Receive His love & embrace

Luke 15:20 (NKJV): And he (the lost son) arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

These are also the 5 things God does to you in all His love & grace. No matter how you have ‘blown it’ in your life, or what your sins or mistakes may be, just as in this parable (Luke 15:11-24), God wants to embrace you and pour (lavish) His love on you! (Romans 5:5)

When the lost son ‘came to himself’ (Luke 15:17), hungry, broke and with nowhere else to go, he decided to come back to his father and be his hired servant. But when the father saw him from a distance, he was so filled with compassion that he ran towards the lost son. Now, that was never supposed to be in their family tradition! The son should be the one running towards the father, not the other way round! But all that didn’t matter to the father anymore! What mattered was “my son is back!” It also didn’t matter how filthy, dirty, or unkempt the son was at that time, he went on to embrace and kiss him. That’s how God (in all His love and grace) is to you too!

Not only that, the father then made sure the best robe is put on the son, a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet (Luke 15:22). The robe means ‘God’s righteousness’ (Isaiah 61:10), the ring means ‘God’s authority’ (Genesis 41:42), and the sandal means ‘being God’s beloved son’ (Exodus 12:11). In His loving embrace, He wants you to know you have all these too, and that’s exactly how lavish God’s love and grace is for you. Know that He doesn’t look at your sins anymore when you look to Him. All your sins have already been punished on Jesus’ body when He died for you on the cross. In fact, there’s no more condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Will you allow Him to embrace you again? There’s really no one too filthy for Him to embrace. In fact, He specializes in the sinners, the lepers, ‘the lost, the last, and the least’ during His ministry on earth.

I’m not saying “you try to embrace Him”, but I’m saying “allow Him to embrace you”. There’s a big difference here, and it’s when you receive His love and embrace, your life will change!

His love for you is also always sure. Human, organizations, or even your best of friends may fail you, but His love for you never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). Look unto Jesus & all that He’s done for you on the cross. In Him, you are complete (Colossians 2:10), and in Him is all your sufficiency (2 Corinthians 12:9). His love for you is perfect, and in fact, 1 John 4:18 says, ‘His perfect love (for you) casts out (any) fear’.

Indeed, there’s no fear in His love & embrace!

Receive your 'bow & arrow' for the battle ahead!

2 Corinthians 2:14: Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

We are entering a new season, a season of triumph, and a season of victory in the spiritual realm!

People of God, it's high time to receive your 'bows & arrows' as the Lord leads you on in battle. This is definitely the end of the end-times. He is currently releasing a timely and divine strategy for you as you move on triumphantly in Christ!

It's God who always leads us in triumph. The word ‘leads’ here speaks of God leading us in triumph. He is our Leader. The word ‘triumph’ comes from the word ‘thriambeuo’ in Greek which means ‘to make an acclamatory procession, to conquer, to give victory, to triumph over, with songs or noise of celebrating, with shouts of triumph.’ In New International Version, it says ‘God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ.’

This procession comes with celebration, a celebration of triumph, parading the victory won, to loud cheers, applause, and shouts of triumph (Psalm 47:1, Exodus 15:1, Exodus 15:21, Psalm 92:4). And we triumph not by our own self-effort, but we triumph in Christ, the anointed, all-powerful One.

Be ready triumphant people, for we are entering such season now. The battle is on, but the victory is ours. The ‘ark of the covenant’ is in procession again, just as in King David’s time (1 Chronicles 15:14-16) when the ark was brought into Jerusalem. It’s also likened to the time Jesus entered Jerusalem in a triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1-9), and people were shouting ‘Hosanna’ (means ‘help, save, rescue us!’). It’s an exclamation of adoration to the Messiah, the anointed One. This triumphal entry was a major 'milestone' as Jesus the Messiah was publicly recognized. Before that, Jesus did not have public recognition as the Messiah, and ministered outside Jerusalem. So the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem then was a public parade (procession) of the entrance of the King of Glory. Jesus is the King of Glory. The ‘ark of the covenant’ always symbolizes the glory of God, the very presence of God. The ark is also a symbol of God’s promise, a reminder of God’s leadership in a battle.

When we live in triumph in Christ, we’ll diffuse or spread the glory of God. However, this is not done through toiling, striving, or self-effort. It’s done in the spirit. It’s done from our resting in the Lord. It’s done by the leading of the Lord. The fragrance or sweet aroma of the knowledge of the glory of God shall permeate the spiritual realm, wherever we go. And whatever happens in the spiritual realm shall be reflected in the natural realm. Imagine the sweet fragrance of flowers and fruits filling the air. Likewise, the knowledge of the glory of God shall fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). This is truly an end-time prophecy. And this knowledge of the glory of God is not just ‘head knowledge’. The word ‘knowledge’ here in Greek is ‘gnosis’. It means ‘knowing, understanding, be sure.’ It is ‘yada’ in Hebrew. It means ‘be sure, knowing, endued with.’ It is knowing by experience.

This fragrance of the glory of God is spread ‘through us.’ We are ‘the vessels, the channels, the carriers’ of the glory of God everywhere we go. We are the carriers of spiritual light that emanates in the darkness. When light comes, darkness flees. So, every time we pray in the spirit, or preach the Word, we are changing the spiritual realm with the ‘light’. The ‘light’ emanates to change the atmosphere around us. This ‘light’ is the glory of God(Revelation 21:23). Likewise, every time we praise and worship, the ‘light’ shines and triumph over the darkness. Every time we love (‘agape’) and serve, every time we edify someone with the Word of God, every time we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, this ‘light’ emanates and changes the spiritual atmosphere around us. This is how the knowledge of the glory of the Lord fills the earth as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).

So, be ready people of God, for you’ll be used by God as suchvessels in this season, in a greater intensity than you’ve ever known before, whatever the call of God is in your life. The time is now. The glory of God is here, and reaping time is now (John 4:38). Hallelujah!

In His love,

Leslene

Stay

“May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.”
Psalm 33:22 (NIV)

I failed my friend. Although I’d love to tell you how I stuck by her as an encouraging presence and practical helper through her darkest days, it simply wouldn’t be true.

I didn’t understand her choices. I couldn’t endorse her actions. I struggled with the consequences of what she wanted to do, and so I left. I didn’t actually go anywhere physically, but I withdrew my availability and my openness. I tucked my heart into a safe, little box and walked away from her situation.

That was years ago, but I still look back on that time with regret and sorrow. Although I’ve made attempts since to reach out and reconcile, my friend is understandably cautious as she guards her still-hurting heart. I hope one day that our friendship will be fully restored, but until then I’ve tried to use the consequences of my choice to learn some things.  I desperately want to learn to stay.

Stay through conflict.

Stay through struggles.

Stay through suffering.

Stay through discomfort.

Stay through misunderstanding.

Mary Magdalene is a beautiful example of a constant heart. Because of her great love for Jesus, she stayed.

She stayed after He set her free.

She stayed as He traveled.

She stayed through His torture.

She stayed at the cross.

She stayed at His burial.

She stayed to pass on the news of His resurrection.

Mary Magdalene is a picture of steadfast faithfulness. But sometimes I have trouble staying.

When a church doesn’t quite fit my desires, I long for a “happier” place. When a friend is going through a bad time because of choices I can’t endorse, I tend to withdraw. When God does things I can’t understand, I yearn to flee to a more comfortable setting. It seems easier and less painful.

I want to leave sometimes, but I long to stay. I long to learn an abiding love for God, my family and my friends that extends a grace beyond my own strength —a strength from One who never leaves. The One who is teaching me to stay.

Dear Lord, sometimes it’s not easy to stay when conflict, disagreements or differences get in the way. Would You give me the power to love people unconditionally and the wisdom to know how to love them well?  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

How to Prevent a Divorce

"'For I hate divorce,' says the Lord." - Malachi 2:16

Everybody likes to be thought of as number one. America is a nation that prides itself on being number one in many categories, but we are number one in a category that is not good--we’re number one in divorce. One out of every two marriages ends in divorce.

When Jesus was asked about divorce, He made it clear that it was never what God had in mind. Then, He quickly began to talk about marriage and the commitment that’s involved. Obviously, a marriage that lasts a lifetime is what God desires. So, let me suggest 12 words for you and your spouse to live by: words that help with divorce prevention:

• “I love you.”
• “I admire you.”
• “I was wrong.”
• “Please forgive me.”

Expressing love and admiration, admitting when we are wrong and asking forgiveness are the ingredients for divorce prevention. Wouldn’t it be great if, one day, America became number one in marriages that last?

In His love, 

Leslene

Please visit: www.changinglivesaroundyou.co.za

Draw Me - Juanita Bynum Live Pure Worship Pt2

Receiving your breakthrough

Acts 16:26: Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.

It's breakthrough time! I thank God for the 'captives' are being set free and 'bondages' are being broken in many lives. There's an anointing here to break every bondage and chain that may have hindered you in the past. Receive it now. It's time to be set free, and whatever the devil meant harm for you in the past, God is turning it around for good to you now!

What is a breakthrough? It's an act of breaking through the enemies' defenses. It's a major 'milestone' in your journey towards your God-given destiny. It's also when one is being set free from captivity or bondage. I see the chains of debts being broken in you. I see a breakthrough in your career or business. I see a breakthrough in family relationships. I see new doors being opened in your ministry. Some of you have been hindered by ill-health in the past, and you are now entering a new season of breakthrough in your health. It's time to receive, just as whenPaul and Silas received their breakthrough when they were imprisoned (Acts 16:26).

Friends, if God has spoken to you about a goal or a destiny, and somewhere along the way, you have been 'derailed' by the devil, or the destiny seems like it's going to be 'aborted', then be encouraged, for I heard these words for you, that the 'good works' that God has begun in your life, He shall bring it to full completion (Philippians 1:6), and it shall not be aborted.

Paul and Silas were on their way to a destination too. It was a prayer meeting in Lydia's house (Acts 16:15-16). However, their journey was 'derailed' when they were beaten and thrown into prison. It all started when Paul had to cast out an annoying evil spirit from a slave girl who did fortune-telling for her masters (Acts 16:17-18). The masters got angry for the loss of their income, and reported them falsely to the authorities. So, instead of reaching their destination, they were thrown into prison for allegedly causing trouble in the city. In the prison however, Paul and Silas stood firm in the Lord, even in the midnight hour (Acts 16:25). They did not blame. They did not find faults. They did not complain. Instead, they continued to pray, and they continued to praise and worship. Suddenly, the breakthrough came in the form of an earthquake. This earthquake totally shook the prison to the very core, and the prison doors were opened, the shackles were broken, and the chains were loosed. They were indeed set free. Beloved, there's such anointing being released on you right now. What you can do now is to receive it.

And you know what? Things got even better for Paul and Silas after that. They had the prison-keeper and his family saved and baptized (Acts 16:27-33). Eventually, they reached their destination, the prayer meeting (Acts 16:40), plus some great testimonies to share too!

In His love,

Leslene

Remarriage

"But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." - Matthew 6:15

Here is a horrific statistic: 70% of second marriages fail. Why is this? Often it is because the new marriage began while unresolved issues still lingered from the divorce. It's important to take the time to resolve these issues and not carry this baggage into a new relationship.

How can you resolve these issues? First, seek forgiveness from the Lord, as well as from your ex - even if you were the one who was sinned against. Realize that we all fall short in every relationship and we need forgiveness for the many mistakes that we did commit. Seek forgiveness from your children, as well; recognizing the often devastating effect this has had on their lives and their future. And then the toughest and most important step - give forgiveness to your ex, cleansing your heart of the resentments, pain, and ill feelings that may still remain.

Before entering into a new marriage, be sure that you have healed from the loss of your previous marriage. If this has not occurred, then you are certainly not ready for remarriage. If you are feeling doubts, God may be telling you to slow down or even leading you to break off the new relationship. But most of all, seek God's will and be willing to follow His leading.

In His love,

Leslene