Beautiful Jesus, to you I sing,
My life and plans are yours;
Let this life of mine
Be filled with gladness and joy;
I sing praises and songs to you.

Wonderful Jesus, to you I pray,
My heart and my gifts are yours;
Let this heart of mine
Be filled with love and kindness;
I pray praises and songs to you.

Loving Father, to you I give,
My soul and my will are yours;
Let this heart of mine
Be filled with images of your love;
I give praises and songs to you.

© Chrissy Siggee

The wonder of your love
The comfort of your love
The breadth of your love
I stand in awe and know that you are here.

In the sad times and the bad
In the sorrow of my pain
In the darkness of the night
Oh, how I love the presence of my Lord.

When fear and terror falls
When anger turns to wrath
When evil seems to reign
You are always there to calm me down.

If sorrow fills my heart
If heartless words begin to hurt
If nothing seems quite right
Your name is all I need to lift me up.

So many years have past
So often, I have lost my way
So tiring, I have found my pain
Oh, Jesus I know that you are always there.

How many times have I cried?
How often have I prayed?
How could I ever find my strength?
But, you have always soothed my aching heart.

Too frequently, we complain
Too many are worse than me
Too few show any heed
Yet He paid the price for you and me.

The wonder of Your love
The comfort of Your love
The fullness of Your love
I stand in awe and know that you are here.

© Chrissy Siggee

My aspiration to grow closer to my God is overwhelming,
Petitions to replenish my dwindling strength fill my heart—
I acknowledge my Lord’s perfection and my own sinful weakness,
Gifts and talents mean nought if He’s not the centre of my life—
I’m yet to discover the art of losing myself in His presence.

A consciousness of God’s love and presence invigorates my soul,
His majesty and glory penetrates my constantly craving heart…
My spirit rises to new heights of joyfulness and victory,
Even in the face of unanswered prayer, I am full of gratitude,
His divine enablement is sufficient for me.

I genuinely desire the realisation of my requests, earnestly…
I find myself praising the Lord for His splendour and magnificence,
By prayer and supplication, I will make my desires known to God—
He is infinite in holiness and power; I am sinful and weak…
I will pray with assurance knowing the Father does all things well.

© Chrissy Siggee

Revelation 12: 7-12 is part of John’s vision. The battle is a war between Michael and the angels of God and the dragon and his evil followers. They fight as if this evil dragon had a chance. It was the universe’s greatest incompatibility; authority versus arrogance. Pride versus the Way of God. The dragon, seeks to destroy by deceiving us to do his bidding, deceiving us to think it is the best, most fun option, when in fact, all it does is overwhelm us, taking us away from family, opportunities, fullness, and Christ’s ever abundant love. Christ is triumphant; His blood and sacrifice prevails and is too much for Satan to handle. He can’t stand against the goodness of Christ so the dragon and his followers are defeated and thrown out of the Heaven.dragon

It almost sounds like a young boy’s adventure story of knights of old fighting dragons and villains in a battle against evil.

In fact it’s a good likeness…with one huge difference.

The dragon in the reading is satan. Satan is a being, not an influence or power. Satan and his angels are actual spirit beings and this spiritual warfare is taking place between the powers of darkness and light.

The dragon, of course is the bad guy; his angels are his demons who were once part of God’s angels, but had fallen with Satan shortly after creation and were cast out of heaven. The number of these demons as mentioned in verse 4 of the same chapter was one-third of the total number of the angelic host. This clearly shows that the encounter between the dragon and Michael to be quite a significant spiritual battle in the realm of heaven.

Michael, he’s the good guy and the archangel; the leader of God’s angelic army. In Daniel chapters 10 and 12 Michael also had a special role in protecting the nation of Israel. Daniel 10 identifies Michael as “the great prince” who will rescue Israel during the Tribulation. Verses12-13 “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.”

Revelation 12: 8 then informs us that Satan and his angels “were not strong enough.” While the fighting was no doubt intense, the dragon and his angels were not capable of defeating God’s holy angels. The end result is, “there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down”.

We often forget that satan today still has access to heaven where he functions as the accuser of believers. Looking back to the Old Testament, satan entered God’s presence before His throne to condemn Job. However in this future time, when satan and his demons lose this heavenly battle he will no longer be permitted access to heaven to bring forth these accusations. Indeed, as 12:9 says, “the great dragon was thrown down.” The dragon was not told to go, or sent, but was thrown. Cast down out of heaven once and for all. Not only satan, but also his entire demonic force is permanently limited to the realm of the earth from this point on.

This battle is not between God and satan, but between Michael and satan. It is two created angels and their forces battling each other. Good and evil.

Satan has perpetuated the lie that he is God’s opposite. He is not God’s opposite. Satan is not all-knowing. He is not ever-present, nor is he all-powerful. Satan is only a created being. He is the image of evil itself.

In our times of discouragement and seeming defeat, we must remember that the powers of good will overcome the powers of evil. It’s the way God created life. Furthermore he knows that his time is short.

Satan and his demonic forces may win some battles along the way but they will ultimately lose the war!

Chrissy Siggee

October 2010

Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is one of those passages of Scripture that lingers in the air and echoes in the mind long after it’s been read. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. That’s one reassuring promise. There’s no one else who can make a promise like that and keep it.

Have you ever had someone make you a promise and not keep it? It hurts; especially when it was made by someone you thought you could trust to fulfil the promises. Perhaps time overwhelmed them or situations changed, but it still leaves a sense of being totally rejected.

Have you told someone you would do something and didn’t follow through? We need to watch what we promise. I remember when my children were little. At one time I had to break a promise in relation to a birthday party venue. The venue had changed owners and rules. I was no longer comfortable taking children on the premises with its new clientele and their disturbing behaviour. I broke a promise and had to explain my reasons, but as children are, I still broke a promise. I eventually found a more suitable place that the children were delighted with but from then on, I often added the words, “unless something unforseen happens and if it’s God’s will.”

Promises of love can sometimes lead to devastation. Norm and I have had many friends over the years whose marriages have ended in divorce, often ugly. Their ultimate reasons were usually based on broken promises. How sad.

God’s promises to us can never be broken and when I see God’s handiwork in the stars, breathe in the ocean air, take in the endless mountain views or the beauty in the land, I think how awesome his love is for me. Knowing that nothing or no one can stop that love, is precious and eternal.

Oh Lord, the God of all creation, I praise your holy name. I am thankful for your overwhelming love for me. Your promises from Scripture fill me with hope and joy. Thank you for truth and honour that reigns forever. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We all have times in our lives where we need to make decisions. You know the type: those decisions that require wisdom. This kind of wisdom can only be found in Christ; wisdom we need to seek through His Word. However, Scripture is not a catalog of “do’s and don’ts” of all matters of life, but it is critical to rely on with prayer.

If you have read any of my other devotions you would know how vital prayer is in my life. Prayer, and the seeking direction through the word of God, will give us the result of wise decisions.

Scripture consists largely of general and specific principles in particular contexts to which they apply. Because of this decisions cannot be made without taking them to the Lord in prayer. We need to express our needs, our desires, and our hopes. Give Him the glory for all he has done for us and what He will continue to do. He knows our needs before we ask, but we need to ask wait and listen.

Simple? No. I know many times that by simply asking, waiting and listening, doesn’t always disclose His direction immediately. However, His direction on how to seek wisdom, and why, is clear:

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13

May God lead you in to His wisdom and show you direction for those decisions you need to make.

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

Psalm 22:1-15

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

Do you find yourself like David asking why bad things happen, or why someone close to you has to die? Have you ask God why you are in the situation that you’re in, or why people tell lies about you? Major catastrophes and personal disasters occur. Unfortunately, it’s part of life. Some people seem to experience these things more than others, and we ask God “WHY?” We often ask “Where is God in all this?”and just as David did, we cry out to God for answers.

I believe God is big enough to carry our doubts, criticisms, anger, confusion and frustration, but there often seems to be no explanation. We are left in doubt and confusion. And yes, we are free to question God, but we need to develop patience: for God will reveal the answers only when we are ready to hear them.

Our world is not at all perfect, and neither are we. God is perfect, He wants us to learn to be perfect, and He sent Christ to show us the way. We shouldn’t find meaning to our suffering, but let the suffering add meaning to our lives. If we have never suffered, how can we empathize with others who suffer? If we never fail, we can’t lift up those who also fail. Our suffering adds meaning to our lives. Our pain adds to our love for others who also suffer, as we suffer, as Christ suffered.

Hebrews 4:16 says. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

We need to ask God to help us to become more patience and more like what he wants us to be. Thank Him for the good things, and seek the resilience to endure the bad. To live, not in the shadow of fear and despair, but in the light of God’s love.

Perhaps one day, God will answer our questions of ‘Why?’ Perhaps we are just impatient, and want to know the answers before we are ready to understand or accept them. Whatever the reason, trust Him and know it’s okay to ask Him questions. Allow God to develop patience and trust.

Father, as we call on you in our time of need, help us to grow in patience and understanding as we learn to trust you in all things, bad and good, in our life. Amen

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.You may have heard the phrase; I live by faith and not by sight. However, do we really believe it?One of the most exciting things we can do in our Christian walk is to lead another to Christ.

Visiting up to two hundred women a month in a maternity ward was a great experience for me. Often, with the opportunity of seeing patients only once or twice, was a problem when it came to building any kind of relationship.

Finding an opportunity to lead one of those women to Christ was not an easy task. I also had the restrictions with all the privacy laws placed on us within the hospital system. Being the instigator of such a conversation could find a visitor removed from the hospital, permanently.

My spirit needed to be prepared for the opportunity when it arose. It was a privilege to lead about ten percent of the women through a prayer of Salvation, and yes, I still feel the same shiver of excitement, when someone comes to Christ, as I did the first time.

However, because I only had the opportunity to visit a few times during their short stay and never any longer than half an hour, I did not get that chance to see them develop in their Christian walk. Many came from places some hundreds of miles away. I could only encourage them to seek out a church in their hometowns and pray for them. This is where I needed to live by faith and not by sight. I needed to believe that the new Christians would go on in their Christian walk.

It is not hard to lead someone to Christ. Sure, I was restricted in the hospital setting but we all meet people in our every day lives. Where are the new believers, why are there so many seats still empty in our churches? It is not just the Pastors job. We all have a duty to lead others to Christ, to bring people into the family of God.

I leave you all with a new challenge this week, and I am speaking to myself here as well. We need to step out in faith and share the good news to someone this coming week. We need to bring the lost to Christ. We need to live by faith and not by sight. We need to believe lives, can be changed.

However, we need to believe it, before we see it. Prepare your heart before God every day. Ask Him to guide you and to help you to be ready for when the opportunity comes.

Take on the challenge. Speak to someone this week about salvation… and believe.

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

Hebrews 10, 19-25″Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

There are times I have to stop and reflect on the needs and position of others. Sometimes I may not feel like encouraging: like when someone has left me less than encouraged. But in reality, it’s my responsibility to encourage others – no matter what I feel like or what others have done to me.

Have you been discouraged by someone; perhaps by someone you have respected and/or encouraged? Do you find this was disheartening and possibly weakened your desire to continue to encourage others?

Words can either build up or pull down. We need to persevere in encouraging others in their faith until He comes. It’s a basic instruction from His Word; it’s not an option nor is it a ‘when we feel like it’ preference.

Don’t allow discouraging words to weaken your faith or neglect the gifts God has give you. Don’t allow disappointments prevent you from encouraging.
Galatians 6:9

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Father, help me to keep my eyes on you. Strengthen me in times when I’m discouraged by others, that I may persevere in doing what is right. Teach me to encourage others even when I don’t feel like it. Help me to hold fast the profession of my faith in you without wavering. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

In 1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Prayer has to be my favourite topic and many related verses come freely. Prayer is an important part of my life and I wouldn’t survive without it. In 2007 I spend most of my time flat on my back in bed with back pain. It was a time that brought me closer to God than I could ever believe possible. Prayer had a remarkable impact on my healing and recovery, and on those who prayed and believed with me.

I believe prayer is one of the most precious gifts God has given us. There should be nothing more important to a Christian than to develop a regular prayer routine and a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father. Faith can only develope through prayer, and the study of His Word, and they go hand-in-hand as we develop a relationship with Him.

Through prayer we have direct access to the throne room of God the Father, the almighty and living God. We can take anything to God in prayer and He hears us. Sometimes we need to wait for answers and sometimes his answer is no, but He does answer. Whether it is prayer for healing, finances, or salvation of a loved one, whatever the need, we ought to be diligent in our prayer requests.

Jeremiah 33:3 Says:
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

To call on His name is nothing unusual. I’m sure we all do it from time to time: perhaps even often. So what does this verse really say?

With all the circumstances that we face every day—our families and love ones, relationships, pain, loss and perhaps changes— there’s nothing more important than our time in prayer. There’s nothing that we can do without prayer.

I know that without prayer, I couldn’t function and I would very quickly head down a path of disobedience and misplaced direction. Prayer increases my faith, and my trust in God. He’s my friend and my Saviour. He’s my Father and my healer; a refuge in time of trouble. Prayer is my communion with God. It’s my spiritual nourishment and my provision in all things for my day-to-day life.

Can we have a trusting relationship with someone we do not know? I know I can’t.

Whatever is on your heart right now, tell Him. God already knows your need but we need to tell him what’s on our hearts and also give thanks for His answer, even before he gives it.

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible