Jesus my 'Lodestone'

A lodestone is a naturally occurring rock called magnetite which exhibits magnetic properties as seen in the picture. Metals will not become magnetized unless they are brought near to the stone and then they begin to exhibit the magnetic properties of the lodestone. Likewise it is not until we come to Jesus, will our hearts be drawn irresistibly to Him and our desires become aligned with His heart. We then find a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Jesus indeed draws us to Himself; within Him alone will we find utter joy in this life; being wonderfully aligned with Him; our Lord and our God.

The magnetic properties of the lodestone were used to construct the first magnetic compasses. So held within the hand of the operator, the compass; like Jesus; shows where the individual is facing, and keeps their heart aligned right with His heart on their journey. And with our true lodestone of Christ held actually within us; giving us His life, at the point of us giving our lives to him; we can now know always where we stand with God; right with our fabulous and mighty creator and everlasting Father.

Trusting in God's help alone.

Our God reigns. He si in complete control of every situation. When difficult times come, trusting in the one who holds all things together in the only way forward. When we follow Him by faith with nothing else to rely on, He provides, and we are filled.

Over the last couple of years God has clearly worked this way in my life. In fact looking back I see that it is so vital that I trust in Him completely, more than trusting in myself, or even those closest to me; that He would take me through great trials in order that I learn to cling to the only Rock.

Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.' 2 Chronicles 20:15,17

This whole sense of the battle belonging to God allows me to walk in His power not mine. I give up my rights and my own self reliance, to commit myself to Him who has everything in His hands; and indeed loves me as my Father.

Going forward in weakness

When David faced Goliath, he went forward into the battle in his own weakness, knowing that the God who was with him was mighty - he says to Goliath "...for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands..." he had complete confidence NOT in himself, but in God (1 Samuel 17:36-47).

As God says in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Living through the weak places God brings us to in order that He may have the highest place for us as saviour in every circumstance, is the true meaning of offering God a sacrifice of a 'broken and contrite spirit' (Psalm 51:17).
We are created to depend off His love, we are simply designed that way - to get what he gives us and run off by ourselves afterwards will only lead us away from Him. So rather than running from the hard things that He brings to our lives; it is vital we apply Christ's life to them all by running to Him often, and drinking of His living water in the secret place where it is only 'me' and Him. In Philipians 2:9-10 we read that every knee shall bow before Christ; bringing ourselves before Him and letting Him have His way in our heart, puts every part of us (even our thoughts and feelings) bowed before Him, and the knowledge of God in Christ illuminates the path before our feet. God is for us and whatever is going on around us there is a rock beneath that is not moving. The trick is to keep our eye on that rock, rather than the raging sea; hence the importance of time with Jesus.

This heart that was within David; of standing with God regardless of how rubbish things looks, is within us. The biggest victories in our lives, I am convinced, will be won on our knees.

Picture of 'Church'

In this picture I saw Jesus building with bricks; light was pouring out of the building work he was doing, so bright, so dazzeling. We were the bricks in the luminous building and the light was shining out from the mortar between the bricks. Christ was the builder and the mortar gluing the building, his church. together.
This really speaks to me about needing the mortar of Christ between everything He asks us to do.