Faith: Knowing God

Knowing God In Jesus
 
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

For the last year I've been wrestling with faith issues and truly want to understand why some prayers seem to have no power and appear to go nowhere (1 Corinthians 2:4). I want to grow in faith, but more than that, I want to pray what Jesus is praying (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25), to pray His will so that I join Him in praying for His spiritual reality. I want to make room for Jesus to grow His faith in my spirit.
 
My mother gave me an assurance that "God is". This God is the God of the Bible whose Son Jesus came that first Christmas to save all the people; He was born far across the sea in the Northern Hemisphere, and long before even my Grandpop was a boy. I was then a child and do not remember more than this. For decades both Father God and Jesus were beyond my tangible knowing; even so, I believe that I have never doubted these essential truths.
 
Francis Schaeffer wrote about this same God as "the God who is there"; now that I'm older I can truly grasp this concept. My God is "there", and also here, in my heart.
 
I believe that we can know God and believe, and that this belief builds our faith and makes it possible for us to "see" in our spirit "things not seen" by our physical senses - things God shows us, through Jesus, by His holy Spirit.
 
Today our faith seems to be a fight, a daily conflict, a wrestle. So much of the world wants to undermine our faith. Friends send me conspiracy stuff; sadly these seem to be about proven facts rather than imaginings or trouble-in-the-making, not "just theories". What are we to make of all that is happening to our lives in our world?
 
"We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.  And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:19-20).
 
Praise Jesus who is always for us, otherwise we would be swept away in fear and despair like so many of our neighbours (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
 
Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith sees what is "unseen". Faith sees God's reality, hidden from our physical eyes (Job 10:4).
 

"Having faith means to be so convinced that one is dependent on God and the facts pertaining to God. It implies a life so surrendered to the divine that lifestyle and conduct are changed to conform to the ways of God" (John Laughlin, "Church Words", 2026, p59).

"Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear" (Matthew 13:16). Yes, our heart and our spirit can "know". This is the faith Jesus wants for us; that we stand firm because we know Him (John 17:3; Ephesians 6:11).
 
Knowing God in Prayer - Talking With Jesus
 
Prayer is a profound gateway to the spiritual world; "God is spirit" (John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:5). Prayer is spiritual. And remember, our God commands us to pray:
 
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
 
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
 
Many Christians say they find prayer difficult, even elusive? I learned to pray by praying, also by attending prayer meetings - people there were kind and happy to help me learn, especially when asked.
 
Often I pray Bible verses, or themes of Scripture; I will have a concern and find a similar situation in my Bible, this makes a great starting point. Sometimes I pray the reality of who God is, or His purpose in the Creation, or who we Christians are, in Him. But mostly I pray briefly, as thoughts, troubles, hopes or joys come to mind, (so not structured or formal). This is how Trish and I will chat when we have a day together - so I talk with Jesus. We Christians are always together with Him (Matthew 28:20). This is true fellowship, and I get to know our Saviour Lord. In the early days I didn’t say much, I listened and prayed along silently. Lots of "amen".

 
Prayer is a gateway to intimacy with Jesus - prayer, and making time, asking Jesus to be with us as we wait on Him. So precious, I find this to be life changing.
 
"you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul" (Deuteronomy 4:29).
 
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
 
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).
 
Knowing God in Truth
 
Our God is real and alive. We know Jesus who is "the fullness of Him [our God of all creation] who is all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:28; Ephesians 1:17).
 
We read about Jesus in our Bibles. Even now Jesus is acknowledged by serious historians. We hear about Him from teachers, preachers, friends and so many testimonies of His glorious work in people's lives, in our time, right here where we are. 

 

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13).
 
The "armour of God" includes an offensive weapon - our sword - the Word of God - the "sword of the Spirit" and this is Jesus Himself being present to us (Luke 11:28; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). We always have Jesus in us (John 14:17, 14:20, 15:4), and with us (Deuteronomy 31:8; Matthew 28:20). He is the "Word" of God able to "to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow" (Hebrews 4:12). Jesus is truth (John 1:14).
 
Knowing God In His Word, Jesus
 
Mark 11:22: "Jesus answered them, 'have faith of God'". Our modern English Bibles read "have faith in God", but the original Greek of this verse has "of", meaning, "have God-like faith", or (essentially) "have My certainty"! This is my desire.
 
This is key for us Christians - we are "people of faith" (Colossians 1:4). I've been pondering faith for years; many authors and teachers have helped in my (still growing) understanding.
 
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Hearing Jesus' Gospel is key, the "good news" that a Saviour has come to redeem the people (Luke 1:68). More than our salvation, Jesus by His Holy Spirit will grow us (present tense continuous) "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). Father God knows that we will be a "radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless". Then it will be time to marry our bridegroom, Jesus - a great mystery (Ephesians 5:27).
 
We "hear" through Jesus' own Word in our Bibles, from Christian teaching and also from testimony - testimony from our own life or ministry, or from another close to us, or from Hudson Taylor or William Wilberforce or Billy Graham, or King David or Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6).
 
Ephesians 6:10-19 tells us what to look for in times like ours, and something of how we are to be, Jesus wants us to be able to "stand". He wants us to see that He knows about our situation and that He is present with us to shield us and come to our aid, to bring us His "shalom" (John 14:27): "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).
 
We need Jesus to help us in our faith. Our Jesus is "Lord of all" (Acts 10:36, 17:24); He has given us "authority" (Matthew 10:1) and "power" (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
 
This is where, I believe, faith comes from. Because we come to "know" our God:

"We are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul [and our shalom, our integrity, our ability to love]" (Hebrews 10:39).
 
Faith is linked with perseverance, and also with suffering:
"Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring" (2 Thessalonians 1:4). 
 

"The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever" (Psalm 121:7-8). We can believe these words, even when things are hard. People who survived the WWII concentration camps and the Russian gulags lived the truth of this verse even when they were in such peril. Many of Jesus’ "twelve" were killed horribly, yet they were able to remain true to Him, strong in their spiritual bond. Jesus asks us to cling to Him, to hold and to stand to the end.
 
Jesus has given us His "authority" (Matthew 28:18-20). We sing "demons will have to flee", these are true words. When we believe that our authority is as Jesus describes it and speak into situations, we will see faith at work. We will be aligned with Him. We will have responded to what we know to be true, demons will flee.
 
"Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:3-4).
 
Again and again our Bibles assure us and testimony shows us, that we can rely on our God of all Creation; to me this is the "substance", the very "proof" of faith; we have something which, as Christians, we can "know" and thus "see" in our spirit; our spiritual eyes have been empowered by Jesus' Holy Spirit and by His Word. This is an essential element of the New Covenant where we are brought inside God's Kingdom as sons and daughters (1 John 3:1).
 
This "inside-ness" is the focus of PsalmsOfJohn post "Inside Out" of June, 2019

• Permalink https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2019/06/inside-out.html
 
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8).
 
"Jesus answered him, 'Do not fear; only believe'" (Mark 5:36; Luke 8:50).
 
At Bible College we were taught to ask: "what does the Bible text say?" These verses are so clear, so simple, right? But often not easy to do.
 
Knowing God In Testimony - Here And Now, Effective In People's Lives
 
We find that God is faithful; many times our Bibles assure us of this. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
 
These wise words continue: "It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones" (Proverbs 3:8). This is a promise, not a suggestion. Don’t we all long for "healing" and "refreshment"?
 
I will see someone in need and know to pray, know the words to pray, and know that the person will be healed (or their heart or their circumstances made right), they will be (or begin the journey to be) set free. My spiritual eyes see what God sees (Proverbs 15:3), the Kingdom of Heaven comes near (Luke 10:9, 21:31), and the physical world responds as it must. This is sovereign, God is at work (John 5:17). Our Lord Jesus always leads in these encounters, my compassion or desire to help or the fervency of my prayers does not bring them about; it is Jesus. 

Then the "confidence", "confirmation", "conviction", "evidence", "assurance", "proof", "substance", is clear to me, I see clearly and pray. I am confident that I am in the will of God (Romans 8:27), even that I have "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16). Just think about this: me, a mortal man, often distracted, faulty and weak (2 Corinthians 11:29), being so gifted, so able, even for a moment! You too. This is for every Christian.
 
Jesus drew me to Himself - to me this was the ultimate revealing of Himself. Jesus took a grip on my arm and pulled me in to Himself in love; this was physical – I truly felt His grip on my arm, and His drawing me against His breast. A miracle. Finally He had broken through all my fears and doubts and mistrust.
 
This is one view of my faith. Jesus' touch. Certain knowledge. Unshakeable. There is a sweet song: "To get a touch from the Lord is so real", so true.
 
Before I had a personal "knowing" of Him or of Jesus, I learned that this God that my mother knew is faithful. He gave me a miraculous healing. I had no faith, yet Jesus saved me from lung cancer. After Christians prayed, I felt God's hand reaching into my lungs and drawing out all the black gunk and damage from years of heavy smoking. I felt His touch, His fingers working, all the harm being drawn out. I knew then that I will never have lung cancer. This was from Trish's faith, thank you Jesus for your obedient people. Soon after this I had a chest X-Ray as part of a job application; the "shadows" seen on previous X-Rays were not there - gone! Praise Jesus.
 
This story is told in post "My Lungs: T2"  from May 2010. I have tears in my eyes as I remember.
• Permalink https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2010/05/t02-my-lungs.html
 
I know that Jesus is, I remember His physical presence. Sometimes I see Him, He will be looking at me: I have His attention, He smiles. He often speaks to me, clearly so that I cannot doubt.
 
Our Bibles explain this in the lives of many godly people who have gone before us: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2). We look at these witnesses' lives and take heart from them.
 

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23). It is God's faithfulness (Romans 3:3), our knowing leads us to faith in Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, remembering that Jesus is the centre and the fullness of God (Colossians 1:15-20).
 
"Jesus said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent'" (John 6:29).

Heroes
 
I see that my experiences are normal for Christians. I have sat under the teaching of John G. Lake who prayed for thousands of people who were healed; he believed that his understanding, and his gifts, were completely normal as told in the Bible; he is one of many who can be found in Christian literature. My experiences and testimonies are similar, mostly smaller, and less frequent.
 
It was the teaching of John Lake which led me to pray about, and then embark on "30 Days In Jesus' Hands", one of the most profound and love-filled times of my life. John Lake, my Christian hero, taught me scriptural truths in a way I could understand.
 
• For my testimony of this season of Jesus' love, kindness and power, search "Jesus Hands" or "In Jesus' Hands" in PsalmsOfJohn.com. Jesus heals; He encourages and He heals.
 
Hebrews chapter 11 lists many heroes of faith; they were people of action; they pushed ahead into what their spiritual eyes saw; they were not content to simply know what Jesus was thinking or planning, but trusting that they knew God, they obeyed and moved forward, often before they could see physical doors opening. Some "received what was promised" (Hebrews 11:33), but others did not (Hebrews 11:13). Many suffered, even unto death. But our God remembers that "they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 11:2).

 

Our God is very big and nothing is beyond his reach (Psalm 8:3). Jesus wants all His disciples to minister in His name, all of us who receive the living Word of God (Matthew 10:8), thus bringing God’s love and power to people in need everywhere.
 
With the blind man (John 9:6), Jesus knew before He made the mud and smeared it on his eyes that God was healing him and he would see.
 
George Müller could see, before he asked the hundreds of orphan children to sit down for breakfast, that someone was bringing the food they would eat, and would soon be at their door. He "saw" through his certain knowing that God's Word is true (Luke 12:22, 30).
 
George Müller is another hero. He never asked people for money or let anyone but our God of Heaven know his needs. Gifts of many kinds came for his work as they were needed, God provided in ways we find amazing; Müller saw the physical reality conforming to God's Word Jesus. He built and ran orphanages, brought thousands to Jesus, and gave away Bibles, scholarships and money. He said he simply trusted God to do what He said in His Word.
 
John G. Lake knew the Bible; to him God's Word was perfectly clear - Jesus came to heal the sick, the demonized, (the mentally ill), and the brokenhearted, and to set people free (Isaiah 61:1-3; Matthew 10:8a). Jesus expects us to continue this work now (Matthew 10:8b; Ephesians 2:10). He has gone to Heaven to rule and reign with Father God.

John Lake and George Müller knew Jesus, the Word of God, and knew that He is true (John 1:14).

 
Are these men exceptional? I think so. I used to worry that my faith seemed so small beside theirs. Then I thought about Edmund Hillary and Roger Bannister, I was 11 years old when Hillary (also from New Zealand) climbed the worlds highest mountain, Mt Everest, in the Himalayas, and was 12 when Roger Bannister, an English medical student, first ran the sub-four-minute mile.
 
Like Edmund Hillary, I love the mountains and spent months in the Himalayas; I was so thrilled to climb a peak of 16,500 feet (5030 metres), much less than Everest - my mountain did not even have its own name. From that peak I could see Everest, magnificent in the distance, with many other snow-capped mountains all around. The same thing with running, rowing, basketball and so much else; I loved to participate but was never exceptional. I am simply me. Don't we all like to achieve? But we do well only at some things, and then not always. Only a few people truly excel and are newsworthy. But we can all do our best (Colossians 3:23), especially in our availability to Jesus (Isaiah 6:8), and in our obedience to Him (Matthew 7:21; 1 John 2:3-6).
 
We celebrate George Müller still, he said: "faithfulness is not only about belief but also persistent action", and "I live in the spirit of prayer; I pray as I walk, when I lie down, and when I rise up".

 
This aligns with God's promise to His people: "I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people" (Leviticus 26:12) and Isaiah's understanding of the truth of this, even in the New Covenant that we live under today: "for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
 
Our Lord Jesus, "the mighty God", is "an everlasting Father" to us, who "provides" (Luke 12:22-24) and "heals" (Matthew 8:16) and "sets free" (Galatians 5:1). Thousands (millions?) of testimonies show all this to be true.
 
Can I stand as Paul commands? "So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you" (2 Thessalonians 2:15; Ephesians 6:13).
 
Some Conclusions 

I have come to see that having "faith" does not make us miracle workers, rather we grow into the assurance that "the God of all the earth shall do right" (Genesis 18:25). We believe that our God in Jesus is who He says He is. He is faithful and can be trusted. We do see miracles, things which cannot be explained in physical terms or by science; our Jesus intervenes by the power of His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:19-20). 

Other times our faith enables us to persevere and wait on Jesus. I can neither predict nor demand answers, but I do expect to participate with my Saviour Lord and rejoice with Him.

I remember that Jesus did only what He saw His (now our) Father doing; praise Jesus that He now leads His people, us, even me (John 5:19; John 16:13). And I pray "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8).

 
In spiritual conflicts, we can stand on Jesus' name, and the Devil will have to "flee from you" (James 4:7), our faith together with His name is our "strong shield" (Psalm 140:7).
 
In our family we are often joy filled and encouraged because we have seen miracles, our God working on our behalf, His grace flowing towards us. We have also had times of crisis and have known ages of achingly unanswered prayer with sickness, unemployment and other big troubles. My response is to cling ever tighter to Jesus (Acts 11:23; Hebrews 10:39). I have reported that "my faith became like bullet proof steel" and "my dependence on Jesus became radiant", even though things seemed not to be improving. I know that I know my God and His faithfulness, and I can fully trust Him. Jesus has faith enough for both of us, He is our source: "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17).
 
Praise Jesus, praise His name. Amen.
 
In June 2010 I posted "Jesus’ Faith in Me", It seems to me that today I am saying the same thing with different words:
• Permalink https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2010/06/jesus-faith-in-me.html
 
Praise Jesus our lovely Master, Teacher and Friend.
 
Favourites
 
(John 14:1, Jesus’ words)
"Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me".
 
(Philippians 1:6, Paul writing)
"[I am] confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ".
 
John Lake’s prayer:
"O God, our Father, let our lives be once and forever and for all be settled on the eternal rock, Christ Jesus, Lord God, where our lives shall stand".
 
Hallelujah. Amen.
 
Permalink to this post "Faith: Knowing God"
https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2026/01/faith-knowing-god.html

Faith: Now Testimonies

Jesus lives. He said: "My Father is working until now, and I am working". Testimonies abound to the truth of these words.

 
"Therefore [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25).
 
In recent days our family have twice seen our God Jesus intervene with intensely personal and uplifting help.
 
Like people everywhere, those near to me all experience trouble and difficulty; my understanding is that every generation sees troubles. We all think that we are very up-to-date and doing things in the very best up-to-date way, yet life is not perfectly smooth.
 
Job's friend Eliphaz was clear: "Humankind is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7).
 
Jesus said: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
 
When we see God's hand at work in our life we are encouraged. Our faith is affirmed and we know joy and peace. We find the strength to "press on" (Philippians 3:12).
 
 
Becky's and Chris's House - January 2026
 
Our youngest, Rebecca, married Christopher, then last May Sophie was born, she is now an 8 month old delight.
 

The couple have been looking for a house for some time. This is hard here because there is a severe housing shortage, people are immigrating here faster than homes are being built. Prices have been rapidly rising. Even so, every "for sale" property is quickly snatched up.
 

Becky and Chris are "young" Christians but have been hearing Trish's and my testimonies for years. We told them about Jesus undertaking for us when we moved to the country; He answered our prayers and helped sell our city properties in a very depressed market. This enabled us to buy our beautiful country acres where so much of our family history was lived out.
• This story is in PsalmsOfJohn.com post "Our Lord Will":
https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2010/06/our-lord-will-t3.html
 
I remember saying something like: "You may feel that you don't know Jesus well enough to ask for such a big thing as a house, but He's always known you and He loves you and put you together into a family, so pray. Pray simple prayers, ask for what you need, give detail".
 
Well, last night we received a message, their offer on a lovely house in a sweet part of the city has been accepted. It is near a primary school. Becky added: "Hallelujah! Praise the Lord". They will move in April.
 
One of our family responded: "You've done the almost impossible at the moment". So true. Thank you Jesus, who cares for us and answers prayer. Our faith is well placed in our faithful and loving God and Saviour. Amen.
 
 
An Old Man's Testimony of God's Goodness in Jesus - December 2025
 
Our time at camp down South in Busselton was especially precious this summer as it was my last camp in a tent, (though I did not know this at the time).
 
We had a few days with just Trish and I, then Becky arrived with her Chris and baby Sophie, followed by Frank and his Anlia and Jude, Hamish, Ada and Elroy. We had such great family time, lots of children, love, hugs, bush walks, fun in the sea and great food. Wonderful.
 
Jesus gave us a beautiful testimony. As we were gathering our camp gear, food, books and everything, I could see that this camp was beyond the now older me. (Last year was tough but ok, now I am notably weaker, less stable, less flexible, with less stamina).
 
But by then it was too late to say "not going"; Trish and I have so much "base camp" stuff that everyone always relies on, and they have no capacity to bring it along with their own camping and personal gear.
 
So I prayed that Jesus would undertake for me, give me strength, energy and alertness for the gathering together, loading up, travel, unloading and set-up.
 
We pressed on with the thousand-and-one tasks we have done dozens of times. The loading went so very well, Everything fitted, my Hilux truck was full, the trailer was full, even with three kayaks. We set off. 

When we were about half-way there Trish asked how I was going. My reply: "I am being carried, Jesus is carrying me along, it is Isaiah 40:31. I am not tired, I have energy, the load is perfectly balanced and I am enjoying this drive through our beautiful Western Australian countryside". Jesus’ spiritual reality was impacting our physical world (Matthew 10:7).
 
We arrived, unloaded and set up. Two old timers doing these big jobs. It went so smoothly. We had to have rests from time to time, we had brought lunch and drinks and pressed on in peace and harmony. The sun and the heat were ok, we were stretched but fine.
 
By about 4:30 we had a camp, it was not complete but was nicely livable. Then a swim in the ocean and a cool drink as the sun set in the West. A simple pre-planned dinner. Early to bed. Glorious.
 
That day we lived Isaiah 40:31 - it was answered prayer: "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint".
 
Jesus was manifestly present with us and gave us everything we needed to have a day accomplishing what was beyond us but was needed. We were at peace in the knowledge that we were in Jesus' hands for the purposes of restoration after a very big year for Trish, and for beautiful fellowship with family.
 
Praise Jesus.
 
Over the two weeks of camping I lost more than two kilograms in weight. Once we were home I needed to rest. I finished and posted "Faith: How We See" which I have been working on for a while, otherwise I tried to not do much. Our hearts are full. My "last camp" was an array of glorious moments – now poignant heart memories.
 
Meanwhile Trish is settling into being retired. This summer she does not have to plan her preparation for next school year but rather is thinking about visiting her brother in Melbourne and much more.
 
Hallelujah, our world may be in a worsening mess, but the Kingdom of God stands and is a glorious sanctuary for Jesus' people.
 
Amen.
 

And an old testimony I heard this week from my sister Dee. (Added 26th February 2026).

My Mother Wyn's Twelve Years

My mother had a heart attack. This was soon after I came to Australia and was living in a mining camp in the far Northwest. She was called Wyn, and I called her my Boffin, perhaps because she was the smartest person I knew.

Dee told me that our mother was not expected to go home from the hospital; the heart attack was caused by an unusual vascular problem that the doctors believed was beyond fixing.

She was offered Holy Communion and accepted it gladly. As she was eating the bread and drinking the wine of our Lord's Supper, Boffin felt a movement in her chest; she told Dee that "it was like a 'click', and I knew that God had put everything right". Soon she was able to leave the hospital, she later told Dee: "Jesus gave me twelve more years". 

Boffin and my father bought some acres on the Kapiti Coast, built a small house and developed a magnificent garden there. And she was able to come to Australia and spend time with Dee's family and with mine. Twelve years, thank you Jesus. She knew that it was Jesus who healed her in a way the doctors had not yet learned.

Dee tells me that my Dad got a huge lift in his faith from the truth of this healing. As I think about it, so do I, both my parents' faith was more profound than I had previously understood, hallelujah! 

Thank you Lord. Praise Jesus.

 
Favourite Bible Verses
 
When Jesus first drew me to Himself I asked for a Bible for my birthday. Trish gave me an NIV large print with a leather cover, very new at that time. This is where it opened; that day Jesus spoke to me in a way I knew was for me and have always remembered and valued. I am so grateful.
 

"Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? "Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you - you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also'" (Luke 12:22-34).
 
Praise Jesus our Creator, Saviour, Sustainer, Rabbi, Lord and friend. Thank you. Amen.

Permalink:  https://www.psalmsofjohn.com/2026/01/faith-now-testimonies.html

Separate

Our God wants to have a people for Himself; He wants to share His and Jesus' glory (Matthew 16:27; John 1:14) and to have a bride for His son Jesus, a bride holy and pure, without "spot or wrinkle" (Ephesians 5:27; Philippians 2:15). 

Elohim God began "in the beginning" when Adam and Eve were made in their "image and likeness" (Genesis 1:26). We see something of God's glory here, in those early days. Adam and Eve will have known God as "Father", in the same intimate and loving way that Jesus does. They will have "known the Father's business" (John 15:15), and what was "good" and what was "evil" (Genesis 2:9); they worked with Father God during the day and walked and talked together in the beautiful and fruitful garden "in the cool of the evening" (Genesis 3:8).
 
Then came "the Fall" (Genesis 3:11), sin entered the world; "sin" is everything that does not please God. Sin causes separation between humankind and God, the opposite of God's loving desire.
 
Many generations after Adam and Eve, God chose Abraham and made covenant to form a people for Himself, the nation of Israel: "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, His treasured possession" (Deuteronomy 7:6).
 
God cares for "His treasured possession" to this day. We Christians are "chosen" (Ephesians 1:14) to be "different", "holy" (1 Peter 1:16), set apart for our God who calls on His people to look only to him: "I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44).
 
Jesus calls to us: "'Come out from among them, and be separate', says the Lord. 'Touch no unclean thing. I will welcome you. I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters', says the Lord of Hosts" (Isaiah 52:11; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18; Revelation 18:4).
 
I still ponder all this in relation to my life and my worldview; Jesus is growing me into the John He always planned that I would be. Jesus' work continues: "He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber or sleep" (Psalm 121:3).
 
In Old Testament times God saw that His people were being corrupted by their non-Jewish neighbours, (and even by their Kings and those in leadership over them). Do we see something of today in these prophetic Bible words from centuries ago? "Yet my people have forgotten me; they burn incense to worthless idols, which made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths. They made them walk in byways, on roads not built up" (Jeremiah 18:15-16). Do we give our time and money to what Father God would call "worthless idols", with what is popular or "trending"? I find myself avoiding more and more what our culture presents.
 
Jesus is front and centre of the whole Bible and is the "all" of God (Colossians 1:15-20). (Some say: "He is hidden in the Old Testament and revealed in the New", I found this to be true at Bible College where we were assigned psalms to present as pre-class devotions, I always found Jesus in the psalms I was allocated). It is clear that Father God wants us to look to Jesus in "all things" (Hebrews 12:1-2)). 

I have come to see that Jesus is now in a deep and eternal relationship with me, and through that He has brought me into His Father's family as a son, and into the constant care of His lovely Holy Spirit. My response is to love in return. "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'" (Matthew 22:37).

I find that I do love our Father and Jesus and Holy Spirit, and also that Jesus is my focus; His humanity and the New Testament stories make Him so approachable. As I read my Bible I can see Him in my mind's eye (Luke 6:19). Now, through Holy Spirit's prophetic gifting, (1 Corinthians 14:1,3), I often see Him, feel His touch and hear His voice (2 Samuel 23:2). Jesus is my friend (John 15:15) and I know this to be true. Even as I write this I am singing "Jesus at the centre".. "Nothing in this world will do".. "Everything revolves around You", (Houghton, Massey, Ranney: 2014).
 
Jess Ray sings: "it may seem too good to be understood, but it's not too good to be true" - we hear her joy as she testifies to her certain knowledge of her relationship with our Saviour and Lord.
 
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:4-5).
 
I see Jesus as front and centre of everything, the "fullness" of God (Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:19), and that "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ", (Ephesians 1:3), reveals Jesus endlessly (Matthew 3:17; John 14:6-7), as does Holy Spirit (John 16:14).
 
Jesus mediates a New Covenant for us, a covenant which gives us spiritual closeness to Father, Son and Spirit, a spiritual confidence (2 Corinthians 3:3-6; Ephesians 3:12; Philippians 1:6), an understanding that, although we live in "this present darkness" (Ephesians 6:12), Jesus is with us, we have spiritual authority and can know shalom, God's peace (John 14:27).
 
It may seem that the "powers" in the world, (Ephesians 6:12), are gaining more and more control and influence over us, our societies and our cultures, but we can choose to "abide" in Jesus (John 15:4), and live a "full" and "abundant" life (John 10:10); only Jesus offers this, "by His Spirit" (John 7:39).
 
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3) - note "every", a big word.
 
"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5).
 
When we think in terms of "Jesus", we recognise His desire for intimate relationship with us, each one, and that He has brought us into His "team", (more than simply His salvation and His protection). Jesus is risen; He rules and reigns from the throne room of God; He equips us and commands us to "do the works I have been doing" (John 14:12). This is "boots on the ground" living in faith; there is no guarantee of comfort or glory. We are His "friends" (John 15:15), and also His "servants" (Revelation 19:5): "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28).
 
Paul reminds us: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" (Philippians 4:8), this verse is now on many hearts. See also Romans 13:14.

How Then Should We Live
(Also see post www.psalmsofjohn.com/2023/06/how-then-should-we-live.html)
 
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).
 
As a Christian I have found a sense of being "foreign" to my old life, but with no desire to "fit back in" with the worldly culture I consciously left behind. This was hard, and still is; we lose friends, some enjoyable activities are now "out of bounds". Happily it is rewarding too, richly satisfying.
 
I have lived in four countries. The early days in each place were exciting and also difficult. Everything was so new, truly "foreign". I assimilated over time; I "fitted in" to the local way of things, and to their kind of "English"; (birth language to all of us but with different ways of speaking, a different idiom or vernacular). I am still "assimilating" into Jesus' "way" (Ephesians 4:13), praise the Lord.
 
"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household" (Ephesians 2:19).
 
"And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine" (Leviticus 20:26).
 
"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).
 
Testimony
I worked in an office where (I believe) I was the only Christian. I was blessed to be there, work was scarce and the money was good. Still, it was hard. Not only was I new, but I was "different"; I asked that people would stop using foul language in the office. Some became hostile; ridiculing or contemptuous. I was isolated and excluded from much of the comradery of the workplace.
 
Jesus found that work for me, it was not advertised. I was given some interesting and knotty problems to solve, one of which had defeated two programmers before me; my business users were overjoyed with my solution, they had been waiting more than a year.
 
By the time all my work there was finished I had found some welcome. I had opportunity to talk to some of my workmates who were experiencing deep personal troubles; they thanked me and said I was "wise and kind". This was Jesus work, He gave time for "divine encounters"; perhaps these ones saw something of Jesus' love and healing, and "Christ in me, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
 
The job was timely, and the money was welcome for our family. But perhaps I was there for those struggling, so that Jesus could touch them? I survived having to "be separate”; I know that I grew from it; this was, and still is, precious. I was aware that Jesus was "always" with me (Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 60:19-20; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).

 
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20). 

Thank you, my lovely Lord and friend.

Rick Joyner wrote about a study which showed that about 65 percent of all Americans considered themselves to be born-again Christians, but only 3 percent had a Christian or biblical worldview; viewing the world as Christ does, knowing and adhering to His teachings. [Similar numbers appear in other studies]. These results show how poorly the church is accomplishing Jesus' Great Commission; we are commanded to "make disciples", not just converts, and to "teach them everything [Jesus] commanded us".
 
"Being a committed Christian, being baptized in the Spirit, involves a reorientation of life that is significantly different from the way the ordinary modern person thinks - it is a revolution in outlook on the world [our worldview]. We are able to explain the gospel message in a way that allows people to see how great the salvation is that is being offered, and how great a difference there is between living under the rule of Christ – life 'in the Spirit', and the rule of the world - life 'not in the Spirit'". (Discerning the Times, Part 53, 2009).

 
We are saved from sin and death by Jesus' great and sacrificial work; our salvation brought our "justification" (Romans 8:30), we have been given Jesus' "righteousness" (Romans 3:22), henceforth we are being "sanctified" (present tense continuous), being set apart, separated, for our Lord, (John 17:19). Our salvation is forever. (See Note 1).
 
Go
Jesus said: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
 
Later, Paul declared: "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).
 

Our God of all the Creation has plans for each one of us, His people, plans which will require our commitment and dedication. Let us ponder the words of the songs we sing to Him, and our heart and our life (1 Samuel 16:7; John 14:6).

 
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).
 
"But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you" (John 14:26 Amplified).
 
"Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).
 
Jesus said "Come unto me" (Matthew 11:28).
 
My prayer, for all of us, Jesus’ people: "O Lord, you have brought so much to our lives (1 Corinthians 2:12). Go before us please, guide us into a greater commitment to you, your way (Acts 2:42-47), and your work (Philippians 2:13). Let it be clear, both in our selves and in our lives, that we are yours. Amen". 

Jesus' words, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).

Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Note 1. Our Salvation Is Irrevocable
Even now we can be diverted, as we were before Jesus got a-hold of us: "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?" (James 4:4). These are strong words, but they do not mean that we will lose our salvation if we slip and briefly befriend the world.
 
Once we are in our Father's heavenly family we are there forever. Sometimes we see people "fall away" who appeared to be fully part of Jesus "body"; this is a mystery and only Jesus knows. Jesus is "our redeemer" (Ephesians 1:7).

 

Our Bible is clear; once we are "saved" and "in" Jesus' Kingdom, vital aspects of who we are, are changed, renewed:

• Ezekiel 36:26 - He gives us a new heart and puts a new spirit in us; He will remove from us our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh.
• Romans 8:30 - Jesus' plans include our glorification.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19 - Our bodies are now temples of Jesus' Holy Spirit.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 - We are a "new creation", the old has gone.

• 1 Peter 1:23 - We are made new, "born again".
• 1 Peter 2:5 - We are "living stones", a part of God's house.
• Titus 3:5 - He "saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit".

(Also see post www.psalmsofjohn.com/2011/02/lukewarm.html) 

 
Bless us all. Amen.

  

P.S. The photos for this post were taken on Trish and my winter-school-break holiday in the bush a couple of hours South from our house. Lovely, cold but beautiful. A true holiday, Jesus was with us :-)

• Permalink to web page

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"Separate" is now a podcast in Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/706R8EGhK6Q9Sh0oFL4tyf

Amen.

Forgiveness

Everyone knows trouble. For some, our trouble was brought by another person and the anguish and pain is with us still. It may seem impossible to forgive that person - don't they deserve a full punishment for what they have done? 

Jesus is here to help; He always wants the best for us (Matthew 7:11); He is the great reconciler and restorer (Colossians 1:19-20). I pray that my experience and testimony will help you, I bring understanding from my own healings, and from much study. Praise Jesus that the effects of unforgiveness are today being recognised among God's people.

For many years Galatians 5:1 has been a favourite Bible verse - I sought freedom and have found freedom, and peace, in Jesus, "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
 
When Jesus died and rose from the grave He defeated death and sin, humanity's two biggest problems since The Fall (Genesis 3). "For our sake [God] made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
 
Jesus is our shepherd and will guide us and care for us all the days of our life (John 10:11, 14:6). He has given us tools to help us. The Lord's Prayer is one such, a beloved and perhaps the most spoken prayer on Earth. (On Easter Sunday 2007, it is estimated that two billion people spoke this prayer).
 
"Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen".
(Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6:9-13, in words I learned as a child).
 
We see that Jesus links our being freed from our sins to our forgiving others and setting them free from their sins against us. This is a theme throughout the Bible.
 

"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:18).

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" (Mark 11:25).
 
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).
 
Healing Our Heart
 
To forgive someone who has hurt us may seem unfair and unreasonable, but with prayer and perseverance Jesus will bring us through, we will be released from our anger and pain. O, the relief, the healing of our heart!
 
Along the way we see the truth of what our friend Bev P. says: "Unforgiveness is like us drinking poison and hoping the other person will get sick". Often the person who hurt us is unaware of our pain, they carry on with life with no burden from their wrongdoing. 
 

Our emotions of resentment and anger, and our desire for revenge produce a bitterness in our heart, (medical people know this as a "toxic thought pattern"). Our Bible warns us about this: "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no bitter root springs up and causes trouble, by it many are defiled" (Hebrews 12:15). Those emotions are "bad fruit" in our life, the opposite of the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23) which Jesus grows in us (Luke 11:13).
 
This is a spiritual problem which cripples us and has profound impact on our ability to help others.
 
Another thing. God is in charge of justice. "Do not seek revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord'" (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19).
 
It may be that the offending person is already remorseful; we humans learn to wear masks to cover our negative feelings. I have been amazed at the number of seemingly successful, outgoing, "comfortable" people who have confided in me their deep insecurities and profound feelings of guilt and shame. The repentance we hope to see may already be present. Our worry will not help us or them.
 
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1-2). How many times did I read these words before they came alive in my heart? Prayer is needed before we can release everything to our Lord Jesus.
 
Christians remind one another: "Let go and let God"; our children love to recite a favourite memory verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). I find these thoughts uplifting in times of difficulty. Paul calls on us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16), this is a conscious process which bears precious fruit.
 
Here is a song which brings joy to my heart, especially when I am troubled:
 
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
 
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
 
Eight great verses! Joseph Scriven, 1855.
 
My Testimony
 
Twice I have had major healings through forgiveness, (and a thousand other healings too).
 
Arthritis: I was at work and reached out to answer the phone. A searing pain shot through my right shoulder, I was frozen, totally surprised. My boss sent me to see a doctor who said: "John, this is arthritis; often it will strike out of the blue like this. There have been big advances in treatment, and we will begin by trying this medication which helps many people like you". I was upset. "We will try?", I responded, "you are not sure what to prescribe?" The doctor explained that there was no way to determine the best medication for any arthritis patient, and no guarantee at all of success. Some people suffer terribly for life. Not encouraging news.
 
At the pharmacy I waited in line behind two women and could not help overhearing their conversation, (I totally believe that this scene was set by our mighty Lord Jesus). One woman said: "O, that Sonja, she still complains all the time. She has seen every doctor and they can't help her. I keep telling her: arthritis is a disease caused by unforgiveness. She just refuses to forgive that ex-husband of hers".
 
I had about 20 minutes to wait for my tablets and nothing to do but ponder those words. Unforgiveness? Arthritis? "Jesus, were those words for me?" The medication I was prescribed did no good at all, neither did the doctor's second "try".
 
My morning quiet times took on a whole new shape. I looked at my life: Who has hurt me? Who do I resent or hold in unforgiveness? Also, how do I forgive? Just saying the words will not be enough, God looks at our heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
 
This was a battle. When I thought I was done, Jesus would soon bring to mind another person or event to be forgiven: from my childhood, my teens, my 20s, from friends, family, even from myself. From betrayals, from mistakes and misunderstandings. Three times I thought I had completed this task.
 
Then the pain went away and I had full use of my shoulder once again, and still do to this day. Hallelujah. Thank you Jesus. This was big. I was still young, with a wife and six growing children. Jesus has faithfully kept me mobile all these years since.

Every Day: We Christians progress towards "unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God; until we become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). But we still seem able to hurt one another and be hurt ourselves: in marriage, in family, and with others. Sometimes we may blame God for our pain or lack or trouble. We can cause or feel offence or pain. Happily, in Jesus forgiving is always possible. Trish and I have learned to repent often and forgive each other quickly (Ephesians 4:32). "Short accounts" are good. I often think of our marriage as a lovely long conversation.
 
Cancer: More recently I had a big fight with prostrate cancer. By the time they found the tumors they were well established. My doctors decided that radiation was the best treatment for me. I was told that there was hope for success but the risks were high; our prostrate is near several major body parts and the cancer can easily spread.
 
A prayer friend sent me some links from a Christian doctor who studied medical advances in the light of what God's Word says about health and healing. I watched the talks, downloaded the big PDF book and had it printed.

Jesus made it plain that I was to clear the "toxic thought patterns", (the "bitter roots" (Hebrews 12:15)), from my life; these included anger at the declining state of our culture and the world, and once again, unforgiveness, of myself and of others. A weeks-long prayer battle followed.

 
I re-learned to: ".. take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). I pondered what "every" means!
 
Once again I prayed and sought forgiveness for my own sins, prayed and forgave others, and myself. Once again this process needed to be repeated. It is very hard work. My knowledge of my dependence on Jesus became radiant. I sought to ensure that nothing would impede the flow of His grace to me.
 
I went through my treatment as one of a cohort, we were together every weekday for months. I was at peace and made a remarkable recovery. Most of the other men appeared to suffer more, in every way, as the radiation affected us; they seemed to feel a great weight as their days slowly passed. My days were filled with life and prayer, Jesus was manifestly with me, He kept my spirit, my soul and my body for me. At the same time I was able to do less around the house and apologised to Trish. "O John", she replied, "you are fine, you could be all grumpy and demanding but you are not, we can manage, it is ok". Bless her! Jesus was with us in every way.
 
Jesus Helps
 
Jesus is complete love, its source and its essence: "So we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them" (1 John 4:16). We know that Jesus is "always" here with us (Matthew 28:20).
 
My prayer for you: "Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that, by your Spirit, you encourage and help this person who is reading what we have written together, to let go of all those they hold in unforgiveness, even them self, and that he or she may find the peace, freedom and hope only you can bring". Amen.

 
Favourite Bible Verses 
 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27, Jesus' words).
 
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
 
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
 
Thank you Jesus my beloved friend (John 15:15).
 
Bless us all, come Lord Jesus. Amen.
 

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"Forgiveness" is now podcast at Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

• Public link to podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3kjyRVP4OhLYwoKsw7zoHN

Amen.