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His way

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Whist this thought applies to all Christians we must consider where this verse falls. From verse 5 Peter is addressing young men. He says: “In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” 1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬ The first four verses are addressed to elders: “And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are ...
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No fear

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.” Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I love this scripture. Strength and dignity are not found unless the Lord clothes us first. If He is the focus they are automatically present. Laughing without fear of the future are character traits of the daughter of a king. She is secure in the knowledge He reigns. Words of wisdom are found in the mouth of a student of the Lord. Knowing Him and His ways brings wisdom. Knowledge is found in the fear of the Lord. Giving instruction with kindness are traits of one who has been disciplined by the Lord and schooled in righteousness. Training others in His ways, is an act of love, neglect is an act of selfishness. When we are preoccupied with self, we neglect others. The lady in this passage is not a self-centred woman. On the contrary, further reading of the full passage reveals that her husba...
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Rescued from evil

“Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”  2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬ These verses are interesting. First Paul asks for prayer and then promptly answers himself. It appears he is talking to the Thessalonians but in fact his statement answers his own request. Jesus taught us to pray, in the Lord’s Prayer He instructed us to ask the Father for deliverance from evil and temptation. It, therefore, is prudent that we pray thus. I often forget, and then when I remember I do. I am not so spiritual that I can avoid evil, I need the Lord’s help, we all do. Recently Bethel church in America wrote an apology letter for not publicly dealing with the sin of an associate. Pastor Bill mentioned that he is so reluctant to accuse a brother that it became a weakness for him. He has shown us that a strength can be used against us by our enemy. We can asses...
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What can you see?

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬ There are plenty of troubles to be found, if we are looking for trouble. If our mind is bent on ‘oh! Poor me! However, a heart of gratitude sees a different perspective. What can I be grateful for? What is God doing in my life? What is He asking me to be involved with, right here, right now? I have spent the last week doing not much at all, in a remote village in Sindhulpalchok, Nepal. I had a week off college and decided to visit friends and stay in a village to experience village life. It has been quiet, apart from an initial setting up of the flat I am staying in and sorting clothes for donation, daily I am the cook. I have one gas burner on which I cook daal, rice, vegetables, meat or eggs, and pickle. The amount I cook lasts all day and some leftovers. ...
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Enough

“But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬ What does this mean? Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing? It means give when your heart prompts you without ruminating over the rightness of the gift. The Lord fills our heart with compassion and that compassion urges us to act. In reading the gospel of Matthew we see Jesus regularly moved with compassion for the sick, the hungry and the lost. He promptly reaches out and heals, feeds and comforts. When Jesus involves us, we are blessed. Jesus asked the disciples what did they have, twice, when confronted by large hungry crowds. They only had a few loaves of bread and a few fish. To them these were not enough, but to Jesus they were all that was required. Is the Lord prompting you to use what you consider small? I find that as I obey He stretches the small and creates enough for the task at hand. I am delighted by His ability to stretch t...
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Unfailing love

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalms‬ ‭143‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I love the early mornings when I awake and spend time with the loving presence of the Lord. All I can do is worship! His favourite song is Worthy by Elevation Music, at present, as is mine. My heart burns for souls to hear the Good News. I want to shine His light in dark places. My prayers are for souls in lands where the Gospel being preached is forbidden. It is happening! Here in Nepal I pray that people see Jesus. The amazing thing is, He shines through me, I am possessed with His love for the lost. He is working! People here are not used to being loved by a god. However, my Jesus passionately loves them. I love them. May it show! Amen!
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Do not be afraid

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Last night I heard the testimony of a young woman born into an Iranian family who were close to the Ayatollah Khamenei, the previous leader of Iran. She came to know Jesus in 2024, as did her sister. Living in such a family was dangerous and when discovered her family turned against her, her grandmother wanted her killed. Fortunately one of her brothers gave her a phone with a number to call. That call brought her deliverance from certain death and Iran. Becoming a Christian in many countries where Islam dominates mean death. Today, many suffer because of Christ in China, North Korea, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and more. In Nepal, in some areas of the east it is so. Proselytising is a crime. Foreigners are investigated for why they are here, I have been. Why are the enemies of Christ persecuting those who choose to follow Him? He is...
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