The day with dianne Louise

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God's sons to be revealed. Romans 8: 18,19   We fail to look to Him and to trust Him that the future is good, but it is. He has good plans for us, exciting plans.   Just imagine that all things are programmed to know that there is more, all things, even the plants, the insects, the animals, the fish, ALL things.   Imagine them all looking at us as if through a glass wall saying: "it has been written that they are the ones to restore us all to life". And we go around bumping into things in ignorance.   I am reminded of the Tales of Narnia. The four children: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy stumble into Narnia and the Narnians know the prophesy and eagerly await its fulfilment. As soon as the children arrive the Narnians know, the time is now. The children do not ...

So then, family, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. All those led by God's Spirit are God's family. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba Father!" Romans 8:12-15   Today we celebrate Christ's rising from the dead. Jesus walked the walk and talked the talk. He showed us what being a Son of God was all about. He was steadfast and only did what He saw His Father do. Now we all know this meant His Heavenly Father. To do this He had to do what we have to do, walk in the Spirit because He was a man just like us except He was not born into sin.   Of all the things the Lord speaks to me about it is:"Look at Me!" In other words 'don't try and work things out yourself, look at Me!' ...

And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:11   Awesome! The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, lives in me and we know how He raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Tomorrow we remember this, we celebrate this!   What is it you want from God today? Peace? Healing? Deliverance? Restoration of your family?   The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to each one of us today.   If you are lost and can't find your way call out to Him! Salvation is about realising you can't do life and gain eternal life on your own, it is about asking Christ to be your way. When you do He gives you his Holy Spirit.   The Holy Spirit is the power, the source of miracles. You can have Him living inside of you. Just ask! Amen!   Tomorrow morning, at Oxford Falls C3 Church, at...

For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death and the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5,6   Now, you may have, like me thought that having a mind set on the flesh is a mind full of lust, hate, etc but how about a mind full of worry, worry about performance, worry about handling finance, worry about doing the right thing ad infinitum.   I am, probably, if am really, really honest, inclined to worry about all of the above. Now, being diligent and worrying have a fine line between the two, agreed? It all boils down to mindset. If my mind is consumed with worrying thoughts then I am in the flesh, Yes?   Ah! So then the results of worry are deathly! They are tools of the robber, because when worry is present there is no peace. Amen!   Praise God Christ sets us free from all of these! Free! Fre...

Therefore, no condemnation exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit's law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. What the law could not do, since it was limited by the flesh, God did. Romans 8:1,2   Did you notice that the above scripture said: 'The Spirit's law of life in Christ Jesus'. The 'law of life' was far greater than the 'law of death'.   The former law was endeavouring to control the flesh but failed. The new 'law of life' liberates. It has different parameters. The old law had to do with all that was wrong and sinful, the new law is based on freedom that belief in Christ brings. The two do not compare.   Why would I want to be 'self-righteous', by keeping the law when I can rest and be free of striving and believe on the perfect One who completed all the law required, for me?   One path is full of stress and grief the other full of rest and freedom. And yet so many ...

But now we have been released from the law, since we have died to what held us, so that we may serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old letter of the law. Romans 7:6 Oh then catch the freedom we have been given. Today, are you bound to tradition or are you alive to life in Christ? In former days, as a Catholic, I attended Good Friday mass, midnight mass, did the Stations of the Cross ritualistically without finding the doorway to life. But, He knew, and was preparing the day when we would connect. Oh the joy! Today, I am so grateful for His sacrifice and obedience but law does not make it so for me. My spirit cries out: 'what joy floods my soul'. I am made one with Him and I can never leave, love compels me. Because of His sacrifice I am bound to live out of the freedom He bought me, I am free! Free to live out of the Spirit of life He has given me. Amen! Yes I remember His death and honour Him but I know He rose again and defeated death and ALL that ...

But now, since you have been liberated from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification - and the end is eternal life! For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22,23 Producing fruit sanctifies us! Causes us to be holy (separated to God) Being separated brings us close, having fruit causes us to know we are on track and producing fruit is a pleasure, a joy not a chore. Producing fruit does not earn us salvation, conversely producing fruit solidifies our salvation. Amen! I just watches an ABC show about kangaroos. A baby kangaroo is born as a foetus which crawls up into the pouch and attached to the mothers teat and stays that way for a long time. The mother produced fruit but that fruit had to be nurtured for a time, before it was revealed as a fully formed marsupial. No quick fruit around here! It takes time and dedication. Amen!

What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not! Don't you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey- either if sin leading to death or if obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:15,16 A man freed from jail is free to go home to his old life or, if he is wise he will go to somewhere the old does not entangle him. Being born again gives us the same opportunity. What will we choose? I know that all works of bondage involves spirits of wickedness. These evil spirits work tirelessly to bind us up into behaviors and attitudes that destroy us. Choosing wickedness is choosing death. Whereas choosing to walk the path of freedom is choosing life and a victorious battle with old enemies who would bind us and their cohorts who are looking for a place to exist. Don't fool yourself! Any attitude, be it criticism, anger, bitterness any behavior:lust; impurity; addictions of any so...

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey it's desires. And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons of unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:12-14 When the law rules, sin is close by, because being told not to do something causes you to want to do it. A Christian is not under law but grace. Sin has been dealt the death blow. Then why do so many struggle? Perhaps they have not had the funeral. Baptism is the funeral. It is a celebration of new life as well as the burial of the old. Do you know Jesus as Saviour, now invite Him to be Lord. As we yield our lives to Christ's influence we are challenged again and again to make Him Lord. If He is Lord of appetite we do not have an issue with food or drink or even sex. Make Him Lord! Amen!

For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of His death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that sin's dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, since a person who has died is free from sins claims. Romans 6: 5-7   Perhaps what is needed is identification. Jesus and His sacrifice are not removed from me. As I accept Him as saviour, something more than mere salvation from past sins occurs, something deeper. I am liberated from sins hold, sins demands, the cost of sin, the bondage of a life of sin.   Would you be free from your burden of sin? There's  power in the blood, power in the blood, Would you of evil the victory win? There's wonder working power in the blood. Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? There's power in the blood, power in the blood, Sin stains are lost in it's life-giving flow, Ther...

How can we who died to sin still live in it? Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life. Romans 6:2-4   If I have truly had a 'born again' experience then my old life has died and I now have a 'resurrected life', my new life, to live.   If I say I am born again but live as if nothing has changed, I am living a lie.   A part of the new birth is a burying of all that was old and a decision to walk in the new, empowered by the Holy Spirit within.   There is no such thing as; 'I can't help myself'; 'that is just who I am'; 'this is the way all my family behaves'. Where is the resurrected life? Where is the empowered life?   When Jesus rose from the dead he walked through walls, there were no ...

Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved from wrath. Romans 5:9   Anyone who accepts Christ's sacrifice as their salvation and reconciliation to the Father knows they are right with God, not because of their own 'goodness' but Christ's goodness. This is called righteousness.   The pressure of having to be 'good' enough for another human being is a horrible pressure and I have experienced it. Living with judgement and constantly failing to appease or mollify is depressing, and soul destroying. Such a person, the judge, that is, is Pharisaical in their outlook. They see themselves as perfect and everyone else is the wrong doer. Quite a deception and nasty to live with.   Now, a lot of folk think God is like that. Wrong! There is one that thinks like that and his name is deceiver not God.   Our God loves the unlovely and seeks to bring us to Himself in relationship. Nothing much surprises Him and not...

For rarely will someone die for a just person- though for a good person someone might even dare to die. But God proved His own love for us, in that while ewe were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7,8 I once saw a movie about pow in Japanese territory in ww2. The commander thought a spade was missing and accused a man of stealing it. He hadn't stolen it but he was to be made an example of and executed. Another man volunteered to take his place and was crucified for his sacrifice. This was to frighten the remaining soldiers but instead spoke volumes about the work of the cross. The volunteer was a Christian. Now this sort of behaviour is heroic and rare. Yet Jesus, a perfect and sinless man, so loved all mankind, even those who killed him. This was to display the love of the Father and to make a way for us to go back to a loving relationship with our Father. We are loved folks, so loved. We are not used to such love but it is there for the taking. Dive in and enjoy! Amen...

For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6   As I ponder this scripture I see a newborn infant, totally helpless, unable to save itself, totally dependent on someone's love. I think of all the unwanted children, the aborted children because of lack of love, perhaps the totally deformed infants, the undesirable.   A baby cannot demand love, cannot create better circumstances, will die without nurturing from a higher source. We may think we do well and to the eyes of those around perhaps we do, but like a baby we cannot save ourselves, we are helpless.   Yet Christ came for such unlovely ones, the undesirable, the sin riddled, the deceived, the self-righteous, all ungodly.   What does ungodly mean? Not revering God, sinful, wicked, impious. Notice the list starts with: not revering God. Simply being good in my own eyes is 'not revering God'.   Why would He bother? Because He knows a...

This hope will not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5   Hope, genuine hope, does not disappoint. It is not fleety, it is made of sterner stuff.   How can it boast this? Genuine hope is birthed through affliction and endurance, it is formed in fire. Faith that stands steadfastly in affliction produces endurance, which in turn produces Hope.   So then Hope is not fairy floss stuff, it is rock solid.   I watched a show on ABC the other night about Britain and especially Cornwall and Devon. The presenters were talking about a particular lighthouse built out in the ocean on the remains of a dormant volcano. The remaining rock was the cold core that had once been molten lava. This rock was so solid it resisted the sea's efforts to wear it away.   This rock was birthed in fire, hot fire. The remaining rock was immovable. This is what hope is like. ...

And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 Do you know many hopeless? I do! Perhaps they do not understand: ' rejoice in afflictions'. What is Paul saying? Rejoice in all circumstances: good and bad. It is easy to rejoice when things are good, how can I rejoice when things are bad? I rejoice that my God loves me and gave Himself for me; I rejoice that He houses, feeds and clothes me; I rejoice that He sees the end and as I persevere I will receive His reward. I rejoice that He comforts me, protects me, counsels me. I rejoice that eternity is mine. We have so much to rejoice about, if we look with eyes of gratitude and not complaining. For if we do this then we produce hope in our lives and a...

We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:3   Jesus is the doorway, we come in through Him and only Him. The vehicle by which we obtain access is our faith that He is who He says He is. The result of our faith and access is grace, glorious grace.   Grace is more than unmerited favour, it is favour poured out on an enemy of God. For we were enemies, once, but now friends.   Jesus is a passport, our right of entry.   I searched for Him for 19 years and when I found Him, what joy! I knew that I knew that I knew I had found something permanent, I had His Holy Spirit inside saying 'yes! yes! yes!'   When you find something you have searched for, for so long, no one can tell you it is a lie, because you know.   Now, I have access to a river of grace. I may wander into the thicket, lured there by lies but I find I have lost grace and p...

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 I am right with God, because I believe that Jesus is my Saviour. When I believed He gave me a seal of assurance, His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit confirms I am a child of God and He is the source of peace. This peace, as I dwell in it, reminds me that I do not have to earn my salvation, merely believe. Peace is a governor and if it is absent the question must be, why? Peace is constant and stable. The Holy Spirit does not jump around and is not emotionally motivated. If peace is absent then I have a quest: work my way back to it. Remain in it! In times of trouble anxiety comes, as does fear. They must be refused entry, choose to believe, choose peace. In times of abundance arrogance comes knocking, it also must be refused. An emotional high is not peace, just flesh. Don't trust emotional highs or lows they will deceive you. Trust peace!

Now, 'It was credited to him' was not written for Abraham alone, but also for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Romans 4:23-25 As Abraham was told 'in you all the nations will be blessed', We can say he was our father. The fact that he faced an empty future and won encourages us. The key thing that makes Abraham special was at 100, he believed God's word to him that he would have a child and that is what happened. I am looking forward to meeting Abraham as I too have to stand and trust that the Lords promise to me will come to pass

For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise is cancelled. For the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all descendants- not only those who are of the law but also those who are of Abraham's faith. Romans4:13-16 Have I lost you? You have to have a mind to understand and chew through the scripture when it comes to Romans. Ok' so what did all that mean? The Jews believed Abraham was their for-father but the Jews were legalists. Their legalism caused them to crucify Christ for he did not fit their predetermined mould: he forgave sinners, chided the leaders and was not like them. Paul, the writer of Romans, was well placed to write this book, he was a Pharisee,...

Likewise, David also speaks of the blessing of the man God credits righteousness to apart from works: How joyful are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered! How joyful is the man The Lord will never charge with sin! Romans 4:6-8 David wrote the above in Psalm 32:1,2 He knew sin but he also knew forgiveness. David had a preview of the joyous state we now find ourselves in. Forgiven, acquitted, set free! Amen! Why would I want to be self-righteous? What a burden! I am free! Free indeed! Amen!

Now to the one who works, pay is not considered a gift, but something owed. But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness. Romans 4:4,5 Have you ever heard this comment: 'I think God owes me!' I have, and it is usually spoken by a self-righteous individual who assumes something they have done equates to rights when it comes to eternity. There is no faith only a belief 'I am good enough!' How will this person fare when told that the rules are: ' what did you do with Jesus Christ!' Angry rejection? Yes! What is needed is a revelation of grace in salvation. People who work hard, care for others, experience life's hard knocks all fit this profile. Yet they are not able to write the rule book, they are not God. Paul has already told us in chapter 3: 10 there is no one righteous, not even one. Our rules are not the governing factor, we are not God. To be able to...

What can we say that Abraham, our physical ancestor has found? If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to brag about- but not before God. For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. Romans 4:1-3 We know that the Jews and Arabs believe Abraham was their forefather. The Jews believed Abraham kept the law before ever it was given to Moses but the reference above actually comes from Genesis 26:5. It indicates that it was Abrahams faith in the God who called him from Mesopotamia rather than anything he did, that made him right with God. I am grateful that the Abraham scripture portrays is a flawed individual, just like us. He lied, doubted and tried to obtain an heir through his own strategy and failed. Finally he came to trust. There is hope for each of us. It is not how good I am that counts but my total reliance on One who is good. Amen!

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God has passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26   If you can dig deep into this scripture you will understand, the playing field has been levelled, we are all the same no matter what race, creed or religion. All sin, all fall short of God's glory BUT the good news is we ALL have access to the same grace, the same right standing wit...

Where is boasting then? It is excluded! (Rats!) by what law? Or works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Romans 3:27,28 Oh how we love to boast. Just stick us in a group of people, wind us up and off we go. I have been at a two day training session in Brisbane. Just float around and listen in. In any group and you would hear it. Boast, blah, boast! In Christ we are constantly challenged with the above fact. It is His grace that blesses and causes us to function well. Grace is free, unearned and therefore not from me and cannot be claimed by me as my result. On the opposite side, I need not beat myself up for non-performance but trust in Him who holds it all together. How good is grace? Amen!

The name of God is blasphemed among the gentiles because of you, as it is written. Romans 2:24   Verses 17-29 Paul is speaking, out of experience, out of knowledge. He was a Pharisee of all Pharisees, a teacher of the law, a zealot for God, yet he persecuted the Christians, believing he was right, yet he was wrong.   I can hear him speaking 1Corinthians 13 out to his hearers. This is the 'love' chapter. Without love we are nothing. We might judge ourselves to be squeaky clean but fail because we lack love.   John 3:16,17 says: "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."       As a Christian I have to live a life of love, otherwise the name of God is blasphemed among unbelievers. What am I saying? Is grace coming out or condemnation? ...

(for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified, for when the Gentiles who do not have the law, by nature do things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law unto themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) Romans 2:13-15   There are people in the world who, not having heard the gospel, by their conscience do right. So, for us who have heard, we are accountable to the truth we have heard.   If a person, who has not heard the gospel can do right, I can walk in the truth of the gospel.   For 19 years I endeavoured to do right and failed. When I found Christ, I found the way. Joy flooded my heart.   Today I am still grateful. My gratitude enables me to embrace the gospel and not endeavour to change it to suit my sin but allow it to convict me of t...

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. Romans 2:1   Have you been the subject of condemnation? I have, not pleasant!   Have you ever visited people who make you wish you were anywhere else in the world but right there? I have!   Now, here is the clincher. Has anyone else felt like this in your presence? Ugh!   What makes us judge? Offence? Resentment that those you judge are different or dare to be simple and fun loving? Where does the anger come from?   We must realise that when we judge we lock ourselves to our subject's behaviour and become like them and consequently suffer the same judgement. What a merry-go-round!   The best way to deal with these thoughts when they arise is to smack them one, in the head, refuse to entertain them.   In the book of James we are told that if we resist the devil ...

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:24,25 The Catholic Church has been in the news lately as they have taken a new pope who has been name Francis. I had a discussion with a man two days ago who's wife was involved with a Catholic Church here in Brisbane Australia who's priest was pro- gay rights and welcomed gays into his church. All churches should welcome all brands of sinners but not condone sin. I explained to this man that I chapter 1 of Romans we are told why there is homosexuality. It is treated as a result if sin not as a sanctified act of marriage. God loves all sinners including homosexuals but as we come into a relationship with Him we desire what is pure, good and lovely, and funnily enough that does not include homosexuality. G...

For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, has been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. Romans 1:19-21 I have been blessed to follow Commander Chris Hadfield as he tweets back to earth photos taken of various parts of earth as the space station passes over. As I look at the photos I ask: ' how could anyone say that earth happened by chance?' As I watch nature shows I ask: ' how could this happen without a divine loving God at the helm?' When I look into the eyes of my grandchildren I am grateful for each individual one, so precious and so unique. Each if us do not escape the notice of our God. Every face on earth is known to Him. We are sheep in His pasture. The One who created all this is God almighty not a mysterious 'mr universe' I know Him and He is real. I can speak to Him any time if day and He hears. How about you?

For God's wrath is revealed against all the unrighteous who, by their unrighteousness suppress the truth since it is evident among them. For God has shown it to them Romans 1:18,19 Do you see what I see? I see a warning to those who know better. I know righteousness and know when I miss it. Do you? So what to do when I miss the mark? Cover it up? Confess it? If I cover it, it becomes a dark festering wound that putrefies and tears away at the good. So what about confession? Confession of sin, along with repentance, genuine repentance, cleanses the wound and restores. What choice do I have? Face a little embarrassment and be clean or a rotten soul in danger of wrath. When put like that there is only one option, really! So, today, while it is still today, fess up and be free! Amen!

The one who is righteous will live by faith. Romans 1:17 Habakkuk 2:4 says: 'look his ego is inflated; he is without integrity. But the righteous one will live by his faith.' It is so easy to fall into the trap of boasting and inflated ego. The above scripture tells me this is without integrity. When I find myself there I repent, humble myself and ask for grace. Grace keeps the wheels on the ground. Repentance is an attribute of righteousness. When we repent righteousness flows to us. Faith enables me to accept grace and the resultant forgiveness and walk righteously. No amount of self/ propulsion will suffice, all I need is in grace. Amen!

Then He lead them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. And while He was blessing them, He left them and was carried into heaven. After worshipping Him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were continually in the temple complex praising God. Luke 24:50-53 The end? Or The beginning? Or both? It was now the completion of the time Christ had been with the disciples, the work of the cross was done. Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem until they were empowered. The New was to come. The disciples were in transition mode. The reality of the work of the cross was finally theirs and the anticipated empowering, what did that look like? What change would that bring? The empowering was needed so that the disciples could spread the gospel with signs and wonders following. They had spent three years with Christ and knew His ways they were about to meet the Holy Spirit and learn new things. Have you met Him? He is counsellor, comforter, guide...

  He said to them, "How unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken! Didn't the Messiah have to suffer these things and enter into His glory ?" Luke 24:25-27     Jesus here was speaking to two disciples as they walked along the road from Jerusalem after the crucifixion. They were prevented from recognising Him.   As I read these words I thought they could apply to me. How many times will I stress about a mistake I have made, go to the Lord for mercy and fear the worst. In fact it happened only recently.   How unwise and slow to believe His grace is for me, am I at times, especially when I know I deserve judgement. Now I know that when I go to the Lord, repentant and ask for mercy I receive it. However if I fight for my rights I receive no mercy, in fact I score judgement.   Before Christmas I made a mistake by allowing forms to be sent off, when if I had waited things would have been different. The p...

Returning from the tomb, the women reported the fact that they had seen an angel who told them Jesus was risen from the dead, but these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. Luke 24:9-11 Nonsense can turn out to be reality. Most entrepreneurs have their ideas touted as nonsense. During the night I awoke and watched the Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who today takes charge of the space station, playing his guitar in weightlessness while being remotely connected to an orchestra on earth. It was fantastic, yet unbelievable. Do you believe it is possible? Check it out on Twitter! Now, I come to you with another fact: Christ died and rose again. This takes Christianity to a powerful height. All Jesus said He would do, He did! If Jesus accomplished all He said He would do on this earth, is He not able to accomplish all He promises to do in and for you? Miracles are happening all the time for those who believe! Isn't it time you dared to bel...

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women who had been there at the Crucifixion came to the tomb, bringing spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?"asked the men. "He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was in Galilee, saying, 'the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day?" and they remembered His words. Luke 24:1-3; 5-8   The women thought is was just the first day of the week, the beginning of another week, but this time without the light of their lives, Jesus. However, they were in for a shock. They found Him gone and in His place angels to clarify what had happened.   Better than the first day, was the news of the Third Day, the day Christ rose from the dead. Suddenly life became mor...

All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle (Jesus' Crucifixion), when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests. But all who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Luke 23:48,49   The striking of the chest was a symbol of grief yet here it reflects contrition. The frenzy of the mob had gone and the reality of what had been done remained.   We have seen the frenzy of the mob before, when they brought the woman caught in adultery before Christ, wanting to stone her. Jesus showed grace, compassion and forgiveness.   In our world we have seen how frenzy has caused the innocent to be harmed and even killed because they had the wrong skin colour or belonged to the wrong race.   Satan uses frenzy to destroy, not only the innocent, but to cement hatred in hearts and minds of those who should know better. Frenzy know no sanity of reason, it is inflamed by hel...

When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, "This man was truly righteous!" Luke 23:47   Wow! another Gentile recognises the reality of Christ and yet the Jews nailed Him to the cross, the very people He came to minister to rejected Him.   In Matthew and Mark this centurion was reported as saying: "This man really was God's Son!" The earthquake and the darkness on the land convinced him.   Spiritual people do not need much convincing. You will notice in any races where the community have a superstitious nature or already worship spirits, they are easily convinced about the reality of Christ. The supernatural speaks to them.   Westerners also, deep down want the spiritual, the real, the divine. However, they are not impressed by churchianity.   Why do we love to watch movies about supernatural heroes? We all long for a supernatural hero, and that hero is real, His name is Jesus Christ. He is not a confused young ma...

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, because the sun's light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. And Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit." saying this He breathed His last. Luke 23;44-46   Other gospels add 'It is finished!' Jesus endured to the end and achieved what He had been sent to do. He became the perfect sacrifice for all mankind, past, present and future.   How grateful am I! I am not condemned to continue in my own strength, constantly failing to meet the mark. I am redeemed and give free access to my Heavenly Father.   All that I need to do is trust and obey. Trust Jesus that all was finished at the cross and obey in the walk He has for me. In other words giving up lordship of my life.   If I retain lordship then I retain accountability to meet the just requirements of the law. As I am not effective in either I would rather sub...

Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: "Aren't You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us?" Luke 23:39   This opinion sounds very much like the modern day excuse for unbelief: "If God was so loving then why do all the terrible things happen?"   Mankind is always looking for someone to blame and someone to hate to exonerate self from bad behaviour. For it is OK for us to live godless, immoral lives but woe betide a God who dares to expect righteousness or even a relationship.   This is as foolish as a bunch of children blaming their parents for the results of their misbehaviour in school.   I know a man who is incapable of seeing his own fault and forever blaming everyone else but himself. If you try to help this man he turns on you and blames you for some problem he causes. This is foolishness indeed and a sad place to be.   Fortunately Jesus managed to influence one of the criminals crucified with Him and fortunat...

But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And their voices won out. So Pilate decided to grant their demands and released Barabbas instead, who had been thrown into prison fro rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will. Luke 23:23-25   What a sad day! Jesus, Son of God replaced by a murderer. The fact that Jesus healed many, rose two from the dead and set many captives bound by demons free, He was to be replaced by a murderer so that life could go on as it had before Christ came, in darkness.   As the demons howled and demanded His blood, a greater mystery was about to be played out. Christ, Himself would go down to their den and strip their leader of all authority, take away with Him all who were captive, who believed, and lead a triumphant host to the Father.   His sacrifice would open the door to all who followed, that we may enter in, by the blood of the lamb. No more sacrifice, no more bondage, no ...

So Pilate asked Him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "you have said it." Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no grounds for charging this man." Luke 23:3-5   The chief priests had dragged Jesus off to Pilate hoping to construct a case against Him and have Him killed so that His blood would not have been on their hands.   Pilate was not stupid, he had his position for a reason. Although Jesus admitted He was King of the Jews, Pilate was not concerned. No doubt he had know about Jesus and heard what had been happening as a result of His presence in Jerusalem.   Pilate did not want to be drawn into a lynching, needlessly, and so when he discovered Jesus was a Galilean he sent Him to Herod.   Jesus had nothing to say to Herod.   The falsification of facts and elaboration of lies can backfire, as it was appearing to do with Pilate. The scribes and Pharisees would have to go into overdrive to co...

They asked Him, "Are You, then, the Son of God?" And He said to them, "You say that I am". "Why do we need any more testimony, " they said, "since we've heard it ourselves from His mouth?" Luke 22:70,71   How sad that these men could not see Jesus was the Son of God! How sad that the truth did not set them free but the choice they made with the truth bound them in chains forever.   The truth about Jesus is placed before us, today. What will you do with it? What if He is the Son of God and can set your free, eternally, from all that binds you?   So many rush by in an effort to get to a goal that will pass away, a pleasure, a victory that lasts a moment, financial security that lasts for a day.   Easter is coming. Many will be focused on going somewhere special to have a good rest so that they can face work. They will race, drive long hours, be frazzled and frayed by the time they get there but not have rest for their souls. ...

The men who were holding Jesus started mocking and beating Him. After blindfolding Him, they kept asking. "Prophesy! Who hit You?" And they were saying many other blasphemous things against Him. Luke 22:63-65 When I was driving on the motorway in Brisbane last weekend I was driving along behaving and suddenly a truck with two wild looking characters pulled out from and on- ramp, pull in front of me and slowed down and gave me 'the finger'. Now in the mind of the driver I was something he imagined me to be and he reacted accordingly. Dogs when they get into a pack behave differently and are more prone to attack. A group of men who have been led to believe a man in their custody is a deceiver of the masses, treat that man as fair game. Even in today's times we see brutality get out of hand when minds are filled with imagined wrongs. Jesus knew the hearts of man and did not trust Himself to them. He knew what was about to happen. Until this time no one co...

Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. Then The Lord turned and looked at Peter. So Peter remembered the word of The Lord, how He had said to him, "before the rooster crows today you will deny Me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:60-62 How would you be if that was you? Have you ever done something similar? Have you been caught and embarrassed and denied friendship with someone? Perhaps a Christian? Have you denied following Christ? Peter was severely affected by what he had done. However, when Jesus told him he would do this He also said, "i have prayed for you that your faith will not fail and when you have turned, strengthen your brothers." (22:31,32) Grace was extended before Peter needed it. Why was Peter out on a limb exposed to such a situation? Peter had said, "I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death". V33 Ever boasted about something you thought you had but in reality didn...

After a little while, someone else saw him and said, "you're one of them too!" "Man I am not!" Peter said. Luke 23:58 Ever had this happen? I remember as a young woman having an operation on my ears to make them flatter, previously they were embarrassing I had the operation during my holidays and used holiday pay for the op. When I went back to work my nursing group had study block for a month. The other girls could see I had had something done and asked me about it but I denied it categorically. I was too embarrassed to discuss it. Peter wasn't embarrassed he was fearful. Fear of being caught and treated the same probably caused him to lie. What causes you to lie? Fear? Embarrassment? Are you afraid to tell others you follow Christ? For some the fear is justifiable. Living in a country that persecutes believers would be harrowing. What is your story? Are you ashamed of the Gospel? Perhaps you should read Romans 1:16. Amen!

"Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" Luke 22:48 A kiss on the cheek was a common greeting between friends and family. Judas used his intimacy with Jesus and His disciples as a platform to betray Him. (Taken from footnotes in HCSB study bible) Have you ever found yourself caught up in a party spirit? Ie the spirit on a group of people who are performing, showing off either mind or body or even pseudo spirit. I must say I have and suddenly I watch myself from a distance and pull back. In such a group we think we are clever but really are fleshpots.' It is important we recognise what is really going on. Judas has his motivation but it ended horribly in death. When the soldiers arrive the remaining disciples ask if it is time to yield a sword. The result was a slave's ear was cut off and Jesus had to heal him. When I am in church I need to be there to meet with The Lord of glory, not to show off or attract attention. What is the Lord'...

"Pray that you do not enter into temptation." Luke 22:40 Jesus had just gone to the Mount of Olives to pray as He knew His time was near to be taken to the cross. He needed to pray because his flesh knew what was coming and did not want to go there. The disciples were about to face their own challenge, Peter more so. However scripture tells us that their grief had exhausted them. Other emotions also exhaust us: fear; anxiety; betrayal; loneliness. Jesus knew what they were going through but nonetheless told them to pray. All but Peter and John ran away and Peter, when challenged about being a disciple of Christ denied it three times, his fear controlled him. There are times when we will face serious consequences of our behaviour or the behaviour of those we are responsible for. Fear can cause us to lie and react in ways that are ungodly. How would Christ have us behave? His advice is pray. If we remember The Lord's Prayer, one of the verses says: ' and le...

He also said to them, "when I sent you out without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals. Did you lack anything?" "Not a thing," they said. Luke 22:35 The disciples had learned that God is well able to provide. I have learned that He is well able to provide that which is lacking, be it: grace and mercy; finance; food; clothing. He is well able to provide for our needs. He also gives wisdom when it is lacking; forgiveness in abundance; love without measure. Good? Very good!!! So what we have received, freely give! Amen!

Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest. Luke 22:24 On the weekend I went to Brisbane to visit my grandson Myer who was turning 7. On Sunday, his birthday, his brothers and sister had to watch as he was given gifts and fussed over. At time they were tested as Myer would insist the gifts were his alone and not for sharing. Sharing is something they are normally encouraged to do. On Sunday Myer escaped the normal. Children, by nature are selfish and preferring others does not come naturally. The Apostles were displaying their carnality. Jesus, up to this time had not given any one Apostle leadership over his peers. However, in verses 31,32 Jesus indicates that Simon is to be the leader. Simon is about to go through his own trial but Jesus knew he would come good because he told him: 'when you have turned again strengthen your brothers.' What causes fights among you? James tells us they come from 'the cravings that are at war...

But look, the hand of the one betraying Me is at the table with Me! Luke 22:21 How could Judas not give himself away? How could he go ahead with his betrayal when publicly confronted by someone who had been the best thing in all the world to him, had given him a break in life? In a previous verse we are told satan entered Judas. Satan cannot go through closed doors, Judas had done something to welcome Satan in. We know he was offended at Jesus for allowing Mary to anoint His feet with expensive ointments, he wanted to be able to sell them for a profit. If he was a gambler we could understand, scripture tells us that he helped himself to the treasury. I wonder what qualifications Judas had to be asked to care for the money. I wonder why Matthew, the tax collector was not chosen. Suffice to say Judas sat through the Last Supper with a determined heart to betray. Don't give you enemy room to break into your life with his poison! Kick him out! Judas died horribly. Remember?...

Then Satan entered Judas, called Escariot, who was numbered among the Twelve. He went away and discussed with the chief priests and temple police how he could hand Jesus over to them. They were glad and agreed to give him silver. Luke 22:3-5 Judas may have thought he had deceived Jesus all along, for Jesus had never uncovered his sin. (He was a thief, stealing from the funds he was supposed to care for). The deceiver is a snake, he slithers into the best company, best meetings and whispers lies to the receptive. Judas was obviously open to deception, his weakness: love of money. Judas was numbered among the Twelve , he had gone out on missionary trips and seen people healed yet he had a wicked intent. Performing miracles does not make one righteous. Keeping a clean heart is our responsibility. We need to love truth, accept truth and live and practice truth. Amen! Notice the specks of dirt that settle in our hearts and take a spiritual shower. Allow the word to cleanse you, ...

During the day, He was teaching in the temple complex, but in the evening He would go out and spend the night on what is called the 'Mount of Olives'. Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear Him in the temple complex. Luke 21:37,38   What was Jesus doing on the Mount of Olives? My guess is spending time with the Father. He had two things happening: The teaching daily in the Temple and the Cross was pending.   I have to spend time with the Lord. He is my source of inspiration, energy, peace, wisdom to name a few. His grace abounds but I must go and collect it before it becomes of any use to me.   During the week days I am working as a planner. On the weekend I have time to myself but each morning and evening I spend time with Him. When I am tired I spend more time with Him; when I am in a battle I spend more time with Him; when I am ministering I spend more time with Him.   Pastor Phil Pringle says that to minister over several d...

Be on your guard, so that your mind is not dulled from carousing, drunkenness and the worries if life, or that day will come upon you unexpectedly like a trap. Luke 21:34 All traps are unexpected, they are hidden in the familiar. The return of Christ will be sudden, unexpected for many but for those who are watching and waiting, as Anna the prophetess, it will be received with joy. Therefore, let us be alert to our salvation and not dulled by sin. We are not of this world as Christians. We are separated to Him. Let us not grow weary in well doing, or waylaid by offence. Lets' strengthen the limbs that hang down and live out of our relationship with Him. Amen!

Then there will be signs in the sun, moon and stars; and there will be anguish on the earth among the nations, bewildered by the roaring seas and waves. People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the celestial powers will be shaken. Luke 21: 25-27 There is coming a time of finality and when it comes some will be in fear but those who know and understand will be excited for what they have longed for will have arrived. When it comes, we do not know. It could be tomorrow. The key thing to know is you are ready. Do you have a view of heaven or do you believe this is all there is? If you do not accept the Bible as the Word of God, what if you are wrong and there is an eternity? Will you live forever with regret? What is your hope? Where is it placed? Verse 28 tells a different story. Why don't you get out a bible and read it?

By your endurance, gain your lives. Luke 21:19 Jesus, in the surrounding verses is telling the disciples about persecution they will suffer and the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Us Western Christians feel persecuted if we have a bad week. I had one challenging week yet it ended well. Today I awoke in Brisbane, having driven up to wish my grandson a happy birthday. There are God's people be treated horribly for their faith. The early Christians were brutalized for their faith. Expecting an easy time is false but expecting Christ in that time is valid. He promises to be with us no matter what and He is. The more we trust Him, the more He is there. People turn away from Christ because they have false expectations. Endure the oppression, trust Him and see your relationship with Him deepen. He is so good and He loves you passionately. Stay still long enough to grasp this truth. Amen!

He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury. He also saw the poor widow drop in two tiny coins. 'I tell you the truth this poor widow has put in more than all of them. Luke 21:1-3 We definitely know how to fuss over the big and the obvious, but what about the small? Why do we have to make a noise over The big gifts when the small who give all are thought more highly of then those who give out of what they can afford. Good thought!

Jesus told them, "the sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are counted worthy to take part in that age (eternity) and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry or are given in marriage. For they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are sons of God, since they are sons of the resurrection. Luke 20:34-36 Ever wondered about this? The book of Revelation also says there will be no more crying, no more sickness. If you are attached to your mate you might find it hard to believe you will no longer be married, however I am sure the time you have spent with each other on earth will make you eternally good buddies and if it has not been so good, when you are in the Lord's presence the things that bugged you here you will understand there. I imagine there will be a lot of catching up and understanding in the Light. Jesus has a way of illuminating things we do not fathom or understand. I have had a dear friend die and I am lookin...