I have been rejoicing in one of God's wonderful promises.....

They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devasted. They will renew theruined               cities that have been devasted for generations.  Is 61:4

I have just started Beth Moore's book, "Breaking Free". She has been encouraging me to think about the  "ancient ruins" and "devastating places" that are in my family line. She compares ancient ruins to the weaknesses, attitudes, relational problems and sins that devastate lives as they are passed from one generation to another. My heritage has been rich in many ways, but it has also passed on too many "ancient ruins" that have hurt my children in many ways.

I liked Beth Moore's comment that Jesus was a carpenter by trade. He is in the restoration business and He can restore "ancient ruins" to the splendour of the architect's  original design.

This morning that promise was reconfirmed to me by a passage from Hagai......

The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former, and in this place I will give peace.

I can't wait!!

"He is able to save completely, those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to interced for them." Hebrews 7:25

I have been enjoying fresh thoughts about Christ's role as Savior in my life. I had been thinking of that role as over and done with. My sins have been forgiven. I have been placed in a position of right standing with God. My sins no longer keep me distant from God.

But today I am rejoicing because His role as Savior is so much bigger than that. Today I am rejoicing in that word "completely" or as KJ says "to the uttermost". How wonderful!

I am still bound by past sins. Those sins may be forgiven, but their long consequences bind me and those who have had a close association with me.

Thankyou Father that Jesus is still at work as my savior, breaking the binding power of those sins. Thankyou that His blood is at work today, cleansing, repairing, restoring, and renewing. I am beginning to see some of the effects of that work and I rejoice in the revelation of every new tiny evidence. Every new revealing makes me eager for more. I can't wait to see the new creations!

I am still bound by present sins. My fear and my doubt paralyse me and render me incapable of responding as I should.

Thankyou Father that Jesus Himself, is interceding for me, straightening out the tangled mess of burdens that have a stranglehold on my heart .

Today I can say with Paul " I am confident of this very thing, that He who began the good work...will perfect it"  Whew! What a relief!

I have been coming to realise that what you believe in your heart has a profound influence on how you view yourself, God and the world around you. I have also been coming to realise that what you believe in your heart is not necessarily what you say you believe.I have been coming to realise that I do not truly believe that God loves me as much as He says He does. Because I do not truly believe God's love, I live with anxiety, fear, regrets and sadness. I interpret everything I see around me from this skewed perspective.

God has been confirming His promises and His love to me through His word but I don't let these thoughts penetrate to the depths of my being. I accept them intellectually but I do not let them saturate.

Today I choose to saturate my mind with His assurances.

Can a woman forget her nursing child, And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands. Is 49:14

...that the world may know that... you did love them even as you did love Me! John 17:23

Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you! Jn15:9

I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. Jer 31:3

Casting all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you. 1Peter 5:7

Father, help me today to focuse on your love. Help me to comprehend the "height, depth and length and to know the love of God that passes all understanding"  Help me to live in that love today.

I had a wonderful ski today. It was glorious to be listening to worship music as I was gliding along the shores of the Muskoka River. The sun was shining, the temperature was warm, and the snow was clean and perfect. My sole companion was the one who created all the beauty that I saw around me. I thought that I was going to be lonely when I started out, since I have lost my skiing partner and I do miss her a lot. However, it was wonderful to be alone with God in such awe inspiring surroundings. It was wonderful to be able to chat as we skied, to be able to pour out my heart and to feel Him leading and guiding as I prayed for family and friends.

Thankyou Abba for that wonderful time together!

BTW I did still miss you Jess! Especially our times at Kelsey's after our ski.

Thank you Father that your word is alive. Thank you that its stories sometimes jump off the page, speaking to specific needs and problems.

I have been reading the tragic story of Asa - a good king who finished poorly.

Early in his reign he removed all the idols from Judah and he commanded the people to seek the Lord. When the Ethiopians came out against him with an army three times the size of his own, he followed his own teaching and sought the Lord

Lord there is no one beside you to help in this battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us Oh Lord our God for we trust in you and in your name we have come against this multitude. YOU ARE GOD, let not man prevail against you!

What a great victory of faith! "The Lord routed the Ethiopians....and the Ethiopians fled."

A triumph Asa would never forget! So why years later when the King of Isreal comes out against him, does he run to another king and purchase or bribe him for a treaty?

Why do I do the same thing? Why do I look to man/people for strength, security, answers, comfort and many other needs? When I look to man, or anything else, instead of God, I make those things my idols. God hates idols and I am realising that I have quite a few!

Asa's plan worked - sort of! It solved the immediate problem but it caused him to forfet God's better plan.

Because you have relied on the King of Aram and not relied on the Lord your God ... you have acted foolishly. From now on you will surely have wars.

Please Lord - Let me be more sensitive to your message than Asa.

In the 39th year of his reign Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians. So Asa slept with his fathers....

Lord thank you for reminding me of Asa's mistake. Thank you for revealing to me incidents in which I am doing the same thing. Help me to look to you in all things.

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus name.

When darkness veils His lovely face

I rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil

His oath His covenant His blood

Support me in the whelming flood

When all around my soul gives way

He then is all my hope and stay.

OnChrist the solid rock I satnd

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground issinking sand.