A great light

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I am living in a land of darkness and have been praying for the light to come. This promise is good news.

The original prophesy given by Isaiah was talking about the darkness brought about by the Assyrian army. The verb tenses used are the prophetic perfect; in other words although they were speaking of the future they were written as if they had already happened. This was fulfilled when Jesus went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali (Matt 4:16). Yet, there is still power in these verses. A promise of light in the darkness is ever present.

What were the odds that Jesus would choose to live in Capernaum? Who would have guessed that Jesus was the answer all those years after Isaiah’s prophesy. God has unique and wonderful plans for the gospel to infiltrate dark places.

Already He is filling my heart with vision for remote parts of Nepal. He wants to go there, He has a plan. How wonderful to be a small part in that plan!

I had a burden to pray for my birthplace in Australia some weeks ago and yesterday my son informs me of a plan God has put in his heart. I am in awe of the workings of my God.

There is no place my God cannot go! I will trust Him! Amen!

Love looks like …

““So this is my command: Love each other deeply, as much as I have loved you.”John‬ ‭15‬:‭12‬ ‭TPT‬‬

These are the words of Jesus. His love for them kept Him pure and focused on the cross. He lived sinlessly so that He would give a perfect sacrifice. However, His love confronted them over their fighting for position, lack of faith and carnal solutions.

So how do we live as He lived? Laying down our lives for others, staying true to our calling and being a living example of love. Love covers a multitude of sins but is willing to confront. Jesus also prayed fervently for His disciples. We can and should do this.

As we pray for others we can realise that the problems they face are often spiritual. Dark forces work against them as much as us. Interceding for them will enable them to become all God has called them to be. Amen!

peacekeepers

“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Passion Translation says it like this:

“How joyful you are when you make peace! For then you will be recognized as a true child of God.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬ ‭TPT‬‬

The UN Peacekeeping mission is an international group of men and women.

Their work includes: Protecting civilians from violent attacks, Supporting the delivery of humanitarian assistance, Maintaining security, and Supporting political solutions that lead to peace. 
These peacekeepers stand between two combatant groups. These peacekeepers are armed, when necessary.
As children of God we are peacemakers. We do not just stand between enemies we take the message of Jesus and bring new life. We stand against the powers of darkness, not people. We recognise the working of darkness in people and go to prayer to see them set free. We have been given authority over the enemy and must use it. Last week I had to do this in my own home. Our task is to pray for those in the body of Christ and bring freedom to areas where previously the enemy of the souls of men reigned.
I pray daily for the church. Yesterday I had the delightful experience of my first AGM at the church. Usually AGM’s are horrid, boring affairs, but this was different. It was bathed in worship and prayer and the word of God. I came away uplifted and grateful.
We have responsibility to pray, and see the kingdom of God come into homes, families, churches and workplaces. This is an active aggressive stance, one we are well able to do. Amen!

My Refuge

“You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.”Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭114‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When there is no one to support me, You are there Lord. You have a place of safety for me, a bunker filled with abundance for every need, a place secure above my enemies.

I eagerly look to your word for guidance. It speaks to me of your faithful love and companionship. It is reliable and true.

When you showed me my fear I gave it to you and your gave me your peace. You are my trustworthy hope!

Yesterday, I planned to take my mobile library to the children in the street. Upstairs there are two young boys. I met their father and told him what it was about. He said, in halting English, they would look at. He took the lot.

I planned to buy a whole chicken and roast it on the rotisserie. I went down to the butcher shop and told the man I wanted a whole chicken. The size of the thing he brought out of the fridge caused my eyes to bulge. I had asked my Nepali flatmates how much should I pay and was told, ‘no more than 350R a kilo. The man wanted 360R and I boldly told him,’No, 350R!’ He accepted and wrapped the monster in plastic. I went home to clean, stuff and truss it. What fun! However, it worked! It kept threatening to fall off the rotisserie and I had to re-tie the legs, in the process I garnered a burnt hand- not too serious. When the girls returned we sat down to a roast with gravy. We added some chilli sauce as even I find western food bland these days.

My God supplied even a carcass to simmer for soup. The girls like to chew the bones, they are welcome!

With me

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

To think these words spoken so many thousands of years ago are still relevant today, how good is our God. We must change our perspective from ‘this was spoken to those people’ to ‘this word speaks to my heart’.

Yesterday I stopped at my bank here in Nepal and afterwards visited a gift shop I had seen many times as I walked to church on Sundays. What a beautiful shop. Three levels of gorgeous crafts, carpets and paintings. I had sought a suitable basket to store my knitting wools and needle is.  I found a unique basket that turned my creative crank. I also found a picture I will buy at another time. Hand made carpets called to me, but they can wait, a little while.

As I write this I am aware that the Lord is blessing me. My funds stretch so well here. The Lord has given me a project to work towards at the end of next year. He has showed me how He wants me to prepare and I am quietly excited. Even with saving for this project I live well. I am almost ashamed of how blessed I am (almost).

I love the Nepali language and today with my limited supply I am going out into my street to make friends with the locals with English story books for the children to borrow. I am attempting to create a library for them. I want to love them with the love I have been given. I pray for good success.

My God is so good as He goes before me. He surrounds me with His love and mercy. How good is He? What joy He brings!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Y_zR_om9c&si=pCE6DsxJBFBSj6xE

Provision

“I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through Jesus Christ!”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Paul had told the Philippians that they were the only ones who had supported him financially when he went out into the mission field. He was grateful for their gifts.

Support in the field is so important. I cannot say I have any one person who supports me financially, but as the need arises God provides through even random strangers. However, I do have faithful souls praying for me, this I cherish greatly.

As I look to the Lord, He provides. Another missionary friend of mine told me she had a need for travel funds and sought the Lord, He provided this week. I prefer to ask the Lord for provision as He is the master Gardner and I trust Him.

I can trust My God to be the best provider and then I know He is involved in what I am about to do. I love His plans and purposes greater than mine. There is life in those purposes. Amen!

Blessing

“Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favor.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Last night I led a Bible study at my flat and I have sought the Lord for a new move of His Holy Spirit. As the person designated to lead the study could not do the study I practically facilitated it all. I have experienced the wonderful presence of the Holy Spirit and wanted the same for those who attended. It was the best it has been for a while and all enjoyed our time together.

A good friend was in attendance and he kept saying, “when this woman prays don’t get in her way or she will run over you!” I did not think I was like that but then he has been a recipient of my prayer, he would know. His comment embolded me to be braver and trust God for more answers in prayer. We were talking about prayer, the prayer of faith. 

Before our meeting my friend went plant shopping with me and helped me fill my balcony with beautiful flowers. I particularly wanted to fill my window, which looked out on an ugly tin shed, with flowers. I even have my Christmas tree, yay!

Today I am blessed indeed!