No one Holy

“Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me. No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”1 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hannah believed God and was blessed with a son, Samuel. Samuel was raised at the temple of the Lord and became a great prophet in Israel.

Hannah had been childless. Her husband’s other wife bore many children and mocked her continually. This grieved Hannah. Therefore, she went to the temple and implored the Lord for a son, saying “I will return him to you if you give him to me!” This was a big thing to do. Not having children and then promising to hand her first son over to the Lord was huge. However, she went on to have other children.

Her enemy was her husbands other wife. We can have very close enemies. Only God can intervene. He did for Hannah! What are you seeking Him for today?

Our God is faithful and true and we can come to Him in faith. Amen!

No worry

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Paul wrote these words from prison. He had an earthly reason to worry, yet, he chose to pray and worship.

Last night I received word that a fellow student was having difficulty in obtaining her student visa. It has prompted me to go early to apply for my visa. It was not due until Monday. My friend told me that immigration told her there would be a one week delay and that they were doing a home visit to ensure she was not compromising her study visa. I may also face such scrutinity. I have not worked, hiwever, was planning on doing some social work, voluntarily.

I must leave this in the Lord’s hands. If He wants me to remain, I will. If my time is up, I’ll go. Realistically, it is His plans that are inportant. I must trust Him.

The best place to be is in the centre of His will. Amen!

Firm ground

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.”Psalms‬ ‭143‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Here in Nepal there are many obstacles to foot traffic. The roads and paths are constantly being dug up. Just when. New road has been laid and confidence is being given that same place will be overturned, uneven and dangerous.

Needing s firm footing in God inportant to me. I am a creative person and can come up with some wild schemes. Not all are God inspired. Currently, I am making curtains for our puppet stage. The puppet stage is made of plumbing pipes so it can be dismantled and transported easily. Did I say easily? I bought bags for the puppets and the stage. The stage is heavy. Too heavy for me and will be a challenge to transport in public transport. I had been  advised that this was how puppeteers locally staged a puppet show. 

I am developing a team to work the puppets and they can help in the transport. I am aware that in the area we are going only small taxis or large, noisy, full buses operate. We often have to stand. The buses will not be good for transporting the equipment. I have asked my church at home for help to obtain a vehicle and have been told ‘no!’ Their focus is building churches in NSW. I am sure God has the right people. I need to find them.

I have undertaken to secure a flat that will be our base in Sindhulpalchok. It requires fitting out and I am bearing this cost alone. God is stretching my finances for me, praise Him! 

On Monday I return to college and so this week I finish the preparations for Sindhulpalchok. I plan to go there every second weekend during school term. Lord willing, He will keep me and sustain me as I navigate another six months language study. My hearing is constantly challenging me, but I am determined to hear the lesson. My language skills are improving. God is now giving me people talk to. I am enjoying the exercise.

The path ahead is not smoothe, however, with my shepherd I will walk it! Amen!

The night sky

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?”Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David loved the night sky. I am sure there were many, who like him, enjoyed gazing into the night sky. Way before television I was one such person as a child. It filled me with wonder. As an astronomer the invention of modern telescopes has done nothing to diminish my wonder. Currently, no human will ever leave our galaxy. With current technology it would take millions of years. However, even more amazing is that there are millions such galaxies in the universe.

Why did God choose one small blue planet? Why did He give us such a gift? Why did He choose a man and a woman to be in charge of His earthly creation? Why does this Psalm go on to say: “Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority—”Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We are made in His image! We are made to rule and reign. We were given authority! Whilst sin temporarily removed that authority Jesus reinstated it. When He commissioned His disciples: “Jesus gathered his twelve disciples and imparted to them authority to cast out demons and to heal every sickness and every disease.”Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭TPT‬‬ and again:

Luke 10:9 “Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’”Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The first time onky 12 were commissioned, the second time 72 were commissioned. Finally, “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 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 ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Mark adds to this: “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=wohdq7YCPWk&si=UH4lDyNaIOeWBgyN

Living in God

“All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This chapter deals with false prophets and antichrists, the test to know if a person is really of God and loving.

The good news is for us who declare Jesus is the Son of God, we have God living in us.

It is amazing to read that John writes even in his day there were many false prophets and antichrists. How much more is there today? Many! We also have many preachers accusing other men of God to be false prophets. However, this chapter gives us the means to test what manner of spirit is in a person. We cannot foolishly accept every voice as from God. 

The flesh of man craves attention and modern technology gives us the means to promote. The important thing is, not how many people come to hear a preacher, but how many lives are changed. Are the listeners convicted of sin and a need to live better lives? Are they merely listeners and consumers or are they genuine disciples, being trained in righteousness?

I love to listen to stories about great men and women of old and how their life of prayer brought genuine conviction of sin and a need for a better way. This is what I want! The revival fires bring genuine change not just ears that hear and hearts of stone.

What is our God saying to us? Send your fire Lord! Amen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=-QVXGtJudTQ&si=9KgalZh1972k3gaO

Depend on Him

“The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.”Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Lamentations was written by Jeremiah. Jeremiah had a difficult time as a prophet. He was badly treated by the king and those false prophets who refused his words of warning. He prophesied of the coming of Babylon and the people being taken into captivity, whilst the false prophets spoke otherwise. Jeremiah was proven correct.

In the first part of this chapter Jeremiah is telling the Lord how He has abandoned him and done aweful things to him, he then moves on the proclaim the goodness of God and asking the Lord to deal with his persecutors.

Jeremiah did not have an easy life, he was not allowed to marry, he was abused and often alone. Yet He was faithful to the Lord. He spoke what was given him to speak, even though the people refused to listen.

If we think our lot is heavy we should read Jeremiah and Lamentations. There are saints of God who suffer badly for their faith. Jesus told us to take up our cross and follow Him. Christian life is not easy but rather blessed with God’s presence.

I am blessed to know my God and to have His Holy Spirit dwelling within me. I am on this earth with a mission, the same one Jesus had: to minister to the poor, set captives free and proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

Yesterday I met 60 young girls who had been trafficked. God loves these little ones, my goal is to prevent it happening to them.

Lord, may Your kingdom come, Your will be done! Amen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=CjB0mkj0XaM&si=bvRc9qz5bfBf35FX

No condemnation

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus paid for my sins past and present. As I walk in faith of this glorious fact, I walk in His continual forgiveness. I must keep my eyes on Jesus as He walks before me.

Today I go to visit a new place called Dhulikel. It ai onky 1 1/2 hours from Kathmandu. I will accompany young Thomas as he goes to collect some documents. It will be an opportunity to talk about our mission to Sindhulpalchok some more. 

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak to a young Asian friend about Jesus. She claims to follow Buddha, however, her life does not portray his teachings. She said she admired my passion for life and boldness to study the Nepali language. I told her Jesus is my strength and boldness.

In Romans 8 if we read further into the chapter Paul says: “He (Jesus) did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.”Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Our walk is after the Holy Spirit, He is our guide. We cannot allow sinful flesh to dictate. Sinful flesh is ever ready to dictate. However, the Spirit, as gentle as a dove, waits for us to, rather, choose His quiet, small voice. Because His voice is so quiet, I still miss hearing it at times, especially, when I am full of thoughts about a matter. Deferring to Him is important rather than reacting. Our reactions can be both good and bad, but, what level of good am I satisfied with? There is a higher good waiting for me.

Today, choose the quiet voice! Amen!