The day with dianne Louise

Then God said, "let us make man in Our own image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth." So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. Genesis 1:26,27   In my 20s I had a revelation of what being made in His image could mean to me in particular. I had awoken to the creative and desired to work in it, having spent all my life to that point working in the cognitive. When I read this scripture faith entered my heart along with a desire to be creative. I realised I could do anything I put my mind to do as the God who created all things had made me like Him.   As I grow older I appreciate this division more and more. I have a cognitive side that does all the working of what the creative side discovers. I learned to paint and it allows me to go to the creative and discover new creations. ...

Then He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbath. They were astonished at His teaching because His message had authority. Luke 4:31 I remember being asked, after preaching a message at church, 'where did you get that from? that was really good!' I replied, 'I waited on God and spoke what He gave me.' I had a period of time where I was able to preach regularly and enjoyed delivering what the Holy Spirit gave me. My footnotes in my bible said that probably the reason the crowd saw an authority in what Jesus spoke was because He spoke what the Holy Spirit gave him. Real authority comes from God; we can mock our own authority but it fails miserably, as did the Scribes and Pharisees. God's word breaks the yolk, sets captives free, it never fails.

Worship The Lord your God, and serve Him only. Luke 4:8 Satan had tempted Jesus with all the kingdoms of the world for he said: 'it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want.' It is interesting that He tempted Jesus with Kingship because that was what He was but His Kingdom was not of this world. Satan knows what we are and we are also not of this world when me make Christ our Lord. He will do anything to have us worship the creation rather than the creator. All that is of the world demands our attention, constantly bombarding is with images to tempt. The message is: 'without XYZ you are not complete or your are unhappy. Our joy comes from knowing Christ and walking in His ways. We are 'in' the world but not 'of' the world. We do not belong to the dictates of this world. Tomorrow meet with your church family and give your Lord time, listen to Him not the TV. Remember who you are and where you belong. Amen!

The Spirit of The Lord is on me, Because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour. Luke 4:18,19 Do you see the good news? Freedom from captivity, recovery of sight, freedom from oppression, and a year or time of favour. This is what Christ came to do! Do you find yourself in captivity to a habit, an attitude, an illness? Or are you truly in a restraint such as a prison of bricks and mortar? Whatever your restraint is Christ came to set you free. We are limited by what exists between our two ears, i.e. our mindset. Perhaps that is why Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23 The process is made easier as we praise our way out of our hell: 'thank you Lord, You came, I am set me free!' Once we are out of prison we can see more clearly. As the enem...

The angel of The Lord came, and he sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belongs to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the wine vat in order to hide it from the Midianites. Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: 'The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.'Judges 5:11,12 Tonight I went to see the new 'Hobbit' movie as I had read Tolkien's books years ago and enjoyed 'The Hobbit'. The story starts our with Gandalf the Grey visiting Bilbo Baggins and choosing him for a quest. Bilbo refuses as his culture was one of non-adventure. However, Gandalf knew otherwise and the adventure begins. Gandalf knew that the team he was placing Bilbo into needed such a man as Bilbo, a man who could not use a sword and was unused to any rough living as most soldiers were. Yet Bilbo had character and when it really counted he was there for his friends. What adventure has The Lord chosen for you? Are you a reluctant hero? Are there ski...

Now the people were waiting expectantly, all of them debating in their minds whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all, "I baptize you with water, but One is coming who is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to untied the straps of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:15,16 John was the voice who awakened the people, prepared them for Jesus. We are the voice! Jesus is the Saviour and healer. John had water Jesus had fire. Yet John was effective in waking up the dead. What do you have? What has God given you to do? Who has God sent you to? Use what you have!

You are my beloved Son. I take my delight in You! Luke 3:22b When Jesus came up out of the waters of baptism He heard the above words. When we say 'yes' to Jesus He says the same to us because He sees us through His Son. If He took delight in Jesus what did that look like? He certainly was not spoilt. He was born in a manger with smelly animals, he was chased by a mad King who was jealous when he was just a babe, he grew up in a carpenters house as an illegitimate child. So what may we expect? To walk the walk and talk the talk in obedience to the calling each if us have in Christ. The Father protected Jesus and the only time He suffered harm was when He chose to fulfil His destiny as saviour of the world. The Father raised Him from the dead an seated him at his right hand in the heavenlies. I can trust the Father to take care if all I give Him, to protect me from evil and provide for my needs.

In the fifteenth year o the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontus Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother tetrarch of of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch if Abilene, during the high priesthood of Anna's and Capiahas, Gid's word came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. Luke 3:1,2 Why did I put all that scripture with names you may never have heard about or care to hear about? You and I need to know that in amidst all the pomp and earthly glory of man there was a man of God waiting to be sent. That man, John the Baptist was in the wilderness waiting, preparing. How long have you been waiting? Preparing to be sent? The world and its pomp and glory can shout you down at times. Did God say? You're a fool! God won't use you, he lied to you! Do you recognise that voice? Yes it is him! The enemy of our soul. Hateful destroyer, liar and cheat! If you are waiting for God's timing be the bes...

Every year Jesus' parents travelled to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it. Luke 2:41-43 My mother and I watched a few of the old 'Home Alone' movies about a child that gets separated from his parents at Christmas time. In each movie the mother is frantic at the loss of her son. I wonder what Mary and Joseph were going through. Here they were the guardians of the Son of God and they lost Him. Unlike the boy in the movies Jesus went to church because He wanted to be there learning all about the scriptures, he had a passion for knowledge. Jesus did not see anything wrong with being in the temple. Obviously He stayed somewhere. Why did the Pharisees and scribes not wonder as to why a boy was alone in the temple? What sort of questions did they ask? What answer did Jes...

For my eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all people- a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel. Luke 2:30-32 The above was spoken by an old man called Simeon who was a devout man and who was led by the Holy Spirit into the temple in Jerusalem the very moment Jesus' parents took Him to be dedicated. Simeon had been promised He would see the Messiah and now he was holding Him. The elderly are God's people and just as important as the young. Another old person was in the temple that day, a woman called Anna who had been married for 7 years and her husband died. She then chose to serve in the temple for the next 84 years. She must have been over 100, perhaps 117 (allowing that she had been married at 16). These two old people had a heart for God. They had seen much and knew much was empty and vain and only one thing mattered, a relationship with a God who was not empty and vain. Here in Australia, yesterday...

The word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory,the glory as the one and only Son from The Father, full if grace and truth. John 1:14 John wrote about what had been. He had walked with Jesus, been tutored by Jesus, empowered by Jesus, evidently loved by Jesus and finally commissioned by Jesus. John said Jesus was full if grace and truth. Luke tells us in 2:52 that: ' Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and with people.' This was a report of the time after Jesus appears as a 12 year old. The baby born grew in grace, wisdom, stature and truth. Sounds like a 'nice' guy. This Jesus exhibited grace wherever He went. His only problem was with the Pharisees and Scribes who did not like him because of His grace and truth. Jesus was no pussy cat, black was black and white was white but fringed with grace. He did not compromise personally, he walked in integrity yet had a heart of forgiveness. This man Jesus is ...

But the angel said to them, "don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: today a Saviour, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough". Suddenly there was a multitude if heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favours! Luke 2:10-14 Jesus came to bring peace to heart and minds. He came as a light to shine the way to the lost. Today we celebrate His coming. Today let us remember what He came to give: peace. In all you do today remember He did not come to judge but to bring a way home to the Father. May peace and forgiveness full your heart as you mix with family and friends. Jesus said: "blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy".Matthew 5:7. Happy Christmas!

Because of God's merciful compassion, the Dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78,79 Today we prepare to celebrate the coming of 'The Dawn'. Into the darkness came a light filled with hope and promise. At times I experience a foretaste of the promise and my spirit rejoices but then a time must elapse before it is revealed. The hope came but was hidden for 30 years. During that time those that witnessed the coming would be tested in believing. Even after his coming those who knew Him were tested. John the Baptist send word to Jesus: ' are you the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?' Luke 6:18,19 John was in prison and being sorely tested in his faith. So many expected Jesus to deliver Israel from its enemies, John was no different and if we look at his father, Zechariah's prophesy in Luke 1::68-79 we understand. So many will...

Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and The Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 6:23 Knowing God's grace bring peace. Tonight I went to see Les Miserables which had Hugh Jackman and Russell Crow in the lead. What a spell binding movie. The story tells of a sinner, Valjean, who discovers grace at the hands of a priest but is continually hunted by a policeman Javert who reminds me of Saul before he became Paul. Unlike Paul, Javert could not understand grace, he was so bound with the law. When grace was given to him he committed suicide, unable to reconcile his legalism to the unmerited grace. How sad! Jesus came to fulfil the demands of the law, all who accept Him as saviour are free from the demands their sin imposes. Jesus said: 'he who the Son sets free, is free indeed!' John 8:36 Free is free indeed! Totally free! Accept Him and walk free! Amen!

Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should. Ephesians 6:19,20 Paul perhaps knew that he needed to be bolder in prison. He spent a lot if time writing to the churches and perhaps in fellowship with Christians but there were unsaved still in His world. Do you find yourself where you would prefer not to be? Are you constrained in circumstances not of your choosing? Rejoice! Are you surrounded by people who need the gospel? Then I pray boldness upon your life. I ask also for prayer for the same. Rather than sitting quiet and being subdued by my circumstances I ask for boldness to proclaim Him and the freedom He brings. We can become preoccupied and miss opportunities. Lord open our eyes! Amen!

Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert to this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 In all our lives there are routines. Do you have one for prayer and reading you bible? Some pray first then read their bibles, I read first then pray unless I have awaken early and sense a need to intercede. It doesn't matter which way we do things but we need both prayer and bible reading in our lives. Both are a part of our communication with our Lord. My prayer lets Him know about my world and my bible straightens our my thinking and talks about Him. Both are needed. God's word is living and active! It is not dead yet it is hidden to those who do not know Him. Before I invited Him into my life I loved it but it was not alive to me. Now it lives and speaks to me. As I walk I pray in the spirit as my natural mind is unproductive most of the time. The Spirit knows what I need and knows who needs the prayer. ...

Take.... The sword if the Spirit, which is God's word. Ephesians 6:17b Hebrews tells us the God's word is living and active piercing through bone and marrow, through to the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. Heb 4:12 God's word is powerful, if we allow it and read it. If we deny it or belittle it we suffer the consequences. Gods word is a sword. A sword is an offensive tool, with it we take territory, win battles. Have you ever seen a sword that has long been unused and it sits as a trophy and rusts. If your bible sits, unused and collects dust, you rust. Take out you bible, switch off the TV and learn about your sword. Amen!

Take the helmet if salvation. Ephesians 6:17 Isn't it interesting that salvation is defined as a helmet. Where do we have all our problems? Yup! The mind! Romans 12:2 tells us to 'be transformed by the renewing if our minds.' Salvation then is a process. Just as we begin school as a child and learn to read, write and count so do we need to go to the school of the spirit and learn to think like a 'child of God.' A child of God thinks differently to other folk. A child of God has a heavenly goal and home. A child of God has a Heavenly Father. Our approval is not earned but given as we step into it by faith in what Jesus did on the cross. A child of God has a big brother who fought sickness, disease, poverty, rejection for us. Our battle happens in our mind. What will I believe about Jesus and His finished work, what will I say is mine.

In every situation, take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16 In every situation! Mmm! I guess we tend to only bring it out when things go bad. Perhaps it is like wearing clothes. We put clothes on all the time even when it is hot because we know we need them. Why do we do that? We have been trained to do so. Therefore, we can safely say our God is training us to clothe ourselves daily in faith. Paul goes on to explain why it is good to have faith as a part of our armoury, because we will be ready when attacked. Now we need to differentiate between feeling strong in faith and faith that we wear daily. Faith is not a feeling, neither are my clothes but I need both, daily. Amen!

.... And your feet sandalled with readiness for the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15 We have a gospel of peace. Think about it! It is not full of judgement for wrong lifestyle choices, it is not full of expectation that comes from selfishness. When I came to Christ I knew all my sins were forgiven and I was free, best if all I could see and understand my Lord. This was divine peace! We Christians have within us a message of hope and peace. A message that includes not excludes. What is the greatest gift I can give? The One who gives forgiveness of sin and a welcome in. Amen!

Stand therefore, ..... With righteousness like armour on your chest. Ephesians 6:14b A person's chest is out front, it is centre and contains the heart. If I am living as a child of God it shows, my faith speaks. If I live as a child of God, His righteousness is fastened to my chest, it covers me and protects me from harm. I Thessalonians 5:8 says : but since we belong to the day, we must be serious and put on faith and love on our chests. So being a Christian is serious stuff and as I put my faith to work His love protects me and I live out of it. Awesome stuff!

And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself as a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. Ephesians 5:2 My Jesus walk this earth and loved the unlovely, He gave Himself in friendship to the ungodly, He ate with them, talked with them and brought them through to an understanding of the things of God, He healed them of all their diseases. This morning I was inducted into a local Rotary Club here in my community of Tamworth, NSW, Australia. Most of the members in the group are worldly and make crude sexual jokes. I don't participate but show them I care for them as individuals. I try to remember things that are important to them like: their sick relatives, their attempts to restore their marriages, their health, their troublesome children. Today one woman told me about her son who is an alcoholic and at 40 attempting to regain his life by putting himself in rehab. I told her I would pray for him. I pray the mercy and grace of Christ would touch him. I car...

Stand therefore with truth like a belt around your waist. Ephesians 5:14 Today truth is used like post-it stamps. Liberally applied all over the place but lacking stickability when tested. Yet, if I put on a belt I latch it so it will stay put. Truth carries similarities to a belt. It has to be latched or what it is around will fall down. If my trousers or skirt lose the belt they fall down and expose me to ridicule. Therefore I can say a belt is an important tool, in fact a valuable tool. So is truth. As I use it it protects me and keeps me from shame. So I could say: 'find truth and do not sell it'. Proverbs 23:23

Finally be strengthened by The Lord and His vast strength. Ephesians 6:10 After a late night and an early start I could sit an whine about being tired or complain about how I feel but to what avail? I have to live above the flesh and its concerns. I am speaking more about attitudinal things. Obviously you give you body rest and sustenance but I am referring to allowing it to dominate through feelings, and giving voice to those feelings. If the word of God says I can be strengthened by The Lord, then that is where my strength comes from. I have to walk in that strength and not allow myself to be trapped in the flesh and its complaining. My help is in the name if The Lord, who made heaven and earth, my hope is in the name if The Lord who made heaven and earth. (Song) His perspective is the only one that counts. Amen!

Everything exposed by the light is made clear, for what makes everything clear is light. Ephesians 5:13 There are times when a piece of information is missing. As I step out in faith The Lord shines His light and the penny drops. There are times I just don't know how things can work out but proceed anyway and I discover a faint scent in the air, a divine scent, He has been there and the results bear His handprint. Today I travelled for three and one half hours to a town called Singleton for a business appointment. I had been unable to confirm my appointment but the people were there and ready to see me. I had wondered as to how I would sell the solution I had for them but The Lord whispered: 'you will be fine!' And I was! I have just come home and it is late. I almost ran out of petrol but again The Lord whispered: 'you will be fine!' And I was! The Lord's point of view is always better, so much better. His solutions always work! Imagine if I did not...

Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and have Himself for us, a sacrificial an fragrant offering to God. Ephesians 5:1 The greatest love anyone can do it to lay down your life for another. We have seen that this past week in Virginia in USA where teachers lay down their lives for their students who were under attack by a mad gunman. However, Christ chose to come into a hostile world. From the outset it was trying to kill Him. We have the God of heaven laying down His life for sinners, not good people, for those who despised and rejected Him. The love if our God goes way beyond protecting innocent children and lovely old people. He came and gave His life, a sacrifice for all. He died for the perpetrator of the mass shooting. Not all come to a revelation of this grace, amazing grace. The writer of the song/ 'amazing Grace' Newton did find this grace. He was a wicked slave trader. He had killed and maim...

Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God's wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Ephesians 5:6 There is so much talk and so many mythical opinions about almost anything you can think of. Worldly wisdom makes a stage about most things in life and when closely scrutinized they are empty gas. It is Christmas soon and surrounding this season is so much hype that people push themselves to outperform one another in lighting their house, buying bigger and better gifts, trees etc and as a result too much is said, eaten and drunk and to what avail? The fact that Christ is mentioned at all is a miracle yet it is He who holds all together. Lord deliver us from foolish seduction! Loving God and loving our families, friends and neighbors are not just annual events but with Christ in our hearts a daily exercise. Giving can be a God thing rather than an obligation. Don't feel pressured to travel long distances on too little sleep, to spend what yo...

Don't participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. Ephesians 5:11 We cannot pretend that a little piece if darkness will not harm us! Jesus said: 'a little bit of leaven (yeast) leavens the whole lump.' What does your leaven look like? Attitude? Hidden sin? Open sin? It's my right!? I deserve it? All must pass the 'truth test'. If I allow Jesus to shine His light into my soul what do we see? Are there cockroaches scurrying away from the light? Are there mice or rats? Or are there bats hanging in the corner? 'Walk in the light as He is in the light then we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, His son cleanses us from all sin.' 1 John 1:7 Perhaps why we are not cleansed is we walk in darkness. Come out into the light. Life is so much better there! Amen!

You took off your former ways of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God's likeness in righteousness and purity of truth. Ephesians 4:22-24 When I arrived home today, after a long drive and stopping to visit family in Armidale, drop by the office for 1 hour, I was hot and sticky and wanted nothing more than to remove my hot clothes and have a swim. Much the same we take off our stinky fleshly garments of a life apart from Christ and upon being washed by Him we put on a new self, our new man. We become new creatures. Ever heard the saying: 'you scrub up well'? Probably an Aussie saying. It is a comment usually given after someone takes time to shower and dress nicely, especially when they don't dress up often. As a Christian I take off all the old, at salvation and am baptized and all my sins have been washed away, I rise out of the wate...

Therefore I, the prisoner for The Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1 What is you calling? Do you know? Have you taken time to discover it? Worth doing! However, you first port of call is salvation, asking Christ into your life and repenting all. Second is walk in that salvation: commit; belong; function. Third is seek your call. It is a part of all the above, walking the Christian walk, sharing your faith, loving the lost. A good place to start. My call is not a replacement but an addition. When you find it, walk in it in love. Go!

Walk as children if the light- for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness and truth- discerning what is pleasing to The Lord. Ephesians 4:9,10 Again I remember a song, a childish song: 'Little children let us not love with word or with tongue but in deed and in truth...' I see so many talking heads but no action. Perhaps our societies think talk is everything when it is nothing if not back with action. Yesterday I had to call in a word given by a friend. His word was not just talk but he was prompt to act, I really appreciated that. If I say to a client I will do something then I must, promptly, or tell them up front of the reason for a delay. If I say to The Lord: 'I will do such and such', then I better fulfill my vow. God honors His word above His name and I must do the same. When The Lord honors His word then I can trust Him, the same for friends and family. I must be able to trust, trust gives security. The Lord is good and a...

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk- not as unwise people but as wise- making the most if the time because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15 I am currently at Corindi Beach NSW. Having been to Brisbane for training, visiting a new grandson, other grandchildren and celebrating a second birthday with Ellie. I travelled to Tenterfield NSW on business and stayed the night in an historic old building. I then travelled across to Corindi beach for another training day today in nearby Coffs Harbour, probably one of my most favourite places. Today after the training I was invited to stay on for drinks. I am not someone who likes to stand around with a drink chatting so I left and went to the boat Harbour instead and watched the surfers and the beach I love. As a Christian I need to know when to stay and when to leave. I sensed that staging would not be profitable and so I left. I so enjoyed the beach and am going down to Corindi beach before I travel home in the morning. Yest...

Now to Him, who is able to do above and beyond all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.- to Him be glory in the church, and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, amen. Ephesians 3:20,21 He is able to do far above what I ask or think, according to the power that works in me. The Holy Spirit, in all His fullness, dwells in me. However, how much do I allow? Do I hold Him back with unbelief or all Him free reign and see mighty things? I can't afford to doubt or fear and fall back I must step out and watch Him. What awesome things can I see? I keep reminding myself: 'but what if He can, and what if I can with Him?' All things are possible to her who believes, all things. It feels as if I am walking out into the dark void, at the beginning of time and with Him saying: 'let there be!' I do not need a 'let there be' if all is cushy and well but when there is darkness and void I can say: 'let there be!' Wh...

I pray that you know the Messiah's love that passes understanding, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19 John said: 'perfect loves casts our fear'.1 John 4:18 for fear has to do with punishment. As we come to know his love we are filled with all the fullness of His love. His love is expansive, wide, high, deep. Allow him in, in fact invite him and get ready for the ride of your life. Amen!

I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love Ephesians 3:17,18 Being rooted and firmly established in love is a process. Firstly we have to choose Christ. When we do we have to choose to be planted in His love. A seedling left lying on a garden bed and unplanted will die as it needs to have its roots in the soil. Secondly we must choose to stay in His love. Offense will come and try to remove us. When it does we have a choice. If offense removes us we are left to die on the garden bed. Thirdly we need to become firmly established. This means we choose to submit to Godly authority. In any garden there are other plants and a gardener. The gardened tends to us, prunes us, fertilizes us. This means discipline. Again the robber will try and come and try to remove us. Rebellion, anger, resentment will all have a try at dislodging us. Do we recognize what is...

I pray that He may grant you, according to His riches in glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man, through His Spirit, and the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:15,17 When we become Christians we invite The Lord into our hearts. He does dwell in our hearts if we believe He will, we must apply our faith to the equation. As we believe He is there and speak to him He strengthens us by His spirit. He is all we need! Amen!

In Him we have bold and confident access through Him. Ephesians 3:12 Jesus is the door, those who accept him can walk right into the Father's presence. All He gave to Jesus He gives to us, freely. We do not have to earn it. All means all, we do not have to be good as Jesus Himself said: 'only God is good!' Amen! I do not have to do anything but believe! He is good!

This is so God's multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. Ephesians 3:10 God had a divine plan that men did not fully understand in all the years God's people anticipated a redeemer but thought He would be an earthy king who would deal with those who afflicted them. Paul was teaching and preaching the truth that the plan was all about God's grace. Him reaching out to us with mercy, motivated by a heart filled with love. The rulers and authorities in the heaven lies need a lesson about the truth of the gospel. It is simple, full of grace and mercy and also packed full of power. Power to set captives free, deliverance to those in bondage, healing to all those wounded and ill. Our God is an awesome God. His ways are so much better than ours, His plans so much fuller than we could ever imagine. Amen!

This grace was given to me - least of all the saints- to proclaim to the Gentile the incalculable riches of the Messiah. Ephesians 3:8 Paul was a Jew, sent to the Gentiles. I am a Gentile sent to the Gentiles. I have a job to tell the good news. In our western world the world's message endeavours to contain the Christian with : 'thou shalt not speak out!' Yet the gospel is the message that saves, heals and delivers. Only the Gospel of the good news about Christ can save. No amount of dancing around the gospel can deliver the power that the gospel does. Jesus is the answer! Amen!

I was made a servant by the gift of God's grace that was given to me by the working of His power. Ephesians 3:7 I love to be used by God and have His power coursing through me. I love to see Him glorified. The greatest power I have had was that associated with grace and mercy. For a time I worked as a registered nurse and was able to minister Christ to the lost. To see the Holy Spirit in action fill me with delight. He has used me in praying for the sick and in faith for healing. I have exercise faith for my own well being, but still am having to overcome hearing loss, I suppose this is a part if the motivation that drives me for more of Him because I know healing is mine. Today He is teaching me faith for provision and releasing Him through faith into my world. This is not as much fun as seeing souls saved but I need to know it. There is so much more that I would love to see and be involved in. A life with Him as the centre and focus is a life alive. I want more of Him a...

The whole building, being put together by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in The Lord. You are also being built for God's dwelling in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:21,22 If I yield to Him and allow Him to build me into what He is building then I am fulfilled. If, however, I insist in my own thinking and understanding then I lose. I lose peace, I lose place, I lose power. God's plan is for His Kingdom, it is not about me or my agenda it is about Him and His agenda. Yield and flourish!

When the Messiah came He proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and to you who were near. Ephesians 2:17 When I was a catholic I believed but did not know Him personally. I went to church and confession but still was empty, longing for a relationship with Him. In this I was no different to those who had nothing to do with Him and paid Him no attention. Yet when I invited Him into my heart I knew Him and I was free as I confessed my sins to Him. This scripture deals with Jews and Greeks, yet the Jew and the Greek both need to know Him personally, He is our source and supply not our own effort, not keeping the law without life that only comes from Him. Today in Benin many will discover Him for the first time in a CfaN campaign and be totally and radically changed. Our God is great and He loves with a passion. Amen!

For He is our peace who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In His flesh, he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in Himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace. Ephesians 2:14,15 I remember an old chorus: 'he is our peace, who has broken down every wall, He is our peace, He is our peace. So cast your cares on Him for He cares for you, He is our peace, He is our peace.' But He is, and he does! It is us who get into turmoil because our minds create storms and stories, but they are wrong. If, in turmoil or depression we make decisions we move the wrong way, and at times away from provision. The trick is to stand still and see the salvation of our God. He has the answers, He has all in His hand. How good is He? So good! How mighty! How awesome to behold! Amen! Allow Him in! Let Him take control and bring you to peace. Amen!

But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Jesus. Ephesians 2:13 Today many will come to know my Lord, they will be set free from all forms of wickedness and lies of the devil. The enemies days are numbered and our Lord is raising up a banner on which is written The Lamb that was slain lives and conquerors over all the works of the enemy. My Jesus is real, powerful and mighty to save. He sets captives free, heals the broken and sick, He rules, He reigns, He is Lord of all! Release this lord into your world today, invite Him in and make Him Lord over all. Trust Him, stand and face your enemy and say: 'you shall not pass!'

For we are His creation created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 Wow! He had a plan! All good! Just for me and you. How do I know this plan? Stay close, communicate, trust and obey. I know women who cannot trust God for a husband so they help themselves with devastating results. I know men who think they know more than God when it comes to business. I think trust is the issue and unwillingness to patiently wait on His timing. Today I had a miracle. On Monday I had a miracle. Yesterday I had a miracle. As I trust and obey I see His glory. He is soooo good! Try Him! What He does never dies, fails or founders. He is good! Amen!

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift- not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:9 Today I am so grateful that I am not under condemnation, having to try and please my Lord. His love for me is unconditional, yes undeserved, but oh so good. His love has set me free. Jesus paid the price, so I do not have to pay. His mercy sets me free from all payment due all my sin was washed away when I said 'yes' to Him. What grace is this? Amazing to me! I grew up in Catholicism and was under law. The day my Jesus came to me was joy indeed. My eyes were open and now I see. What love drives such grace? Love divine without spot or wrinkle. Love supreme without cost or demand! In the Epistle of Galatians had to speak about 'those who would boast in your flesh'. The Galatians were being seduced into believing they must be circumcised by a bunch of people who wanted to boast about their circumcision. These ho...

Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6 As I read this I can paint a picture of a young slave been taken into his master's house and treated like a son, given a room right next to the son and given all the same privileges. It would take the slave quite a time to adapt and depending on his age and previous experience he would constantly expect his good fortune to end. We are like this. We did not earn our son ship into the fathers house and what makes it even more difficult is the father allowed his son to be taken and badly beaten, then murdered just for our freedom. How dare we live in His house when His son was so treated. To understand the motivation is such a father is difficult. Is he crazy, sadistic? Did He kill His son out of some perverse delight and will He turn on me? How will I know these ...

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us Live with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! Ephesians 2:4,5 Grace and mercy! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. What love cause the God of heaven to reach out to me a sinner with grace? What mercy He gives when He sets me free from the cost of my sin! I know, personally the absolute love He extends when I ask for mercy, when I know I deserve judgement. His mercy in any situation changes things, I am set free to serve Him. Not only am I forgiven I am made alive with Christ. Once I was dead in sin now I am alive in Christ. 'Once I was lost, now I am found'. The power of Christ's sacrifice breaks through all chains, all bondages, all sin. Nothing is too great for Him for He died and rose again taking the captives from hell with Him. He lives and because He lives I live. I am alive in Him! The God of heaven is all about grace, ...

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens. Ephesians 2:1,2 I have seen demons that rule over areas. There was a period of time after the Toronto outpouring that I could see into the spirit realm. I remember visiting Ireland and saw a huge demon with blood running down his face, he lusted for the blood of man, he loved to kill, maim and destroy. This was a time when the island was seeking peace and I prophesied over the county and The Lord said 'as His people pray and break the bondage then Ireland would be free.' They did and they saw peace! Yes! I saw the demon over Tamworth, NSW, Australia. It is fat and lazy and I prophesied to it that Jesus was going to take Him down. His time is coming soon! Amen! Our enemy is real and never let's up. When we were far from Christ we were alien to Him, outside His Kingdom BUT He saw us and c...

And He put everything under His feet. Ephesians 1:22 Oliver, born 30/11/12 was 20 days early and is now jaundiced and in a humidicrib having ray therapy. My bible tells me all things are under Christ's feet and I believe that Oliver will be well. I am not afraid. Why? Perhaps because I have been here before with my own daughter and at that time The Lord imparted to me a 'spirit of faith'. Not only was my daughter jaundiced but the doctors thought she had cystic fibrosis and I said,'no!' I knew that I knew that I knew she was ok and she was. My God is God and rules over ALL the works of the enemy! Amen!

And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way. Ephesians 1:22,23 Everything means EVERYTHING! Nothing is outside the scope of His power. He is the head over everything for the church. There is no need that He cannot supply. There is no problem He cannot solve. Nothing is too great for Him. Thank You Lord! He fills all things in every way. Nothing left to fill as He has already filled ALL things. He holds it ALL together. Why fret? Amen!

He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens- far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but the age to come. Ephesians 1:20,21 What is 'this power'? 'This power', is referred to in the previous verse 19 in reference to us. 'The immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.' The same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you. (Romans 8:11) If God did not leave Jesus in death but raised him from the dead then will He not also raise you up? If you are stepping out in faith as He has led, will He destroy you? No! Certainly not! He will bring He plans to pass and seat you in heavenly places with Him, in other words honour you!! Stand fast!

I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so that you may know the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints. And what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength. Ephesians 1:18,19 We cannot imagine how we, as disciples who walk according to His promise, affect those who do life with us and those who we minister to. We cannot imagine at the beginning of a project how, with God, it will end. He delights in taking that which is insignificant and making something beautiful and powerful. Paul's prayer is that we might know 'the hope of Christ's calling on our lives. He also prays that we would have a revelation of the power available to us. Our God is great and He is for us! His plans are great and immeasurable to us. My prayer is that we do see! Amen! One of God's greatest mystery is the birth of the new. He sees it and calls it into bei...