Free To Worship!

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, so that they may serve Me.”. Exodus 9:1 (AMP)


God saw the oppression of His people and knew it was time to act. He called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. His plan was to take them out of an oppressive system and reaffirm His covenant with them. If they would trust and obey Him, they would experience a journey of supernatural provision and protection. If they would turn their hearts towards Him, they would know a journey of unprecedented blessing in spite of the dangers and opposition they were sure to encounter along the way. Unfortunately, history reveals that instead of hearts full of worship and devotion, the Israelites complained and were ungrateful at every turn. For the first time in 400 years, they were finally able to worship the Lord in freedom, yet their cry was to rather go back to the chains and whips of Egypt. We should remember that we too were once slaves to sin. Let's never take for granted the freedom we have found in Christ Jesus! Today, come before Him with a heart overflowing with love and gratitude for the privilege of intimately knowing His goodness, love and tender care. Worship Him like never before, knowing you truly are free!

God Is For You!

“Then the one (Gabriel) whose appearance was like that of a man touched me again, and he strengthened me. He said, “O man, highly regarded and greatly beloved, do not be afraid. Peace be to you; take courage and be strong.” Now when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.’ Daniel 10:18-19 (AMP)


In the moments where you feel overwhelmed by worrisome thoughts, don't give in to them or the emotions of dread they conjure up. Be more determined than ever to fix your thoughts on the truth of what God says about you and your future. Turn your heart towards Him and let Him remind you of the covenant He has established with you. That's what He did for His people in Leviticus 26:9-12. He said, "For I will be leaning toward you with favour and regard for you, rendering you fruitful, multiplying you, and establishing and ratifying My covenant with you...I will set My dwelling in and among you, and My soul shall not despise or reject or separate itself from you. And I will walk in and with and among you and will be your God, and you shall be My people."This is God's promise to you! When fearful thoughts begin to attack your mind, refuse them. They aren't from your Heavenly Father and they don't belong to you. Remember who you are, and Who you belong to! You are precious to God; draw strength from His Word and pull His promises into your life through faith. He is for you, you cannot fail!

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Live By Faith, Not By Sight!

"Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting."2 Corinthians 4:18 (AMPC)


We live in a world where what is visible is celebrated more than what is invisible. As believers, we walk by faith and not by sight. We understand there is an unseen reality that is far more significant than what can be seen in this natural world. Since we are born of God, we are inseparably connected to the Kingdom of Heaven through Jesus. We carry a distinct purpose to influence this natural world with the atmosphere of Heaven. Anything permitted in Heaven can and must be rightfully and legally spoken into this world, even before it visibly exists. You and I have been authorized by God to reach into the spiritual realm by faith and speak His will into existence. Don't lose sight of what is more real and everlasting by getting caught up in what we see and feel around us. We have the authority to push back the tide of evil, corruption, lack and every plan of the devil by proclaiming the truth of God's Word in this world. We are God's representatives and we will see His kingdom established every place we go. Let's keep our eyes fixed on what is eternal and live from Heaven's perspective on this earth; this is our mandate - living by faith and not by sight.

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He Fill’s us with Confidence.


"And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]"Galatians 5:24-25 (AMPC)


How can we be controlled by the Holy Spirit when He doesn't force Himself upon us? How can we crucify our flesh when God doesn't punish us? How are we careful to not reject the Holy Spirit without having God's threats warning us and keeping us in check? When we have a revelation of God's pure love and His grace that empowers us to live for Him, His Spirit takes the lead! It's so beautiful to know God doesn't force, beat or threaten us into the life He has for us. Instead, He makes every opportunity available to draw us to Himself. That's where we find He is our source of power and strength to live out His ways with joy each day. As we surrender to His love He fills us with confidence to know we are righteous before Him. As we embrace His grace, it empowers us to walk in a joyful, willing obedience in response to His goodness and kindness towards us. We are enabled to love, and walk with and by the Spirit because Christ lives in and walks with us!

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Waiting on the Lord!

"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."Isaiah 40:31 (AMPC)


Even at its prime and peak, human strength is flawed. The strongest among the human race is bound to run out of steam at some point. But we have a Creator who made us for fellowship with Him - the most innate of human necessities. In that place of looking to Him and walking with Him, He designed it that we would find new strength - and not the natural kind. It's the supernatural strength that can revive hope warn thin! God knows precisely the very things that sap the life out of our very bones, as well as what energises us; and in close communion with Him we get to know the same as well. Our waiting on the Lord seems to be a paradox of terms because in our deliberately turning to Him there is a pursuing His face that brings us to a place of energised rest. This is where we receive renewed strength to walk, run, and soar with Him in His purpose for us. Inexhaustible strength is awaiting you in Him!

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Christ Live in Me.

“Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man].”. Philippians 2:5-7 (AMP)


Let's explore this scripture in the context of relationships. The Bible encourages us to have the same attitude Christ had, who gave up divine rights and privileges in order to do God's will in serving humanity. Jesus was our perfect example in this regard. He loved deeply and forgave instantly. Even though He felt the pain and sorrow of conflicts and rejection, He still loved unconditionally; gave of Himself unselfishly; and poured out tenderness and kindness continually. He saw great value in everyone He met, and treated them as such. So when our goal is to be like Jesus, we must understand it's impossible to achieve without us dissolving into Him... To the point where we can say: "It's no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, NKJV)

Welcome to July!

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Choose Life

"Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth."Deuteronomy 28:1 (NKJV)


There are over 7000 promises recorded in the Bible; in Deuteronomy 28, Moses highlights many of these promises concerning the blessing of God. God has given all of us the freedom to choose between life and death, the blessing and the curse. Think about this for a moment: although God's desire is for us to live a life of abundance, prosperity and divine health; bottom-line, we have to choose life to enjoy the blessing of God. As life is a choice, death also is a choice. Why would anyone deliberately choose death? It comes down to serving the flesh. When we allow our flesh to dominate our daily thoughts, words and actions over and above the way of the Spirit, we choose death. Notice the Word says "IF you diligently OBEY the voice of the Lord..." Making a quality decision to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit in all we do is a deliberate choice for life. So begin to set a new path for life today; choose to listen and obey the Spirit of God and refuse to be led by the flesh. Then get ready to see the blessing of God begin to manifest in every area of your life!

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Live a worthy Life!

"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live"Deuteronomy 30:19 (NKJV)


God greatly desires that we choose life so we and our descendants may live the life worthy of the price Jesus paid! It's His will and good pleasure to see the blessing of Abraham evident in our lives. Like Abraham, it takes faith in God's character and His Word to step into it. Abraham was fully persuaded concerning the promise and purpose of God; he understood that God's desire was to see him blessed. When we become secure in knowing how much God loves us, we will respond to His leading immediately - just like Abraham did. The Bible says he did not stagger or waver when it came to believing and obeying God. Our confidence to pray and stand on the promises of God must come from a place of being in His Presence and embracing His love for us first. This is what will make us fully persuaded of His faithfulness and willingness to perform all He has promised. This is the confidence and peaceful joy that our children will see and walk in too, as they follow us. And this is the way the world will be drawn to the goodness of God as they see His kindness and exuberant blessing on His children who obey Him out of their deep love for knowing Him.

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Consider This!

"He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah's [deadened] womb."Romans 4:19 (AMPC)

If you find yourself in a situation where the odds have been noticeably stacked against you, and discouragement comes crouching at the door of your heart, take a moment to consider Abraham's predicament. He had a tremendous impossibility stacked up against him, but he also had a magnificent promise from a faithful God who never fails. The victory for Abraham came when his faith didn't weaken when he considered the odds that were against Him in comparison to who He considered His God to be. His eyes were more fixed on God and what He had personally shown him, and spoken into his heart, than the details of how it would all come to pass. Remember: the issues and challenges we face don't negate the faithfulness of God, or the fact that He will keep His promises. When doubt and despair come lurking, begin to praise and thank the Lord for His great love for you, and His goodness and faithfulness to see every promise become your reality! Before you realize it, those feelings of doubt and despair will be fleeing from you with their tails between their legs. God is so good - let this be what you consider!

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NOTES: IN HIS HANDS
Introduction
• Life has its seasons.
• At times everything seems to be going well, and at other times we can face unexpected challenges and uncertainty.
• Every day brings new opportunities, but it can also bring difficulties we never anticipated.
• In the middle of it all, there is one truth that never changes: our lives are in God's hands.
• There is no safer place to be than in His hands.
• His hands are hands of love, compassion, strength, and faithfulness.
• We can find security, peace, and confidence in knowing that He is holding us securely.
• Nothing takes Him by surprise, and nothing is beyond His ability to handle.
• He knows what is best for us, He knows the plans He has for us, and He promises never to leave us.
• Whatever you may be facing today, you can rest in the assurance that you are in His hands.
1. YOUR WHOLE LIFE IS IN HIS HANDS.
• Psalm 139:16 'Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your Book before one of them came to be.'
• Before anyone else knew you existed, God knew you.
• From the moment of conception, His loving eyes were upon you.
• Your life has never been an accident or an afterthought.
• Every day of your life is known to Him.
• He sees the beginning, the middle, and the end all at once.
• Even when life feels uncertain to us, nothing is uncertain to Him.
• You can trust the One Who already knows every chapter of your life.
2. HE MADE YOU AND HE KNOWS YOU.
• Psalm 119:73 'Your hands made me and formed me.'
• You are God's workmanship.
• He designed you with purpose, intention, and care.
• Every gift, every ability, every part of your personality was known by Him.
• Because He made you, He understands you completely.
• He knows your strengths and your weaknesses.
• He knows your fears, your hopes, and your dreams.
• The One Who created you knows exactly how to care for you.
3. HIS HANDS HOLD EVERYTHING YOU NEED.
• 1 Chronicles 29:12 'In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.'
• Everything we need is found in God's hands.
• When we are weak, His hands provide strength.
• When we lack wisdom, His hands provide direction.
• When we are discouraged, His hands provide encouragement.
• When we are weary, His hands provide renewed strength.
• He is never limited by our circumstances.
• Whatever you need today, His hands are more than sufficient.
4. YOU ARE PRECIOUS AND VALUABLE TO GOD.
• Isaiah 49:16 'See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.'
• This is one of the most beautiful pictures of God's love.
• Your name, your life, and your circumstances are continually before Him.
• You are never forgotten.
• You are never overlooked.
• You are deeply loved and highly valued by your Heavenly Father.
• The Lord does not simply know about you, He carries you continually on His heart.
• Your value is not determined by what others think of you, but by what God says about you.
5. EVEN THERE, HE IS HOLDING YOU.
• Wherever and in whatever situation you may find yourself, even there, He is holding you.
• Psalm 139:9-10 'EVEN THERE Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.'
• I love those two words: 'Even there.'
• Even there, in the valley, in the storm, in the uncertainty, in the waiting, in the disappointment, or in the place you never expected to be, God is there.
• There is no place where His hand cannot reach you.
• His hand not only guides us, but it also holds us securely.
• When we feel as though we cannot hold on any longer, we discover that He is holding on to us.
• His grip is stronger than our fears, our doubts, or our circumstances.
• You may feel alone, but you are never abandoned.
• Wherever life takes you, His hand is already there.
6. HE HOLDS YOUR VERY BREATH.

• Job 12:10 'In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.'
• Every breath we take is a gift from God.
• Our lives are sustained by His power and His goodness.
• We often take our next breath for granted, but each breath reminds us that God is sustaining us moment by moment.
• The One Who holds your breath also holds your life.
• If He is faithful to sustain you with every breath, He will also be faithful to sustain you through every challenge.
• Our lives do not depend merely on our own strength or ability; they rest in His loving hands.
• Every new day and every new breath is another reminder of His faithfulness.
7. YOUR FUTURE IS IN HIS HANDS.
• Psalm 31:14-15 'I trust in You, LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hands...'
• We do not know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow.
• Our future is not determined by chance or circumstance; it rests securely in God's hands.
• He knows the road ahead long before we begin to walk it.
• He is already in every tomorrow we will ever face.
• When uncertainty tries to produce fear, we can choose to trust.
• The safest place for our future is in the hands of our faithful Heavenly Father.
• Because our times are in His hands, we can face the future with confidence instead of fear.
8. HE WILL CARRY YOU.
• Isaiah 46:4 'I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.'
• What a wonderful promise this is.
• God does not simply create us and leave us to find our own way.
• He remains actively involved in every stage of our lives.
• He knows every burden we carry and every battle we face.
• There are seasons when we feel strong enough to walk, and there are seasons when we simply do not have the strength.
• During those difficult times, God does not ask us to carry ourselves, but He promises to carry us.
• Look at the progression of His promise:
He made you. He will carry you. He will sustain you. He will deliver you.
• He is your Creator, your Sustainer, your Strength, and your Deliverer.
• His hands will never grow weary, and His love will never fail.
• You can safely place your life into His hands, knowing that the One Who has carried you this far will continue to carry you all the way home.

See God

"...He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me."John 12:44-45 (NKJV)

People don't battle with or even question God's sovereignty and ability to do the impossible and move powerfully in the earth. The issue comes with them believing He will do it for them. Our confidence in believing we will personally see and experience the goodness of God in our lives can only come from us truly knowing His heart towards us. And the only way to really know His heart, which He has by no means hidden from us, is in His Word. Jesus is the Word made manifest (John 1:14). But even though Jesus walked among us demonstrating the goodness of the Father - full of grace and truth - many didn't recognise His goodness was for them personally. When we pursue knowing the character of God in His Word, we must come with expectant hearts! And when we truly want to hear His voice and see His heart, we lean in and anticipate receiving from Him. Come to know, see, and hear the heart of the Father in His Word today - He hasn't hidden Himself from you. He shares Himself willingly and with great joy! Seek Him, and you will see Him!

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