If the world knocks you down seven times, get up eight,

We have to remember that God knows when we have tried our hardest, and not beat ourselves up about it.  See, God doesn’t hold grudges, or think, she should have done better in that situation.  God doesn’t keep count of our mistakes.  It’s important to confess, move forwards and trust that God has forgiven us.

Proverbs 24:16 – Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up

Psalm 37:24 – though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand

STUMBLE

For those who love God there is no permanent stumbling block, if the world knocks you down seven times, get up eight, I fall, I rise, sure I make mistakes, I’ve been hurt but I learn, I’m not perfect cos I’m human but I never forget that Jesus sees the person I strive to be, he values me, even when I make mistakes, he still loves me, he sees what others fail to see, he looks into my heart, he understands my motives, he notices me, surrounded by a thousand friends he knows that I’m lonely, he hears my call for help even when I am silent, he never leaves me or forsakes me, though I may stumble I hear the words spoken, act justly, love mercy, walk humbly, that’s all he asks of me, so yes I may stumble and falter, but God never alters, he upholds me with his hand and keeps me safe on solid ground.

Talk about amazing grace

I was introduced to a new song yesterday “Mercy Saw Me”.  What an amazing song it really moved me to tears the first time I listened, some of the lyrics spoke so closely to my heart.

In particular this lyric:

“Mercy saw me through the storm, not what I was but what I could be, that’s how mercy saw me”.

When God chose us he saw what we could be and not what we were, he looked through the sin and saw what he had created, and he loved us. Talk about “amazing grace”.

• Psalm 51:1-2 – Have mercy on me, O God according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
• Psalm 103:8 – The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love
• Micah 7:18 – Who is a God like you who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
  of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
• Romans 12:1 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

TALK ABOUT

Talk about amazing grace cos when you looked at my battle scarred face you didn’t see the cause of the scars, you didn’t care, you saw the future, you saw all that I could be and by grace you saved me, full of sin, full of shame yet you still called my name, you saw past the broken vessel, yeah sure you knew that I was flawed but you adored me none the less, OK so I was a mess but you saw beauty from that brokenness, your sacrifice for the ashes of my life, you took this messed up body and set it free and God I cannot see a way to thank you enough for the love, for the forgiveness, for giving me a chance when I had screwed up so many times, for giving me time to come to see that all I needed was faith and I would be free of the past, free of the hold that Satan had over me, I rejoice that you helped me see a new way, by grace I am claimed, through your mercy I am saved, because of your unfailing love I am redeemed, it seems that through the storm you were watching me waiting for me to see that you offered a better life and God I offer my body as a living sacrifice, I dance, I sing, I worship my God who pardons sins so easily, who delights to show mercy, who is compassionate, slow to anger, unfailing in love, thank you for seeing the potential in me, not who I was but what I could be, not what I did but what I will do, not loving myself but now loving you.

Transition, it’s hard, keep your eyes on God

Read a quote this morning:

She understood that the hardest times in life to go through were when you were transitioning from one version of yourself to another.

OK so that had quite an impact on me, maybe I hadn’t realised that this “transitioning” would be quite as hard as it is, I still feel I have one foot reluctantly dragging in my old camp whilst my whole head and body are screaming at me to move fully into the new camp.  But what does that look like and how do I achieve that?  On reflection I suppose a lot of it is about obedience to God, asking him what I need to do and following his will.  But being partly in the old camp, does that give me opportunities to witness that cutting all ties would prevent?  Is it part of God’s plan for me that I am able to witness of his grace and mercy to people who knew the old me through them now seeing the new me?  I know that my words will fall on rocky ground when I witness to gay friends but last week was interesting that two of them noticed and commented that I wasn’t drinking as much anymore and both of them have seen me at my worst through drink.  Our actions can also be a witness.  So I suppose what I’m really saying here is I need to find peace in my mind where I can accept that by mixing with non-Christians and remaining friends does not mean I am jumping ship from my faith, (it doesn’t actually mean I am not fully in God’s camp) I just have to remain firm in my faith and witness through my actions as well as words.

• 2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we live by faith, not by sight.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
• Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

TRANSITION

Transition, OK like turning from sin, that’s kind of like a massive transformation, changing from one state to another, changing habits and behaviours because of believing in a Saviour who died on a cross to prevent your loss, to offer you a lifetime of freedom, to save you from an eternity of condemnation and not everyone has the same revelation and may seek to cause you aggravation because of your new found adoration for God.  Transition, it’s hard, keep your eyes on God and not on your problems, ask for his wisdom in all your decisions, strength for the battle, not to get rattled when others struggle to support you as you unravel the thoughts going through your head, striving to fit in but having no place to call home, you are never alone, trust the Lord with all your heart, you don’t need to rely on your own understanding, with God there’s no need for compromising, he is realising your plans for the future, you are a new creation and God is your haven of comfort and peace, he has released you from you fears, released you from your sin, he knows where you’ve been and that doesn’t freak him out, he knows where you’re going and that’s more to the point, God has a plan and a purpose for your life, sacrifice it all to him, transition made easier when you let Jesus in, talk to him, tell it to him, Jesus the champion of your transition, what more do you need, his grace is sufficient.

One voice singing God you are worthy

Romans 15: 5-7 may the God who gives you endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Jesus Christ had so with one voice and one mind you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another then just as Christ accepted you in order to bring praise to God

We had over 19 churches represented at our conference yesterday from all different denominations and it was great to worship God together with no differences..we all serve the most wonderful and amazing God. It’s important I think even within our own churches as well as externally to stand in unity in order to bring total praise to God.

GOD YOU ARE WORTHY

Give me a Godly attitude Lord, may I think like you, see as you do, hear what you hear and feel what you feel, make it real to me Lord, the realisation of your forgiveness, your unreserved acceptance of me into eternity, never let me be judgemental, let me be all encompasssing welcoming everyone into my life, let no bad words come from my mouth, guard my tongue, reserve it for praise alone, a praise no one has ever known, praising you God with abundant love, praising with the angels above, one voice on earth, one voice of hope and of love, one voice teaching others of God and your amazing grace and mercy, one voice singing God you are worthy.

Have you seen my crown of beauty?

How amazing to think that God has anointed us but also a great responsibility.  We have a message for the world and we should not shy from delivering the message at every possible opportunity, that’s what I aim to do every day yet sometimes it is hard to seize the opportunities and I resolve to try harder to seek out opportunities to witness for God.

Isaiah 61 – the year of the Lord’s Favour

BLESSED

I am anointed for God’s favour cos I have a message the world needs to hear, a message that speaks to all, that drives out fear, hearts may ache but God brings joy, good news for the poor, freedom from earthly anxieties and needs, comfort for the bereaved, a release from darkness into light, God fights for us, we just need to be still and allow his will to be done, God turns the bitter into sweet, only my God can bring beauty from ashes, have you seen my crown of beauty?  Have you heard what he did for me? Jesus set me free from so much trash, he took the ashes of my life, shone his light into all the dark places, his grace is enough, enough to wipe your slate clean, I mean the whole thing, delivering me from what I’ve done and what others have done to me, he will restore, rebuild and renew every part of me, I will be as a mighty oak tree displaying his splendour, praise replacing sadness, gladness overflowing from every part of my being, I own nothing yet I have everything, instead of my shame I proclaim God’s mercy and love, receive double the blessings and eternal joy, all who see me will know that I have grown, I am a new creation and the elation I feel in my heart cannot be held down, I are blessed, clothed with salvation, dressed to impress with robes of righteousness, I have been planted for God’s glory and God will use my story to illustrate his healing power, his mercy and grace, his favour is on me and I am blessed.

I have seen a glimpse of what permanent residence in heaven will be like

Exodus 33:8-11 –  And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshipped, each at the entrance to their tent.  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 assistant Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

What an awesome image this conjures up, as Moses approaches God and speaks with him “face to face” to have an intimate time of conversation with God, all the people standing in praise and worship, one nation united.  It got me to thinking about two things really.

1. How awesome to have an intimate relationship with God and that’s really what Jesus bought for us through his death on the Cross, curtain torn in two, we can now approach our God with boldness and confidence
2. How important solidarity is in prayer, how we can and should support each other in prayer, how we can pray for each other’s prayer lives, worshipping God, thanking God for each other, interceding for each other and generally rejoicing in prayer and praise together not always on our own.

WORSHIP AND PRAISE

Worship and praise, I want to be closer to you, declare your name, to love what you love, to hate what you hate, I want to come before you with songs of adoration, speak words of devotion and exaltation, to have a conversation face to face, speaking intimately with my Saviour, become familiar as with a friend, to gain a deep revelation of the meaning of your words, to converse and if I only see a limited reflection of your glory, your majesty and splendour through spending time in your presence, I will have seen a glimpse of what permanent residence in heaven will be like, the treasures of our Holy God, the promises of your word fulfilled, our burdens lifted, hearts healed, I lift up my voice singing Hallelujah, Lion of Judah, glorious Lord, wonderful Saviour, praise surrounds us as we approach the throne in boldness and confidence, all glory to our God bringing heaven and earth together, on earth as it is in heaven oh God may I spend time in your presence grasping the essence of your glory, may I be worthy to bless your name, I thank you for the grace that allows me to stand before you, to claim your free gift of mercy and grace, to meet you in heaven and know your embrace.

Unchanging, everlasting light, Messiah, God of all that is right

Did a prayer walk around our town last night, so interesting how all of a sudden you see things you had never noticed, you see the brokenness and the opportunities that are there right in front of your eyes, yet through familiarity you walk past daily and do not notice.

I felt drawn to write this prayer/poem just praising God who can bring light and beauty to our towns, who wants us to intercede for the weak, the poor, the oppressed and praise him in the confidence that we can boldly come to his throne and ask for him to pour out his love on our communities.

Isaiah 6:3 – And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.

ALL SEEING, ALL MERCIFUL GOD

You are God, your throne lasts for ever and ever, enthroned on high, beginning and end, unchanging, everlasting light, Messiah, God of all that is right bringing light to darkness, God of justice, bringing fellowship, giving life, my companion, foundation of life, protector of the weak, wickedness defeated, righteousness completed through your unfailing love, Holy Spirit you are welcome, heavens open let flames of life and love rain down on me, set me free, anoint and bless me, open hands, open heart, ready to witness your work on earth as it is in heaven, ready to inherit the Holy Kingdom, you are God, you are almighty, I your servant am not worthy yet through your blood you have redeemed me, I lay my life at your feet, I know that I am weak yet you are strong, mighty to save, you are good, your love endures unto death, death on a cross, death exchanged for life, your sacrifice, you offered up your life for mine, praise God I am alive because you died and I will live forever, holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, absolute power, invincible, formidable, all-knowing, all-seeing, merciful and mighty God, thank you for your mercy so freely given, thank you for our glimpse of heaven, the sure and certain knowledge of our redemption, praise you Lord for your perfection.