The day with dianne Louise

As the crowds were increasing. He began saying: "this generation is an evil generation. It demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. Luke 11: 29 Is anything different? Do you hear. "Prove it to me Lord!" Jesus is saying in the above scripture that his death and resurrection would be enough as that is what it is all about. The power is in the cross. Great and mighty is the cross! Amen!

Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters. Luke 11:23 This verse is a sober reminder that the Kingdom of God is black and white. Either I am Christian wholeheartedly and committed to gathering or I deceive myself into believing in the gospel of lazy Christianity and am not really a Christian, deep down. In fact I am a lazy, self-centred pup who is consumed with me and what I can get. Come on team, shake off that deceiving spirit that is putting you to sleep, eternity is a long time to regret our choices. Our Saviour gave His all for you, He treasures you that much. Give Him a call! Whose sad eyes will you look into on judgement day? Who will say to you, "why did you not tell me?" Up and at it! The Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead dwells in you and will quicken your mortal bodies, if you ask amen! (Romans 8:11)

"Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself will fall." Luke 11:17 I know Jesus was using this teaching to straighten out wrong theology regarding what source of power He used to cast out demons however, the principle works in other areas as well. I cannot be double minded, have double standards and expect to succeed. I must know what I stand for and stand wholly for it. Half-hearted Christianity is often referred to as 'sitting on the fence'. Jesus taught about this in The Book of Revelation. We cannot afford to be lukewarm because He will spew us out of His mouth. Sounds gross doesn't it! It is! But He is serious! So today, while it is still today decide whom you will serve and serve wholeheartedly! Amen!

What Father among you , if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? Luke 11:11-13 Although we might only be asking for elementary gifts like food, clothing, housing our Heavenly Father has a greater gift, the basis of our relationship with Him, the Holy Spirit, and from a relationship built on the presence of the Holy Spirit comes all things. Jesus was saying our Heavenly Father will not deceive us. He will not give us evil instead of good. We can trust Him! In Matthew 6 we are exhorted to seek first the Kingdom of God, and then all these things will be added. (Matthew 6:33) Our challenge is to trust Him and defy fear. Amen!

So I say to you, keep asking and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and go the one who knocks the door will be opened. Luke 11:9,10 Does God answer prayer? Sounds like we have our answer! However, I wonder if you noticed there is a certain amount of energy expended here. These are not casual prayers they are heartfelt and desperate. Determined prayer takes the prize. My God has extracted prayers that come from my innermost being. I have hammered the gates of Heaven, and sometimes it seems as if the result is tiny by comparison yet I trust His word to me. His word drives me. Toughen up! Do spiritual gym and stay the course! Amen!

Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him': and he will answer from within and say, 'do not trouble me; the door is shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs." Luke 11:5-8 This story was told to teach on persistence in prayer. The hour was late, the need was a surprise and there was somewhere to go for help. Today we face many such challenges. The One we can go to us our Heavenly Father. As the parable tells us, if we bother to go we will receive when we are determined to receive. Yesterday we were in the middle of a cyclone today the sun is shining. Today I must travel on a road that is currently blocked, I believe it wil...

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive everyone who is in debt to us. Luke 11:4 Do you find that when you have unforgiveness inside if you it is easier to have a bad attitude and also you think the worse of them very easily? Conversely when you have crossed the line to forgiveness your attitude is more gracious and less inclined to believe the worst of them. I find that when someone has been particularly unkind and treated me bad my attitude struggles and I have to go to The Lord for His grace and mercy. Yet once I have made the decision and asked for forgiveness myself for my attitude my God goes all out to help heal the rift. I recently had one such healing take place And when again treated offensively by that person it was easier to forgive and show grace, which happened this trip up to Brisbane. I think the perpetrator expected a cold attitude and was pleasantly surprised. I can't afford to let offence prevent God's grace from flowing. Salvation needs forgivene...

"May your Kingdom come!" Luke 11:2 About this verse I read an interesting comment that Jack Hayford wrote: '"Your Kingdom come" essentially says, "Father, let Your Kingdom come here and now!" Such prayerful intervention is called intercession. Motivation towards such prayer occurs when we recognise the importance Jesus placed on prayer in helping us serve in our roles as Kingdom administrators. Without the intervention if God's Kingdom rule through prayer, circumstances will succumb to inevitable consequences. Earthly scenes of need must be penetrated by God's will here as it is in heaven. Either the weakness of mans flesh or the viciousness of hell's work with the devil will prevail. God's power alone can change things and bring heaven's rule instead and the honour and glory for the prayer's answered are His. However, the praying is ours to do, unless we ask for the intervention of His Kingdom and obey His prayer lessons,...

"Whenever you pray, say: 'father you name be honored as holy. Your Kingdom come'." Luke 11:2 The Old Testament name for God was Yahweh. This was never spoken not written because it was honored so much, yet here we have personal, endearing name, Father. The difference in names gives a difference in emphasis. The first was couched in law and the second covered in grace. Who is the real God? The God Jesus portrayed was known by Adam and Eve before they sinned. They were friends of God, they knew His love. Sin separated us from God but grace brought us home. Amen! Grace restores, heals, unites, regenerate, forgives. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. Amen!

"Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset over many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice and that will not be taken from her." Luke 10:41,42 The One thing that Mary chose was sitting at Jesus' feet. I can say that now this is where I love to be but in years gone past I was a Martha. I loved to entertain. What has changed? Me! I have come to value The Lord and His Kingdom above all else. Circumstances can be used by The Lord to frame us, chisel us and how we respond determines the outcome. I am grateful for the past 9 years for I am a better person. God's word has become my lifeblood, my food, my drink. His ways, His thoughts, His standards are lovely to me. Now I am on the right path and know where it is going, it is good. Amen! Martha needed to be taken out of her mindset to change. Perhaps when Christ left it would have been that moment. Mary knew gratitude, she knew what Christ set her free from and what He took her to. ...

"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Luke 10:25 This question was being asked by a legal man, trying to test Jesus. Have you ever asked such a question? What was your purpose? To boast? This man was boasting that he was so good he had done all the law required. Jesus taught this man that the criteria of his neighbour extended even as far as the despised Samaritans. When we endeavour to boast we are avoiding truth, yet it is truth that sets us free. Are you satisfied with senseless, base behaviour that does not become a child of God? Perhaps you do not understand the love of God nor what it drove Him to do on your behalf. You are not of the world.!The world needs to be able to see your light, is it switched on?

Then turning to His disciples He said privately, " the eyes that see the things you see are blessed!" Luke 10:23 Many waited for the coming of the Messiah with eager longing and the disciples were the ones that experienced His glorious presence. Jesus said," the eyes that see the things you see are blessed." He did not indicate that only they were blessed but all who saw Christ manifested in their lives were blessed. Today, I can choose to go along with the herd and be blind and never experience God's greatness or I can choose to live as I was born to do and live in the spirit and see my Lord in His glory. Today, Australia Day here in Oz, it can be an ordinary rainy day or it can be a day when I see glory. I have a choice and so do you! Amen!

"Heal the sick who are there, and tell them, 'the Kingdom of God has come near to you'."Luke 10:9 The Kingdom of God is a parallel existence where the might and power of the Spirit of God rules and reigns and when were dare to believe the word of God and invite the Spirit of God into our world things change. In 1995 I experienced something awesome in the spirit. I had been in touch with someone who had been prayed for by his pastor who in turn had experienced the Toronto outpouring. I began to see into the world of the spirit like never before. I could enter it but a conscious decision and there I saw the glory of God. A boldness came upon me and I preached in season and out of season. When I read about the Kingdom of God coming near I know exactly what that means. His power is mighty to heal and to save. The Kingdom of God is real! Invite it into your life! Amen!

After this the Lord appointed 70 others, and He sent them ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place He Himself was about to go. He told them: "the harvest is abundant but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to The Lord of the harvest to send workers out into the harvest. Luke 10:1,2 Who were the 70? We don't get to know their names. Did they endure past the cross? We're they there in the upper room? In the last verse if chapter 9 Jesus says: "no one who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God." What does He mean? There is only one way and that is forward. He warned the 70 He was sending them out like sheep amongst wolves but they returned rejoicing that even the demons submitted. What causes us to look back? Disillusionment? Jesus had plainly spelled out what was going to happen so how could they become disillusioned? We are disillusioned when we create an outcome Jesus has not mentioned. It is our own minds that r...

Teacher I beg you to look at my son because he is my only don. Luke 9:38 For God so loved the world He sent His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 Luke has several stories about parents losing single children. Jesus healed them all. The Only Son reached out to these single child families. Jesus was the favoured only Son. Yet the Father knew He was the Only answer. Abraham was tested regarding his willingness to give up his only son, way back in the beginning, but he was spared because there was one destined to come and pay the perfect price. Amen! The blood of Christ was perfect as it was without spot or blemish. There was great power in that blood, enough power for all men, for all time. The blood secures us freedom from eternal darkness, it brings us into eternal life. Amen! Invite Him in and watch 'life' change your world. Amen!

Behold I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm you. Luke 10:19 Today at the end of the conference I felt decidedly unwell in the stomach. Then I began to feel feverish and took to my bed. I went to sleep and woke boiling hot with a fever. My mind was under attack with all sorts of imaginations, all bad. I refused the thoughts, took some panadol and lay limply until, I read the above scripture, especially ' nothing shall in any way harm you'. If my God says a thing then that settles it. He is God and He is in control, my job is to pull down all vain imaginations and trust. I had kiss counselled a friend and given her hope. My God has a plan and it is all good. Amen! Amen!

"Let the dead bury their own dead but you go and preach the kingdom of God." Luke 9:60 Jesus had been inviting disciples but was receiving excuses. Jesus had a reply for the excuses, "let the dead bury the dead." What does this mean? Perhaps it means that those who are not made alive by the gospel can be responsible for burying others the same, whereas those who are made alive by the gospel need to go and set others free. As Christians we have a mandate to set captives fee, open blind eyes. The Gospel is our charge and we cannot give lame excuses for not bringing it into the lives of the lost. Rethink! Review! Revive the flame and go!

"Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men". But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying. Then a dispute arise among them as to which of them would be greatest. Luke 9::44-46 Oh dear! How ashamed they would be in the future when they did 'get it'! I am so grateful that Jesus did not lose patience with them. He knew He was about to die and here were his closest friends squabbling about a carnal contest. Jesus is all grace and patiently takes a child and teaches them a lesson on humility. However our bold troupe were on a roll. They rebuked someone for casting out demons in His name and because that person did not belong to the team, again Jesus steps in and tells them, "he who is not against us is for us!" But there is more. Jesus sent His disciples on to a Samaritan town to p...

About eight days after these words, He took along Peter, John and James and went up on a mountain to pray. And as He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly two men were talking with Him - Moses and Elijah. They appeared in glory and were speaking of His death, which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and those with Him were in a deep sleep, and when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who were standing with Him. Luke 9:28-32   Jesus had a habit of going up mountains to pray and when He prayed He touched heaven and fellowshipped with the Father and those who were with the Father. It is interesting that Moses and Elijah were the ones who came and talked to Him.   Moses and Elijah were talking to Jesus about the cross. I wonder if they were encouraging Him or perhaps looking beyond the cross to you and me.   The disciples were in a deep sleep. They were often in...

For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son if Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and that of the Father and His holy angels. Luke 9:26 We have friends in various forms and nowadays we have Facebook full of friends. Do our friends know where we stand? If you came onto my Facebook you would see little other than me liking comments posted by others, photos of my grandchildren or links to my business page which is attached. However, if you wanted to know what manner of person I was you would know from my page, what do I say that represents who I am? Because of the work link I have to be careful what I write, in fact I told what I can and cannot write. Yet I am black and white, no grey. Do your friends know your colour? If they were asked, in a court if law, what manner of person you were, what would they say? Would they know you were a Christian? Would they know you were totally committed? Or would they say, "he compromises on his morals, he is a glutto...

Then He said to them all, "if anyone wants to come with me He must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it." Luke 9:23,24 What Jesus was saying was like: " if you want to ride on this train you pay the fare." He was not giving a suggestion but a command. I have a grandson whose constant complaint is:"that's not fair", whenever things don't go his way. I said to him when playing a game with him, "fair does not play games". Neither does 'fair' belong in life. There is only One who is Good and that is God. He is just and fair but life is not. People are wired for self first, second and third, without Christ as the centre. Each one of us has a cross and every one is different. Living as a Christian in an unfair world is requires us to cop it sweet without complaining. Christ has been tempted in every way, just...

The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and the scribes, be killed and be raised on the third day. Luke 9:24 When we hear news that we don't like we can become all emotional and construct our own, less painful solutions. However, if we just turned to Christ all things work together for our good. The disciples did not want to hear what Jesus was saying. Neither would I if I had just found the Son of God and walked with Him for 3 years, I would want it to go on forever. Jesus had put into the lives of the disciples all He needed to. It was now time to finish what He came to do. As He finished His task He opened up their lives to the grand design, empowering them to fulfill their destinies. His death completed the picture, opening up the way to the Father. I am grateful Christ gave His life for me, I am grateful He made a way for me. Turn to Him today as let go of all expectation. He is better at being God than your slave. Amen!

While He was praying in private He asked them, "who do the crowds say that I am?" They answered ......... Then He asked them "who do you say that I am?" Peter replied, "you are God's Messiah!" Luke 9:18-20 It is important that I know 'who' He is. If He is Messiah then I need to allow Him to be that and not allow my mind to be clouded with negatives, condemnation, criticism, discontent, complaining. If Hs is Messiah then He deserves all praise always not just when things are good or I feel like it. Who do you say that He is? If you haven't thought it through now might be a good time. Amen!

"You feed them", He said. Luke 9:13 The disciples had returned from their first missionary journey and they were full of excitement, Jesus took them to a deserted place so they could talk but the relentless crowd showed up. The disciples said, "send them away so they can get something to eat and somewhere to stay. Then Jesus said, " you feed them". Hands up who think this was a test! I do! Do you find that when you are out of grace, energy and juice someone turns up wanting something and then you have to dig deep and firstly find grace. Today was one o those days. I am in a strange town working, things have not worked out quite like I planned and tomorrow is my sons birthday. As I am on my way to see him tomorrow he only asked for one thing for his birthday, a Battenburg cake. I finished my last appointment at 7pm, I had had a long, hot, frustrating day. I remembered my sons request but did I feel like cooking it? No! So I called him, " do you st...

So they went out from village to village, proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere. Luke 9:6 The apostles went out boldly and believed that the Gospel would produce the power to heal the sick. I follow Reinhard Bonnke on Facebook. His declaration of the gospel is powerful. In his campaigns in Africa he sees millions come to hear the gospel and be healed. Reinhard has believed in the power of the gospel since he was a 10 year old boy. He knew he was going to be a preacher even though his parents and siblings did not believe. In my business I have to sell the worth of my services to clients. I have to first believe my worth. Likewise we have to believe we, as Christians, have been commissioned and we have been given a powerful gospel to take to the lost. As we proclaim that gospel it releases power to save and heal. Amen!

Summoning the twelve He gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to heal all diseases. Then He sent them to proclaim the Kingdom and heal all diseases. Luke 9:1,2 The apostles had spent a time watching the master, listening to Him teach and quizzing Him in private. They had the best of the best. I understand training: I trained my children, my grandchildren, my church members, my employees and now I am training clients. I have a young planner learning the ropes in my business. I love to teach him and watch him develop, at times I must correct, but as time goes by I do this less and less. As he grows in experience I give him more authority. I am currently away on business and this young man is on his own. He will have to make decisions formerly he deferred to me. Some of these decisions will be wrong. Jesus was a good teacher. We can read about His teaching in the Gospels but then we are sent.'"go", He says. wrong but he will learn ( and so wil...

Everyone was crying and mourning for her. But He said, "stop crying, for she is not dead but asleep." Luke 8:52 Jesus had a perspective uncommon to man, He walked in the Spirit. When you walk in the spirit you see things differently. You see exactly what the Father sees. Jesus said He only did what He saw the Father doing. Therefore Jesus knew where the little girl's spirit was to be able to bring it back. When we dare to see in the spirit and live in the spirit things are different. For one we know the power of the One who saved us. Amen!

While He was going, the crowds were nearly crushing Him. A woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years, who had spent all she had on doctors yet could not be healed by any, approached from behind and touched the tassel of his robe. Instantly her bleeding stopped. Luke 8:42-44 Oh what a glorious day! What a glorious day when He arrived into this woman's life. Suddenly the bleeding stopped. Imagine what that would have been like! Day after day after day bleeding that would not stop and being made to live separated from family and friends because of her uncleanness. How lonely! How destitute! How poor! But! In one moment all changed! Jesus had come. I talk a lot to people who spend all they have on doctors. They have blood tests, X-rays, MRI's, CAT scans and in Victoria they have to pay for things like chemotherapy or radiation therapy. They are cast down, worn thin and our busy society leave them to manage. But there is One who never sleeps, is ever watchful and willing ...

When Jesus returned, the crowd were all expecting Him and they welcomed Him. Just then analyst named Jairus came, He was a leader of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus' feet and pleaded with Him to come to his house, because he had an only daughter about 12 years old, and she was at death's door. Luke 8:40-42 Two things I notice in this scripture: 1) the crowd were expecting Him and welcomed Him 2) Jairus, the leader of the synagogue humbled himself before Christ. When people are expecting miracles they happen. The crowd of people came expecting something and they were not disappointed. Jairus came, knowing all that Jesus was doing and lay aside all prejudice and opinions about who should be the Christ, where He should have come from an how He should behave. Kneeling at Jesus' feet shows total surrender. Perhaps he had heard about Jesus raising the widows son from the dead, the son was an only son and he faced losing an only daughter. When we come in expectat...

Then they sailed to the region of Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When He got out on land, a demon possessed man from the town met Him. For a long time he had worn no clothes and did not stay in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus he cried out, and fell down before Him and said in a loud voice: "what do have to so with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you don't torment me!" Luke 8:26-28 I wonder what the man did to attract demons? He would have had to give himself to some awful stuff, perhaps. What was God wanting to spend time with a man possessed by devils? Can you hear the Pharisees? Jesus still wants the possessed, to set them free. Verse 35 tells us that the man who was possessed by a legion of demons, naked and living in the tombs was clothed and sitting at the feet of Jesus and in his right mind. Is anything too hard for our Jesus? Is there anyone He does not want? No! Give Him a try, call to Him and He will answer!

One day He (Jesus) and His disciples got into a boat, and He told them, "let's cross over to the other side of the lake." So they set out, and as they were sailing He fell asleep. Then a fierce wind storm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger. They came an woke Him up, saying, "master, master, we're going to die!" Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, "where is your faith?" Luke 8:22-25 In Tamworth, NSW, Australia we have had some mighty storms and bush fires just recently. In the last two storms a lot of people have had damage to motor vehicles and yesterday the storm lifted roofs off houses but in both instances I was safe. Over the weekend the state of NSW was alight with fires all over but I was ok. As I pray I hear the Holy Spirit say, "speak to the storm, speak to the fire". As an excited little girl I did expecting the be...

No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a basket or puts in under a bed, but puts it on a lamp stand so that those who come in may see the light. For nothing is concealed that wont be revealed, and nothing hidden that wont be made known and come to light. Therefore fake care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him. Luke 8:16-18 This scripture is often taken for allowing your light as a Christian to shine yet Jesus, here, is talking about the receipt of revelation. As I receive revelation I allow it to impact my life, changing it. For if I actively use what has been given I will receive more. Conversely, if I fail to appropriate revelation I in fact lose ground. How to I receive? I welcome it and allow it in to challenge my behaviour, my attitudes, my desires. If revelation is welcome then more will come. However, if I am too preoccupied to listen or receive it moves on and ...

Anyone who has ears to hear should listen. Like 8:8b Have you ever tried to talk to someone who's mind was not with your conversation, although they were right in front of you and were halfhearted in their listening, obviously their minds elsewhere. Today I was in church listening to a really good message and a young man was sitting in front of me messaging people on his phone. He was right where he could hear something awesome but his attention was on chatting with friends. Just before the above scripture Jesus had been telling a parable about seed being sown and how it falls on different soil. The seed is the word of God. It falls on the path; rocks; thorns and good ground. The one that believers have to tussle with is the thorns, the cares of life, pleasures etc. How do I develop good soil? Spending time with The Lord; reading His word and prayer. Another, more unwelcome way, is through brokenness. To be able to hear or to want to hear God works on our ears and some...

Then He said to her, "your sins are forgiven." Luke 7:48 ( the whole story Luke 7:36-48) This woman has been a prostitute and knew she needed forgiveness. She took, perhaps, her most treasured possession, an alabaster jar full of fragrant spices, and anointed Jesus feet with them, along with her tears. Jesus had been invited to dinner at the house of a Pharisee called Simon. Simon did not show Jesus the common courtesy of a bowl of water to wash His feet, nor did he greet Jesus with a kiss. The Pharisees were amazed that Jesus allowed a sinful woman to kiss His feet, cry all over them, wipe them with her hair and anoint them with her spices. They were even more amazed when He forgave her sins. This story shows me a Saviour full of compassion, lacking pretension, and full of free -standing with God the Father. He was without sin, He was not trying to exalt Himself but just do His job, seeking and saving that which was lost. The story makes me grateful that I love a ...

"To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in a marketplace and calling to each other: We played flute for you, but you didn't dance; We sang a lament but you did not weep!" Luke 7:31,32 Perhaps the era is different and the demands are different but the underlying attitude is still the same. Selfishness demands that others, even The Lord God Almighty, performs to our standards or dictates. However, the glorious day when an awareness of our need hits us we have an opportunity to change. As a Christian I have all of heaven available to me, not to waste on selfish pursuits but in following my Lord's lead. This life is not about me it is about Him and His Kingdom. As a citizen of heaven I am cared for, I belong to my Father The Lord God Almighty but I have a responsibility and a task to perform. I want to help my fellow man and will do all my God lead me to do. I am blessed and nee...

"Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?" Luke 7:19 "And anyone who is not offended because of Me is blessed." Like 7:23 "What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. This is the one written about: 'Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You; He will prepare Your way before You. " Luke 7:26,27 I have taken snippets of the full story about John and Jesus, however, reading the whole would be beneficial. John had been put in prison because he confronted Herod about his sin. He, along with many others, expected the Christ to be a warrior. Yet Jesus did not publicly disgrace him but rather gently admonished him and then publicly praised him. You may have had a mistaken idea about what The Lord was going to do in your world yet Jesus does not judge you or want to disgrace you, He wants to restore you. Remember Christ is about relationships not condemnation. Turn again a...

Soon afterwards He was on His way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with Him. Just as He neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother's only son and she was a widow. When The Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, "don't cry." Then He came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. He said, "young man I tell you, get up!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus have him to his mother. Luke 6:11-15 The people who saw this miracle experienced fear and awe. The mother's joy would know no bounds. To us this mother was just a part of a story yet to Jesus she was a someone. Jesus purposefully took the lowly and ministered to them. Yet I wonder what her prayer had been. Our Lord sees our moments of desperation, loneliness, anguish, He heads our prayers. Did the Father send the Son as an answer to prayer? Perhaps it was the prayer if a friend. We ...

A centurion's slave, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and save the life of His slave. Luke 7:2,3 This story helps illustrate whom Jesus came for. Jesus' death on the cross opened the door to us Gentiles. Jesus was not restricted by race, He portrays an aspect of the Father who wanted all men to know Him, not just a few Jews. The centurion had a revelation about faith. He was used to not being allowed into the Jewish synagogue and the temple, to being considered unclean. Yet as a leader he understood authority. The reason he did not go to Christ himself is he considered himself unworthy. Yet Jesus had no problem with his request. He had come to seek and save that which was lost. If you are lost from Him then you are eligible, your skin color does not matter. The Centurion did all that was required, he asked. Amen!

"Why do you call me Lord, Lord and don't do the things I say?" I will show you what someone is like who comes to Me, hears My words, and acts on them. He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on a rock. When rhe flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn't shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction if that house was great. Luke 6:46-49 We see people build houses in all sorts of places. For a time I lived on the Central Coast, just above Sydney Australia and I remember, after some heavy storms in which there were high seas a lot of houses near the beach were in trouble, some actually falling apart. In this country we experience fires, earthquakes, cyclones and occasional tornados. Building in the wrong area or building without proper found...

A good tree doesn't produce bad fruit; on the other hand, a bad tree doesn't produce good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren't gathered from thorn bushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush. A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. An evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. Luke 6:43-45 Ever had the experience where your daughter brings home a villain for a boyfriend and you know he's a villain but she swears he's so good to her. She is blinded to the truth. The fruit on the young mans tree are brambles. We can convince ourselves black is white if we want to badly enough. The reason we do this is we are where we should not be and it is not safe to be there. So we create an illusion. We have an enemy who is more than willing to deceive us. Why we have to help is beyond me. Deception leads to destruction not life. As a 15 year old I was madly in lov...

Why do you look at the spec in your brother's eye, but don't notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "brother, let me take out the spec that is in your eye," when you yourself don't see the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, then you will see clearly to take out the spec in your brother's eye. Luke 6:41,42 Why do we criticize others? Is it because we have been deceived into looking away from Christ? If I am looking at Him then I cannot see weaknesses in others and I will know about my own shortcomings and will submit them to Christ for He gives the power to overcome. If the others do not know Christ then they need my prayer, grace and mercy. If they are church family and are struggling they need my prayer, grace and mercy. Just I have received grace and mercy I new to give grace and mercy. Just because someone's behavior is offensive it does not give me room to be offended it calls me to...

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37 How easy it is to judge, why it makes us look so good, right? Wrong! It stinks and makes us look like a Pratt! Yet we all do it. I have moments of humility when I have just been through the grinder and I can see truth and know that to judge I will be judged. However, a few weeks of cruising and out comes the forked tongue, without effort even! Sin comes so naturally! I did it today and as soon as I did I was convicted and was repenting. I am forgiven but a harvest is coming, right when I have forgotten all about today and probably when I least need it. Ahhh! What makes it easy to judge is mingling with judges. I live with a few and over dinner one particular soul is lambasted. Tonight I had had enough and defended that soul, pleading grace. It is handy if you know where the traps are. Then you can avoid them. I find that when criticism comes ...

For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:35b, 36 Grace and mercy! Grace and mercy! Even as you have received, give. (Matthew 10:8) The measure you give will be given back to you, pressed down, shaken together will be poured into your lap. Luke 6:38 These scriptures do not just relate to finance. In all that we give, we will receive. What are you giving? Goodness, mercy? Or bitterness, anger and judgement? Recently I had a harsh judgement made against me by a manager, it hurt and was unfair. I was angry with this man yet I must look to myself. What have I been giving? And how can I change things? On Thursday this manager is coming to visit me, I am convicted that I must be a blessing. These are the times, when tested, that we must sow righteousness and the flesh is definitely not righteous. At times like these I turn towards The Lord and ask for His grace and mercy, He alone is good! Amen!

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that! And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. Luke 6:32-35 Are you still there? Hard words, yes? And yet The Lord was and is wanting to open us up to a deeper truth and a higher way. I think this scripture is one worth meditating on, chewing over, praying over and giving The Lord room to speak. We are quick to explain away such scripture. How about chewing on it. I had the opportunity to charge an enemy a high price for my business service today but as I created my invoice I was mindful of The Lord, 'what is right?' I asked and I knew...

"But I say to you who listen: love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27,28 Do the people in your world constantly disregard you; make plans without you; live as if you do not exist? Then welcome to the real world. Having expectations, just because you are family does nothing but sour our attitude. Yesterday, at church, I heard a woman full with rage because she had been invited to a family function where they have never considered her dietary needs. She is blessed because she was invited. I have to remind myself I am blessed because my God is in my world, not because I have my own way. Scripture tells me: 'if God be for me then who can be against me?' (Romans 8:31) I have learned I cannot by my own strength make people like me or consider me, it is God who goes before me. I have a situation where I was treated shamefully and kept a good attitude. The Lord sent someone along t...

After coming down with them, He stood on a level place with a large crowd of His disciples and a great number of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon. They came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those tormented by unclean spirits were made well. The whole crowd was trying to touch him, because power was coming out from Him and healing them all. Luke 6:17-19 In previous verses Jesus had spent the night on the mountain in prayer, then selected His 12 apostles. Another benefit of His night vigil was 'power was coming out from Him'. Jesus said that He only did what He saw his Father doing. You only see what the Father is doing by spending time with Him. The more time you spend with The Lord, the more like Him you become. I have heard the words: 'I just want to relax, I have had a hard day', as someone sits themselves down in front of the television for 4-6 hours then too tired to pray, Goes to bed. This pe...

Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out. John 6:37 Rejection is something we all know. We are cast off by a spouse, brothers, sisters, friends but there is One who does not cast us off. You might say to me: "but you don't know what I have done!" Friend I do not need to know. If you confess your sins to Jesus Christ then He is faithful to forgive you all your sins.(1John 1:9) You might be used to reliving your sins over and over but Jesus cleanses us from all our sins, He does not remember our sins they are cast into a sea of forgetfulness. Hand over your guilt and past and allow Him to give you a future and a hope. Amen! Taste and see that He is good! ( Psalm 34:8)

During those days He went out o the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God. When daylight came, He summoned His disciples, and He chose 12 of them- He also named them apostles: Simon and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. Luke 6:12-16 Note, Jesus spent the night in prayer before the Father and then chose His team. He chose a man who betrayed him. Do you ever second guess your decisions and beat yourself up because of the choices you made? I used to! Not a good practice. It was not enough that my enemy the devil constantly accused me but I helped him out. Not a good move! God was in control then and He is now He is quite capable of using villains for His good pleasure. He uses all things for His glory. Remember He is God! He is in control! Leave Him to do what He does best, being God and you do wha...

On another Sabbath He entered the synagogue and was teaching. A man was there whose right hand was paralyzed. The scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely, to see if He would heal on the Sabbath, so they could find a charge against Him. But He knew their thoughts and told the man with the paralyzed hand, "get up and stand here." So he got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you: is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or destroy it?" After looking around at them all, He told him, "stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. They, however, were filled with rage and started discussing with one another what they might do to Jesus. Luke 6:6-11 Self-righteousness feel quite justified in hate. The Pharisees and Scribes were full of self-importance that caused them to miss what God was doing. I have neighbors who have had a party a night since Christmas and even though I wear ear plugs at t...

Then He told them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." Luke 6:5 Jesus was being hammered by the Pharisees for walking through the fields with His disciples and eating the grain in the fields, on the Sabbath. God had told His people that the Sabbath was His and that they were not to work on the sabbath(Exodus 20:8). The Pharisees had built and built reams of legalism all from that one scripture. Jesus said He was Lord of the Sabbath. He came to fulfill the law and give us true rest. Rest from law and legalism. The Pharisees hated Him for this statement for He was removing Himself from their jurisdiction. In Genesis the Lord rested on the seventh day after creation. In Exodus He instructed His people to also rest. So that they understood He gave them some instruction. When we do not have a relationship with the giver of freedom we struggle with law, yet Jesus called Himself 'Son of Man'. He identified with us, yet He was also Lord of the Sabbath. In ...

He also told them a new parable: "no one tears a patch from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. Otherwise, not only will he tear the new, but also the piece from the new garment will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wine skins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, it will spill, and the skins be ruined. But new wine should be put into fresh wine skins. And no one after drinking old wine, wants new, because he says, 'the old is better.' Luke 5:36-39 Jesus had just been questioned about the fact that His disciples did not pray and fast. Jesus explained that while He (the bridegroom) was with them this was not important but when He left them they would. He then goes on to teach a deeper truth. The above illustrates that to accept Christ into our lives we do not remain the same but our spirits are reborn, made new. Ie new wine skins. Jesus' comment about no one wanting new wine while the old is still present I can relate to. When...

Seeing their faith He said, "friend, your sins are forgiven you." Luke 5:20 I find the above a scripture so full the wonder of Christ: 1) faith is required to receive forgiveness 2) the mans friends wanted him healed but Jesus knew of a deeper need, forgiveness 3) forgiveness was required before healing could flow. Perhaps the man could not open up to healing because of his hidden sin. Best of all, Jesus was no ordinary self centered man, He was not like the Pharisees. He acted out of love, love for the sinner who desperately needed to be forgiven. What does this tell you? Jesus welcomes and forgives sinners. Invite Him in and allow Him to forgive and heal. Amen!

"Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" The Pharisees asked Jesus. Jesus replied to them, "the healthy don't need a doctor, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:30-32 I find I am constantly looking for those who are lost, those who know the burden of sin because I find these are the ones who are opened to truth. At the same time I am praying for a revelation of need to all I associate with. Blind people do not see their plight and many are blind. So many are blind, Lord have mercy! Amen!

He told the paralyzed man, I tell you: Get up, pick up your mat, and go home. Luke 5:24b Something had been taken away from this man, he was subjugated and held down, he had been robbed. He had to lay on something an rely on others. Have you been beaten down by an enemy of your soul? Have you been made to lie helpless on a poor excuse for legs? Jesus came that we might have life and abundant life at that! Jesus sets captives free from bondage deliverance from spirits of infirmity. Jesus told the man to get up! Pick up his mat and go home, restored. He is here to deliver, heal and restore.! Amen!

When they did this (let down their nets), they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "go away from me, because I am a sinful man, Lord!"Luke 4:6-8 A true God encounter leaves you breathless, aware that the Holy one has shown you favour makes you aware of your sin. However, what Simon didn't know was that Jesus came to a sinful world to redeems us. I am so grateful Jesus didn't leave Simon and He doesn't leave me, how about you? Jesus goes on to tell Simon that he is destined to catch the souls of men. So, just after having caught his largest haul ever, he had finally hit the big time, he leaves his nets and follows Christ. Could you do that? Peter leaves a successful business to walk with Christ and be destined for persecution an...

"Master", Simon replied, "we've worked hard all night long and caught nothing! But at your word, I'll let down the nets". Like 5:5 There are many situations where we could say the Same sort of thing. "God I have tried to make this marriage work for 29 years and I want to walk away, but at your word I will try again." "God I have tried to get on with my dad all my life and I have had enough, but at your word I will try again". "God I have tried to follow you faithfully for 49 years and I am tired, but at your word I will trust again." Get the picture? How many times are we ready to give up? Yet The Lord is asking us to try again. Will you?

Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are irresponsible, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Don't stifle the Spirit. Don't despise prophesies, but test all things. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil. 1Thessalonians 5:13-22 Thanks apostle Paul! What an exhortation for this New Year, 2013. At the end of each year I like to give thanks for all that has been; good and bad as my God uses it all for my good. I thank Him for an opportunity to walk with Him another year and as I said to a friend the other day: 'things do not turn out how we think they will in our youth'. However, all things mould us and can prepare us for eternity. May you see more of...