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Clothe yourself

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬ We, God’s people cannot run in impatience and attempt to bully our way through problems we face. Anxiety causes us to bully others to obtain the outcome we desire. Have we ever stopped to think, ‘perhaps God has a better plan?’ Anxiety causes us to be fearful and bully. If me times are in His hands then surely I can leave them there and not push people around for what I want or what I perceive is the right solution for a problem? Today I must talk with my bank again. I have been trying to obtain statements from a closed credit card for weeks now. My accountant is waiting on them. Yesterday a young man from the bank called whilst I was on a boat cruise. It was very noisy and he offered to call back this morning. I pray we are able to sort this problem out without impatience and aggression. Father I ask for ...
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I am knocking

““Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬ This was written to the church at Laodicia. This church believed it was rich, it was self-content. Yet, Jesus told it it was poor, it lacked spiritual richness. It had lost awareness of Jesus’ presence. Jesus above is calling on the church to listen and hear His knock. We should take this to heart in the west. We can be content with knowing about the Lord and not knowing His presence. We can enjoy good singing and preaching but forgo His vital presence. He warns that the church is lukewarm and that it is in danger of being spewed from His mouth. Lots make me mindful that Your presence is what I seek and need. Not just Your hand. Amen!
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Recipe for long life

“Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬ These verses come from a psalm that is indicated to be written when David, in fear for his life, pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech king of the Philistine city of Gath. Daud was running from Saul who is attempting to kill him and finds himself in Gath. If we remember David had killed Goliath the Philistine champion. He was probably none too popular here either. There are times when we must go from a place where we are not welcome, but find ourselves in another dangerous place. What to do? David sought the Lord for safety and freigned insanity so as to escape. He ended up in a cave where others joined him. He was not alone in being unpopular with Saul. David became their leader. David sought peace with Saul and he would have a difficult t...
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The Plan

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Long ago, God had a plan. He foresaw Lucifer’s fall and the consequent hatred Satan would have for all God’s creation and purpose. The Father loves us and has always wanted to share His life and beauty with His creation. The plan was to send Jesus, the perfect man. Jesus would redeem us all back to the Father. As we trust our lives to Jesus and walk in His ways He unites us once again with the Father. Satan does all he can to separate us from the Father. He cannot win if we keep ourselves in Christ. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. There is no real life outside of Him. This world has no life that is eternal in it. It will all pass away. Only Jesus is eternal. As I become His He keeps me from the world and its influences. The world is an artificial entity and I cannot be convinced of its strength to provide for me all God has intended. I ...
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His faithful love

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬ We don’t really understand faithful love. Not too many people operate in faithful love. Rather they operate is selfish love. We love to get. Jesus showed us the faithful love that heaven speaks about. He lived it! Faithful love gives up self for others. Jesus did that! Today I fly to Cairns. I wonder who I will meet? What has the Lord got in store for me? He always has people He wants me to love! May I do it well!
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Fight the good fight

“Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬ There are many battles we can engage in: a fight for justice, recognition, my rights, my share etc however, Paul is telling Timothy to fight ‘the good fight’. What is the good fight? As opposed to selfish ambitions we are to fight for the faith, fight for God’s kingdom in our own lives. We have battles enough in our flesh. It waged war against our spirit. ‘What about ME!’ It screams. Me, my, mine!!! I want, I want, I want!!! However, Jesus told His disciples, of whom we are, to take up our cross, daily, and follow Him. The self life must be put to death and kept dead! It really only cares about itself. Things of God are foreign to it. Our world is full of ‘self’.  Today I went into Brisbane’s CBD and was overcome with the crowds I found there. I was endeavouring to meet an old work colleague. My ...
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Walking in rest

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Some how I think we miss the meaning of these verses. Jesus tells us His yoke is easy, Hsi burden is light. I find myself burdened with expectations of others, my own expectations, but none of them are light. Most are heavy! He said, “let me teach you! You will find rest for your souls!” Wow! Those verses are winners! Today, I sit on a mattress on the floor in an empty room. My son and his family are moving. Moving is never fun on one side but can be on the new adventurous side. The cleaning of this house will take a lot of time. My son and his wife work from home. After spending the day packing and cleaning they spend long hours on their computers at night. This m...
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