If we call ourselves a Christian/follower of Jesus Christ, then our lives are not our own to do as we please but our lives belong to God and Jesus is our Lord/Master/King. In Galatians 5:25 it reads “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”

It is the Spirit who gives us life and therefore we should allow the Spirit to direct our steps, or to say it more literally we should allow the Spirit to be the greatest influence in the decisions we make. The result of living this way is that we grow strong and mature in God and fulfill His purposes for us in this life, which brings the greatest, eternal rewards and also true fulfilment in this life!

Jesus is our example and in Mark 1:12-13 we see how Jesus walked by the Spirit, it reads:

“The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”

The Holy Spirit directed Jesus to go to a place where he would face temptation & hunger. Jesus submits to this season and does not fight or resist it, but he does resist the Devil’s lies and relies on Gods word and provision to see him through.

We see that God didn’t lead Jesus into a test that he wasn’t ready for. Before being lead into the wilderness to face the testing, Jesus already knew the scriptures, from his upbringing, and God spoke to him to publicly affirm Jesus’ identity as His son who is loved. Jesus faces the test, which he passes with a Distinction, and then God’s angels minister to him and restore his strength.

My prayer for us today is that we would have great discernment to know the leading of the Spirit, humility to submit to the season that God has lead us to, and strength to resist the enemy and flee from temptation, knowing that we have all that we need to pass the test with a distinction!

Some relevant scriptures:

- Mark 1:9-13

- Mathew 3:13-4:11

- James 4:7

- Timothy 2:22

Recently the Lord has been reminding me to Magnify Him.

There is an enemy who loves nothing more than to cause us to focus on troubles, worries, concerns and obstacles in our lives. With our co-operation they can become magnified!

But recently Rob reminded us of the word in Psalm 34:3:

Oh magnify Jehovah with me, And let us exalt his name together. (American Standard)

&

Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. (New Living Translation)

When we choose to magnify the Lord over our situations, it lessens the strength those circumstances have on our lives and our emotions.

It is a choice though!

The apostle Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:8: 'And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Verse 9: Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.'

My encouragement is the Lord is excellent and worthy of our praise! Choose to magnify Him and know His wonderful peace.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10v9.

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege, alongside Marc to pray with a wonderful man as he gave his life to Jesus.

I was stirred during the worship to simply ask him once the meeting finished.

He didn't know the ins and outs of what to do or what his journey ahead would look like. He was simply happy to begin, to pray and make Jesus his Lord.

I had no idea when I woke up that morning that this was part of God's plan for the day. I hadn't prepared for it. There was nothing eloquent and scripted about what we prayed. I didn't draw a picture or pull out a tract. We just stood together as people on a journey with Jesus. I felt a little vulnerable, but I know God loves people and wants to save, so that was enough to make me brave!

I know the Word of God is 100% trustworthy, even if my words were messy and muddled!

Next time I'll be a little more prepared, but my encouragement is this, whether you think you have all the words or not, do it anyway! When the Spirit prompts, ask the question. "Would you like to give your life to Jesus?" God is the one who saves. He's looking for open hearts and faithful servants not professional prayers!

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I'm thankful to God this week that He has reminded me that in amongst all the things to think about, concerns, changes that only one thing is needed.

Jesus is our solid rock and foundation, He died *but* He rose again and all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him. He is worthy of all our praise and adoration, our loyalty and strength, our worship and praise. The one thing we need to do is stay close to Him, listen to Him only and keep trusting. He is more than able He can do more than we ask, think or imagine. He is our shepherd, is close by always to lead us, refresh us, bring us through and provide what is needed. He is worthy of all our praise!

Luke 10:38-42

New International Version

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

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