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No boasting

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I read something recently that reminded me of how grace controls my life. If I am good, I am good because of the Holy Spirit that dwells within me, if I am Holy it is because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. I can claim no glory for myself. The good I do is through the indwelling presence of God. How do I know this? Without Him I am a sinner filled with fleshly desires and corrupt attitudes. He has His ways of revealing this truth to me. Paul says it this way: “I am crucified with Christ and I now live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me”. Galatians 2:20 By remaining aware of this I am kept safe from egotistical manoeuvres and attitudes. If I do anything worthy of praise it is because of Jesus and He must receive th...
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Doing good

“Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!”  1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬ My young Nepali friend who had charges made against him for ‘religious conversion’ has been spared jail time whilst his enemies collect evidence. Normally a person is put in jail for 27 days. We who prayed are grateful, as is our young friend. Our young friend was doing much good, he had built a children’s home, was building churches and...
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The Spirit of Truth

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” ‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ I am having to make a major financial decision by tomorrow and as yet I have not heard guidance. I am in a position where faith and wisdom disagree. A man of God once taught me: “if faith and wisdom disagree, choose wisdom every time”(Phil Pringle). My challenge is finding the wisdom of God, I have man’s wisdom. Perhaps the Lord has spoken and I’ve not heard or listened. I need clarity! Bill Johnson says God does not always tell him what to do but wants him to move then God directs, especially if he is at the wrong door. Perhaps this is the way. I cannot rely on the wisdom of man, it is fraught with emotion. Jesus said, “I am the Way!” I will follow Him! Amen!
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While we were sinners

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬ To be able to receive rescue we must first admit we are in trouble; to receive assistance we must first admit we cannot do something; to receive salvation from sin we must first admit we are sinners. What is a sinner? Someone who has missed the mark of perfection, who insists that they are good enough by their own judgement, and not by God’s. If we go through life insisting that our determination of goodness is enough, when we finally die and stand before the sinless, perfect Christ and tell Him His goodness is not what we needed, where will we go? If heaven is not an option what is the alternative? Hell was created for Satan and his demons and fallen angels, however, his goal in life is to take as many of God’s children with him by deceiving them into thinking they, not Christ,  are the judge. Satan’s sin was pride, and elevating himself above God’s throne. ...
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You will be handed over

““Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭16‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬ It is interesting that this is the scripture for today! My Nepali friend who has charges against him has been allowed to stay out of jail whilst his opponents gather evidence. Normally the accused is imprisoned for up to 27 days. My friend was free to return to Karhmandu some 5-6 hours drive away from where he was charged. This is a miracle in itself. Our God is indeed great...
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My saviour

“See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.” Isaiah‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬ This verse is so apt for today! My Nepali friend faced court yesterday and was charged with ‘religious conversion’. He was afforded bail and needs to return to the police station today. He has many people praying for him. Jesus s his victory! The Lord whispers to my spirit, “he will be ok!” What an awesome God we serve! He goes before us and follows us with love and mercy! Yesterday evening my flatmate and I went walking and we met a woman I have not seen for two years. She remembered me and invited us to her house for a cup of tea. This woman and her husband have both survived leprosy and the woman, particularly, lost her fingers, she has only stubs remaining. Her husband complained of diabetes and stomach problems. I laid hands on him and rebuked the sickness and commanded complete healing. These people are church folk. I sen...
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Walking wisely

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Finding the wise is a challenge! There is so much noise out there! However, the Holy Spirit know who they are. Proverbs tells me who they are. “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”  Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ These are few weeks of many verses found in the Book of Proverbs. The Lord is the source of wisdom, I am not! When I trust in myself and my own wisdom then I will fall. Today a dear Nepali friend faces court charged with proselytism. A good thing to be charged with. However, in Nepal an offence worth putting a man in jail for. He had also other charges made, which have since been dropped. May wisdom guide his defence!  This is something we hear from China and North Korea, Pakistan, India, Afganista...
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