There Was Jesus

There Was Jesus

by | Apr 25, 2024 | Devotionals, Worship Reflections

“In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing and the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I’ve been and where I’m going
Even when I didn’t know it or couldn’t see it
There was Jesus”

There Was Jesus, Zach Williams and Dolly Parton

“Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.”

2 Corinthians 4:8-9: CEV

Have you ever stood in the snack aisle of your local grocery store, unable to make up your mind?

So many options… And they are constantly adding new ones.

Or perhaps you are buying new running shoes and can’t decide what will look better with your track suit…

Life is full of choices. Many of them are mundane and really don’t matter much – but then there are the bigger ones – should you perhaps stop drinking – even if it means the ‘embarrassment’ of admitting you have a problem? Is this the right job or should you stay in this toxic environment? Should you leave or stay with your abusive husband? Should you confess to cheating on your spouse?

Over the last decade I have counseled many people, and the questions – these tough questions – are just the tip of the iceberg…

Paul says the following in 2 Corinthians 4: 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

Perplexed in this case (looking at the Greek) implies a situation where it feels like you have no way out. The dilemma is such that you FEEL stuck in indecision, unable to move – but Paul continues and says: but we are not in despair!

You might be walking through the slow of despondency – but you are not sinking.

There is hope. There is a way out.

The situation is perplexing. The solution is simple.

When the storms of life surround us and trouble is all around we run to the Rock of our Salvation – our Solid Ground – our Strong Tower.

We draw near to Him in prayer and through His Word.

In prayer we draw near in petition and supplication – and He answers. Sometimes it’s not the answer we expected – but He answers – by giving us wisdom, discernment and above all peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

We speak to Him in prayer and He answers through His Word as well as the wise counsel and support of mature and Spirit-led brothers and sisters in Christ.

When our situations and circumstances perplex us I urge you to draw near to God in prayer – as an individual – but also with trusted brothers and sisters. There is power in praying together.

Reach out to mature Christians in your life and let them help you in the difficulty you are facing.

And above all, let God speak to you through your conscience, but above all through His Word – which really does have all the answers.

Finally, trust in God!

And if you persevere you will make it through the other side and realize that He was with you all along! Every step of the way!

He is near to those who are discouraged and saves those who have lost all hope! (Psalm 34:18). He is our strength and refuge! Our ever-present help in times of trouble! (Psalm 46). He wipes away our tears and binds up the broken hearted! He sets the captives free! He picks us up, dusts us off and puts us back on Solid Ground!

He never leaves us. He never forsakes us.

We are just sometimes blinded by what is in front of us – looking at the waves rather than Jesus walking on the water.

But He is with you. There is a way out. There is a solution. There is hope.

There is always Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, I need You. Your Word says that You are an ever-present help in times of trouble. Your Word promises that You are near to those who are discouraged – our Strong Tower and Refuge. Be my Refuge today, Lord. Be my Shelter in the storm. Be the Light upon my path. Grant me wisdom and discernment and help me see that You are busy making the way where there seems to be no way. Guide my decisions. Guide my words. Guide my actions. Help me see Your hand in my situation today and lead me to find rest in You. In the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

Raise a Hallelujah

Raise a Hallelujah

by | Apr 24, 2024 | Devotionals, Worship Reflections

“I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me”

Raise a Hallelujah, Jonathan and Melissa Helser

“15 On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. 16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! (Ruwa) For the Lord has given you the city!”

Joshua 6:15-16:

The word used for shout here in verse 16 (RUWA) implies – more than anything else – a shout of triumph or joy – especially in the Psalms where it is most often translated as joyful noise or triumph – eg. Psalm 47:1, 66:1, 81:1, 95:1-2, 98:4-6.

Ruwa is a joyful noise – it is a call to arms and a war cry – but one at which the very Heavens are mobilised.

As in the story of Joshua and the fall of Jericho when the people of Israel blew their shofars and cried their cry of joyful triumph (RUWA) the Hand of God reached down and knocked down the legendary walls of this ancient city.

We read in 2 Chronicles 20 that a great army rose up against Judah – the Ammonites, the Moabites and their auxiliaries banded together and formed a formidable enemy.

In the face of this threat the Spirit of the Lord speaks through Jahaziel and in verse 17 we read: ”17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

Keeping the faith the people praised God in the face of their adversity. The Bible tells us that they sang together – the ‘worship team’ at the front of the procession – in a LOUD VOICE:

“Give thanks to the Lord,

for His love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 20:20-23)

On that day the Lord and His angel armies fought on behalf of His children.

In the New Testament Paul gives us this advice in his letter to the Philippians: ”4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil4:4-7:)

Jesus climbed that lonely hill, the place of the skull, Golgotha to tear up the death warrant that our sin had issued against us. On that day the Warrior-King of Heaven climbed the mountain of our condemnation and struck a fatal blow to death itself.

As Augustine said: “He endured death as a lamb; He devoured it as a lion.“

And on that cross where the God of Creation, stepped down from His throne and robed in flesh, became our salvation He cried: IT IS FINISHED.

Today we rest in the finished work of Christ. Our warfare is not so much the fighting for victory – but the standing strong in victory.

Do we struggle with temptation, habitual sin or even addiction?

Is our struggle grief, sorrow and mental malady?

Do we struggle with infirmity and illness?

Is our struggle fear and insecurity?

Rejoice in the Lord, take it to Him in prayer and petition with thanksgiving… and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Cry out to the Lord with joy and triumph knowing that He hears You, and He loves You – with the assurance that He is the One who fights for You!

In the face of our enemy we weaponize the melody of our praise – we shout louder than the unbelief – PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!

As He has been – so He will be. Our Rock. Our Shield. Our Strong Tower in which we find refuge from the storms of life.

As He has been so He will be. Mighty God. Conqueror. Prince of Peace. Everlasting Father – our Victory.

Prayer: Lord, today I raise a Hallelujah! I shout, let God be praised for His mercy endures forever. As You have been so You will be. I declare today that there is victory in the name of Jesus. I thank You Lord that I can stand strong in You, with You as my foundation. I thank You Lord that You fight for me – on my behalf. In every struggle and in every storm You are right there by my side. Thank You Lord that I don’t have to face these things alone, but that I can rest in the knowledge that You have already worked the victory. Help me rest in You today. Let Your peace – that peace that surpasses all understanding – guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus today. In Your Mighty Name. Amen.

Champion: Worship Devotional

Champion: Worship Devotional

by | Feb 26, 2024 | Devotionals, Worship Reflections

“You are my championGiants fall when You standUndefeatedEvery battle You’ve won”

Champion, Dante Bowe

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

1 Samuel 17:45, NIV

God is the God of the impossible.

In the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) we read that the Philistines gathered their armies and pitched their tents in Judah – and sent forth their champion, a giant named Goliath.

Goliath taunted and ridiculed the Israelites – for forty days he came out every morning and shouted at the children of Israel.

1 Samuel 17:4-11:

“4 A champion (‘ish habenayim) named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.[a] 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels[b]; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.[c] His shield bearer went ahead of him.

8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.”

The word translated as champion (‘ish habenayim) is more literally translated as the ‘man between the two’ – signifying a sort of intermediary or mediator. The word ‘champion’ here indicates a person who fights ‘on behalf’ of someone else. In Ancient times wars would often be settled by what was known as a ‘camp fight’ in which each camp would send forth their ‘champion’ to settle the dispute. Whoever won the battle would win the war. 

The Israelites, however, their whole army as well as their esteemed warrior-king Saul (1 Sam 11) were left dismayed, terrified and scattered.

While all of this is happening, a teenage boy named David is sent by his father to take provisions of grain and bread to his brothers.

David was not in the army, and scholars note that he was between the ages of 16-19 at the time, based on the timeline of events in 1 Samuel, the cultural context and the original Hebrew texts (Numbers 1:3, 1 Samuel 17:33).

The devil the Philistines sent forward asked for a man to fight. God sends a shepherd-boy. God sends David to stand publicly in the victory He ordained.

Goliath was quite upset about this, we read:

“41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”” (1 Samuel 17:41-44)

But David makes this powerful statement: “You come against me with sword, spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel!”

And with one stone the enemy is shattered.

Yes, the Philistines sent forth their champion, armed to the teeth and full of pride.

But a humble teenager stood up for what he believed in and allowed his Champion to win the battle for him, through him.

Christ Jesus is our Champion. He fights on our behalf.

When I am weak, He is my strength. When the enemy breathes slander and murderous threats I come in the name of Jesus. My Champion has gone before and has already won.

Hebrews 12:1-2: (NLT)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

Jesus conquered the grave. He has stripped death of its victory and its sting. He has left the devil exposed and naked – the enemies tents are torn, his pots have been cast asunder and his camp is empty – there is nothing there but empty threats.

We just have to realize who we are in Christ.

God takes the foolish things, the broken things and the lowly things – the humble things – and He lifts them up, raising them to glory.

Because of this we can cast aside the heavy garment of insecurity, our inferiority complex, our feelings of worthlessness and ‘not good enough’ and face every giant standing in our way. Whether that giant is poverty and unemployment, addiction, illness, family issues, your mental health – it has been shouting at you, mocking you, trying to intimidate you, trying to keep you down – but today the Lord has said ‘ENOUGH!’. Stand up in the name of Jesus and the giant will fall.

There is victory in Jesus.

And as you stand in the victory of our Champion, you also carry it forward. Your victory can lead to victory in the lives of those around you.

David stood in the victory that God had prepared. It was a personal victory but also a national victory – the victory was owned by every Israelite gathered there and at home.

Your victory will have a ripple effect.

As you testify about the victory you have in Christ you will help others see the same victory in their lives.

So, not only are you meant to be victorious in Christ, but you are also called to lead others to this same victory.

Stand in your victory today. And then carry it forward. 

Prayer: Lord, today I come against every valley spirit trying to keep me down. I come against every giant that has been making a mockery of my faith, and I take off this heavy garment of insecurity, fear and doubt. You have plans for me – plans for good and not for evil. Help me see today that the battle belongs to You, You have already won. As I bring my giants before you today Lord, I thank You that one by one they will fall and I will see my victory. And as I see the victory let me proclaim the goodness of the Lord. Help me lead others to You as I carry it forward, testifying of Your love and grace and proclaiming the power of Your Name. Amen.

 

Lion: Let The Lion Roar

Lion: Let The Lion Roar

by | Feb 25, 2024 | Devotionals, Worship Reflections

“Hail, hail Lion of JudahLet the Lion roar“

Lion, Elevation Worship

“Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.“

Psalm 68:1, KJV

I have been rereading the book of First Samuel, and a striking passage is found at the very start when Hannah prays her prayer of thanksgiving.

1 Samuel 2:1: And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

Earlier we read that she was one of the two women Elkanah had married – her sister-wife being Peninnah. We find out in chapter 1 that Hannah was barren and Peninnah had given her husband children – yet Elkanah loved Hannah more. His love for Hannah made Peninnah jealous and she was mean to and constantly provoked Hannah – taunting her, embarrassing her… To the point where Hannah would not even eat at Shiloh.

Hannah had an enemy – taunting her, berating her, provoking her, humiliating her.

An enemy that told her at every occasion that she was not good enough.

But God had plans for Hannah – and for all of Israel and the world through her.

You have an enemy today – an enemy that taunts and berates, provokes and humiliates – an enemy that tries to break you down and tell you that you are not good enough.

This might be a person, a situation, a mindset or even a condition of the heart.

But God has a plan for you.

The Psalmist writes in Psalm 68:1-4:

Let God arise,
Let His enemies be scattered;
Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.
As smoke is driven away,
So drive them away;
As wax melts before the fire,
So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
But let the righteous be glad;
Let them rejoice before God;
Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.

St. Augustine, writing about Jesus, risen and exalted, says the following: “He endured death as a lamb; he devoured it as a lion.”

I want to take this a step further. Not only did Jesus endure death – for the Bible teaches us that He knows our weakness, He understands our trials and our tribulations (Hebrews 4) – and in doing so, in putting on flesh and enduring our humanity – He devoured not only death, but also our weakness, our frailty, our poverty, our affliction, our suffering – the Lion roared on the Cross that day saying “IT IS DONE!”.

The Lion roared on the Cross that day and the curtain that separated us from the presence of the Almighty tore. The death warrant the enemy had been holding over your head tore…

The Lion roared on the Cross that day and His enemies were scattered.

There is a lot of meaning in names. We often call Jesus the Lion of Judah.

The name ‘Judah’ is translated as meaning ‘praise’ or ‘praised’ (Genesis 29:31-35).

Jesus is the Lion of our praise. Not only is He worthy of our praise – but He is also the origin of our praise.

He is our praise. He is our power. He is our peace. He is our provision. He is our victory.

When the Lion roars the valleys are raised up and the mountains are made low. When the Lion roars our enemies are scattered.

When the Lion roars we can say like Hannah did – My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

When the Lion roars His people roar with praise.

Prayer: Lord, come and roar in my life today. Let the enemies of self-doubt and insecurity scatter. Let the enemies of pride and arrogance scatter. Let the enemies of fear and depression scatter. (I encourage you to name the thing that is bothering you today) – Lord, let it scatter! Let my enemies be driven away like smoke. Lord, come roar in my life today. I declare that You are my provision. I declare that You are my healing. I declare that You are my restoration. I declare that You are my victory. Come and roar in my life today and I will roar with praise. I will testify, Lord of Your goodness and grace. In Jesus name. Amen!

Eagles Wings

Eagles Wings

by | Feb 25, 2024 | Devotionals, Worship Reflections

“Come live in meAll my lifeTake overCome breathe in meAnd I will riseOn eagle’s wings”

Eagles Wings, Hillsong

“He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
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 40:29-31, NKJV

God has in times past revealed Himself to us as God the Father – through the creation of the universe. He has revealed Himself as God with us when He took on flesh and walked in our midst as Jesus the Christ – the face, the grace and the embrace of God. Finally He reveals Himself as God in us and through us through the Holy Spirit.

In Romans 8:11: Paul describes the Holy Spirit as the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead.

We used to sing in the Afrikaans Pentecostal churches, ‘It’s the Holy Ghost and Power that is keeping me alive…”

The Holy Spirit is the life of God in us. The power of God in us. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in us.

Paul continues and in Romans 8:14-16: 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Elsewhere Paul writes and says, where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty – freedom! (2 Corinthians 3:17:)

God wants to give you that freedom today. He wants to give you that newness and freshness of life today.

In Romans 8 we read that famous declaration: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!”

The Holy Spirit is ‘The Mighty Conqueror” that Isaiah wrote about living IN us.

And if God is for us – if He is with us – and more importantly if He is in us – we can rise above every situation that the world can throw at us. We can rise above the works of the enemy. We can rise above the storm.

Eagles have the unique ability to fly above the storm – in fact, they use the storm to their advantage. They ride on the upper air currents and thermals, gliding above the turbulence of the weather down below.

Your storm might seem insurmountable – impossible – right now… But God wants to help you rise above it.

Just like the Eagle soars and glides effortlessly above the storm by resting on the drafts and currents – so too God wants to teach you to soar and glide above your storm by resting in Him.

It may seem impossible to you, but to God all things are possible.

Some trust in horses and chariots – but we will trust in the name of the Lord (Psalm 20:7), for those who put their trust in Him will never be put to shame.

Those who trust in the Lord – wait on the Lord – find their rest in God, will rise up with wings as eagles.

Philippians 4:6-7: “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.”

Prayer: Lord, sometimes it is hard to trust. Help me trust in You today. I give you every anxiety, every fear and every insecurity knowing that you will take these ashes and give me beauty in their place. Help me soar like the eagle above every situation and circumstance in my life as I declare that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in me and will help me rise above the storm. I declare that I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. Clothe me in Your strength. Clothe me in Your grace. Flood my life with Your love and peace as I go into this day with a new resolve – to wait upon You Lord. Write Your testimony on my heart. Write testimonies in and through my life. Come abide in me, Lord, I pray. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.