In Jesus' Hands Day 19

Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

Getting On With Life

It's Saturday, almost the end of an unusually busy week, not forgetting this 30 day project Jesus has me in. Every day I spend long quiet times with our Lord, firstly to see what He has to say today, secondly to see how I am in Him and thirdly to ask Him to give an outline and then guide me in writing this daily piece for PsalmsOfJohn.com. Also I attend Christian meetings where I am part of what Jesus is doing.

I am a house husband, Trish's husband, and father to our kids, our in-law daughters and our grandchildren. It is good to report that our van can be fixed in a few weeks when the parts come; it took a morning to set this up. Kate turned 25 during the week and we celebrated beautifully. She also has a throat infection so I took her to the doctor for antibiotics. She suggested that I stay in the car while she went in. This definitely seemed to be the right way to handle it for a guy who is avoiding medical people for 30 days. She is now recovering, praise Jesus.

So, this morning it was lovely to sit up in bed with Trish and catch up with one another. She is a teacher in a new school; they are all run off their feet because so much is being developed. Trish gets very tired. This is her mission field so it is a blessing that she's there. We also talked about me and what Jesus is doing in us, our whole family. It is clear that this project is affecting us all. Things are being broken open in the spiritual realm.

Walking It The Dust Of Our Rabbi?

In no way is there any glory for me in this. This is as it should be. Jesus never sought glory. My reading of the Bible shows that He, and His disciples, led very simple lives. In those days, disciples were said to walk in the dust of their rabbi. Jesus' team walked day after day, in the blazing sun, often to escape persecution, and always to do the Father's will, which ultimately led to the Cross:

(John 4:34) Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work".

In the years after Jesus was glorified, the disciples became apostles of Jesus' new Church. They continued to be ridiculed and persecuted:

(Acts 7:59) They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"

(2 Corinthians 11:23-27) [Paul wrote] "Are they servants of Christ? I am more so; in labours more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep. I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; in labour and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness".

Did Paul grumble? No, he showed the kind of life for a Christian to live. Did he work? Yes, very hard. Wherever he was he worked as an apostle for Jesus and earned his living as a tent-maker. After his spectacular conversion, Paul lived a "sold out" life for Jesus and Jesus' Church. Rather than whinge and complain, Paul was obedient to his Lord and his calling, he persevered:

(2 Corinthians 11:28) "Besides everything else, there is that which presses on me daily, concern for all the churches".

Can I, John, do this 30 days? Yes. Praise you Jesus. You have so amazingly brought me this far. And Trish too. Both of us shoulder to shoulder, mostly doing different things, not in lock-step but two individuals, in tandem, working and growing together. Loving and beloved of Jesus. Prospering in our family, in our relationships, in our work, in our Christian walk.

Favourite Scriptures:

(Psalm 36:7)
How precious O Lord is your unfailing love!
We find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
We feast on the abundance of your house;
and drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

Praise Jesus
Amen.

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Thank You Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 18

Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

Dreams

The last three mornings I was aware as I woke that I had just been dreaming. Dreams are good, they are part of the Lord's prophetic spiritual gifting; God uses dreams to show us things in the spiritual realm.

The dreams on each of the three mornings had some things in common:

a)  They all had something to do with healing people or freeing them from oppression, difficulty, or pain.

b)  They all had gold in their colour scheme. In one a person's face was a gold colour; it was covered with God's glory as the person was being healed. In another the whole area was lit with a golden glow.

c)  None of the dreams made sense in a "computer programmer" kind of way (I used to be a computer programmer and tend to be logical and cause-and-effect). Instead, there was a sense of awe as Jesus worked many wondrous healings, everyone in the dreams was healed.

d)  The bits of dreams I can remember were from the last of a set of similar dreams in the times before I awoke.

What Are You Saying Jesus?

I believe that our Lord is saying (if I might paraphrase from my impressions):

A)  "John, you have been saying that 'testimony is what I do!' Do you think that I will respond to this by giving you a stone or a snake (Matthew 7:9-10)? I love and value and honour testimony:

(Revelation 12:11)  They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. They did not love their life, even unto death".

B)  "You have asked for healings. Do you think I can love you as much as I do and not respond to your request?"

C)  "I heal. In Scripture I did not use one method to heal, rather I used a myriad of different ways. You cannot second guess my actions".

D)  "Recently I have had two trustworthy men of God give you prophetic words. They spoke my truth. You will soon see great change in your life, your work, and in your health".

I have been saying that it seems that nothing is happening on this 30-Days project, but I know that this is not really true; God never stops working. Some Jews were persecuting Jesus for working on the Sabbath, Jesus responded:

(John 5:17) My Father works even until now, and I work.

Every minute we breath it is because Jesus sustains our breathing (Colossians 1:17), every day babies are born, people pray, and emergency teams rescue. God works even now, this very minute.

Favourite Scriptures:

(Joel 2:28) "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions".

(1 Corinthians 14:1,3) "Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy . . he who prophesies speaks to people for their edification, exhortation, and consolation".

Some Good News About Dreams

If dreams are in colour and they lift up, encourage, or edify, they are from Jesus.

If, however, they are horror filled, scary, or in black and white, they are from Satan. He is trying to deceive, kill, destroy, fill with fear, or distract you (John 10:10); it seems that Satan is not too adept with colour so he's often easy to detect.

We know that:

(2 Timothy 1:7) "God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind".

Jesus is Head of His Church. With His blood He has bought each one of us. He is every part of our armour. He protects and shields us. In Ephesians 6:13-17, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the preparation of the Good News of peace (the Gospel), the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit are all the person Christ Jesus:

(Psalm 3:3-4) "But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. I cry to the Lord with my voice, and He answers me out of His holy hill. Selah (measure and reflect upon what has been said)".

Praise Jesus
Amen.

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Thank You Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 17

Testimony - Jesus Heals - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. Over the next 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, soul, mind and body.

Day 17 - How Is It Going?

It feels like nothing. Nothing seems to be going on. Nothing in my body or my health seems to be improved, or even different. Probably this is good; in no obvious way am I distressed or sick by not taking all my medications.

I feel very much on my own. I've never known anyone else who has felt called to come out from under all their medical care.

I have never felt to tell about this project to my friends or my Christian brothers and sisters. Only my family living here, and my pastors, know about it. And you also, dear reader. There are just a tiny few of you, in various parts of the world, who access this web-site. Thank you for your prayers.

So. Alone. Yet never without Jesus. Always in the embrace of my family.

Life Changing

At least once every day I think of Moses, probably because his prophetic act was seemingly so useless, he was to stretch out his hand over the sea. But this was what God wanted so that He would part the sea and progress His Exodus plan. God chose Moses and was with him. I am not generally a Moses person. Abraham is a great hero of mine. And David. And Paul in the New Testament, he obeyed and the Lord explosively changed his life. I really love John, "the disciple that Jesus loved". John was quiet and steady, he thought things through, he spent time with Jesus and Holy Spirit and got to the essence of "What are you saying lord? What are you doing?" But these days, Moses is right there. Here with me.

Jesus And Abba Daddy

After my third cancer operation, (a very serious affair), I was sitting on my hospital bed waiting to be picked up to come home, I knew that people would ask how it all went. I prayed and Jesus made it plain: "are you not aware how closely our Father is watching over you in all this?" I realised that I was aware. Thoroughly surrounded and embraced by God's love!

Looking back, I can see that that is about the time that I began to find real intimacy, first with Jesus, then some time later with Father God, Abba. I am His precious son.

I am now able to understand the glory of Song of Solomon. The Scriptures about Christians and the Church being Jesus' betrothed are a significant feature of the Bible. Song of Solomon is about Jesus marrying His beloved, the Church. That's me. Jesus really loves me, we are betrothed, and He is working towards our wedding day. Glory.

Truthfully, I don't care about the rapture and all the pre-millennial and post-millennial talk (which I am not sure I understand). My Father has a crown for me. I'm getting married. I will have Jesus' name written on my thigh: "The Lord's".

Favourite Scriptures:

(Ephesians 1:17-19) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of the strength of His might.

We Christians have such an awesome future. Our present is pregnant with life and meaning. This is because we are included. We are sons or daughters and are fully in God's inheritance:

(1 Peter 1:3-4) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our Father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn't fade away, reserved in Heaven for you.

Even in Heaven we can participate with Jesus in his work as evangelist:

(Revelation 22:17) The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" He who hears, let him say, "Come!" He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him freely take the water of life.

Praise Jesus
Amen.

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Thank You Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 16

30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. For 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, mind, soul and body.

Sin?

Am I sick because of sin? My sin? Another person's sin?

No.

For years I was plagued with doubts about my righteousness because I could not get past all my sin. Some sin I could get past. Not all. Whenever I thought I was making progress I would recognise another sin in my life; something which I had accepted as OK until just now. My burden just got heavier; my worthiness decreased.

No matter how hard I watched myself, how quick I was to seek forgiveness and repent for every wrongdoing, all day, every day, I still always saw myself as "clothed in filthy rags" (Zechariah 3:3-4). I wasn't even very good at watching myself and being "quick to repent". Every day it was clear that Jesus' kind of righteousness was beyond me. I know how Martin Luther felt.

Eventually I read "The Normal Christian Life" (a study of Romans) and saw, in a nutshell, what many lovely people had been trying to teach me for years.

I am fully righteous. All my righteousness is in Christ Jesus. It always was, is, and always will be. In Jesus alone. I am justified and I am righteous. None of my righteousness can ever be attributed to me.

None.

I'm With Jesus

We get accused of sin, constantly. There are plenty who will cast arrows at us all day every day. (Just try working in an office where they all know you are Christian, and you're the only one!)

Satan is the great accuser:

(Revelation 12:10) "the accuser of our brothers [and us too], he accuses them before our God day and night".

Satan is a thief, his great self-appointed work is to:

(John 10:10) "steal, kill, and destroy. I, [Jesus], came that you may have life, and have it to the full".

A Christian's Response To Accusations Of Sin

Your response can be: "I'm with Jesus, so back off. If you want to talk about my sin, you'll have to speak with Jesus. He took all my sin to the Cross (2 Corinthians 5:21) and there He paid for it, (1 Peter 2:24) .. Jesus defeated Satan, and He defeated death (2 Timothy 1:10). It is written, 'I am righteous in Christ alone' (Romans 3:21-26). I belong to Jesus".

Certainly, live clean. Seek forgiveness from sin. Repent. But do not be weighed down by it.

Favourite Scriptures:

(John 17:9-11) "I pray for them. I don't pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are".

(Matthew 28:20) "and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world".

A Christian's Response (Again: This Time With Scriptures In Full)

Your response can be: "I'm with Jesus, so back off Satan. If you want to talk about my sin, you'll have to speak with Jesus. He took all my sin to the Cross:

(2 Corinthians 5:21) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

There He paid for my sin:

(1 Peter 2:24) He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Jesus defeated Satan, and He defeated death:

(2 Timothy 1:10) it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has defeated death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

It is written that I am fully justified and am righteous in Christ alone:

(Romans 3:21-26) "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus".

I belong to Jesus.

More along these lines soon.

Praise Jesus.
Amen.

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Thank You Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 15

My Testimony - 30 Days In Jesus' Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. For 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, mind, soul and body.

Compelling Word

Tuesday healing meeting today. A simple yet profound worship time, just a keyboard and our voices joining with Jesus in offering praise and glory to our Father on high.

A pastor from Uganda spoke. The Ugandan people are clawing their way back from decades of looting, rape and carnage of the Idi Amin regime. Jesus is raising up Christians who have counted the cost and are prepared to put everything into ministry for Jesus so that millions can rise from devastation to know fullness of life in Him:

(John 10:10) "The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it to the full".

Just as Jesus was anointed by Father God for His life's work:

(Luke 4:18-19) "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord".

So we are anointed for the work our Lord has planned for us: this may not be work for which we seem fitted. Jesus is head of the church, He can fit any of us for any role He chooses. Life and ministry are often hard. Hard is good. These past days I have often pondered perseverance. Hard brings perseverance. Perseverance is good:

(Romans 5:3-4) Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering brings perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope.

Growing Me

Praise Jesus that He grows the fruit of the Spirit in me; I cannot live life for Him on my own.

So. Thank you Jesus that you have placed me into this 30 day project, this work, to grow me into what you want me to be for this time and place; into "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).

Favourite Scriptures:

(John 17:23-26) "I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world hasn't known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me. I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them".

2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue; by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.

Praise Jesus
Amen

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Blessings.

In Jesus' Hands Day 14

Testimony - Jesus Heals - 30 Days In His Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. For 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some long standing (1 Peter 2:24). I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, mind, soul and body.

The Lord made it clear that I was to post a daily diary-like comment to PsalmsOfJohn.com, this web-site, which He led me to establish on 17th June.

Two Weeks Along - Any Progress?

So, the fourteenth day, tomorrow we'll be half way through this project. I am totally amazed to be doing this. To conceive or plan anything so outrageous is so beyond me! But not for Jesus.

In today's church we are taught to ask "Lord, what are you saying? What are you doing?"

The ancient Israelites were entirely satisfied that it was God Himself who spoke and gave the Law to Moses:
(Deuteronomy 5:22) "These words [of the Law] Yahweh spoke to all your assembly on the mountain out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. He wrote them on two tables of stone, and gave them to me".

Through the centuries the Lord has spoken; He speaks today through His Word, the Bible, and also prophetically (1 Corinthians 14:1,3) to those with ears to hear (Mark 4:22-23). By His Spirit, Jesus speaks to every pastor and teacher who asks: "Lord, what shall I bring to my people this week in my sermon / my teaching?"

Daily I ask: "Lord, what are you saying? What are you doing?"

Jesus is saying that He loves me. There are occasions in life when you know that you are the centre of someone's love. Every day Jesus is telling me that He has extravagant love towards me, a rushing flow of love.

As for what He's doing; Jesus is leading me into times of ministry and prayer for others, something I often feel too shy or inadequate to do. Every day He is guiding me in the subject matter and even the content for that day's PsalmsOfJohn.com posting. This is very humbling. Also intimate and exciting. Encouraging too.

I look for signs of change in my body. Because I have had so much sickness for so long I am looking for dramatic signs. Over the years there have been many little signs ..

When Jesus did a preventative strike against lung cancer in me, and when He healed me from smoking and from strong drink, I knew something amazing had happened. I'm looking to give away my reading and distance glasses, that would be unusual in a person as old as me. But not impossible (Matthew 19:26). I am asking for significant healings in every area of my body and my person.

So far there's not much to see except the wonder of daily fellowship:

(2 Corinthians 13:14) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.

The Future?

What is to come? Only God knows. Jesus is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, but only the Father knows the hour and the day that certain things will happen. So it's God who knows; I'm ready to continue on, and see as He unfolds what He will unfold.

Our Very Fabric

For years, when things just seemed to be stuck on "mediocre" for me, people used to say that they admired my perseverance. I remember being grateful for their loving observation. Jesus' Word says that persistence and perseverance are good; they build character. Character is comprised of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, usually these are hard won!

(Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Favourite Scriptures:

(Romans 5:3-5) Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope: and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

(Colossians 3:12) Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance.

(Revelation 2:3) You have perseverance and have endured for my name's sake, and have not grown weary.

Praise Jesus
Amen.

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Blessings.

In Jesus' Hands Day 13

My Testimony - 30 Days In Jesus' Healing Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. For 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some long lived (1 Peter 2:24). I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, mind, soul and body.

A Glorious Day

Today started hard. About 1:00AM I got some very bad news from our 3rd son which will cost significantly in time and money (no one was hurt). Didn't sleep much.

Today our team ran a fundraiser Indian Feast for the orphanage and pastors we support in India. This morning the time just vanished, imploded. Impatience and short tempers at our house. There was a crash on the freeway and I was nail-bitingly almost late. Then at the café everyone was looking to me to be supervisor despite my not knowing anything. So much to do and so few answers! There came a point where I was immobilised, my whole system jangling; I got my water, found a quiet corner and prayed: Lord I can't do this. Come please, bring your peace. I sat quietly for 15 minutes.

What a great night we had. Seventy four people bought tickets for the feast, and bought auction items, and gave money gifts. Those orphans and pastors will be so blessed. The fellowship among the diners and our team was wonderful, Jesus was present in the conversations and in the fun. It was a great time of multiplication. And here I am, 1:30AM, ready at last to post this onto PsalmsOfJohn.com for Jesus. Soon to bed.

A Big Question From Day 7

Is my stopping all my medications a work? Is it a challenge to God? Am I testing Him?
(Matthew 4:7) Jesus said to Satan, "It is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God'".

I've been pondering this question for nearly two weeks. Am I testing you Lord? Is mine an acceptable request?

Once I was settled in my heart that I was not testing my God, I did some formal study by looking in trusted commentaries and through the scriptural references and footnotes.

First, I asked my heart: "Heart, where are you? Are you still inclined towards the Lord? Is your testimony still to the honour and praise of Jesus? Is God in this? Did He speak into your desire to do this project?"

Yes. No hesitation. The Lord always looks at the heart.

(Psalm 22:22) I will declare your name to my brothers (and sisters). In the midst of the assembly, I will praise you.

Testimony is what I do. Good days and hard days, when feeling ebullient and when feeling rotten, I give testimony to the work and power and glory and grace of God in the world in our time.

It sounds then as though I am not testing Him. Rather, I am asking my Abba Daddy for something which is very near to my heart, very important in my life and also part of what He loves to give. And I am led by Him. I am not being a spoiled brat, or precocious, or greedy.

The learned scholars talk about the kind of testing as seen in Matthew 4:7 as being frivolous, pushy, forward.

A Stream of Scripture

Here is a sequence of scriptural references which I believe show clearly what kind of request it is that will test God:

•  (Matthew 4:7)   Satan is trying to tempt Jesus (who would not be tempted).
•  (Deuteronomy 6:16)  Fear the Lord your God . .
•  (Exodus 17:2)  They quarrelled with Moses . . and they grumbled against him.
•  (Psalm 78:18)  They tempted God in their heart by promoting their desires.
•  (Psalm 78:41)  They tempted God, and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
•  (Psalm 106:14)  They didn't wait for God's counsel, but gave in to craving in the desert, He sent leanness into their soul.
•  (1 Corinthians 10:9)  Do not wilfully sin, neither grumble.

There. Clear enough?

This is definitely a relief.

Two Things Of Which I Was Always Certain

1.  My righteousness will never be even slightly tarnished. All my righteousness is in Christ Jesus. It is not something I can earn, or even lose.

(Philippians 1:11) [You are] filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

2.  If I come to the conclusion that I am testing God, then as soon as I repent and seek His forgiveness, He will immediately forgive me.

Glory be . . Thank you Jesus!


Favourite Scriptures:

(Revelation 12:11 NIV)  They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

These words have never before now had so much meaning for me!

(Revelation 19:10 NIV) ". . worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy"

Praise Jesus.
Amen.

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Blessings.