Real love

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What does giving up our lives for our brothers and sisters look like? Realistically, it can look like us dying to retaliation when confronted with a hard truth. The next verse gives us another clue:

“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?”1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yesterday I was confronted by the first and the day before the second. At times it is hard to give up what we thought was a right of our own. Giving up rights is the biggest challenge. However, we are called to lay down our rights for others.

A friend confronted me with my attitude and reactions which I do not remember. However, as I had asked the Lord to help me with pride, I recognised His hand on this. I had to, literally, swallow my pride and confess my sin. It was good for me. I have come to know I have landed in Nepal with much arrogance and pride from the west. We have a prideful way of ‘helping’ those in need in Nepal. 

There are many needs. I have learned to wait for the Holy Spirit in prayer for His direction. I cannot give out of self-righteousness. This stinks! When given money I ask: is this ‘seed to sow’ or ‘bread to eat’? If He says seed, then seed it is. I then wait for the field into which I sow.

I have a friend who is generous to the max with his finances. Watching his sowing blesses me and teaches me. I have a friend who dominates in conversation and this offends me. Others have opinions, and need to be welcome in conversation.

Oh Lord have mercy on us! Reveal Your ways and the paths to take! Amen!

Give thanks

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse came from a psalm king David had written and given to Asap and the singers before the ark of the Lord. It ai filled with beautiful language. It is a psalm of thanksgiving. Verses 34-36 is the fourth and final exhortation is a reminder of God’s glory and the need to rely on Him for salvation (Holman’s study Bible).

Jesus is my source of life, my salvation from sin, He is my all. This psalm is a reminder of the goodness of God. It is an exhortation to praise. We need to praise Him.

Last night we had Bible study, beforehand we sang a few choruses. It seemed as though we raced through a set of songs so that we could move on the the study. I love to sing and worship and take time to praise. I want to make room for the Holy Spirit. We seldom give Him room to move in our agendas. The songs were beautiful songs of worship to Jesus. They needed time to tell Him in words how great He is. It is all about Him.

I want the presence of God not just a nod to His saving grace but a bath in His glory! He is worthy of our praise!

Take time to worship the Lord! Spend time with Him in worship! Amen!

Our shepherd

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.”Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Chapter 40 talks about our God, it refers to the imminent exile of God’s people to Babylon, briefly, and the future return from exile and the bulk of the chapter speaks about their saviour. It asks the question “who will you compare Me to, or who is My equal?”(vs 25). The chapter asks many questions of the hearers: ‘do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not considered the foundation of the earth? (Vs 21).

However, the verse in focus talks about Jesus. Jesus told His hearers that He was the ‘good shepherd’, that many who had been before Him were hirelings. Those hirelings left the sheep when trouble came. (John 10:11-18)

Thank You Jesus for coming and being the shepherd we long for. Thank You for carrying us when we are young in faith and leading us mothers when we have young to green pastures. You are indeed a good shepherd! Amen!

Prophesy

“Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is part of a prophetic word about Israel. In the whole chapter it speaks of a time when there is no need for Sun and moon will not be needed but the Lord will be their everlasting light (vs 19). This possibly speaks of the-millennium. When Jesus is ruling and reigning from Jerusalem al the points mentioned in the chapter will be evident in His reign.

Some commentators believe this period is the time of the Christian church. However, this might sit well with replacement theology, I don’t agree (humbly).  Replacement theology believes that the church is the new Israel and that present day Israel is no longer relevant. Not so!

Whatever opinions we have, the only one that matters is the Lord’s. He is the beginning and the end, the alpha and omega! What He determines will come to pass. I can trust Him! Amen!

His light is shining forth across the earth. He must be God, His ways we must own! Amen!

One Way

“For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.”1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul went on the say the following:

“And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As a missionary I could say the same thing. My heart longs to speak Jesus to the locals here in Nepal. Even though my language skills are small, they are growing and complemented with my acts He is speaking.

He has shown me His focus for now and I will go there! He loves these people with a passion and I am following His footsteps. This is the safest place to be!

It is amazing that lack of language skills is not a stop for Him, He makes His ways known without it. Praise Him! Amen!

A new heart

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These beautiful verses are a part of a prophesy God gave through Ezekiel thousands of years ago and around 500 years before Jesus came to fulfill this scripture. Part of the chapter has been fulfilled and part remains to be filled wiheen Israel turns to her Messiah.

However these are important to us Gentiles as a new heart was made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus. He redeemed us! He made a way for us to be included in God’s house. Praise Him!

A new heart is exactly what salvation gave me. My heart was hard to God’s truth before salvation and after it was soft. Now it loves Him and His word and His creation. Now my heart delights in worshipping my saviour. 

Lord I worship You! You have given me new life! You have made it possible for me to be a child of God. Thank You!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=dQdfs5S6jyA&si=vIKnYBqHWh4-tEqb

Rest

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;”Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Verses 1-11 speak of entering God’s rest. He is not talking about the Sabath as it was, he is talking about resting from our own efforts to earn salvation. We cannot earn salvation, it is a free gift from God.

Verse 12, the famous verse: for God’s word is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, pierces through bone and marrow revealing the thoughts and intentions of the heart (My version).

Today happens to be Saturday, the day traditionally taken as the Sabath. It also happens to be the only day’s rest in Nepal. Except today is in Dashain, the annual festival here where families go back to their homeland. It usually lasts for 10 days. The place is at rest with less busyness.

What does the Sabath mean for me? It means I do not strive to earn my salvation but accept it by faith in Jesus. He is enough! Amen! I love Sarudays, anyway, as I don’t study on Saturday and usually do fun things. Today a friend and I will go to a farmer’s market. It is where I can buy ham cut off the bone like, we have in Australia and really good bread. There is also a cute Japanese restaurant there which I enjoy. Lots of fruit and veg and exotic foods, as well as gifts and plants.

Are you at rest? It would be wise to be so! Jesus is returning for a church that knows him in rest. Amen!