Posts

Conquering evil

“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Evil is all around us, tempting us, attacking us. What do we do? We recognise how it is interacting with us and respond appropriately. If I am being tempted I use scripture, just as Jesus did, to fight off the enemy. If I am being attacked I pray, diligently and strongly for the souls of those attacking me. I bind the spirits driving their attacks and rebuff the spirits. The last part of the above scripture says: ‘by doing good’. What good can I do? I must recognise my own flesh and subdue it, I can recognise the flesh of others and confront it, I can go outside of both of these and find people who need good doing to them. I am in Silnhulpalchowk helping set up a flat there. My bed is almost as hard as concrete and my back is rebelling. The food is plain dhal bhaat twice a day. If I want to avoid ‘piro’ (chilly, very hot chilly) my fare is white rice and cooked lentils. The alternative is junk food i...

How long Lord?

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” 2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I just read a report that The Iranian leadership had been pretty much destroyed in the first few minutes of the Israel:US strike against them. This strike had been weeks in the making and it seems as if the US were dragging their feet. However, they gave diplomacy the best chance and then when it failed they acted. In the waiting many Iranian people were killed by their own leaders.  More so our God waits for souls to repent and come to Him. Many dear saints, meanwhile, are slaughtered  or imprisoned amd cry out for justice. In the Book of Revelation we see a scene where the saints before the altar are crying out, “How long Lord?” God replies, “until the full number have come”. He knows how long and how many, not us. Then He will act. Amen!

A test of friendship

“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬ A test of friendship is sudden prosperity. We can be used to a friend being ever in need of finance and support,  and when suddenly amazing things happen for them and they are promoted, what do we do? I have such a friend. She was a long term missionary here in Nepal and then was suddenly sent back to America for 12 months. She did not know what her outcome would be. She stayed in a motel at first and had no money, then she stayed with a friend who was rich and she had everything she needed, then she was moved to another unknown situation, finally a large church came to her aid me gave her a home for a few months and money for a car. We here in Nepal watched in amazement. Her financial woes are over as she now receives a government pension, has a home and a car. At first I wrote regularly as she needed hope and friendship. Now, she seems to not need close contact...

Imitate

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬ There was a time when people wore armbands with WWJD on them.! This basically said, ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ They were a good idea but without conviction useless. Praying without engaging our hearts is also useless.! Intentionality was a buzz word, a few years ago. Even though it has also fallen out of favour it is still important. I must engage heart and mind when praying and acting. Intentionality is not reacting! We are prone to live out of reaction. This is usually fleshly. We cannot trust our reactions to be godly unless they are pruned by righteousness, and even then we need to pray. Last week I got involved it what seemed to be a fruitless argument with a friend texting about a matter. I called a halt and suggested we meet face to face, which we did and there was no problem. We had time, on the way to our meeting to cool and pray. Worse still is entering into someone else’s...

Take delight

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬ What does taking delight mean to us? I thought of a small child, or a baby. I remember having my children and how just looking at them caused my heart to blossom. I loved them deeply. If I transfer that delight to the Lord I can understand. Is my relationship one of obligation? One I endure to twist a divine hand? No! My God’s presence is the best! Do I delight in Him jist to receive? No! I delight in Him because He is good! His presence is better than houses and cars, vacations or jewels. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ovkdzcDjxQo&si=03YunZNZQFrnYful

Praise

“O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.” Isaiah‬ ‭25‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬ The Lord is not haphazard, although He may be accused of such. Those who accuse do not know Him or His ways. Recently I was accused of being haphazard and I replied, “no! you say this because you do not know me, you need to ask my flatmate and she would say I am orderly”. I then went home and asked her what she thought, just to be sure. She replied “you are orderly but flexible , if you need to make a change you do it”. Well, that is better than haphazard! The Lord plans long before the event, looong before! He knows what will happen, we are predictable. He knows who will be ruled by their flesh and who will walk in the spirit. He knows when we will do things. He is not surprised. Jesus was surprised by faith in those not of the Jewish race but not of His own people, but then He was surprised as a man. God ...

The kingdom

““The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.” Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭44‬ ‭NLT‬‬ The kingdom of God is exciting! I become excited when I walk in faith for the reason I exist. I am a light to the nations, I must shine! How do I shine? Love the Lord my God with all my heart and love His ways! Seeking Him first in solving problems, listening to Him first for opinions and living my life to the full by His power. His glory is great and it becomes mine as I obey and yield to Him. He is my success, He is my authority, He is my provision, my strength and my song! He is found in glorious submission! Yield way and find delight! Amen!