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For the Glory of His Name
Jane Gibbs Creative
INTRO TO MY BLOG
INTRO TO MY BLOG
Here I share with you my journey of intimacy with God, from my times of devotion with Him. I hope to highlight what I have found in my relationship with Jesus, so that together we may find a deeper understanding of our identity in Christ and a more fulfilling relationship with God. As we understand more fully who He truly is, so we confidently rise up in hope and victory offering hope and peace through our lives to everyone we encounter.
“The Spirit within us guiding our plans
As we reflect on the year past and our future plans we listen up for God's voice within us.
Can we allow Holy Spirit to take His place on the throne within our lives, allowing Him to direct our steps, to challenge our thoughts and to soothe our emotions?
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Embrace the glorious Christ within
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Embrace the glorious Christ within
Many of us have said “Yes” to Christ and yet there are the hidden corners and dark shadows where He is yet to gain access. What do we say in the recesses and shadows remaining forgotten, unloved and uninhabited by the King?
As we refocus on Christ within us and not on our everyday trials and tribulations, we see that He offers us freedom to be our true selves in Him.
"His virtues planted deep within us." 2 Peter 1:8 (TPT)
"His virtues planted deep within us." 2 Peter 1:8 (TPT)
How often do we find ourselves trying to emulate our Christlikeness by our own efforts? We forget the truth, becoming weary in trying to attain what we already possess.
Scripture says, “These virtues are already planted deep within you, and you have possessed them in abundant supply.” 2 Peter 1: 8 (TPT)
“I know the plans I have for you.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“I know the plans I have for you.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
I want you to trust Me, to walk together as I lead you step by step.
I encourage you to look at the promises throughout My word. There you will discover that I promise to guide you, to protect you, and to provide for you.
"You have stolen my heart.” Song of Songs 4:9
"You have stolen my heart.” Song of Songs 4:9
Not only are we overwhelmed by God’s love as He draws close to us, but He too is overwhelmed as we approach Him in worship.
Even a whisper within our hearts grabs His attention. We simply captivate Him.
We are authored by Father God.
We are authored by Father God.
Inspired by Psalm 91 & Psalm 139
Inspired by Psalm 91 & Psalm 139
Our definition comes from His words, speaking over our lives and our path into becoming a heavenly reality.
Everything in and around our lives is orchestrated by Him to fall into line with His plans and purposes for us.
“In the midst of all things, we triumph over them all.” Romans 8:37 (TPT)
“In the midst of all things, we triumph over them all.” Romans 8:37 (TPT)
How do we triumph when our physical reality seems far off from this truth?
We come in surrender, receiving God’s counsel. He lifts our understanding to perceive the heavenly reality and we sit in peace as we trust in Him. We believe in our identity in Christ and the truth that we are to co-reign with Him over our lives.
"(God) You become my delicious feast.” Psalm 23:5 (TPT)
"(God) You become my delicious feast.” Psalm 23:5 (TPT)
God prepares a feast for us in the presence of our enemies, but what does it mean to enjoy this delicious feast?
Whatever life brings, we allow ourselves to be soothed in the quietening of God’s love. We come to this table of communion enjoying our union with Him.
“He leads me by still waters." Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
“He leads me by still waters." Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
"His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.” Psalm 23:2 (TPT)
I have found the still waters! The oasis of peace and the quiet brook of bliss!
It was not a struggle or striving that led me here, but quite the opposite. The pathway was simply stilling my mind and resting in the peace of my union in Christ.
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
This verse is often quoted and relied upon in times of stress and pressure. (See also Pausing in His Presence.) However, God desires us to seek Him continuously, choosing to enjoy His company as we share every aspect of our lives with Him.
As we step forward into a new season in the natural, let's consider how to maintain our inner walk with Christ amidst the busyness and pressures of everyday life.
“How deeply intimate and far-reaching is His love! Ephesians 3:18 (TPT)
“How deeply intimate and far-reaching is His love! Ephesians 3:18 (TPT)
It may seem impossible to grasp what this love really is. In all our earthly relationships, we understand that what we have experienced is but a pale reflection of the love that God has for us.
We access this deep love by simply believing the truth. His fierce passion floods the locked down places within as we release all to Him.
“When the eye is entwined with light, the entire person is illuminated!” Luke 11:34 (TMSB)
“When the eye is entwined with light, the entire person is illuminated!” Luke 11:34 (TMSB)
The footnote in TMSB says, “Entwining our eyes with Papa’s eyes is what enlightens our entire being!”
What sheer delight to be focussed on our Father in Heaven, engaging with His heart as truth literally floods our entire being. Every part of us becomes convinced of His love, truth, power and majesty.
“Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you." Ephesians 3:17 (TPT)
“Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you." Ephesians 3:17 (TPT)
We realise the mistaken belief that His attributes are something to achieve and joyfully let go of self-effort to imitate Him.
Wherever we felt crippled inside, we renounce our inconstancy and the poor reflection of who He really is, that previously caused our courage to falter. No longer trying to attach the truth to our earthly reality, but standing fast in the truth that He resides within!
“Now if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person…Behold everything is fresh and new.”
“Now if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person…Behold everything is fresh and new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (TPT
2 Corinthians 5:17 (TPT
How often do we become frustrated that our ‘new nature’ doesn’t materialise as we would like?
Yet we look back at the places healed within us, and see only His redemption.
Holy Spirit leads us past our memories that no longer wound but remind us of God’s kindness and faithfulness.
“You will be a crown of splendour in the Lord’s hand.” Isaiah 62:3 (NIV)
“You will be a crown of splendour in the Lord’s hand.” Isaiah 62:3 (NIV)
Even if we don’t see this manifested in our day-to-day lives, we walk confidently toward this truth.
We allow Him to mould us back into His original pattern. His likeness is restored in us as the shining jewel He created. Despite the words spoken over us, whether by ourselves or others, we find solace in the truth that we are truly a crown of splendour in His hands.
“Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving.” Psalm 46:10 (TPT)
“Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving.” Psalm 46:10 (TPT)
How important is it to allow ourselves to experience God in the places of stress, anxiety, and fear? Is our focus on Him and His wisdom in every area of our lives?
This verse encourages us to hand over every situation and any bubbles of anxiety or fear that may rise within us. Relinquishing our own understanding, we allow Him to guide our hearts and minds.
Silencing our internal life is challenging, yet stillness and quiet reflection lead us to a deeper relationship with God.
"For the Lord has a hidden storehouse of wisdom made accessible to his godly lovers.” Proverbs 2:7 (TPT)
"For the Lord has a hidden storehouse of wisdom made accessible to his godly lovers.” Proverbs 2:7 (TPT)
God promises His storehouse of wisdom is accessible to us as His lovers. Sharing His secrets with us.
In Proverbs Chapter two, we find the key to living a godly-led and peaceful life. It implores us to allow God’s wisdom to direct all our choices and decisions. We draw aside from the noise of the world and the busyness of life finding ourselves at the feet of Christ.
“All things work together for our good” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
“All things work together for our good” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
“So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good.” Romans 8:28 (TPT)
“So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good.” Romans 8:28 (TPT)
This is a well-known and often quoted verse. Yet how many of us really unpick the depth of truth that Paul speaks of?
When we look at His life, the mere fact that He declares this reveals the deep-seated reality that he understood in His own heart.
As we meditate on this scripture, let’s allow it to form around the opinions within our hearts about our own life’s journey.
In the midst of the everyday and the busyness of life we allow God to lead us.
In the midst of the everyday and the busyness of life we allow God to lead us.
In the midst of the everyday and the busyness of life we allow God to lead us.
In the midst of the everyday and the busyness of life we allow God to lead us.
“The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.” Psalms 37:23-25 (NLT)
Allowing God to reign within us involves us allowing Him to speak above every other voice. We choose His wisdom to direct our steps, including the attitudes and thoughts of our hearts.
"He empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time—an unshakable hope!” Hebrews 6:18 (TPT)
"He empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time—an unshakable hope!” Hebrews 6:18 (TPT)
“And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort." Hebrews 6:18 (TPT)
During a difficult season, God took me on a deeper learning curve-to hold onto faith with the unshakable hope that God had this situation in hand.
“By the blood of His cross (we are) restored to innocence again!” Colossians 1:20 (TPT)
“By the blood of His cross (we are) restored to innocence again!” Colossians 1:20 (TPT)
“Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away with God in Christ.” Colossians 3:3 (TPT)
I love how Colossians wraps up the glorious gospel in a few brief chapters. This massive truth seems almost too good to be true.
It offers us complete freedom to become the very image of the One who died in our place. It makes an intimate friendship possible for all who step into this heavenly reality.
Become unoffendable in your patience with others.” Colossians 3:12 (TPT)
Become unoffendable in your patience with others.” Colossians 3:12 (TPT)
“Since you have been divinely chosen to be holy…Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others.” Colossians 3:12 (TPT)
Sometimes we feel attacked, criticised, misunderstood, or perhaps we have received injustice, unkindness, rudeness or even abuse. So how do we step away from choosing offence, licking our wounds or revelling in our desire for retribution?
As we draw close to God’s heart, He reminds us that He covers the mistakes and wrong doing of others through the cross. We rely on Holy Spirit for patience and understanding as we relinquish our right for justice, offering instead mercy and forgiveness.
His perfection is revealed through our weakness.
His perfection is revealed through our weakness.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 2Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 2Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
In our weakness, doubt and failure, Jesus comes in kindness and offers us to step into Him. It begins by choosing to stop beating ourselves up, and allowing our hearts to rest.
We let go of self and allow Jesus to come in giving us His strength, wisdom, strategy, and grace.
Now listen, pay attention, and forget about your past!
Now listen, pay attention, and forget about your past!
"Put behind you every attachment to the familiar, even those who once were close to you! For your royal bridegroom is ravished by your beautiful brightness. Bow in reverence before him, for he is your Lord!” Psalm 45:10 (TPT)
We desire to gaze upon the face of Jesus, but for many this can be a confusing and unrealistic notion. The easiest way to begin is to turn to the Word of God and ask Holy Spirit to show you God through the scriptures. As He illuminates the attributes and promises of God, so we are able to see Him. Then we forget about ourselves, our ‘yet to be’ answered prayers, unmet needs and daily pressures.
Christ has done all to restore us to His likeness.
Christ has done all to restore us to His likeness.
“Through his powerful declaration of acquittal, God freely gives away his righteousness. His gift of love and favor now cascades over us.” Romans 3:24 (TPT)
This is such good news and yet we still struggle to fully grasp it! He doesn’t compel us to find our way to Him, pleading for our needs to be met as we offer continual repentance for our failings. No, the truth is that we’re able to stand in His glory, washed and clothed by and in Him before the Holy throne.
Recently I blew it! I got triggered and my mind and heart went soul-deep and not spirit-high!!
Recently I blew it! I got triggered and my mind and heart went soul-deep and not spirit-high!!
I got angry internally, the negative thoughts and feelings speaking up. This was the opposite of the sweet meditations I had previously promised to the Lord. It was the moment for me to come good on my resolve to follow after Psalm 19:14. “So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes.” (tpt).
Holy Spirit came in gentle discipline, offering me the opportunity to to bring it right into the throne room of grace, along with my failure.
“Wake up…Lift up your heads." Psalm 24:7 (TPT)
“Wake up…Lift up your heads." Psalm 24:7 (TPT)
"Welcome the King of Glory, for he is about to come through you.” Psalm 24:7 (TPT)
At the beginning of this year, I am sure we have all considered how we can make changes and what will we do differently in 2024. Yet as I approached this season I was struck by the phrase “posture of availability”.
So rather than make plans, resolutions and promises to ourselves, it is important that we choose to sit and listen to Holy Spirit for the way ahead.
Yet the fact remains that we still have the opportunity to enter into the faith-rest life
Yet the fact remains that we still have the opportunity to enter into the faith-rest life
...experiencing the fulfilment of the promise…We conclude that there is still a full and complete rest waiting for believers to experience!” (Taken from Hebrews 4 The Passion Translation)
This verse may encourage or challenge our hearts and minds, whether we are facing trials or looking at the world around us. Yet we can be assured of a life of peace in the storm and rest in the places of stress and busyness.
God offers us the promise of entering into this resting place in confident faith, leaving doubt, fear and limiting beliefs behind.
"Come, let me lead you and lend you my strength," says the Lord
"Come, let me lead you and lend you my strength," says the Lord
I find as I quieten myself internally and make space to hear the sound of the Lord calling me to come where He is, it always brings me to a place of blissful peace.
I begin to see the truth of Heaven's reality, that deposes my limited perception of my life and the lives of those around me. Read more
With the busyness and noise that surrounds us, how vital is it to make space to find Him in the silence?
With the busyness and noise that surrounds us, how vital is it to make space to find Him in the silence?
"I have always been described as an extrovert and I would have considered that about myself too; however, over the last few years I have come to understand that I am more of an introvert than I realised.
When we allow silence, we hear that still small voice that wants us to come away with Him. The place He wants to take us to is solitude with Him. "
Taken from The Company of Laid Down Lovers.
It is with joy that I offer my first blog entry.
It is with joy that I offer my first blog entry.
Much time has passed from publishing my first book in 2021, to this point where we are now at the beginning of my first article.
My desire is to share with you my journey of intimacy with Christ, to help highlight what I have found along the way so that together we may find a deeper understanding of our identity in Christ and a more fulfilling relationship with God. as our Father and King.
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