The narrow way

““Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This scripture is full or warning! The easy way leads to destruction. What is the easy way? The way of comfort, where many friends are found, all sliding down the hill to destruction. This way is full of deception and ease, the gospel of God’s love and tolerance, an absence of the cross.

What is the narrow way? The cross. The daily choosing to lay down my life for my neighbours, family and friends. Few are found here. It is lonely, difficult but filled with Jesus.

Today I choose to visit a Pakistani refugee family and love them. I pray I can be their ears and hear their hearts. Today I refuse my flesh prominence, no laying around, no ease.

My flesh loves ease, comfort and lack of trouble. My spirit knows I need the path to the cross. I need t be prepared to meet my groom in glory, I need a white wedding garment, not gaudy flesh. I need to be ready! Amen!

Be strong

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Joshua had reason to be afraid: he was given the leadership that had rested on Moses’ shoulders. Joshua have lived 40 years in the wilderness under Moses. He had seen the challenges, but he had also wistnessed the power of God. God slew those who disobeyed Him.

Fortunately Joshua loved the presence of God, he is now being instructed to keep the word of God ever before him and to go trust God to be his deliverer.

Each of us faces fear, if we didn’t there would be no need for faith. We would rely on our own strength. When we face dismay at failed outcomes we could be inclined to back away. However, if God has spoken into our lives then we must be faithful to follow Him, keeping the word of God before us and relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us.

I am going through a difficult time at present: my flatmates are sick, I am skirting unwellness myself and having to keep moving. Thai past week I went to interview refugees I am responsible for. They have overwhelming difficulties, ones that only the Lord can solve. Without the Holy Spirit I would be lost. I must keep the Lord before me and worship my way through.

Joshua had a successful battle with Jericho but the next one was a failure, because there was unknown sin in the camp. Disappointment would have been huge, however, a valuable lesson followed. Disappointment comes when something is amiss. We must remember to have the word of God as a lamp to our feet, the Spirit of God as our guide and faith in our saviour as our lifeline. He will guide us into all truth. Amen!

Make disciples

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How do you make disciples? What did Jesus do? He spent time with those He had chosen and taught them His ways, He settled disputes and taught them Kingdom values.

It is not enough to march into town and do a crusade and leave without discipling converts. Paul spent time discipling. The writers of the Epistles were attempting to disciple converts and deal with disputes and sinful behaviour.

Teaching and preaching both convey biblical truths but time is an important factor. Along with time is genuine concern for the welfare of the disciples. Jesus’ prayer to the Father in John 17:12 shows these. Jesus said, ‘I have not lost one except the son of perdition’. He was referring to Judas. He was left with 11 disciples. This is not a huge crowd. Yet those 11 were enough to spread the good news.

Be encouraged! Make a few disciples! Amen!

The vast host

“After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!””Revelation‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is our future. We will stand with people from all over the world, people from different tongues and yet we are all saying: ‘salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb’. I wonder what language we will speak because John understood them all?

In Nepal there are refugees from other nations; their are foreign missionaries from many nations all speaking a different language in their homes. The common language seems to be English, yet Nepali is spoken all around us.

Our commonality is Jesus, we are present because of our relationship with Him. The love of Jesus makes its own language. Yesterday I met with an Urdu family. They love Jesus and look to Him for their support. I trust Him for my support. We are alive because of Him! We are living to be His example and He is our reward. Amen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=B2pG7J5SSx4&si=7k_Ae8h13IbEf1a5

For your pleasure

““You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory, honor, and power, for you created all things, and for your pleasure they were created and exist.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Last night in Bible study we read Romans 1:18-32. Basically it deals with the fact that we have no excuse for not acknowledging our God as creator because His work is so well displayed in nature, the skies and in our own bodies. However, many do deny Him and live as if He does not exist. Romans tells us that the wrath of God is poured out on unbelief. 

Today I live in a flat in Nepal where sickness has been poured out, yet we believe. It is winter and viruses are swirling. One of my flatmates has been badly affected. She had a cold and almost recovered and was slammed with a worse virus. She has a brain tumor diagnosis and we pray against this constantly. It has not grown but the threat of it is ever present.

M flatmates rely on teaching for their income. However, as they cannot teach when sick their income dries up. They have strong faith in God’s provision, and I am aware that I may just be that provision right now.

Although tough times come and go we rely on the Lord. He is our breakthrough, He is our strong tower. The virus has tickled the edges of my life as well, but I refuse to bow down. Today I visit another refugee family to see how our church can assist them. My God is good!

We were created for God’s pleasure! Let us sing and bless His name! Amen!

An oldie but a goodie!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=evGo6N706J8&si=GbHDyZD36LIiUW5k

With my mouth

“But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.”Psalms‬ ‭59‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This scripture reminds me of a chorus we sang a long time ago, it fills my heart with song on this chill morning in Nepal.

Yesterday I visited a refugee family and heard their griefs and concerns. This morning I know that the Lord has an answer for them, I am not able to solve all their problems. However, as I sing over the problems I know nothing is too hard for my God.

My flatmate has been told she has a brain tumor that needs removing. The expense is huge. The alternative is radiation. The cost of that is expensive to her body as well as her pocket. We must come to Jesus and say to ourselves: what would Jesus do? He would command healing.

I sit and sing: ‘I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever, I will sing, I will sing. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever I will sing of the mercies of the Lord. With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness, Your faithfulness. With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations’.

I do not have an answer for problems except Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. Amen!

Repaid

“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!”Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today I go to meet a refugee family in their home and see how I can advocate for them. Our church hosts refugees and gives them support. The support is limited to that available and has to be handled carefully so that abuse may not occur.

Nepal has refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Siri Lanka, China and sometimes India. They are all different. Some retain financial support from their mother country, some do not. Some have papers some do not. Those without papers fare the worst.

We see tent cities in African countries where refugees congregate. Fortunately, it is not the case here. Nonetheless, our refugees still struggle for finances and without finance they cannot afford housing, food and clothing. They then must beg for help. Begging is demeaning for them.

I remind myself this could happen to me. As the persecution of Christianity rises I know anything is possible.

Lord let me see with Your eyes today and feel with Your heart. Amen!