The day with dianne Louise

Love the Lord, all His faithful ones. The Lord protects the loyal, But fully repays the arrogant. Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:23,24 Be strong and courageous. Easier said than done, at times. The seasons of the 'heavens are like brass' are the hardest. If I sense God's presence and all hell is breaking loose it does not matter because the One that matters is close by. All can be against me but if He is close it does not matter. What matters most is Him. However, the encouragement to stay strong and courageous comes because we need to remember, especially when we truly feel all alone. He is actually at hand but He cloaks Himself so that we can see what He wants us to see. If I am not fazed and am standing firm, untroubled by my circumstances I know I am growing up, in Him. Verse 23 states the fact: 'the Lord protects the loyal'. We have to trust what scripture says and stand fast. He is faithful folks, so fai...

Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. Proverbs 31:8,9 There is a people who are lost. There is a people who are far from God and I call to them, 'come!' My prayer is for the wounded, the blind, the deaf who are far away. 'come to the waters and drink, come be set free, come be healed.' I pray for revival, 'come Lord, come!' The spirit of the Lord is moving, He is coming and the valley of dried bones hear and are rising up! Amen

You have known the troubles of my life and have not handed me over to the enemy. You have set my feet in a spacious place. Psalm 31:8 At times we can be in deep trouble, even that of our own making either by willful arrogance or foolish ignorance. At other times we have fallen prey of our enemies who attempt to control either because of religious spirits, jealousy and envy or an offended heart. Jesus was betrayed by an offended heart. He was given up to His enemies to be judged by those who hated His freedom and all He represented. Satan hates those who walk with the Lord and seeks to malign and perhaps destroy their reputations or indeed destroy their lives. Our God is greater, higher and I can trust Him to move in grace and power. If you are facing such a time my prayer is that God will go before you, set your feet on solid ground and although Your enemy comes at you seven ways he will flee seventy. Amen!

Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the winds in his hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name? What is the name of His Son- if you know? Proverbs 30:4 There was a beginning and that beginning began with God. There are those who worship and give honor to the created but there is One who made it. We can puff ourselves up with heady thoughts and speak forth a whole lot of heady, frothy words to make ourselves sound clever but we were not there, we did not create and we have no authority. There is a God and He sent His Son to redeem us back to Himself. This God is totally in charge and needs no advice from me the created. He is awesome in His power and mighty to save. He is not removed from me and wants nothing more than to hang out with me. He delights in me. How great is that? The creator, mighty God likes me. As I read Proverbs I find I can relate to the author, we are both cre...

Ascribe to Yahweh, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength, ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to His name; worship Yahweh in the splendor of His holiness. Psalm 29:1,2 The Lord has glory and strength, however do I honor Him with it? My God is limited, in my life, by my confession about Him. If my confession lines up with the word of God, then I give Him glory. However, if my confession lines up with my experience then I rob Him of His glory. My God is strong and well able to do all things and again I can release Him or limit Him. David exhorts us to give Him glory due to His name. Again, I must choose. Life or drudgery.

Without revelation people run wild, but one who listens to instruction will be happy. Proverbs 29:18 I can become happy with the rote of Christianity and suddenly find myself becoming my own source of truth. Our current society does what is right in it's own eyes. For example people know that there are speed signs on motorways yet they drive at a speed they deem is sufficient, unless challenged by a policeman giving them a speeding fine and even then will rail against the policeman. Now as a Christian I know I am to honor the law of the land but if I am not diligent in my walk with the Lord I will find myself slipping into the ways of my society. In fact revelation will become something I give mental assent to but do not experience. Revelation is a precious gift my God gives me as I seek His truth. Yet if I deem myself as sufficient I will not seek His truth, how sad is that? To be aware of my need for truth I must stay close to Him and not run wild, that is wisdom! ...

Lord I call to You, my rock, be not deaf to me. If You remain silent to me, I will be like those who go down to the pit. Listen to the sound of my pleading when I call out to You for help, When I lift up my hands to your holy sanctuary. May the Lord be praised, for He has heard the sound of my pleading. The Lord is my strength and shield; My heart trusts in Him and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song. Psalms 27:1,2;7 How many times do you 'feel' alone and in trouble? I would hazard to guess many. How do I know? We have the same enemy, he attacks us all and thrown his barrel of lies at us, especially when we step out to trust in a scary place. He will be working overtime in an endeavour to cause us to let go of faith, hope and trust. Remind him, 'it is written, I will never leave you or forsake you.' (words of Jesus) He is faithful across the chasm; in the boat on a stormy sea; in a fiery furnace; in a lion's den. Hi...

The one who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. Proverbs 28:26 If I am wise in my own eyes then I am also a fool because there is wisdom greater than mine I can tap into. I am blessed that I have a relationship with the source of wisdom. As a Christian I have the Holy Spirit residing within. I can trust Him for His leading. Running my own business is no longer a task as I allow Him to direct my paths. He knows what is needed. He sees way beyond what I see and He knows what is around the corner, I don't. Why try to be what I am not, why not be what I am? A follower who leads! I am given credit as I am wise enough to submit to the One who leads, this is wisdom indeed! Amen! There is safety in submission!

I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking Him in His temple. For He will conceal me in His shelter in the day of adversity; He will hide me under the cover of His tent; He will set me on a rock. Then my head will be high above my enemies around me; I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the Lord. Psalm 27:4-6 David knew he was secure because the Lord he loved lifted him higher than his enemies. David delighted in the Lord and offered sacrifices in His tent, singing and making music to the Lord. My little grandchildren go through the stages of loving the Wiggles; Bob the Builder; racing car McQueen and many others. They want to dress like them: watch them on tv and sing their songs. As they mature there will be many other role models they will follow. Yet they are being fashioned to love truth, honesty and in...

As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person. Proverbs 27:19 When I look into water I see who I am. In my mind I may think I am better or worse but the reflection tells the story. When I read the word of God I see my heart. I can imagine I am better or worse but my God knows the truth. I am so grateful for this. When I need encouragement He is there and His rebuke has healing, unlike my own. He is good! Amen!

Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Test me Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind. For Your faithful love is before my eyes, and I live by Your truth. Psalm 26:1-3 I have struggled at times with the proclamation of righteousness by the writer of various psalms but I have just read an interpretation that helps make sense. The request for vindication does not accompany a proclamation of sinless perfection, on the contrary the writer, David, is asking the Lord to examine his heart and mind. But he is also quick to say 'for your faithful love is before my eyes'. This shows a heart to love and respond to the Lord and his correction. The mere fact that David asks the Lord to examine him shows a humility that a sinner would not necessarily share. There are times when I speak a bit too confidently and afterwards I will chasten myself, yet my God who sees all my motives is a far better judge that I. I...

Don't answer according to his foolishness or you will be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he will become wise in his own eyes. Proverbs 25: 4,5 At first glance these two verses seem at odds but on further reflection they are not. If I have to challenge a fool then it is wise to stick to facts and not involve emotion. The other day I had to challenge such a person who was being ignorant and not communicating. My email enraged this person, as I knew it would it as his reply was full of caps and bold type. I responded with thanks for a reply and a comment that 'without communication imagination can create all sorts of reasons for non reply' and an offer to email information to assist. Had I allowed the bold type and accusations to affect me I would have been answering this person 'according to his folly'. Yet I knew I had to address him in the first place because I needed him to complete a task. Because he had not responded to a...

Lord I turn to You. My God I trust in You. Do not let me be disgraced, Do not let my enemies gloat over me. No one who waits for You will be disgraced; those who act treacherously without cause will be disgraced. Psalm 25:1-3 Can you see the key? Dis graced. How can someone who waits for the Lord, who waits for His lead, loves His voice be given up without His grace? Impossible! Our enemies will rise up and shout, just as they did at Jesus but to no avail, what God calls good is good; to Him the Lord extends grace to is graced (blessed). I can lean on Him, He sees what our enemies and us do not see. Open our eyes Lord to Your greatness! Amen! Make your way known to me, Lord, teach me Your paths, guide me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation, I wait for You all day long. Verses 4,5 As I know His way, His path, I know I am safe because I am on His path, I am going where He is leading and thus sanctifying, I am safe in Him. Amen! Yes! Yes! Yes!...

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to investigate a matter. Proverbs 25:1 I know my Lord sees all I can be, He sees down the road and when He tells me not to worry He sees all I am capable of, because He made me. I am awake early seeking Him, partially because fear is niggling me and usually that happens when I am about to grow. I know I need to expand because that is the nature of things (well spiritually that is). My glory is in the seeking of the truth that is already there, the script that is already written; the future that already exists. The now, with it's limitations is not enough, the more is where I must go. I cannot say this is all there is, when in my God there is so much more. How exciting to know that my God is into greatness, glory and that His kingdom is not small. Any vision I have pales into insignificance when the new comes. How great is our God!

The earth and everything in it, the world and it's inhabitants, belong to the Lord; for He laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers. (yet) who may as end the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not set his mind on what is false, and who has not sworn deceitfully. Psalm 24:1-4 Although every living thing belongs to the Lord, because He made them, not all can, therefore ascend the hill of the Lord. This is an honor reserved for those who dedicate themselves to Him and press in to Him and His ways. Not only can they come near they will receive blessing from the Lord. So on one side I have, I belong because He made me but that is all, i do not know blessing; and the other I am blessed because I can come close and share in the rewards of those who come close. It takes blind Freddy to tell us, 'wake up dummies and grow a brain, go all the way!' Be blessed!

If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited. Rescue those being taken off to death and save those stumbling towards slaughter. If we say, 'but we didn't know about this,' won't He who weighs hearts consider it! Won't He who protects your life know? Won't He repay a person according to his works? Proverbs 24:10-12 Even King Solomon, way back in the old testament times, knew the importance of rescuing the lost. Who are the lost in your world? Are they your family? Are they your neighbors? Your friends? Lost people are on a path to destruction? Do you know what that looks like? I am conscious that I must be slow enough in life to allow time for others. This life is not just about my business, my intended home, but it is about making room for lost people. Answers must be found at my gates, my table, my kitchen, my workplace. My God's thread must be through everything so that life is found and not death, deception and darkness. ...

The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff- they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.psalm 23 David knew His God. This psalm has it all right there. My God is so good to me, no matter what comes my way, He is there and as I look to Him, all things work together for my good, all things. His timing is perfect and I can trust Him to be driving. All I have to do is trust and obey! I choose to look to Him, and watch Him cause the waves to order, the heavens to obey, men to do His bidding. Let Him be in...

Buy, and do not sell- truth, wisdom instruction and understanding. (in units of measurement) Proverbs 23:23 I know people who are buying gold and as they can afford more they buy more. I know if this was a man thing and they were pleased with themselves then indeed the value they placed on their treasure may take flight, however if God leads to do such a thing it will stay. He wants me to seek Him and out of Him flows abundance, wisdom, knowledge, understanding. He alone is good and His goodness is most satisfying. For his goodness is pure, untainted, complete, absolutely satisfying. Lord may I see Your goodness in the land of the living. Amen!

Do not be far from me, as distress is here, and there is no one to help. Psalm 22:11 Distress can so overwhelm us at times, it's blackness covers the sun. Horrible things, unspeakable things, happen. Even underneath the blackness He is present, His strength ever ready should we call. In times of distress I cry out to Him because I need to hear His voice, feel His breath upon my hair. When I find Him I find peace. He was in the fiery furnace, the lion's den, He is with us and although we cannot feel it we can trust it. I am not in the furnace right now but have just had two hard weeks when I was cutting through brambles to walk the path. Sheer tenacity and determination will see me through as long as I can see Him, He is leading me, His principles order my steps, His words correct my heart. I am learning that because He said it, all will be well, not because I feel good or because everything is going we. I am now home after an interesting, long drive up through G...

Lord, the King finds joy in Your strength, How great He rejoices in your victory. Psalm 20:1 David is not the only one. I rejoice in God my savior. Today, this morning, I sit in a hostel bed at John Hunter hospital. I drove here yesterday to be with my sister, Cec's who is recovering from a car accident and my second sister who had flown up from Tassie. Our job was to bless our sister who was unable to make it to a step-son's wedding and we did, she thoroughly enjoyed our ministrations to her feet and legs. In the hostel we came across many a sad story. Last night we helped celebrate one's birthday and sat chatting to total strangers. I sit here rejoicing in how my sister is alive and on the mend, my God is so good and I praise Him. I rejoice in His strength for He is good and I am His. Amen! Lord, may Your glory shine forth, amen!

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13 We often are asked, in the media, to give to some nation going through devastation, famine, war, calamity and at times those who do give will feel harassed beyond measure. What is right to do? Jesus, himself, said you will always have the poor with you. This does not mean I wipe all knowledge of them from my mind but it also means I have to allow Him to lead my heart. A man I know has laid down his life for his family, he is the only worker and he is now ill. Even though he is ill he continues to work thinking nothing of his own life. To me he is a good loving man yet he sees himself as the only provider. I can relate to this, to a point. My God is my provider and keeper. If I allow Him to direct my paths then I will put my trust in Him, for He holds all things together not me. Yes I must have heart but I must put my faith and trust in Him first.amen!

Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall but we rise and stand upright. Psalm 20:7,8 Today I washed my faithful old travel bible, I am sad to say goodbye but prayed that whomever sleeps on the sheets next that we're washed with it will be saved. Why not pray for greatness, why expect failure, I trust in the name of the Lord. My God is restoring all to me as I stand and watch, He is good. On my way to Wagga for my appointment I called in to see a client who is Ill, he was not home but I touched things I knew he would touch and asked for a miracle, why not? My God is good and wants to touch lives, why not participate in a miracle. He brought me safe to Sydney and now I pray my God's richest blessing on my family, why not expect His best?

Many a man claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find. The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. Proverbs20:6,7 Do you recognize faithfulness or a faithful heart? I do! I see eyes that wander as well. I have two beautiful friends in the Tamworth area who you would say are faithful to the core. I have watched them be tested and stand, faithful. Do you know how much I treasure this couple? Greatly! I know I am safe with them. This couple has 4 grown boys who are mighty in themselves as a result of faithful parenting. If I cherish faithfulness how much more does my Lord? Faithfulness comes from a deep commitment to Christ, to the love of others first, to the church. Faithfulness is cultivated, worked out in our lives. We are faithful when we guard our mouth, we are faithful when we reserve judgement until all the facts are in. We are faithful when how we feel about a matter is not the governor, but the word of God rules....

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. Their is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world. Psalm 19:1-4 I have so many photos of sunsets and glories of nature and they speak to me of my God. As I plan to buy my own land to build I am drawn to the valley before the Moonbies outside of Tamworth called Kootingal, I love blue mountains, I see my God there! As stratus clouds streak the sky and the sun invades with shades of pink, shafts of golden light I rejoice. Why? Because I see Him! In the quiet morning when mists lay heavy in the valleys I sense Him walking. In the twilight of day His freshness comes and calls to me, 'I am here, sit with me a while!' Stop and look, take time to listen to the quiet, watch creation respond to Him and learn a lesson. Nothing...

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers. Proverbs 19:8 Wow! How true! Where does your wisdom come from? Life's experiences? Others? TV? My help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Best source, pure, unfiltered, untainted by human hands. Amen! How great are you my God, you wisdom knits my ways, your understanding lights my path! My whole being rejoices when I think of Your greatness, faithfulness, long suffering, how good are You! I am blessed and highly favored of the Lord, why He has chosen me to be His. Amen! To have never read Your word, what a loss, what an emptiness! Ah but I have it, I cherish it, it lifts my way. Thank You! Amen!

I love You, O Lord my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Ps 18:1-3 This Psalm was written by David when God delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. David wrote many Psalms, often declaring God as his deliverer even before the event. The Lord delights when we confess the victory before we see it and better still when we sing his praises. Praise clears away the brass and the harassing hordes. God comes quickly, on the wind of heaven, in response to the music that He delights in, our voices. David, above, is declaring that God is his rock and his fortress. The thing is, He is, irregardless of circumstance. He is our reward! Our prize! Our gift! He is our strength but only as we avail ourselves of it. It is like having $1m in my purse an...

The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. Proverbs 18:4 This verse caught me and as I pondered I looked at a cross reference in Psalms 18:16 'He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.' How great is our God? At first glance the verse in Proverbs is all about me but now He is here and I am blessed. This life is not all about me, there is so much more. He is right beside me, picking up life's circumstances and using them as tools to mould my character. For He sees what I will be in Him and not in me. He is creating vessels of honor out of clay and what a beautiful job He does, as He is the master potter. As I struggle to work in a valley without Internet, He looks beyond these minor ants of problems to when I will laugh about 'the good old days'. We can find ourselves in 'deep waters' and at times will speak out of that place but He has another place for u...

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 Endurance does not become endurance until there is something to endure, in other words if gets tough. Today was another one of those days. The Internet would not work, I went to McDonalds, it did not work and then I had a bright idea. I had met with colleagues before I had moved to Tamworth and they had offered to help should I visit and need assistance, so I went for assistance and praise God received it. Thinking all was well and that all information made it to the para- planner I thought I'd have lunch but first called and made sure all was well. All was not well, he informed me that he may not have the plan ready until next Monday. Every fibre of my being wanted to throw a fit but I refused and calmly said, ' it has to be done by Friday so how can we make that happen?' Graciously he went into overdrive and started work on it right away. Toni...

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:27,28 Ah even temper, come to me! Last night I wrote about the Italians and their noisy robust ways, at times I not dissimilar. The Lord is working a even temper into the fabric of my being, it is painful. He uses long waits on the telephones and suddenly when the other end takes my call the line drops out. I want to say aaaaaaah! But must say 'praise the Lord for He is good'. I am having to wait longer away from home to achieve a desired end and the promised reports do not come, 'praise the Lord for He is good'. Our God is interested in our character not comfort, the baby has to grow up. I know, personally, to keep silent and not prattle on makes me 'feel' wise, much wiser than when I do prattle on. I know how the prattling of others drives me to distraction so I...

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 3john 5,6 Gaius, the man this letter was addressed to was given to hospitality, I wonder if he was Italian. I am currently reading a delightful little book called 'The Hills of Tuscany', the author Ferenc Mate is given to a humorous style of writing one minute and the next his descriptions of Tuscany sunsets and early mornings leave me thirsty for more. The people he writes about, Italians of course, are given to hospitality and relationship in a most volatile and forceful way. I could imagine Christian Italians would be a wonder to behold. Gaius excells to the point that he is a part of scripture. I would like to meet this godly man. I love how John talks of sending these men of the gospel out in a way 'worthy of God'. Do we ever consider...

Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of His making. Proverbs 16:11 The lord knows what is 'fair'. Children say one phrase more than most: 'that is not fair'. From a young age a desire for fairness is present. Mind you their view is heavily tainted with self-interest. As I do life I meter out payments: for work done; discipline for wrong doing; forgiveness for offenses made. My concern is justice. If I do not know what is just there is one who does. This verse tells me: 'all the weights in the bag are of His making'. When it comes my turn to receive justice, sometimes it will hurt, I ask for mercy and receive it, sometimes I must wear the cost. I have asked the police department for mercy in regard to fines when I know my heart had been to do right, and been absolved. The lord knows the heart and so I can go to His court and ask for mercy. Amen!

It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3john:3,4 Do you know how good it is to hear that those you spent so much time with, training in the Way are still in the Way? I M visiting Albury Wodonga from Tamworth and have caught up with a few friends. Three in particular are focused on Christ and want His will in their lives. These three rejoice my heart and inspire me to go again and do the same in Tamworth, which I am doing with three more. Waiting for God's best is best! Keeping our eyes and hearts on Him is best, trusting Him for our heart's desires is best! Loving him only is best. He is worthy of our trust, our patience, our honor, our all. Give Him a try! Amen!

He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the Lord gains a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:32,33 This is amazing! There would be many who would say, 'because I like myself I will not let you tell me what to do' yet Solomon says the opposite. So to love myself I seek right paths, right living and that includes finding someone to speak into my life, so that I am not 'lawless', someone to whom I am accountable. I have a girlfriend who grew up in Myrtleford, a predominantly Italian neighborhood. My friend said that in such communities you see the grandparents, parents and children all living together and the older speaking into the lives of the younger. This is accountability. When things go wrong is when children leave home to 'do their own thing' and become their own authority, scary thought. Not being accountable to anyone is dangerous, this is where you become you...

Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; for whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 2John: 9 Scripture is full of admonition to stay on the path. Jesus said He was the Way. When we read proverbs we see it is full of wisdom and true wisdom is walking close the the Lord and not our own understanding. Running on ahead is not staying behind the Way. We run on ahead like little children who learn a small amount of information and think that is ALL the information. Today I watched a video of my youngest grandson hammering a nail into a candle. In his immaturity he may assume he now knows how to hammer a nail into wood. Wood Nd candles are totally different and require totally different skills. We want to run ahead when we finally have a 'light bulb' moment and think;I've got it now'. Wrong! It is always good to stay close, vines need to stay attached to live and so do we. I can run, with Him...

A truthful witness saves lives but a false witness is deceitful. Proverbs 14:25 What do I say about others? Do I say something offensive because I am offended? Or do I admit my own sin and set the one who caused the offense free? How easy it is to stop at how a person makes us feel and speak about them from that place rather than the whole truth of the matter. When I am offended, at times, it is my false ideas about how I should be treated that is the issue not that actual person who offends. How I colour my words is important. We give greater importance to ourselves and therefore colour the other person in a darker light when they may not deserve it. As I write I am thinking of something I said last night to a friend. I did not want to stay at home with a particular person because I was unsure of them and did not want to be alone with them. To explain what I meant I drew a word picture which, of course, made my friend agree with me. Isn't this what we do all the time? ...

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. 1john 5:21 When I was a young teenager I had cut out pics of all my movie heroes. The biggest was Elvis. I had him stuck right at eye level where I could talk to him. In my dreams he knew me well. As I grew up that hero phase died and I became my own person as a nurse and until I became a Christian I lacked a hero. When I found Christ my knight on a white horse came and saved my from my enemy. Idolatry is everywhere! Even in Christianity there are the heroes and heroines. I am sure Joyce Myer is right up there, as is Darlene Czech. I am sure d you asked them if they desired such a status they would disagree. Yet even in the early church they had hthe growing factions: 'I am of Appolos; I am of Paul' etc and were admonished for such behavior. Why would John warn of such a trap? Because he could see it.

The light if the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. Proverbs 13:9 If I am living close to the Lord I find myself living right. Right living shines into darkness and has a voice. Yet when when I get sloppy my light becomes dim and it is not seen. Jesus said to His disciples: 'you are the light of the world'. Previously He told them that He was the light of the world. Therefore I can conclude that as a Christ one I shine His light. If we look at Christ and the effect He had, then I see what a light can do. A light shows up darkness, it shows the correct path. Conversely darkness is dangerous as you will stumble and lose your way. So if I want to make sure my steps are right then I must stay close to the light. 'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet'. I love the word and go to it for guidance, not the stars or the local clairvoyant. I want light not darkness. The above scripture tells me what the end is for both righteousne...

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He will hear us. And if we know He hears us- whatever we ask- we know that we will have what we ask of Him. 1john 5:14,15 Would you agree with me that the trick would be knowing His will and agreeing with it? Yup! His will is not just what I feel good about because my feelings may not be, or I should say, probably are not, sanctified enough because they are closely connected to my flesh and we know that our flesh and it's appetites are, well, carnal. So what do I agree with? The only sure thing is what He says about me and that He has good plans for me but as much as I can hazard a guess at what that looks like I do not know until He shows me. When He does show me the next step I know that I know and my spirit takes over. So when I know that I know I can agree and therefore ask because I know His will. In fact I do more than ask, I command, interceed speak it out because I kn...

From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things, As surely as the works of his hands reward him. Proverbs 12:14 As I speak forth what I see with my inner eye good things come. It is important that I see with my spirit and speak from my spirit because life comes from the spirit. If I fall into a habit of speaking flesh then I limited by it's scant ability and failings. My spirit's eye is my Lord's gift to me. With it I see what He sees. As a I speak from my spirit I build the framework of what I see. The thing I see comes to pass before my eyes. As I see I can work towards a good and godly end and my whole being rejoices to be a participant in greatness. Greatness uplifts and inspires, greatness comes from the spirit, live in the spirit it is so satisfying. Amen! Great is our God! Amen!

For everyone born of God overcomes the world and this I the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4,5 Every one who is born of God overcomes the world! How? By faith! So therefore there is no reason for me to fail. I have all I need. First I am 'born of God'. I belong to the family, I have rights, access, authority. Next I have been given power, called faith. (the fuel in my engine). Finally the divine ingredient that makes it all work is that I believe. I believe Jesus is the Son of God, that He did indeed take back authority from my enemy, he conquered death, disease, defeat. Through Him I am more than a conqueror. Amen!

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11:3 When I walk in integrity I stay close to the Lord for fear of losing His presence. Staying close keeps me right and clean. Yet when I begin to compromise I take double standards, which in effect calls my Lord and His word liars, giving more power to my behavior. Yet this scripture tells me duplicity destroys. If I think about that I must agree. A duplicitous heart is one that is diseased and dying. It is putrifying, filling with muck. Then the mouth spews forth that muck on other non-discerning individuals. Yuck! What should I do? Repent of course! The cleansing effect of the cross is the best restorer I know. Forgive me lord for self-righteous pride, arrogance and a critical spirit. His cleansing flows into a repentant heart and washes away all the lies, the pretense, the attitude. What a way to start the day!

Dear friends let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us. He sent His one and only Son into this world that we might live through Him. This is love... 1John 4:7-10 I can hear a very old 'scripture in song' song playing as I read these verses. It was a blue covered LP record. This came from an era of the early 70s. A time of freshness and youthful exuberance. All we lived for was meeting together in prayer and bible study, and witnessing downtown. Years of sophistication followed and a loss of fresh hearts towards God and the resultant joy. John is taking me back, to the cross. This is good! Jesus is my delight, my all. Every day is new, every day I discover Him again. As a grandmother I so enjoy the simplicity of children. I love how they trust and believe all with joyful innocence. Ah!!!!! Innocence! ...

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out it's seven pillars, she has prepared her meat and mixed her wine, and she has also set her table, she has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city, 'let all who are simple come in here!' she says to those who lack judgement. 'leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.' proverbs 9:1-6 Wisdom is rarely mentioned these days; rarely sought. I see young people, especially, giving themselves to drink, wild times, obscene language, immorality for 'fun'. I watching their souls darken and foul black muck pour forth. Did Solomon see the same? It is only as I age I treasure godly wisdom and understanding. I could say those that give themselves to pleasure and experiences lack wisdom and wonder why things go wrong. Conversely those who seek wisdom will find it and order their paths correctly. Wisdom builds; it works and it prepares to share. Wisdom dwells ...

You dear children are from God and have overcome them (spirits of Antichrist), because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 1John 4:4-6 God's ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts purer than our thoughts. I say this not to put us down but to encourage us to believe that God sees a much bigger view than us and He sees through rose coloured glasses ( the blood of Christ). I may be feeling anxious about now but He sees how I trust Him and do it anyway. I may be feeling a failure but He sees how I took His promises and built a business to show what God can do in a chickie who dared to believe. (by the way I don't feel like a failure- He has sorted that out in me) So no matter what the world makes me feel, ...

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1John 4:1 'Do not believe' is said for a reason. Yet do we heed this admonition? Do we allow the spirit of the moral presented by TV shows to be ours or do we guard our hearts? Do we know how to guard our hearts? Do we really understand why we should guard our hearts? The only spirit that should influence us is the spirit of God, the spirit of truth. Do we know what that looks like? Do we know what it sounds like? When I was in high school we learnt many science formulates by creating sayings. When I heard the saying I knew what it referred to. I learnt the sayings by repetition. As a Christians I need to know biblical truth. How do I learn it? Studying it, repeating it, listening to others talk about it, sharing it with others. If I do not study I fail. If I do not apply my Christianity I fail because when I am te...

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgement are mine; I have understanding and power. Proverbs 8:12-14 The Christian values wisdom, it is found in the Holy Spirit. As He abides in us we have His wisdom dwelling within. We can go to Him for He is our counsellor. Imagine if I owned Scrooge McDuck's bank vault and when I needed money went to borrow elsewhere. How stupid would that be? Well why would I seek wisdom from anyone but the Holy Spirit? His awesome presence dwells within. The word of God confirms wisdom. Wisdom is found in Godly people and I can trust them but moreso I can trust the Word of God. There is so much written by those who profess wisdom but they are mere mortals just like me. If what they say is not in agreeance with the word of God then I am a fool listening to a fool. Don't get me wrong, I do...

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God an receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him. And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us; we know by the Spirit He gave us. 1john 3:21-24 Yesterday I made it to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, after visiting hours but was let in. I was so grateful as I wanted to see my injured sister. I had sent her flowers (extravaganza) and they had pride of place way up high. It was good to know I had been a blessing. I am driving down to Albury Wodonga for work this coming week and received a call from my mum about a brother. This brother had saved me from bankruptcy 3 years ago and I have wanted to repay him ever since. Today he is moving house and had sold his business but there was a problem, th...

Dear children, let us not love with words or with tongue, but in deed and in truth. This is then how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence; whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything 1john 3:18-20. It doesn't matter how we gush on FB or Blogger, it matters how we treat others. I remember verse 18 from when my children were small. We had an LP record with kiddie songs on it singing that exact verse. Time has not changed the words, they still cut though layers of worldly guff because the truth is powerful and sent by God to perform His purposes, Mighty God! At times it may seem that nothing is happening but for the righteous who trust great things are being birthed. My God goes before me, His plans He shows me and a great future He gives me. Amen! I can trust Him that when my heart condemns His word says; those who put their hope in the Lord are justified by Him. He is good, ve...

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 1John 16,17 John is really labouring love. Why? Perhaps the readers, like us, were too quick to move on and gloss over the depth of the truth. We can get so busy in our own world that we fail to acknowledge, with our hearts, what our eyes see. What are the needs of my brothers and sisters? The more I am endowed with material possessions the more I am called to give and the Lord is not happy with any old gift, He is into lavish giving. Tonight on the news on the ABC there was an interesting survey thrown in. Are rich people mean or generous? There was a school of thought that said they were generally mean and inconsiderate yet people like Dick Smith and Bill Gates were cited as very rich and very generous. We were then advised t...

For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all His paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnares him; The chords of his sin hold him fast, he will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. Proverbs 5:21-23 Deception would have us believe that God is blind, cannot see our ways or perhaps indulgently tolerant of wickedness. Wrong! Wickedness waits every opportunity to get into our hearts. Deception works with it so that we be one polluted with an unclean heart, our fountain of life muddy and filled with oily muck that causes the mechanism of our life to falter. Once wickedness takes hold, like a cancer it spreads and infiltrates previously sound and clean motives. Lack if discipline allows wickedness to enter. If there are no boundaries sin invades. What is our protection? Love of the Lord and His word above love of self. We are safe in Him as we choose His ways and refuse deceptive thoughts and practices. It is folly to believe...

This is the message you heard from the beginning: we should love one another. 1john 3:11 What does love look like? 1Cor 13 tells me it believes all things; hopes all things; love is patient; love is kind; it does not envy; it does not boast; it is not rude and self-seeking; it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong; it does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects. Always trusts, always hopes; always perseveres. How you doing?not feeling like it? I don't see anywhere in the above that loophole. Jesus taught his disciples to love those who had persecuted them, hated them, abused them. This concept reminds me of my grandchildren playing with puzzles, some pieces just do not fit, often because they are upside down. Love fits when placed correctly and without tags. Love fits neatly in grace. The important thing then is to find grace for without it I am dangerous without grace I will hurt not heal, hate not love and use not release. ...

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:25-27 In a day where many things come against me u must stay focused and look ahead, to Jesus. What does he say about what is happening? When I know what He is saying then I can be sure I am moving on a sure path. This morning I spoke to my mother regarding my youngest sister, Cec, who was hit by a car while crossing the road. She had multiple fractures and was in theatre for about six hours. When I knew she was in theatre I prayed and then I trusted the One I look to. The operations were successful. This morning I am told that when the nurses got her out of bed she fractured a finger. Should I worry? No! Should I pray and trust? Yes! I am waiting until Friday to go down to see my sister as by then she may be back in her own hometown. Right now is she a long way from ...

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. 1John 3:10 Pretty straight forward and you could say blunt. So if I fail to do what is right and follow my own gospel instead, John says I am not of God. There is no room for: 'but you do not understand, I need....' Or there is no room to not love my brother, failing in this litmus test earns me a gong and the title: 'child of the devil.' It seems I am either 'of God' or 'of the devil'. These comments are made about church folk not unsaved folk. I think the time has come for us 'followers of Christ' to cop it sweet and accept truth as truth. My Lord must be my 'Lord' and not my badge I put on when it suits and remove when I want to 'have a little fun'. I am so grateful that electricity and light bulbs do not have choice. Imagine ...

Oh Lord, how many are my foes? How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him!" But You are a shield around me, O Lord, you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. Psalm 3:1-6 We are surrounded by hordes of the enemy's troops yet with a heart set firmly in Him they can only watch our deliverance. Yes they rant and rave, yes they are well armed but without permission they can not lay siege. My protection is in Him, He is my safety, my refuge, my blessing, my glory. I will trust in Him and look only at Him for He is my Way! Amen! I refuse to speak lack, sickness, poverty, defeat. Self pity will not abide in my camp, it is an enemy. It is well with my soul! Amen!

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9 I have no need to fear that I will be taken away by my enemy because I know I have the Lord's seed in me. What a beautiful illustration! His word is the seed and as I continue to partake of the seed I am more aware of Him and His presence in my life. It is the same as if I realized that as I continue to befriend a certain person, each time I visited that person they secretly filled my bag with diamonds. As I came to know who was responsible I would realize how precious that person was to love me enough to do such a thing. Each time I spend time with the Lord He sows His precious, empowering, Superhero strength into my mind, my emotions and my heart. Why would I not keep going to that source of life? His seed protects me and causes me to not want to sin, better than dental protection. His protection guards my life again...

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:1 This morning I am back in Tamworth with a head cold and feeling like I have been through the mincer backwards, so it is time to sit on the rock, pull out my feathers and allow the Son to shine on me. (eagle analogy) Yesterday morning before I set out I received word that my youngest sister had been hit by a car while crossing the road at a zebra crossing. She is in hospital with multiple fractures awaiting surgery. In life we can experience some awful times and although I enjoyed seeing my grand children last week it was emotionally draining, my daughter-in-law is pregnant again and in nesting mode. This old bird was in the way, with a cold. Today I have the joy of going to the One who has all the answers and waiting in His courts is never inconvenient, I am always welcome. How good is our God! I can go to Him and continue to build His Kingdom as I submit my pain and distres...

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, and he who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.1John 3:7,8 The is no shadow in John's writing, there are no grey areas. It is all black and white. You either live right and are righteous or live wrong and are wrong. We are either 'of Christ' or 'of the devil'. It is us who add the shades and add excuses: 'I'm just this or just that',' I believe this or believe that'. If we change the gospel to suit ourselves John tells us we are in sin and 'of the devil'. I must examine myself in the light of scripture. Am I really right or have I conned myself into believing a lie so as to excuse my sin? As I embrace the truth I am set free and empowered to live righteously however if I embrace the lie then I deceive myself and am powerless. The question is then: 'do I want power or the lie?...