily life?

Lord Jesus, you are so good to me. Thanks for every new day and every blessing. Help me remember all your works and just being thankful that you are there.

Step forward

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Has been so fun attending my daughter’s netball games this season. All us parents are there, cheering on the team. Whenever I cheer on Shelley I feel like she may lift her head that much more and play her game confidently. I know other parents are believing the same for their children on the team. Reminds me of how our Father God is championing us in our every step. God is on your side! He is there cheering you on in life. Be encouraged, the Lord has you in His hand and nothing can take you out of His hand. “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-30

The love of God is so great for us all. Jesus wants each one of us to have the peace that He gives that is not from this earth, is from the Lord himself.

How have you known God cheering you on?

What is an area you would love the peace of God for?

Heavenly Father, thanks for your great love and faithfulness. Fill me with your peace and give me fortitude to live victorious in you Jesus.

Shine for Jesus

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Matthew 5:16

There’s nothing more that the enemy wants to do than water down our Christianity, in our nation. On the census form this year they had a choice of religion for Muslims and Buddhist people, yet for Christians, they have divided us into denominations. This is divisive because the general population can connect with being a Christian yet they may not have a clue about denominations. Why this push to water down our faith and ultimately our beliefs and values. Then there was questions you had to answer, prior to the religion question, about your sexual orientation? Is that not a private matter? Why does the government need to know that information? They have also put controversial sexuality above religion, therefore promoting that, by order of placement on the census. As believers, we need to keep shining for Jesus. The Bible tells us not to hide our light. Even unbelievers have shared with me that they don’t think was right that they have divided Christians into denominations on the census. May we continue to pray for our nation and our nation’s leaders and decision makers, for God’s blessing and wisdom to be upon them.

Heavenly Father, help us to be united as Christians for your cause Lord Jesus. Bless the people who run our nation and may we be free to believe and have peaceful lives living for the Lord. Thanks for moving across Australia Holy Spirit.

Next generations

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Thank God we have been brought up learning beliefs and morals from our parents, grandparents and family. What a remarkable responsibility we have to pass on what we believe to our children and grandchildren and our nieces and nephews. If you could impart any wisdom or knowledge to the next generations, what would that be? The passing on of what we believe is so critically needed. Today, as I am going to see my daughter in a relay race, I am reminded of how wonderful to help others understand what’s important in life. Like a relay race, our team of our families and indeed society, can’t win unless we pass those golden gems on.

How has your life been blessed by loved ones living for Jesus?

What could you do to help the next generations know the Lord and His ways?

Heavenly Father, thanks for all that has been imparted by my loved ones in my future. Help me remember to pass on knowledge of who you are Lord, your Word and ways.

Testing and approval

Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10

Having beliefs and values that line up with our daily lives is important. Sometimes as we are tested, we find areas that could improve and areas that we need God’s help and grace. The Lord purifies us in our testing times. Job went through what he never expected and yet he kept his reverence for God. I was telling my daughter yesterday that often when I say something that’s what I get tested on by the Lord and that’s what happened yesterday. Keeps us humble knowing we are ordinary people who serve an extraordinary God. Job didn’t do anything wrong that made him have circumstances go so wrong. It was his perspective he was responsible for and he kept confidence in God.

What areas have you felt tested in?

How can you show your reverence for God in your life?

Heavenly Father,

Praise you for knowing everything and that in your testing of me, you refine me. I trust in you Lord Jesus.

Love in everything

"Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14

Having loved ones in our lives is so precious. Our interactions need always to be in love, that’s the measure of goodness we need. Every time you do something with thoughtfulness for someone, you are blessing the Lord. Is good to keep in mind that in our everyday the love we bring is the excellent way of living. Jesus explains about the greatest love. “Greater love has no one than this, that one should lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 Sacrificial love is what Jesus showed us and the Holy Spirit helps us in giving and blessing and sometimes sacrificially helping those around us. Even in our communities we are sometimes surprised by blessings. The other day, my neighbour mowed my verge lawn, without being asked, such a blessing. Everyday, we have opportunities to be mindful of people and how we may bless them.

What’s a small gesture you could do for someone today ?

How have you been by the lovingkindness of Jesus and people in your life?

Lord Jesus, thanks for your ultimate love. Thanks for laying down your life for us all. Help me have the same love you have for people Father God.

Good overcomes

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

There is so much we read in the news which could weigh us down. Except, we have this belief in the Lord that He brings His light and love into the world by the power of the Holy Spirit. God is always working in the unseen, overcoming evil with good. The Lord wants us to be different from the world around us. Knowing Jesus affects our speech, our attitudes and our actions. Going that extra mile for someone, being a listening ear, contributing to the good on the earth. The cross is a universal symbol of Jesus being the Saviour of the world. Being in Jesus means bearing a cross each day. As disciples of Jesus, we bring the Lord’s presence and light.

Lord Jesus,

Praying for your good to overcome evil, and for your light would shine brighter and brighter.

Blessed in our souls

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

Jesus is someone to be so excited about! The reality that we will be in heaven one day with God is something to rejoice in. You have all sufficiency in Jesus our Lord. That means you have all needed to complete the calling the Lord has on your life. You are able to see past barriers that have held you back previously. You are stepping into new realms of closeness in God. The Lord has you kept by angelic protection as He promises in His Word. As we keep praying continually with Jesus in mind, and living well, even in rough times having patience, we are going to be so blessed in our souls.

How have you known the angelic protection of the Lord?

How does the reality of heaven with Jesus encourage you in your daily life?

Heavenly Father, thanks for your uplifting Spirit. I can’t wait to be with you in heaven. Help me to have a great attitude and patience in everything.

Jesus’ covenant with us

"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-39

People who are passionate about Jesus and those around them are sure to shine for the Lord. God wants us to live on fire for God, because we are set apart for Him. He is a jealous God. The Lord wants all of our heart’s attention and devotion. Being in covenant with Jesus is the greatest decision you will ever make, changing your today’s, your future and knowing you have eternal peace in God. Loving the Lord is holistic, impacting every aspect of our lives. We love Him with all of our hearts, soul and mind. The more you draw from the Holy Spirit and live passionately for Him, the more moved you will be to make a real difference in community life and loving people becomes easier because you know you are loved in Jesus and is natural as you’re walking with the Lord.

How can you love the Lord extraordinarily today?

Is there something you could do to love your neighbour as yourself today?

Lord Jesus,

I love you so much and I want to love you more and more. Give me such a love for people, that I can shine your light on the earth Lord, amen.

Haven of peace

"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

In a healthy family, you are able to drop your bags and feel at home. Home is somewhere you feel at ease and comfortable with sharing how your feeling, your highlights and low lights. Pastor Kety Samways at Hills Conference said her and Pastor Sam, ‘Sanga’, have a tradition that while having a meal, their family share their highlights and lowlights of the day. Our heavenly Father is the ultimate listener and actually loves when we share whatever is on our hearts. What a blessing the Lord is. God delights in us and wants to help. The house of God is a haven of peace and safety where we are able to pour out our hearts to God individually and collectively. How have you been encouraged and ministered to by the Spirit of God at church or in your daily life? What could you bring to the Lord at the moment?

Heavenly Father, thanks for being my keeper, my hiding place. Today I want to share with you all my concerns, knowing you love me Jesus.

Living for Jesus

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

God always provides for us. We are always afloat because Jesus gives us the strength for every season. How genuinely blessed we are in Christ. Everything we go to do, is not on our own, we have the Lord continually with us. “Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never[under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake orlet you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”Hebrews 13:5 There is something so healthy about living for Jesus. God gives us such balance in every aspect of our lives.

Heavenly Father, thanks for your grace and goodness. So grateful for who you are and that in you we have all we need.

Jesus saves

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Have you ever asked someone what they believe in life and they say they think one day they will go to heaven because they believe they are a good person. Being a good person is awesome and yet is not the key ingredient to getting into heaven. Salvation is a free gift from God, as a result of belief in Jesus. With all the good you can do, that’s simply not enough. All we need to do is admit you need Jesus as Lord and Saviour. As believers, good works spring from the belief we have in Jesus. That’s a natural byproduct of following the Lord. Praise God for His saving grace and mercy that is available to every one of us.

Lord Jesus, thanks so, so much for saving me by your grace. I admit all I can do is not enough, I need you to save me Lord.

Unless you bless me

And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” Genesis 32:26

Jacob had a tenacity to hold onto God until the Lord gave him a bless. What would you say to God is He said let me go because the day breaks? I suppose I may be passive and be polite, letting go. Yet God blesses Jacob’s perseverance in believing and not letting go. The Lord says His name will now be Israel, meaning a person, family, turned nation and geographical place. As you believe for what God has for you and don’t let Him go, how He is able to change your life forever. What are you holding onto God for today? The Lord expanded Jacob as a person as He became Israel. God increased His capacity. What has God called you? Has He given you a new name? Praise the Lord!

Heavenly Father, thanks for your blessing on our lives, because of Jesus. Help me hold onto you until you change my name and bless me and people I’m believing for in prayer.

Adds to your day

"Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3

The best direction is with committing all you work at to the Lord. As you begin your day committing what you are going about to do to the Lord, what blessing God adds to your day. What creativity, humour, ideas and wisdom you will discover in the Holy Spirit. Every time you bring the Lord into your day, your entire day is made better. Our relationship with Jesus isn’t just a Sunday event, that’s so important, as is having a lifestyle of partnership with God. Today the quote in the Glorify devotional app was so uplifting. “10 minutes spent in the presence of Christ every day, aye, 2 minutes, will make the whole day different.” Henry Drummond

Lord Jesus, I want to commit all I do to you and invite the Holy Spirit into every conversation, every idea and everything I do. One moment in your presence is life changing. Thanks Lord, amen.

From the Lord’s heart

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:14

You have been made with purpose, from the Lord’s heart. How very loved you are. Reason to praise Jesus, is the way every one of us has been created by God. Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” How creatively made and unique is every person. You were created in God’s image. Realising how amazing we are, causes us to delight in the Lord. Recently I had a sore back and I realised how grateful I was to have a back! Wasn’t until my attention was on my back that I realised my need for healing from God and also how wonderfully I have been made. I was thanking the Lord. There are people who are disabled and yet they can be some of the most grateful and loving people. Some are a tune to how blessed they are and how unique, despite the deficits they may have to face in life.

Heavenly Father,

Thanks for the way you have made every one of us so wonderfully and uniquely. Help me to always be grateful for the way you have created me and place value on every living person, from conception to old age, all are created by you so beautifully Lord.

Living hope

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Peter 1:3

As believers, we have living hope. We are risen in Jesus. The life we now live is brand new in Him. Living for Jesus is effortless, because Christ has done everything for us. He died and rose again and now we live in His life. How life changing is that! Praise the Lord! You just want to dance, when you think of what God has done. You just want to celebrate and praise Jesus. “Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious.” Psalm 66:2. God has taken all the striving because we rely on Him not our own strength. We can say, “Jesus, because of you I rejoice, because of you I exclaim how great the Lord’s name is!” How would you like to celebrate Jesus today?

Heavenly Father, I bring you all the praise. You are my light and salvation. In you, I am really free! Thank you Jesus!

More of the Spirit

Therefore let us come with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

There is no reason not to run into the presence of God. Jesus has made a way for us to be bold and go to His throne of grace, for the mercy and grace for help in our time of need. Reaching for Jesus today and saying how much you need Him is a good place to be. Can’t do life on your own? We have the Holy Spirit, the most wonderful companion and help one could ever have. “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!” Isaiah 55:1 There is more of the Spirit for you. More of His love, more of His presence. Jesus has all you need. When you open your hands to the Lord, you are able to receive from the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Be filled with the Spirit, He meets us as we draw near to Him.

Heavenly Father, in you is all I need. Today Lord, I come to you, bringing my need before you and receiving your grace, mercy and help. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, that I may be empowered to live for you.