Practical Christianity

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:14

Jesus is the way to the Father. Being Jesus’ hands and feet is practical Christianity. Every time you care for someone, you are serving Christ. Compassion leads us in reaching people. We have the blessing of being able to pray for the down and out, the marginalised and the refugee. There is no prayer too big or small for God. Just by bringing a little faith and then thanking Jesus for answering our prayers, we are going to experience real life miracles that maybe we will never hear about. The Holy Spirit helps us as we pray and seek to see His kingdom come.

Heavenly Father, thanks for the work of the Holy Spirit, as we pray, in Jesus’ name. Help us reach people for you Jesus, amen.

Kingdom calling

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

God can give you the stamina to keep showing up and being there for your kingdom calling and community. That all comes from your precious relationship with Jesus. As you wait on the Lord, you will gain new energy. Like eagles that soar on the breeze, we shall feel as light as feathers. You will have the hardiness to get from where you are, to where you are going. When God called Abraham, he didn’t know where he was going. “Abraham had faith and obeyed God. He was told to go to the land that God had said would be his, and he left for a country he had never seen.” Hebrews 11:8 Because you are one who is waiting on the Lord, you will run and not run out of energy, you will be able to walk and not faint.

Heavenly Father, waiting on you as you are my source of courage and vitality. Thanks Jesus for every day life, new in you.

Living in preparation

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Marathon running requires preparation. You begin small and you build up your endurance. Your personal best times are in your future as you keep up your jog training. Like that, your best days are in front of you. We are always preparing for whatever God has for us and God has prepared good works for us in our everyday. Any time you’re wondering what your purpose is, lean in to Jesus and you will walk like Him, by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:3 You are empowered for the kingdom of God, even as you rest in Jesus.

Lord Jesus, thanks for your calling. Help me be prepared for what you have prepared for me in you Lord. Praises to you Lord.

Fellowship

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

There is a grace upon us as we gather in Jesus’ name. Jesus being among us is the most wonderful gift. Truly the Lord is so humble that He is with us. As we praise and worship, the Lord is there. When we agree together in prayer, we have the presence of the Almighty with us. “So I will live among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” Leviticus 26:12 We are His people. He dwells among us. Every time you say amen when someone prays, standing in agreement, what will happen only the heavens know. How has Jesus impacted your life as you are in fellowship with people?

Heavenly Father, thanks for dwelling in our community, gathering in your name Jesus. Help me live and lead in a spirit of healthy agreement, amen.

Hiding place

You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for your word. Psalm 119:114

God is our rock. When you know the Lord, you have security in Him. He is your personal Lord, your hiding place, and shield. I love the way the writer says that he waits for the Lord’s word. As we wait for the Lord’s words in our life, we are able to step forward in courage and grace, knowing the Lord goes before us. Where else would you go to find answers in every aspect of what you are going through? “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Psalm 23:1

Tender shepherd lead me, be my Lord, Jesus. Praise you for your wonderful love and place of safety in you.

Jesus has you covered

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace. Romans 6:14

Ever had a flat tyre and you have to drop whatever you have planned, until you have repaired your tyre and then you can keep going on your journey. When we are not realising the amazing grace that covers our lives, we can get stuck. Realise today, you are the beloved of the Lord’s. God sees us through the eyes of Jesus. We are holy, redeemed and living life to the full because of Jesus and His promises over our lives. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” John 10:10

Is there areas of your life that you need the abundant life of the Spirit?

Heavenly Father, thanks for your love and grace. Help me live a life after your Holy Spirit, whole and free, in Jesus’ name.

Place of miracles

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

We have the awesome privilege of worshiping the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! You can enter into the very glorious presence of God, as you give Him thanks and praise, in reverence. In that place, is miracles, breakthrough and happiness in Jesus. In heaven there are countless angels, around the throne of God worship Him. The four living creatures declare day and night, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.” Revelation 4:8 Every time we praise the Lord, we are joining heaven’s song.

Lord Jesus, how precious you are to me. Praise you God, you are holy, worthy and faithful.

Relationship with Jesus

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

In the Lord is such wisdom, mystery and wonder. There is so much revelation to be gained from your relationship with Jesus, in reading the Word and personal application of the scriptures. God has something relevant to you, enlightening your days with His truth and guidance, leading with gentleness. The Lord wants to answer you, He awaits your asking of Him. Moses was the most humble person on earth. “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.” Exodus 33:11

Lord Jesus, give me a hunger for your spoken Word. I need more of you every day Lord.

Hidden in Jesus

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Peace is like having tranquility even when you have a busy schedule. There is a peace Jesus has that is other worldly. We can live above worry and stress that could derail us. The Holy Spirit gives us the fruit of the Spirit, with peace being one of them. So much compassion and comfort is there in the Lord. We hide ourselves in Him. When you could get disheartened, encourage yourself in the Lord. Jesus is always there with you. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Lord Jesus, thanks for your peace that is all encompassing. Help me abide in you all day. Amen.

Ultimate prayer

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2

Have you favourites in the contacts of your phone that you just love to hear from them and talk back and forth. Conversing with the Lord is the ultimate! We have a direct line with Father God because of Jesus. We can be devoted to being with God in prayer. He is not only somewhere out there. “Even though the LORD is high above, he sees humble people [close up]” Psalm 138:6 As we come in humility to God, He is so close. How can you build prayer onto what you are already doing in your daily life? How can you make prayer a lifestyle?

Heavenly Father, thanks for your arms that are wide open. Help me remember you, celebrate you and talk with you consistently, in Jesus’ name, amen

Set free

As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one. Romans 3:10-12

Have you ever had a go at walking up an escalator when the escalator was going down. I’m sure I have at some point, lol. Is hard work getting up those escalators when they are going downwards. Or when you are swimming at the beach and get carried far from where you began. You need to literally swim against the current. Life can feel like that. We are just making progress and then struggle as we are working against the pull. Thank God for the work of the Holy Spirit. God takes the human effort out of our walk with Jesus. We are blessed to be able to rest in the finished work of the cross. Jesus’ death and resurrection means that we don’t fight in our own strength, we fight from a place of victory and overcoming in the Lord.

Thanks Lord Jesus, for your eternal grace and limitless help. Help me rest in the finished work of the cross.

Stay grateful

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

What a great way to begin each day, thanking the Lord for the day and committing everything to Him. As we stay grateful and aware of the goodness of God daily, grumbling will not happen and that is pleasing to God. “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blamelesss and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15 Sometimes you need to discover new motivations for living up to all that the Lord has for you to fulfill.

Lord Jesus, thanks for every new day. Help me keep you at the centre of everything I do.

Being in the Father’s 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

As people who are praying for our loved ones, we have the privilege of seeing the Father’s blessing upon their lives. In the Old Testament, we see time and again, how the blessing given by a father to his children impacted them. Now that we are believers, we are children of God and therefore have the blessing from Father God. The Lord has also given us authority, that as we pray a blessing on those who we care for, they will be blessed indeed, in Jesus’ name. Pastors also, have a mantel to bless their congregations. Just a prayer can move heaven that people are impacted by the presence of God.

Heavenly Father, I have so much thankfulness for your blessing and believing today for my loved ones, that you would bless and keep them and cause unmerited favor to be on their lives, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Seeking Jesus

He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30

If you plan to make a special item of clothing, what helps is having a pattern to help you to achieve the desired outcome. When we follow the pattern of seeking the Lord prior to whatever we do, we are opening a way for blessing of the Lord. The truth is, the further we go on the journey with Jesus, the less life becomes about us and the more life becomes about Jesus and the people we are reaching for Him. The more interdependent you are with the Lord, the more revelation you will find in Jesus and the more fruitfulness will result. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Lord Jesus, how much I need you. Help me to remember the importance of seeking you in everything.

More than imaginable

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phil 1:21

Like a newborn baby that looks lovingly at his or her parents, so is our relationship with God. We are loved more than imaginable. Living is purposed for Jesus, from the time we rise in the morning, to evening. Our ordinary lives are made supernatural because of the Holy Spirit. Every time you take up your cross and follow Jesus, you are being His disciple. Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”Matt 16:24 Our calling is following Jesus daily.

Thanks Lord Jesus, I am delighted to hear you and follow you. Help me be consistent in my daily walk with you Lord, amen.

Believes in you

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 33:18

God is love. When you spend time with Jesus, His love rubs off on you. We are changing because of our proximity to the Lord. God loves our respect of Him. His eye is on those who fear Him. In every step you take, God is there, watching over you and guiding you, prophesying over your life. The Lord believes in you so much, that’s the reason you can always hope in his faithful love. So whatever you’re going through, you don’t face life alone. God is your shepherd and friend, and His love will light the way forward. “Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk.” Psalm 119:105

Thankyou Lord Jesus for your unfailing love. Staying close to you is everything to me.

God hears us

Thousands and thousands are waiting in the valley of decision. There the day of the Lord will soon arrive. Joel 3:14

How many are needing salvation? Where there’s an expectation of Jesus coming soon, you are more motivated to prepare yourself for the day of the Lord. Every man, woman and child needs to know about the saving grace of Jesus. There is an urgency in getting our news to everyone. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” Romans 10:13 Your prayers reach heaven and influence multitudes for eternity. We can have confidence that God hears us as Jesus showed us. “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” John 11:41

Lord Jesus, help me be ready and help people to be ready for when you arrive.

Life to the maximum

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:58

The song line, “the cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back,” is the cry of our hearts. We have an upward calling in Christ. Every new day, there are so many reasons to rejoice in the Lord and be connected to the vine of Jesus our Lord. In every high and low, we praise God. Sometimes you feel like you’ve never been so close to your dreams, and you have to say, “praise the Lord for your faithfulness!” When you are following Jesus, you have such purpose, life to the maximum. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Heavenly Father, thanks for your presence. Help me keep you in mind, in the middle of the happenings of the day.

Staying motivated

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22,23

Sometimes day to day life overtakes our plans and goals. How do you keep being motivated year after year? The truth is the Holy Spirit gives us wind in our sails. Just as the results of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control; so the Lord can help us keep going forward with our surrendered to Jesus’ plans. “Commit your works to the Lord[submit and trust them to Him], And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].” Proverbs 16:3

Heavenly Father, I commit everything to you and believe to be filled with the Holy Spirit, who keeps me motivated, as I pray your will be done Lord.

Peer pressure

Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Daniel 1:8

What do you do when you feel pressured to be something your not. Sometimes the best change is no change at all. Keeping your convictions is central to being a follower of Jesus. Daniel made up his mind. When you make up your mind, you are able to stand up for what you believe in. “No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”1 Corinthians 10:13 You will overcome because you have the Spirit of God upon your life. Praise the Lord!

Lord Jesus, thanks for your help everyday living for you.