Day 67/365

Make sure you don’t forget GOD, your God, by not keeping his commandments, his rules and regulations that I command you today. Make sure that when you eat and are satisfied, build pleasant houses and settle in, see your herds and flocks flourish and more and more money come in, watch your standard of living going up and up—make sure you don’t become so full of yourself and your things that you forget GOD, your God (‭‭Deu‬ ‭8:11)

I was still trying to ‘live by Faith’ when GOD opened the door for me to have my own business. Suddenly money began flowing in and (for me), it became so easy to become full of myself and the things and enjoy it.

One morning, I was walking through Red Lion Square in London, just heading off for a coffee when I heard the Lord speak to me in my heart, “I’ve taught you to live through lack, now I’m going to teach you how to live and survive in plenty!”

Brothers and sisters, it was the hardest, most horrible, hurtful time for me EVER!

Everybody wanted a piece of the pie! Business partners betrayed me. Friends betrayed me… and because I didn’t get the perceived ‘justice’ I believed I was entitled to from GOD, and in order to retain as much as I could, I willingly became the wicked avenger!

It was only when cancer came for me that my eyes finally opened and I realised that I wasn’t trusting GOD at all. I loved having the money (the power), just not the responsibility to GOD for it!

Like the old proverb, “Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it!” ❤️

Day 66/365

So now we draw near freely and boldly to where grace is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness. (‭‭Heb‬ ‭4:16‬)

When I was young, I remember a priest teaching me “We pray to Mary because GOD, (like your earthly father), is always extremely busy and doesn‘t like to be bothered. Mother Mary, (like your Mother), knows the best time to approach grumpy GOD and she is able to get Him to use His Power so as to get what you need …”

I’ve grown up since then through meeting the Living GOD, and now know that I can have a Relationship with ‘The One’ with enough Power to either change ‘me’ or to change the ‘situation’ …!

PRAYER REQUEST:
Lydia – I don’t get much news from her loving parents, but let’s keep her before the Lord in prayer
Jen – young mother of 2 girls (11 and 19), after a long battle with cancer has been taken into a hospice …

Loving Father, the medical people have pronounced their diagnoses, what do You say about this Lord? ❤️

Day 65/365

What you’re after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life. (‭‭Psa 51:6)

We watched the film “I can only imagine,” last night and the tsunami of emotions that came from seeing how an aggressive father perpetually abused his wife and young son was extremely difficult, to say the least.

The emotions that welled up showed me that although I thought I’d forgiven my dad … I hadn’t even come close!

Unfortunately bitterness, hatred and the like can and do effect us – mentally, physically and spiritually. We don’t just carry scars, but open festering wounds.

Child of the Living GOD, hear my heart. The freeing, healing process can ONLY begin when we take it all to the true Physician Jesus and ask Him to enter into the darkened recesses that we’ve carefully locked and hidden away.

Only His Love can set us free! Only His Wisdom can set us truly free from the toxic effects of a broken life.

Come Lord Jesus. Come. ❤️

Day 64/365

And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” (‭‭1 Sam‬ ‭3:10‬)

Many years ago the Lord asked me to write a book and although I initially set about it with gusto, something my wife said stuck in my mind. “You won’t be able to finish it until you’ve met all the characters …”

Well … after 35 years of searching, I believe I’ve finally met all the characters I needed in order to complete the first draft and my book has now been sent to a sister for her (much appreciated) professional review.

I’m not telling you this to brag, but to openly declare that I’ve done my best to only write what He’s shown me – only declare what He has told me.

Like the song playing in my head – my emptiness was all I had to bring. My brokenness was all I could provide.

Is He calling out to you? Listen… ❤️

Day 63/365

This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. (‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:21)

As many of you know, I grew up with the historical Jesus, but when I was actually introduced to Him as the Christ of GOD, I really struggled.

I loved that I’d come alive and what I’d just experienced and genuinely wanted more, but I struggled to let go of all the bling and crud that the world was offering, so very craftily, I turned to a woman that I knew was praying for me and in effect, I made her my intercessor.

I didn’t believe that because of my life choices my prayers would even hit the ceiling, so I bombarded her with all my prayer requests.

She was lovely, and this relationship would have probably gone on forever – but GOD had other ideas – He didn’t want one of His kids as badly bound up as me!

And so for over 35 years, He’s been showing me day by day, how to live the kind of life Jesus lives and how it can be done, step-by-step! ❤️

Day 62/365

… There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum.

But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.

We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him— our sins!

He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost.

We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And GOD has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him. (‭‭Isa 53:2)

Holy Spirit, remind us just what it cost GOD in Jesus, especially when we rebel and choose to disobey you … or when we set the scene and blame everything and everyone else for what are our faults … or when …

Help me to come to the cross again today and make peace with you. ❤️

Day 61/365

… if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. (‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:8)

I’ve learned (yes, the hard way), that conviction doesn’t always come at once and at the same time.

Many (many) times in my life, something has happened that’s pulled me up short – a conversation that went down a particular road I wasn’t expecting. A memory, even a smell (aftershave, perfume, fried chicken)!

Or a carefully crafted lie that I’d been hiding behind – sometimes for years!

Any (and all), of these have and did spark a sudden twinge in my spirit that required my immediate response.

Our Father doesn’t want us dragging our stuff around like Jacob Marley in Scrooge… if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. (‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:8) ❤️

Day 60/365

(Jesus speaking) “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” (‭‭John‬ ‭15:12)

I saw this Scripture this morning and picking up on yesterday’s point, it hit me hard!

We can all say “Love one another…” And leave it there, but Jesus didn’t end it there. He ends the statement with, “… in the same way I have loved you.”

So, how is He loving you? What have ‘you’ come to expect from him?

Grace – even in the face of our constant and wilful sins?
Mercy – even in the face of our constant and wilful sins?
Forgiveness – even in the face of our constant and wilful sins?
Financial help – even in the face of our constant and wilful sins?
Non judgemental attitude – even in the face of our constant and wilful sins?
Etc., etc.

At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.” (‭‭Mat 18:21)

FACT – it’s hard (actually impossible), to be a Child of the Living GOD without the Holy Spirit’s help! ❤️

Day 59/365

(Jesus speaking) “… When others mistreat and harass you, accept it as your mission to pray for them.” (Luke‬ ‭6:28‬)

I sometimes listen to a Christian radio station in the mornings and there’s a particular lady with a voice that grates on me. In fact, whenever she speaks I just ‘turn off’ – I don’t listen.

So this morning the Lord tells me to stop being as I am and that I should ‘bless her!’ So I mumble a few words of blessing … “No!” He says emphatically. I want you to really Bless her!”

This time my convicted heart feels the Holy Spirit kick in and I hear myself blessing her with: protection over her ‘health’ as well as the health of her family and all she holds dear. I bless her ‘marriage’ with the fruitful gift of Love and Grace. I bless her families ‘finances’ so they can be fruitful and multiply I bless her personal ‘walk with the Lord,’ that she’ll always hear His voice and not try snd do it ‘her way,’ but use the Grace to perform all that He asks.

I truly bless her …!

I believe that GOD is doing a new thing amongst us. His Holy Spirit isn’t just convicting us and asking us to change, if we listen then He’ll give us fabulous Master classes in just ‘how’ to be His sons and daughters. ❤️

Day 58/365

Turn back to God and be reconciled to him. (‭‭2 Cor‬ ‭5:19)

I came tired and heavy laden, dry and grimy, the light of Jesus dim within me.
Wooed and led to this pool by His gentle voice. Expectant, but apprehensive. Excited, yearning.
“Lord,” I had cried, “I want you to break me, to cleanse me, refresh me. To put your arms around me. To embrace Your bride and whisper words of love to me. I miss you Lord, please hurry – find me!”
“I remember the times when I soared with Eagles wings, Every sinew alive, pulsating. Your lifeblood in me. But now … Lord, take me to the high peaks – let me fly again.”
“Step into the water child, this pool of life. Go deeper. Let the cool waters wrap around you.”
“This is good Lord!”
“My child, trust Me, dive into the deep. Take your feet from the ground and plunge into the depths of My Love. Trust Me. Trust Me! Let My Spirit cleanse you.”
Deeper and deeper I go … peace. His Peace flowing, caressing me. There it is! There it is, that beautiful pearl – the Heart of God!
“Touch it child – take it – receive it – it’s yours to cherish!”
“My Jesus, my Lord.” Warm tears flow from me. Taking away the hurts that bound me. “I’m free – I’m Yours. I give You all of me … Lord, I thank You that You’ve forgiven me.”
“Let me stay here in this pool with You Lord, we can … sorry Lord, I know I must go. Back to the battlefield – strengthened, refreshed, your fire burning and shining in me.”
“This pool – Lord, how can I ever forget it. Inviting, welcoming, crystal clear and sparkling. Deep and steadfast. Filled with Your love. It’s brought Joy, it’s brought Healing – it’s brought ME back home to You.”
Eddie Badger, 1995, Glasgow. ❤️