For We Will All Blossom

For we will all blossom, under the shelter of the Lord, just as a flower blossoms in springtime.

I thought I’d mention my diary entry for today, even though it is personal, it’s quite important for those who follow The Lord.

20/06/2022

Last week at church, the Pastor Tim spoke of the seeds of bitterness. This week Angela spoke of the seeds of unforgiveness. This morning I opened the Word for Today and it was on the seed of God’s word (21st June). Each of those seeds will take root and grow, but only one of them will bless you (do you any good). 

The seed of God’s word grows in time and if you act on those words (do as they say), you’ll be able to walk on water, move mountains, have the desires of your heart. And I’m seeing that now. I’m seeing more and more as I step out boldly and inform others: I am the solution to your problem, through Christ, in prayer. 

God won’t give, until the need arises. You won’t get the money, until you set out, you won’t get the healing, until you offer the prayer, you won’t get the breakthrough until you declare it as being done. But somehow, it’s more than that. 

We’re told to have a relationship with God. How do you have a relationship with a being you can neither see nor feel? That’s the point at which many of us start. Many of us compare The Father, to our own father. Our father may have fallen so very short, we can’t view The Father in love.  

The truth is, you do need to have a relationship and that’s what I’ve found out. When you search for Him with your whole heart, He will reveal Himself as a great and mighty God, and also as a loving and caring daddy. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you; that’s what the word tells us to do and it tells us to search until you find. 

At this point in my life I do have that relationship. At times, I just sit with Jesus, asking nothing of Him, but sitting in quiet adoration. I spend time with Him. I thank Him for what He’s done in my life. I cry, at times, when I see Him (and I do see Him), because I have so much love for Him. I do feel His presence. And that, I believe, is why I’m now having so much success in my prayer life. I’ve taken action on the word of God, not just gone to church on Sunday and left Him there, as I walk out of the building. 

It helps too, that I’ve come to believe I am worthy. I used to think I wasn’t worthy (which actually undermines the word of God), that I wasn’t good enough. I’ve come to believe I am a ‘son’ of God, a pillar in the temple of the Lord. I am a righteous child of the Most-High God. And because I believe it, because I act as if it’s true, because I believe and act on what God’s word tells me, God is moving mountains on my behalf. 

I never saw myself as a self-funded retiree, in early retirement. Deep down, it was a dream of mine, but I didn’t think it would happen to me and yet here I am. I have enough money to pay cash for my next house (since I’ve sold my last one and haven’t yet purchased my next one) and enough money to use as investment income, until I get my superannuation and possibly a part pension in 8 or so years. I got such a late start in it all, I didn’t expect to be here, but God has blessed my efforts at tithing, saving, paying the mortgage off before it’s time and learning about investing. And I feel, from where I’ve come and how hard it’s been, now very blessed indeed. 

If you want to reach this place, I’d suggest you let everything go and just work on that relationship. Concentrate your efforts on drawing close to God, on forming a loving and caring relationship with Him. If I had my time over, this is where I’d start. I’d get that relationship happening straight up and then work on the rest. 

After all, the bible does say: But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 NKJV)

Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 NKJV)

As a flower unfolds and blossoms in springtime, so too do we, under the shelter of wings of the Lord and in His timing. 

 

 

 

Divine Intervention

Divine Intervention

Psalm 91: also known as the deliverance prayer, the protection prayer, the believer’s prayer and the soldier’s prayer (as many soldiers recited it in battle). There are times in our life when we face a battle with an enemy, either seen, or unseen and sometimes it’s both. This is the time to stand on God’s Psalm, on His promise of deliverance and protection. This is where Psalm 91 comes into its own.

There are some things God only gives to the spiritual. And this is one of those things. It’s a prayer for believer’s, something a believer can hold on to, during a particularly difficult time. I urge you to read Psalm 91 for yourself and put it in context with the following words.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most-High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most-High, is he who lives under God’s shelter, His protection.

Will rest in the shadow, meaning those close to God. For if you’re in someone’s shadow, you’re close to them.

One bible verse puts it; He that dwells in the secret place of the Most-High, so it’s not a place available to everyone. It’s a secret place, kept only for those who are close to God.

We are to be an overcomer: “We” that is “God’s church, His people.” However, to overcome, we must to remain close to God. The spiritual person is protected by divine grace, from Satan’s attacks and God brings divine intervention to His believers.

I will say of the Lord; “He is my refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” He is my safety, my stronghold, my security, my protector. He who chooses God, shall find in Him, all he needs. He is a refuge, in times of trouble. He is to be trusted in both the temporal and spiritual.

Surely, He will save you from the fowler’s snare (traps, lies and deception) and from the deadly pestilence. He will rescue you from every trap (physical, mental, spiritual) and protect you from deadly disease (dis-ease), rescue you from the destructive plague and a calamitous pestilence.

He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings (pinions) you will find refuge: His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart (buckler, defence, safeguard).

His faithful promises are your armour and protection, as He overshadows you with those promises. You are in His bosom, where His wings cover you, protect you, hide you. He is your shield, and protective wall. His Truth shall surround you, that of great security which is promised in the midst of danger. The fowler’s lies cannot penetrate the security of God’s truth.

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow which flies by day. Don’t lay awake at night, when the terror of the situation seems to be at its worst. If you can’t sleep, you can recite Psalm 91 and it will bring comfort. 

Nor will you fear the arrows (fearful panic) Satan tries you with, through the day. Remain calm in God’s Truth and in His promises. His Truth shall encompass thee with a shield. The man who trusts in God, with be especially protected in the peril of battle.

Nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, or the plague that destroys at midday. The devil invades in the light and in the dark, but you are to remain calm in God’s presence. Satan is the beast of the field through the day and the beast of the shadows at night. Do not dread the disease, epidemic, illness, plague (fear nothing; temporal or spiritual).

Although a thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, it will not come near to you. Evils will not touch you, no matter how many are falling around you. You have chosen God as your protector. Trust Him now.

You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment (or the reward) of the wicked. The wicked have nowhere to turn. God doesn’t know them. He doesn’t honour them and He hasn’t given them His word. He hasn’t given them His promise of protection. This promise is only for those close to Him. The wicked are the one’s falling around you. (They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright. Psalm 20:8)

Because you have made the Lord who is my refuge, even the Most-High your dwelling place: no harm shall befall you, no disaster come near your tent. Your tent covers all those who live under it. Your tent extends to your family. God will honour you and your family, for He honours the children and the children’s children, for a thousand generation – but only if He is Lord in your life.

No harm, disease (dis-ease), plague, or illness will come near to your home. The Aramaic Bible says: Evil shall not come near to you and disease shall not come near your dwellings. That’s dwellings – with an s – more than just your house, but the houses of those you love. It means the place of your parents, as well as your children.

For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, so you will not strike your foot against a stone.

The angels will protect you, wherever you go and guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up and carry you if needs be. You can pray to your angels for help any time you want. There are legions of them, waiting for people to put them to work.

Though trouble and affliction shall befall the believer, it shall come not for his hurt, but for good. God’s promise is, He will, in due time, deliver the believer out of trouble. While waiting for that due time, God will be with him during his troubles.

Satan tried to craftily make use of the promise of the angel’s protection, by tempting Jesus (Matt 4:6 If you are the son of God, throw yourself down…) Satan lost that battle. God will command His angels concerning you too.  Satan lost the battle of tempting Jesus, as Jesus stood on God’s word and as we stand on God’s word saying “It is written…” we too shall win the battle.

Satan’s using the same tactics today, as he did then: lies and deceit. Telling people “Surely God won’t…” (kill you, as in the garden of Eden, with Adam and Eve). Trust God’s promises in your darkest moments, not Satan’s lies. Remember Jesus used God’s written word and know there are many more promises, written in God’s book of life. Lean on them now, during your time of distress.

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra, you will trample (subdue) the young lion and serpent underfoot. A lion has a duel meaning, in the bible. It can represent life, or death (a king, as in the Lion of Judah, or a beast of the field). In this instant, it’s a young lion. A lion in his prime. A beast. A fierce and ferocious hunter.

Beast is another name for Satan. A cobra, or a serpent, is a beast which scurries around in darkness, lurking in the shadows, hiding down dark holes, waiting to strike the unwary. But you, as a believer of God, shall trample the beasts of this world, underfoot. Just as David killed the lion and the bear, so you too, shall kill the beasts of the field.

Because he loves Me, says the Lord, I will rescue him. I will set him securely on high, because he knows My name. I will protect him for he acknowledges Me. He will call upon Me and I will answer him.

There’s God’s promise, right there: I will protect him. (Because you love God and call upon Him.) It’s in His book. It’s His word, His promise. He’s just waiting for us to trust Him to deliver.

God will protect His people, answer their prayers, deliver them, rescue them, honour them and give them a long life. God will satisfy him and show him His salvation. A long and satisfying life, prayers answered, protection given and deliverence to all those who dwell secure under God’s protection.

There are times in a believer’s life, where we walk between wild animals and angels. Our quest at this point is, who are we going to pay attention? Where are we putting our trust? In God’s promises, or Satan’s lies? I know which direction I’m going to take.

At times, every one of us believer’s face a battle (…for in this world we will have trouble…  John 16:33) and you require a battle strategy to get through those times. I have confidence, Psalm 91 is the battle strategy we need.   

Answered Prayer

To receive the promises of God, you need to practice the principles of God. To achieve answered prayer, isn’t necessarily about doing works, but there’s an element which comes to the fore if you want to see positive results in your prayer life.

What if I told you, the fruit isn’t about dollars, or stuff, but about prayer? He who bears much fruit, usually has a fruitful prayer life. Yes, the dollars (stuff) will come in time, but let’s put that aside for the moment.

In order to have answered prayers, there are certain steps, which will help get you there faster. Now, having said that, God is not a magician who’ll wave His magic wand and everything falls into place. There are prayers which can’t be answered, for a variety of reasons, however, if you know the word of God, you will pray according to that word and are more likely to have success in this manner.

So, what are the principles you need to practice, to succeed in your prayer life? Read on my friend.

You must have faith, for a double minded person will not receive anything from God. The bible tells you in James 1:6-8. Let him ask in faith without doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Distraction and doubt are your enemy. Don’t allow them a foothold, not even an inch. If you’re distracted, refocus and get back on track, as soon as you notice it. If you at any time, have doubt, repent, ask forgiveness for your unbelief and pull your mind back to what you’re wanting to see happen in your life.

You must know God’s will and you’ll only know that, if you’re reading your bible. When you know what’s in your bible, then you can approach God with confidence. It’s only in knowing your bible, that you know, what you’re asking is in line with His will. You can then say: God, Your word says…

When you approach God with confidence, when you set to boldness, having the audacity to come to the throne and ask, then you’ll receive what you ask for. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Compassion. Jesus healed from compassion. He had compassion for the people and at times he wept. Our heart needs to be truly invested in what we're asking for. 

And you want a relationship with God. If you sincerely desire to have a relationship with God, He will be with you. James 4:8 says: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Yes, you can send a quick arrow prayer, but if you form a relationship with God, before you need Him, it’s more likely He will be there when you call on Him.

How do you form a relationship with God? Read His word! Read books, listen to you tube and podcasts that discuss God, who He is, what He does, how He works. Pray without ceasing. Talk to God, as if He is a friend, because that’s what He wants from you: Friendship! He wants you to spend time with Him. How long do you think your relationships would last, if you never spoke or visited your friends? God’s just like that. He wants you to sup (dine) with Him and call Him friend.

“If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7.

So, spend time with God and in His word. Talk to Him. Be His friend and then you may ask whatsoever you desire. Let Him be the light in your life and the calm in your place of troubled waters. He will be there. You will find Him when you search for Him with your whole heart.

Also, remember to give praise and thanks to the Lord, for that is the rocket fuel to success. Call those that be not, as if they were. Talk as if you have received what you've prayed for, as that shows a level of belief. That shows you believe God has acted on your behalf. 

It's not always easy, to walk in God’s ways, but it helps to know the keys to unlocking those ways. It's a battle strategy which helps get you where you want to go.

There's so much more I could write about on this topic, but I'll end here and hopefully this article will at least get you started. 

 

*Biblical quotes from NJKV 1994

 

Alexandra Grose - A photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.

 

 

#Integrity; truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.

I believe one should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it - do it.

If you want to soar like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.

 

alexandragrose@amazon.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faith and Self-esteem

 

I had a revelation this morning and what I felt was interesting. I hope you might also find it interesting: Many years ago, I had very low self-esteem. It hadn’t occurred to me at what point it changed, but change it did. I no longer feel I have low value. I thought you might like to hear a little snippet of my bible reading today…

Low self-esteem is faithlessness. This was the position from which I started my Christian walk, so if this is you, don’t despair, as in time we all grow in faith. Just as a flower grows from a bud, so too, we grow in Christ.

A Christian who does not live under self-judgement is at peace with themselves. A mature Christian does not self-condemn, as he/she knows Jesus bore all our frailties and faults, for in life, we will make wrong decisions and choices and God covers those decisions and choices, by His grace. That's what grace is for, what grace and mercy are all about. A grace-oriented person is free of guilt and condemnation.

I can make a mistake, do it wrong and feel no guilt, nor condemnation. As I step out of fear and try new things under faith, I know I’m not perfect. I know I might get it wrong, but it doesn’t bother me. I tried. I trusted in God and had a go and that’s the main thing. God applauds our efforts. God loves it when we place our trust in Him.

It’s been a process. It wasn’t like I flicked a switch and it all came together. At times, it was downright scary. At times I did it wrong – in other words: I failed. I did it again (and again and again, if I needed to) and I didn’t quit. And now, I’m comfortable in who I am, what I do and where I’m going.

Praise the Lord, for His mercies endure forever.