The day with dianne Louise

They went through the region of Phygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia. when they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bythinia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, bypassing Mysia, they came to Troas. during the night a vision appeared to Paul; a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, 'cross over to Macedonia and help us.' Acts 16:-9 Paul had set out to evangelise the then known world. There were needs everywhere he passed but the Holy Spirit prevented him from speaking. How would Paul take that in the natural? Would he be frustrated? what did the prevention by the Holy Spirit look like? When God gives us a commission we are not told of the barriers but these are there. Why are we not told? Perhaps the barriers are there to test us and to protect us. Test us in that we discover what our responses are to barriers, protect us from going and doing that which might harm us or others, or waste out time an...

Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul did not think it appropriate to take along the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. There was such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. Then Paul chose Silas and departed.....Acts 15:37-40 Even great leaders can become anal about their opinions. Paul was unwilling to give John another go because he had let him down. However, Barnabas was a more gracious soul and perhaps he could see a light in the young man. Choleric (drivers) individuals are not too keen to associate with someone who has failed them. In fact they can be quite impatient with them. That is until the Lord gets a hold of them and kneads them a little with His grace. Barnabas was the one who gave Paul a go when the apostles in Jerusalem were unsure. Barnabas took risks with people because he could see with grace. God used both men and when they separated they...

And God who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary , we believe we are saved through grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are. Acts 15:8-11 It is so easy to put a yoke on someone else. The first disciples thought salvation was for the Jews but had to learn it was for all men and women. This would smack at their pride and while they had to deal with this truth they then had to deal with the fact that this new crowd didn't even have to sacrifice like they did, getting circumcised. Last Sunday I watched a church be given by my now former pastor to a 35 year old man. There will be a lot of dealing with attitude as this young man changes things and oh I pray he does. This young man has not done the years t...

Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses you cannot be saved.' Acts 15:1 Circumcision would have come to be a form of holiness to the Jews. It was a huge price paid by an individual to show that that person would follow God. We can see from the passages around this scripture that circumcision was enshrined in the Jewish faith and Jewish Christians valued it's sanctity so much they fought for it. We have, all of us, parts of our Christianity that are sacred to us. It depends what faith we are in before we come to know Jesus as a living friend as opposed to a mystical thought out there that we follow. Before I had asked the Lord into my life I was a catholic. The catholic faith has a lot of rituals and beliefs associated with godliness. After conversion I had to go through a time when I needed to learn what was law and what was grace. the words 'I should do' became suspic...

When the crowd saw what Paul had done they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language 'The gods have come down to us in the form of men'. Paul said, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We are proclaiming good news to you, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God.' Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium , and when they won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. After the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the town. Acts 14: 11,15,19,20 Crowds of people can be so fickle. I watch on the news how the reporters in Syria believe that there is a canned crowd. In other words we are seeing what the politicians want us to see. We see protesters everywhere. People are rising up and protesting against the governments for this decision or that decision. In Australia we had a recent protest against live animal exports to nations where the animals are abused. Yet I see how ...

So they stayed there for some time and spoke boldly in reliance on the Lord, who testified to the message of His grace by granting that signs and wonders be performed through them. Acts 14:3 It is interesting that the first word 'so' comes after the preceding verses about opposition. Isn't it funny how some forms of opposition cause you to dig in and rely on the Lord, this is especially true when you know you are where the Lord wants you. They spoke boldly in reliance on the Lord. This is the only boldness worth having. Note that the gospel is a message of grace. Grace undoes all legal thinking, all performance based godliness, breaks down all barriers, cuts through the darkness and sets captives free but best of all it releases the power of God. Signs and wonders back up grace, miracles are found in grace because relationship with the miracle giver is there. Miracles did not stop the opposition, rather it intensified to the point of stoning. However those who believed...

For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the gentiles to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Acts 13:47 As Paul and Barnabus found, their job was to take the message of salvation not to the fat, fully content babies inside the existing synagogues, but to the lost. Churches everywhere have many spoilt believers who don't know how to share the good news, it is all about them. (sounds harsh I know but true) One of the biggest frustrations in church leadership is motivating those who do not want to be motivated. Those who do not want to give of themselves will not change. Paul and Barnabus brought a message of hope yet is was rejected by the established gatherings and fierce opposition rose to protect the status quo. Those who belong to the Lord and desire to build His Kingdom have to go outside the gates and feed the hungry, the poor, seek and save that which is lost. Verse 48 says: 'when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorifi...

But Elymas the sorcerer opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at the sorcerer and said 'You son of the devil, full of all deceit and all fraud, enemy of righteousness! Won't you ever stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord? 'Now look look! The Lord's hand is against you. You are going to be blind, you will not see the sun for a time.' Acts 13:9-11 Boldness when being filled with the Holy Spirit is amazing, there is great power to speak the words of God. I have experienced similar to the above. When pioneering a church in Wyong NSW Australia we were visited by a woman who I discerned was full of an evil spirit. Her job was to destroy and she made a path towards the men. I was visiting a family in the church and heard that she was going with the men to help someone move and my spirit was troubled. I prayed that the Lord would not let them leave until I arrived and He answered ...

As they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work I have called them to.' Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.' Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they came down to Seleucia......Acts 13: 2-4a There are times when I know I must draw aside and minister to the Lord and abstain from certain foods. They are intense times of knowing God, at times it feels as if a child is being born. I suppose the advantage of being a woman who has had children is that I can liken the process to that. For me they are lonely times when I know I must do this myself and wait on God. Always the result is good. When I functioned in church leadership I loved the times when we knew something new was to happen. My husband and I would go away and sit and read and be quiet. We always came home with new vision. Now, in a different place, I must do this alone. I enjoy these times because the...

'You're crazy!' they told her. But she kept insisting that it was true. Then they said, 'it's his angel!' Peter, however, kept on knocking and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astounded. Acts 12:15,16 I wonder what they had been praying. 'Lord save us'. 'Lord, give Peter an easy death.' Such faith! Are we not all the same? Again and again we will pray and press in but again and again we are astounded when God moves. I am so grateful that God is God, He never becomes self-righteous or arrogant, yes He may rebuke us but with love which enables change. No impatience here. Often my enemy comes at me in the night but I refuse to play, I speak the word, raise the shield, put on my helmet, then I go fishing with the Lord (that looks funny) and go back to sleep. In the morning provision is there. It seems as thought a huge stake has to pierce the darkness and bring the answer and as a consequence what it pierces is flug before i...

Then Peter came to himself and said 'Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod's grasp and from all that the Jewish people expected.' Acts 12:11 I love this scripture. Peter came to himself. We can experience such miracles that they seem unreal but in the light of day we must say 'surely the Lord has visited me.' I have been visited by angels to encourage me and once to warn me, to save me from a bad decision. I didn't appreciate it at the time because my heart was set on doing what I wanted to do and it took me a while to accept the warning. We are visited by angels bearing messages from our God many many times but because of our blindness or sin or both we do not see. When I have the Holy Spirit residing inside of me and He speaks to me I wonder wonder why God would send an angel, perhaps I become dull to the voice of the Holy Spirit, perhaps to lend significance to what God is saying. The bible is full of angelic v...

On the night before Herod was to bring him (Peter) out for execution, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the sentries in front of the door guarded the prison. Acts 12:6 Think back to the time Jesus was asleep in the boat while a storm raged and Peter was one of those who said to Jesus 'Lord we are perishing, help us.' Peter was wide awake through that storm finding it hard to believe Jesus could sleep. Peter is now at peace, asleep in the storm of his life. About to be put to death, chained between two soldiers BUT God had a plan. Peter had people praying for him, and that definitely helps however I know if I am anxious and fearful no amount of prayer from others will stop it, I have to stop it. I have to choose to believe I am what God says I am and that He is in charge. Peter was gloriously delivered and he himself did not quite believe what was happening, he thought it was all a dream. We have to choose to turn our backs on fear and ...

'No Lord!' I said, 'For nothing common or ritually unclean has ever entered my mouth!' But a voice answered from heaven a second time, 'What God has made clean, you must not call unclean.' Acts 11: 8,9 This scripture really became alive to me when I had someone close to me say 'Don't get involved with that person, I know things about him.' and God spoke to my heart 'What God has called clean you must not call unclean.' We can be so prejudiced against others because of their past, the way they look or the way they come across yet God knows their hearts. Conversely we can be open to people who really are not clean in their hearts and are dangerous to us. I remember a woman in my church in Tamworth who married a guy because he looked good and went to a particular church only to find he was a drunk and he abused her. We can, not like someone because they are on the opposite side to us, perhaps they are actually in charge of making a judgement...

Those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message.......The Lord's hand was with them and large numbers who believed turned to the Lord. Acts 11: 19, 21 Persecution is not nice, it pushes us out of where we like to be, our comfort zone, and it sends us to those who need to hear. Myself, I have not been persecuted as the apostles, being threatened by jail, but by cold hearts that stood back and let me fall through the floor. Joseph was sold by his brothers but as he said to them, when after years in jail for something he did not do,  'it was God who brought me here (to Egypt) so that I might be able to provide for you in this famine.' (paraphrased) I am watching my friend, who is still in court, being told she is a liar and thief, when I know she is neither. I see her children fail to support her and expect her to share a meal with her accusers, because...

When Peter went up to Jerusalem, those who stressed circumcision argued with him saying 'You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them!' When they heard this (the preceding 15 verses) they glorified God saying 'So God has granted repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles!' Acts 11: 2,3,18 As we read these verses now we are horrified at such prejudice however I am grateful that my God is bigger than territory, sect or opinion. There are religious groups today that still will not associated with those who go to movies, drink or dance. There are groups who will not associate with those who pray in tongues, saying they are of the devil (must not like the book of Acts). When we try to lock God into a small paddock we find He escapes as He is bigger and all we are left with are narrow minded people. Our Lord wants us to embrace all of Him. In a day when we can cut and paste almost anything our God has not changed, He is consistent, ever faithful, the same yeste...

'Now I really understand that God does not show favouritism, but in every nation the person who fears (respects, honours) Him and does acts of righteousness is acceptable to Him. Acts 10:34,35 In the book of Romans Paul says in chapter 8 'if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, you will be saved'. Salvation is free to those who believe, healing is free to those who believe. No need to fast, crawl, abuse your body, meditate hours every day to reach Him, just believe. Jesus came to set us free, free from bondage, free from sin, free from disease. He wants us in relationship with Him. He calls us friends, brothers, a royal priesthood. He invites us to sit with Him in victory over all that has beset us. Nothing is stronger than His love towards us, no sin is too great, no disease too strong that He cannot set us free. Amen!

Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said. 'Tabitha, get up! ' She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.' Acts 9:40 Healing is real, raising people from the dead is real. Yet.... As a long time christian I have seen a lot and been disappointed in a lot. I have to admit that I have a lot of unbelief and cynicism that has to be washed off me. The boots of those who had marched through Christendom asserting themselves, the noise, the voices, had squashed the fresh life that was once there. Ah but a new wind is blowing and I am going back to my first love, I remember when I believed all things and trusted the one who had saved me. It is He who saves, heals, delivers and I must keep fresh my relationship so that, as a little child, I can simply believe. Today I come to the Lord with new eyes, new ears and a new longing to see Him. This past weekend I saw a little 6 year old boy who believed and saw him pray for a m...

As Peter was traveling around from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralysed and had been bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him 'Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed, and immediately he got up. So all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. Acts 9:32-35  This weekend we had John Mellor at our church and I saw the lame throw away sticks and walk. I saw a man who was in constant pain in his stomach and unable to eat only fruit and vegetables be able to go home and eat what he previously could not eat. There were many knees, backs, hips, necks healed. There were people with cancer and brain tumours healed. I saw people who could barely hobble run up and down with joy all over their faces. But best of all there were many come to Christ. The man who had done DivorceCare and still struggling was sitting opposite me and was laughing whenever the preacher waved...

When he arrived in Jerusalem, Saul tried to associate with the disciples, but they were afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles.......Acts 9:26,27 The disciples were a tough bunch to convince. They had trouble believing Jesus had risen from the dead as well. Saul's reputation preceded him. He had been a chief opponent of the church throwing people into prison. But, God found him, took him, changed him. Do you have a bad reputation you are trying to shake? If you are genuinely repentant pray for a Barnabas. Ah Barnabas, he must have been full of love because love, God's love, hopes all things, believes all things. Do you know many of these? No? They are a rare breed but they do exist. They are full of grace, willing that none should perish, their arms are always open. You are safe with these people. They don't gossip, they are interested in you, God's kingdom, purity and truth. If yo...

But Saul grew more capable and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this One is the Messiah. After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him...Acts 9:22,23 When God takes hold of an individual they are mighty before their adversaries and will confound them. Their enemies only recourse is to kill. Again and again throughout history religious and political (that is another religion anyway) bigots become murderers because they cannot contain truth. Yesterday my friends was up in court with her enemies trying to assassinate her character. Their questions are all aimed at showing her to be a wicked grandmother, incapable of taking care of her grandchild. My friend had no recourse but to answer the questions and say if she did not understand. She is not free to discuss the details and she is still under oath but the questions have not ceased and will continue next Tuesday. I know this woman to be of sound mind and good character as I do life with he...

At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptised. Acts 9:18 Upon my own salvation I had the experience of scales falling from my eyes, my spiritual eyes were opened for the first time. What Joy! This was the pivotal point of my life. Before salvation I was lonely and lost, after found and happy. Knowing God, really knowing Him, on the inside is so fulfilling. Don't settle for knowing about Him! Ask Him in, dine with Him, enjoy Him, give Him the best room in the house. I see so many lost souls who can't get it. It is complicated to them yet it is so simple. Laying down all of me for all of Him. Letting Him lead means that the path is illuminated by Him, sure there are times when I only see one step. That is probably because if I saw the path it is a plank across a precipice, then I would not go. My God is goodness itself. He is light and life. I can trust Him, especially when going through new territory, especiall...

Saul agreed with putting him to death. Acts 8:1 Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison. Acts 8:3 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. Acts 9:1 As he travelled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. Falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? 'Who are you Lord?' he said. Acts 9:5 Saul had a plan, the enemy who fueled his angst had a plan BUT God had a greater plan. I am watching a lovely lady be attacked by a nasty foe in court BUT God has a plan. The only reason this woman is under attack is that she claims the Lord as saviour. I am sure that those being used to attack her think otherwise. They have been inflamed by a fuel chosen to ignite them, they do not see past that. Ah! BUT God does. He is the defender of the poor and innocent, He goes before...

On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. Acts 8:1 Religious spirits can be so vindictive, full of hate for those who would address their sin. How dare you? they rages. We are in charge here! In fact any sin does not want to be caught out, it will rage and rant and deflect attention from itself. What is God saying? 'come into the light so that your deeds  may be seen.' John 3:21 says it this way: But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.' The Jewish people were quick to pick up stones, in the name of the law, yet as Jesus demonstrated when they brought the woman caught in adultery to be stoned, we all have sinned so how can we judge? It is very dangerous to be so zealous for our religion that we will kill for it. When we get into that mindset we are being controlled by a sin that i...

You stiff necked  people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit; as your ancestors did so do you. Acts 7:51 Ooh! those are fighting words! Stephen had just given a sermon to the Sanhedrin about religious history and his finishing touch was the above verse. Needless to say they became enraged and ultimately stoned him to death. Yet, what was he saying? What do we do when we have a stiff neck, as in attitude? We have a hard heart because our pride will not allow us to yield. Pride causes a heart that refuses to forgive or receive truth. Uncircumcised hearts and ears are those that have not yielded, are unbending to truth, will not listen. Ultimately this is resistance of the working of the Holy Spirit. Resisting the Holy Spirit causes us to suffer needlessly. By resisting truth we are prey to all sorts of strange beliefs about ourselves and others.    We cannot be so precious about what we hold dear so as to make all those with dif...

Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 6:8 Stephen was one of the men chosen to be a deacon. He obviously did not have an attitude 'I'm only a deacon. Philip was also chosen and we find him, later, caught up by the spirit, in ministry to an Ethiopian. We limit ourselves in what we can do. These men did not. They were caught up in what the Holy Spirit was doing. Yesterday at church we were visited by a man who had been healed from bladder and liver cancer who also had prayed that God would use him to pray for the sick. After church a long line of people went out for prayer. I stayed and prayed releasing the Holy Spirit to do great things. I had satisfaction in knowing that I was involved and sensed that the Holy Spirit moved on a few of those present. One woman who had been bound in her back and shoulders was moving around freely. The man praying was a humble fisherman. He had a use me Lord I am open attitude. He ha...

So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6: 7 Wow! I had never seen that before, 'a large group of priests became obedient to the faith'. That would really have gotten up the noses of the leaders of the Sanhedrin. The disciples were at the temple daily and the priests would hear their preaching. Obviously they had a heart for the Lord. Praise God! Priests of all faiths can hear the gospel and life is birthed in them causing them to follow Christ. The hearing of the gospel is what brings life. Faith comes by hearing the word. Therefore we must be preaching the word in the hearing of the lost. Amen!

"Look, the men you put in jail are standing in the temple complex and teaching the people." Acts 5:25 The Religious leaders were trying to control things to stay as they deemed them safe. They had progressed to having their own soldiers. I remember a period of time when in church history the roman Catholic church had similar and were even more brutal. Now we see countries where the state attempts to dictate what is said in the name of the Lord. I know that in China ministers of the true gospel are persecuted and jailed for what they preach. Our enemy, the devil, has no new ideas. Persecute or seduce, persecute or seduce, persecute or seduce. However, the one who truly belongs to the Lord and who looks to Him for the life, the future, the handling of their lives, moment by moment are safe in Him. Although stuff comes against them they stay focused on Him and He keeps their hearts. Yesterday a dear friend received news that one of her nephews killed himself because of ove...

Then the high priest took action. He and all his colleagues, those who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. So they arrested the apostles and put them in the city jail. But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said "go and stand in the temple complex, and tell all the people about this life." Acts 5:17-20 I have heard it said that Sadducee stand for 'sad you see'. Isn't it funny how the enemy of our soul, who has been cast out of glory, facing a lake of fire, filled with rage and resentment, puts us in jail only to watch the angels set us free. When we are doing what the Lord has commanded us to do God is for us and no-one can be against us. Yes we will face persecution but our God is there with His pliers to pull out the enemy's teeth. What God has ordained will come to pass. I have spent the past 57 years coming to where I am now, but I am here now and it is bliss. Daily m...

As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. In addition, a large group came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Acts 5:15,16 Isn't it amazing what happens when people believe? Jesus said 'greater things would you do', and He was right. Awesome outcome! They killed the saviour and He pours out the Holy Spirit. A shift had happened in the spirit. Hopelessness had been replaced by hope, unbelief by faith. How great is our God? We have healing evangelist John Mellor coming to Wodonga on the long weekend in two weeks. I am praying for a shift in the spirit. Already John has seen many great miracles, I am wanting to see Wodonga come alive. Amen!

Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. By common consent they would all meet in Solomon's Colonnade. None of the rest dared to join them, but the people praised them highly. Believers were added in increasing numbers-crowds of both men and women. Acts 5:12-14 None of the rest dared to join them. I assume the rest were the people around them in Solomon's Colonnade. Either they were afraid of the leaders ire or afraid of dropping dead as Ananis and Sapphira did. 'But the people praised them highly'   they were doing something right. By staying steadfast to the plan, being consistent in their testimony, staying humble and obedient favour came upon them. God is looking for a people who will not waver, back down or compromise and believe as He is wanting to pour out His Spirit and bring in the harvest. We have to see Him and His Kingdom not all the seemly things that are happening around us. His Kingdom does not falter,...