God's Child by Dave Thorpe

Gods Child

Born of the Father, God’s very own child,

Counted as worthy, by the world undefiled.

Chosen by God, to be His heir,

So that all that is His, is yours to share.

For your name is written, on God’s holy scroll,

As He kindly predestined, to redeem your soul.

You belong to the Father, you’re His by choice,

Now when He speaks, you delight in His voice.

He tells you you’re welcome, to sit on His throne,

Because His lifeblood for you did atone.

He shows you compassion, such love and grace,

And bids you to come, and look on His face.

You’ll see such compassion, such mercy and love.

And you’re protected by angels, sent from above.

To minister to you in times of great need,

And He’s given His word, upon which you can feed.

You’re truly Gods child, chosen by Him,

All darkness is broken, and you’re freed from all sin.

Holy and blameless in robes of pure white,

You are His trophy, you are His delight.

Dave Thorpe, November 2011

Dead Man

Temptation can’t trouble a dead man

Not even shadows hidden in dark corners

That twist around my wrist

And try to distract my thoughts

To strangle me.

However pulled I am

I cannot raise the old Adam

Deep memories

Lie in wait to ambush

When recollections suddenly appear

Accusing lies of sins forgiven

With nail pierced outstretched hands

Of a sacrifice, perfect and pure, in my place

In my crucified death.

Forgotten Heroes - Private Roy Inwood. V.C.

Private Roy Inwood, 10th Battalion, Victoria Cross action at Polygon Wood, near Ypres.

Roy Inwood, like many other fellow miners from Broken Hill, in far western New South Wales, enlisted in South Australia in the 10th Battalion. He served on Gallipoli before being sent to France, where his brother serving in the same battalion was killed at Pozières.

During the battle of Menin Road, near Polygon Wood, on 19-22 September 1917, Inwood attacked enemy strongpoints, capturing machine-guns and prisoners. Already a skilful scout, during the night he also went out with a patrol and gathered useful information.

In 1918 Inwood returned to Australia to help with recruiting. He served again in the Second World War.

It Is Finished by Joseph Prince

JOHN 19:30 

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. 

Imagine looking at Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa painting in the Louvre museum. Would you think of adding more brush strokes to it? Of course not! It was done by a master, so what could you possibly add to the painting to improve it?

In the same way, that is how we are to look at Jesus’ work on the cross. He cried out, “It is finished!” You cannot complete a completed work. You cannot finish a finished work. Our salvation is won. Our sins are all forgiven. We are made forever righteous by His blood. Christ paid completely and perfectly for our total forgiveness, righteousness and every blessing!

In fact, these three words, “It is finished”, come from one Greek wordteleo. In the days of Jesus, a servant would use it when reporting to his master: “I have completed the work assigned to me.” (John 17:4) The word means, “It is finished, it stands finished and it will always be finished!” Perhaps the most significant meaning of teleo is how it is used by merchants: “The debt is paid in full!” When Jesus gave Himself on the cross, He met fully the righteous demands of the law. He paid our debts in full!

Today, it is not our works that will bring us the blessings. It is Christ’s finished work. Christian living is not about doing, but believing in His finished work. Under the law, we must do. Under grace, it is done!

Maybe you are faced with overwhelming odds today. Jesus promises, “It is finished!” You are not going to be delivered because you have already been delivered. You are not going to be healed because you are already the healed! God healed you 2,000 years ago! Isaiah 53:5 declares, “By His stripes you are healed!” You are already pregnant with healing. Keep resting in His finished work and it will manifest!

My friend, the work is finished. The victory is won. Our blessings have been bought by His blood! Live life knowing that there is nothing for you to do—only believe! It is finished!

God's Plan

Proverbs 23:7

Friday's Five - On Compassion

Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation – Henry Ward Beecher

Compassion is the basis of all morality – Arthur Schopenhauser

The dew of compassion is a tear. – Lord Byron

I saw that every natural compassion anyone has for a fellow Christian is due to Christ living within; and every bit of self-emptying that he revealed in his passion was shown again in this compassion – Julian of Norwich.

If we offer compassion to one another, when the opportunity arises, we offer compassion to Christ just as, when others compassionate us we receive from then the tenderness of Jesus himself who is living within them - Elizabeth Ruth Obbard

Compassion

Compassion is a tender heart

Like

A simple kind act overthrows the mightiest kingdom

A gracious word overcomes ignorance

A sweet affection heals a hardened heart

A precious promise fills a treacherous void

A shepherd cares for a lonely, lost sheep

A lover calms a fearful spirit

Compassion is nearness

Compassion is a gentle touch

Compassion is reaching out

Compassion is grace in action.

Forgotten Heroes - Lieutenant Joseph Maxwell. V.C., MC, DCM,

Lieutenant Joseph Maxwell, 18th Battalion, performed the action that resulted in him being awarded the Victoria Cross, on the fortified 'Beaurevoir line', near Estrees, France.

Joe Maxwell was an apprentice boilermaker before enlisting in Sydney in February 1915. He served on Gallipoli and the Western Front. Rough, tough, and exceptionally brave, he was commissioned in late 1917. In little more than a year he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), the Military Cross and Bar, and the Victoria Cross.

On 3 October 1918, near Estrees, Maxwell took over when his company commander was wounded and captured a machine-gun. He then attacked another post. Later he was briefly taken prisoner. During a barrage, he managed to pull out a concealed revolver, shoot two of the enemy, and escape....

Although aged just 22, Maxwell became the second most highly decorated Australian. He later worked in a variety of jobs. His book, Hell's bells and mademoiselles (published 1932), became a war classic. Using an alias, he enlisted in the Second World War but was discovered and discharged.

Maxwell was awarded the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross and Bar, DCM, service medals for the First World War, and coronation medals for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

From A Park Bench - A Joint-Heir of God through Christ

Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. – Galatians 4:7

What would happen if you received a letter informing you that you are the richest person in the world? That millions of pounds had been deposited into your bank account. I would think overwhelming joy, unbelievable freedom, and amazing security. Hope, joy, peace would be just some of the reactions you would experience.

The amazing truth is that every Christian has been given something that is infinitely greater than coins in their bank account. They have been made an heir of God and a joint-heir in Christ. All of the storehouses of heaven’s riches have been opened up and made available by grace.

Everything that Christ is has been interwoven into us; we have the fullness of Christ on the inside of us.

Because Christ is perfect peace we have perfect peace

Because Christ is glory we have his glory living in us

Because Christ is never sick we have the health of God inside of us

Because Christ endured pain for us we can live free from oppression.

Because Christ won the victory over Satan we can have total victory over every affliction.

Grace is everything Christ won at the cross, freely given to me as a gift, deposited into my spirit for me to enjoy and live in.

I am sanctified, holy, redeemed, and free. I am a joint-heir with Christ.

All I have to do is to receive all that is available and even this is done by resting and reveling in my union with Christ. As I gaze into his eyes of love, as I immerse into his river of healing, as I drench in his waterfall of unmerited favor, all the blessing of God become an effortless reality of my union with Christ. Jesus is the joy of my life, the song in my heart, the wind in my sails, the blood flowing in my veins.

Grace Notes - Mark 14:36

Mark 14:36 "And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."

It is almost too good to be true, that God should welcome me into his family as a joint-heir.  All the privileges of sonship have been bestowed on me.

Just like any natural son, I have the same DNA and blood flowing through my veins. If you were to open me up and dissect my spirit it would have the fullness of Christ grafted into it.

Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ, because Christ is eternally interwoven into my spirit and when God looks at me he sees Christ in me.

As Andrew Wommack explains Jesus purchased us from the depths of sin so we could reign with Him in fullness of life, right here, right now all by his wonderful grace.

Although God was referred to as our Father in the Old Testament, Jesus' frequent use of this title brought a whole new understanding of our relationship with God. Jesus referred to God as His Father, and He spoke of God as being our Father as well. This infuriated the religious Jews of Jesus' day who considered it blasphemy to call God their Father, because they understood that to mean they were equal with God.

We are instructed to call God our Father, revealing the kind, gentle, loving nature of our God. The term "Abba" is an affectionate term that a young child calls his father, which corresponds to our term "daddy." It is a term used to express intimacy and affectionate fondness. It removes the idea of God as a strict judge and carries the image of Him as a loving Father who cares, understands, and is our best friend. "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 Jn. 3:1).

We are sons of God by adoption. Jesus was the Son of God by nature. As Jesus said to the Jews, ye are of your Father the devil (Jn. 8:44; Eph. 2:3).

However, Jesus purchased us and made us adopted sons of God.

We are not just heirs, we are joint-heirs with Christ. To think that we share equally with the one who has inherited everything God is, and has, is beyond comprehension.

A Glimpse Of You

A glimpse of you

Your compassion

Your long-suffering

Your loving kindness

Your forgiveness

Every fibre of my soul

Is no surprise to you

Wrap your arms around me

Sooth my agitated soul.

A view of the cross

Your outstretched arms

Your overwhelming love

Your pain and sorrow

Your compassion

Overpower me with your favour

Radiate grace into my depths

Extend to me your mercy

Let me focus on your love.

A Psalm of Thanksgiving by Judith Barnett

God you are so very good

Where would we be without you?

You never laugh at us or dismiss us,

You only ever encourage and affirm.

You are the rock on which we stand.

You are our provider, our refuge and our friend through all the ups and downs of life.

Nothing is a surprise to you.

And you give us daily strength and provide help for us to carry on

Thank you for the gift of friendship.

You have made us your friends – we praise your name

Thank you that you have not left us alone.

You have given us friends – we praise your name

Thank you your love accepts us as we are

Thank you that your love is committed to the best for us – and that usually means change

Thank you for friends who change us:

For love that commits to us

For words that encourage us

For attitudes that soften us - that the rough edges of our character get knocked off.

Thank you that you are making us more like Jesus

Thank you for your smile over us; your friendship and my friend.

Friday's Five - On Hope

Every blade of grass, each leaf, each separate petal, is an inscription speaking of hope – Richard Jefferies.

If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes – Clement of Alexandria.

Whatever enlarges hope will also exalt courage – Samuel Johnson.

In God alone is there faithfulness and faith in the trust that we may hold to him, to his promise, and to his guidance. To hold to God is to rely on the fact that God is there for me, and to live in this certainty – Karl Barth.

The word ‘hope’ i take for faith; and indeed hope is nothing else but the constancy of faith – John Calvin.

Hope

Hope is a promise cherished

Like

A loving word transforms a painful memory

A match struck lights up a dungeon

A tear of love heals the ashes of the past

A sip of beauty dilates a chalice of pain

A tender embrace casts down a mountain of fear

A sweet perfume forgives a sorrowful heart

Hope is a banquet

Hope is a hunger

Hope is a word of grace

Forgotten Heroes - Frederick Tubb. V.C.

Frederick Tubb was born near Longwood, Victoria, in November 1881. He left school to manage the family farm, and later became a grazier in his own right. He served with the Victorian Mounted Rifles and the 58th Infantry Regiment in which he was commissioned. Tubb enlisted in the AIF in August 1914 and was posted to the 7th Battalion as a second lieutenant. He was promoted to lieutenant in February 1915, reached Gallipoli in July, and was gazetted captain on 8 August. On the same day he took over a vital sector of trench at Lone Pine, with orders to “hold it at any cost”.

Early the following morning the Turks launched a massive attack, advancing along a sap barricaded with sandbags. Although Tubb was blown from the parapet and the barricade repeatedly wrecked, each time it was rebuilt. At one point a large explosion blew in the barricade and Tubb, wounded in the arm and scalp, was left with Corporals Alexander Burt...on and William Dunstan. He led them into action, shooting three Turks and providing covering fire while the barricade was rebuilt.

After the attack Tubb was evacuated to Britain to recover, and was awarded the Victoria Cross. Rejoining his battalion in France in 1917, he took part in the Menin Road attack in Belgium in September. Again Tubb showed great courage, leading his company to its objective, but he was mortally wounded by shell-fire. He was buried in the Lijessenthoek military cemetery, Belgium.

Citation (abridged):

In the early morning of 9 August the enemy made a determined counter-attack on the centre of a newly captured trench held by Lieutenant Tubb. They advanced up a trench and blew in a sandbag barricade, leaving only a foot of it standing. Tubb led his men back, repulsed the enemy and rebuilt the barricade. Strong enemy bombing parties succeeded in twice again blowing in the barricade, but on each occasion Tubb, although wounded in head and arm, held his ground with the greatest coolness, rebuilt it and succeeded in maintaining his position under very heavy bomb fire

From A Park Bench - God Delights In Me

God delights in me, in Him I am accepted into the life of God and I am a son of the living God. I belong to God, I was planned and conceived in the heart of God. Before time and matter was created, before the universe was created by the word of God, before the stars were put into place I was in the heart of God. He is my origin and the source of life, I was his created child, made in His image and likeness, I belong to the family of God.

All around me, every day I am bombarded by the junk of the world, that puts lies into my mind. Lies that try to convince me that I am an orphan, that I am unloved, that I was unwanted, that I am unacceptable, that I am alone in this world and that God does not delight in me. 

But I am redeemed, I was a prisoner. Held in bondage, captive to lies and the wrong perception, but Christ came and opened up the prison doors and claimed me as his own.  I was released, I was taken and I was invited in to my Father’s palace, he placed a glorious, spotless robe of righteousness on me, he placed his signet ring on my finger and invited me to his banqueting feast. With all the celebrating of the eternal glory he placed his very life on the inside of me and made me his dwelling place.

I became royalty; I entered into the freedom of glory. Freed to enjoy my rightful place as a royal son, enjoying the riches of heaven, delighting in the life of His son, safe, carefree, loved, cherished, accepted, claimed, held.

My home is with God, my life is In Christ, my fellowship is in the life of the Holy Spirit

He delights in me and is passionate about me and none of this is dependent upon me it is all through Him and is received by diving into the ocean of his grace.

Grace Notes - Luke 24 v 21

Luke 24:21 "But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done."

It was the eternal plan of God made before time was created that I should become a son of God though my adoption into his Son.

By grace, God anticipated and provided all that was required, and through Christ’s death my eternal salvation was paid for and made complete, all I have to do is believe it and receive it.

My inheritance is not dependent upon my good works, not dependent upon my obedience, not dependent upon my effort, but is solely dependent upon my falling and immersion into the blood of Christ.

Christ + nothing = everything.

His overwhelming sacrifice overflows in my life as I become immersed in His grace.

Andrew Wommack explains that it was the life of God poured out at on the cross that purchased my redemption: -

When the right time came, God sent forth His Son from Heaven in His pre-existent state, into the world. He was born of a woman (virgin birth) and was made subject to the requirements of the law. Jesus was sent at a specific time. The entrance of Jesus into the physical realm was not a random thing occurring at a haphazard time. There were developments that had to take place before Christ could come to earth and redeem man. The Father sent His Son to the earth at the earliest possible time. Anytime prior to the time Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, would have been premature.

His purpose for coming into the world was twofold. First, He came to "redeem them that were under the law." He did this by perfectly keeping the law, fulfilling it, and paying its curse (Mt. 5:17; Gal. 3:13). Thus, Christ delivered us from the entire system of the law. The Greek word for redeem means "to buy OUT OF the slave market."

Secondly, Christ gave us the status of sonship with all its privileges. Not only were we redeemed from the bondage of the law, but we were redeemed unto sonship. Many people stop short, only realizing what they were delivered from, not what they inherit. Sure, we need to rejoice that we are redeemed, but we also need to move on, and realize the full benefits of our inheritance.

God created us for Himself but we sold ourselves into slavery to the devil. God bought us back through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. No amount of effort, human works, or man's own righteousness could bring the divine favor that we needed. It was the actual life of God (Lev. 17:11) that purchased our redemption.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Crimson Scars

I love you

The crimson scars on your hands

Your glorious radiant light

I love you

The power of your life

Your transforming holy fire

This immersion into heavens glory

I love you

The colour of your amazing grace

Breaking the chains of bondage

Freeing my captive soul

I love you

The cross of promise

Where you took my sin, took my place

Died my death

Forgave my sin

Forever, reconciled me

I love you.

Friday's Five - On Love

The reason for loving God is God himself and how he should be loved is to love without limit – Bernard of Clairvaux.

It is possible to give without loving, but it is impossible to love without giving – Richard Braunstein.

Take away love and our earth is a tomb – Robert Browning.

Let us make God the beginning and end of our love, for he is the fountain from all good things flow and into him alone they flow back. Let him therefore be the beginning of our love – Richard Rolle,

Where there is love, there is a trinity; a lover, a beloved and a spring of love – Augustine of Hippo.

Love

Love is an intimate desire

Like

A soft whisper calms a raging storm

A flickering candle kindles the flames of a heart

A tender breath restores lost affections

A garland of flowers disperses the cold winter

A song of praise heals pains scars

A lover’s touch dispels carried cares

Love is gracious

Love is above everything

Love is molten grace

Love is beyond measure.

Grace - A Word for the New Year

A word for the new year

For my heart’s desire to now cherish and embrace

A word for the new year

Planted to grow, to blossom your fruit to appear

As guilt and worry with divine love to replace

All of God’s riches are found in his unearned grace

A word for the new year.

------------------

A Rondelet written for Poets United

Grace is my word chosen for One Word 365 and My One Word

From A Park Bench - An Illusion

I still remember the first time my Grand father performed his ‘magic trick’ of passing his finger through the flame of a candle. I sat there amazed that he beat nature and fear by taking on fire and overcoming it. It seemed impossible to me. I thought my Grand father was an amazing man. Of course as I grew up and understood the ‘trick’ I understood that anyone can do this ‘trick’ and there was no magic involved. But for quite a few years I was in awe of his little illusion.

Somehow and I don’t quite know how, I became convinced in my Christian life that God’s power and spirit was separated from me. I used to go to prayer revival meetings, where a number of us would cry out to God for him to move by His supernatural power. Now it wasn’t for lack of passion or desire. I really wanted God to move and I was earnest in my fervor to see a move of God, But, I felt God was up there in heaven and I was here below on earth. In reality this separation was an illusion, a lie based on my feelings and not based on the word of God.

The truth is that God is not separated from me, there is no separation, He is not distant from me, He is not withdrawn from me, He is not far away.

God by his Spirit is interwoven into my very being. It is He who animates my heart, gives me life and vitality, plans every single heart beat within my chest. His breath fills my lungs, Christ’s has become the very blood flowing within my veins, and my union with Christ is genuine and living.

Christ has promised never to leave me or forsake me, wherever I go I take Christ with me and it is his power and fullness that touches all those I reach out to. Every day is a new adventure in Christ and everyday is a chance for the living God to work in me and flow through me into a broken world.

Grace Notes - John 1:16

John 1:16,  - "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."

Salvation is a finished work; everything that is needed for us to live a fulfilled, victorious Christian life was provided by Jesus at the cross and is available to us by grace.

There was nothing left unavailable or unattainable, the work of Christ was perfect and complete. By grace we can receive, forgiveness, righteousness, peace, joy, hope, security, assurance, love, a sound mind, power. Grace is an overflowing fountain of God’s delights poured out to each and every one of us.

It is all available right now, this instance and it is free.

As Andrew Wommack explains grace is all that God is given to us through Christ: -

The Christian life is not like an insurance policy that only pays off when we die and go to heaven. Every believer has now received the grace of God and the fullness of God. We are now complete in Him (Col. 2:9-10).

When we receive Jesus as our Lord, we are instantly changed in our spirits (2 Cor. 5:17). Many Christians aren't aware of the change that takes place in their spirit. They continue to live within their physical and emotional realms and are oblivious to the new, born-again part of them that has received the fullness of God.

You can't see or feel your spirit. You just have to believe what the Word of God tells you because God's Word is spirit and life (Johnn. 6:63). Your spiritual salvation is complete. Nothing can be added to it. In your spirit, you are right now as you will be throughout all eternity (1 John. 4:17). PRAISE THE LORD!

To the degree that we will renew our minds to these truths and believe them, we will experience this fullness in this life, for as a man "thinks in his heart, so [is] he" (Proverbs. 23:7).

Pray the prayer of Ephesians. 1:15-23 and let the Holy Spirit reveal "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27).

Ephesians. 1:15-23 - “Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.  And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.”

But I Am Here

Care of ASBO Jesus

The Saviour Has Come by Bill Thomas

Have you not heard, can you not see,

The promise of God, made flesh for you;

Can this be the Saviour, the Messiah, the Son,

The redemption of man at last has begun;

Eternal salvation for you and for me,

Justice suspended and grace shining through.

Will you believe, can you not know,

The Saviour has come, His promises stand;

Death has been vanquished and mercy has won,

The bright star of David, at last He has come.

Hear angel praises, see mercies flow,

Frailty of flesh secure in God’s hand.

Come and receive, only believe,

The promise of ages, the Christ child has come;

Eternal life is promised to all,

Just heed the summons, respond to the call,

,And all of God’s promises you can receive

The fullness of life in Christ has come .

By  Bill Thomas

Grace, means everything is a gift

Grace, means everything is a gift

With no stipulations or requirements

Although I may think I don’t qualify

To enter into all God has given.

A God that loves to give and bless

Holding back nothing, no exceptions,

You don’t have to beg or get cleansed

To receive all that God has provided.

Grace, available to everyone

Not earned or merited in any way

Christ poured out love and sacrifice

Is sufficient for all God has given.

Happy 2014