The day with dianne Louise

Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerses appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah- from the 20th year until his 32nd year, 12 years- I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor. The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking food and wine from them, as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but I didn't do this, because of the fear of God. instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, and all my  subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn't buy any land. There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table. Each day an ox, 6 choice sheep and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine were provided every 10 days. but I didn't demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy. Remember me favourably, oh God, for all I have done for this people. Nehemiah 5:...

There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen. Some were saying, " we, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live." Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine." Still others were saying, "We have borrowed money to pay the kings tax on our fields and vineyards. We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless because our fields and vineyards belong to others." I became extremely angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints. After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, "each of you is charging his countrymen interest." So I called a large assembly against them and said, " we have done our best to buy ...

When our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, everyone returned to his own work on the wall. From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armour. The officers supported all the people of Judah  Who were rebuilding the wall. The labourers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the trumpeter was beside me. Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of e people: "the work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated far from one another along the wall. Whenever you hear the trumpet sound, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!" So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out. At that time, I also said to the people, " let everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so...

In Judah, it was said: The strength of the labourer fails, Since there is so much rubble. We will never be able to rebuild the walls. And our enemies said "they won't know or see anything until we're among them and can kill them and stop the work. When the Jews that lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, " everywhere you turn, they attack us". So I stationed people behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vine table sections of the wall. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows. After I made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes." Nehemiah 4:10-14 Discouragement was everywhere! Within the team, the enemy's taunts and threats, the neighbours without. Nehemiah did not fold. He encouraged and strategised. A...

Listen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let the be taken as plunder to a land of captivity. Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from Your sight, because they have provoked the builders. So we rebuilt the wall until the entire wall was joined together up to half it's height, for the people had the will to keep working. When Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they became furious. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw it into confusion. So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night. Nehemiah 4:4-9 The enemies were quite exercised because the wall was being rebuilt. Now why, if it indeed was a poor job, like the enemies said, were they becoming furious? The enemies could see that the people had risen in one accord to rebuild and restore ...

When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious. He mocked the Jews before his colleagues and the powerful me of Samaria, and said, "What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they restore it by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these. Burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble? Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, "Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall." Nehemiah 4:1-3 We have an enemy and he is the accuser of the brethren. He mocks all we do when we stand up for righteousness, he is a destroyer but he is defeated. I have read the last book in my bible and his eternity is the Lake of Fire. Amen! There are times when we are crushed down, squeezed out like a cloth and lifeless. In these times all we have is Christ. He is still good, He is still Saviour, He is still Lord. Amen! We are still His! We still have a glorious hope a...

So I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned down. Come, let's rebuild Jerusalem's wall, so that we will no longer be a disgrace." I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king said to me. They said, "Let's start rebuilding," and they were encouraged to do this good work. When Sanballat the Hironite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked and despised us, and said, What is this you're doing? Are you rebelling against the king?"  I gave them this reply, "The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start building but you have no share, right, or historic claim in Jerusalem." Nehemiah 2:17-20 Nehemiah was smitten with God's heart for Jerusalem. I am smitten with God's heart for the New England area in northern NSW, Australia. God has a plan for this place and when ...

During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year when I was in the fortress city of Susa, Hanani, one if my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that has survived exile. They said to me, "The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem's wall has been broken down, and it's gates have been burned down." When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:1-4 I have moved away from the gospel of Luke as twice in this past week the book of Nehemiah has been presented to me and I am under conviction this is where God is for me. I have been burdens with the state of Christendom. I see Christians running to and for to doctors, unable to find healing. It is as though they are captured by sickness. I am always one who responds to prayer and I have been interceding a lot lately for ...

On the Sabbath, He passed through the grain fields. His disciples were picking heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?"  Jesus answered them, "Haven't you read what David and those who were with him did when he was hungry- how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the sacred bread, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat? He even gave some to those who were with him." Then He told them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." Luke 6:1-5 The Son of Man is a Messianic title. Jesus often referred to Himself with this name. As Messiah He is the same Lord who instituted the Sabbath regulations, which the Pharisees built into an overbearing burden. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. Are you bound by it or freed by it? Do nagging thoughts tie you up in knots on Sunday with guilt about what you should and should not do. Read this scripture...

Then they said to Him, "John's disciples fast often and say prayers, and those of the Pharisees do the same, but Yours eat and drink." Jesus said to them, "You can't make the wedding guests fast while the groom is with them, can you? But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them- then they will fast in those days. He also told them a 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 garment will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, it will spill, and the skin will be ruined. But new wine should be put into fresh wineskins. and no one, after drinking old wine, wants new, because he says, 'The old is better.'Luke 5:33-39 Jesus is saying that when we don't have Him evident in our midst, we fast. I know I fast when I want a breakthrough in God, when I want more o...

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office and He said to him, "Follow Me!" So, leaving everything behind, he got up and began to follow Jesus. Then Levi hosted a grand banquet for Him at his house. Now there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were guests with them. But the Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to His disciples, "why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 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 5:27-31   I wonder what Levi went through to bring him to his decision to up and leave his current life and follow Jesus? I imagine the Holy Spirit had been working on his heart, preparing for the invitation from Jesus. I remember what I went through, it was a miserable time, but it caused me to be open to the best invitation I have ever had.   ...

While He was in one of the towns, a man was there who had a serious skin disease all over him. He saw Jesus, fell face down, and begged Him: "lord if you are willing, You can make me clean." Reaching out His hand, He touched him, saying, "I am willing: be made clean," and immediately the disease left him. Luke 5:12,13 We call need to be made clean, some are obvious others are hidden but we are all the same in the sight of God. This man recognised his need and was bold enough to ask, publicly, aware of his community's attitude to skin diseases and the laws dealings with such a person. Knowing Jesus was a great man and perhaps the Messiah, he gave Jesus an out:"if You are willing." But Jesus is always willing and this man discovered how willing. Jesus touched him and said, " I am willing, be clean." Jesus did not need to touch him, but then again He did to accomplish more than what was asked. He connected with this man, His touch saying you are...

As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God's word, He was standing by Lake Gennesaret. He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fisherman had left them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then He sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and put down your nets for a catch." "Master, "Simon replied, "we've worked all night and caught nothing! But at Your word, I'll let down my nets." When they did this, 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; they came and filled both boats so full 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! For he and all those with him were ...

When it was day, He went out and made His way to a deserted place. But the crowds were searching for Him. They came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving them. But He said to them, " I must proclaim the good news about the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose" Luke 4:42,43 Jesus was up early to go and spend time with the Father. He knew He needed this, we need this. The crowds were a typical crowd who were caught up in something and driven by it. They had found an incredible man who talked like no other, who showed them courtesy and respect and more importantly healed their diseases. It is highly probably that, true to the nature of 'the crowd' they were mostly spectators and not necessarily wanting to be disciples. As any crowd of people, they wanted to keep what they had just discovered for themselves. Yet Jesus told them He had come to others also, He had a bigger picture than what the crowd would embrace or allow and He d...

After He left the synagogue, he entered Simon's house. Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him about her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and began to serve them. Luke 4:38,39 Even a slight thing like a fever is the concern of Jesus. Ordinary folk with ordinary problems. He still cares and will set captives free. The next verse tells us that : as the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick with various diseases brought them to Him. I imagine someone in Simon's house ran out telling everyone about Jesus and they came. He welcomed everyone, no one was too hard, no one was unworthy. The very nature of Christ is love and compassion, resulting in healing and deliverance. This nature is what He gives to us. When we are uncluttered we recognise it. Stay simple!

Then He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath. They were astonished at His teaching because His message had authority. In the synagogue there was a man with an unclean demonic spirit who cried out with a loud voice, "leave us alone!" What do You have to do with us, Jesus - Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know who You are-the Holy One of God! But Jesus rebuked him and said, "Be quiet and come out of Him!" And throwing him down before them, the demon came out of him without hurting him at all. Amazement came over them all, and they kept saying to one another, "What is is message? For He commands the unclean spirits with authority and power, and they came out! And news about Him began to go out to every place in the vicinity. Luke 4:31-37 Ministering in authority captures hearts and minds. There are times when I have spoken to someone prophetically, not intending to, but under the Holy Spirit and I watch even g...

Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread throughout the entire vicinity. He was teaching in their synagogues, being acclaimed by everyone. He came to Nazareth, where He was brought up. As usual, He attended the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. He was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah to read, and unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it is written: 'The Spirit of The Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.'  He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him. He began by saying to them, "Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled." Luke 4:14-21 The scripture Jesus read was from the book of Isaiah. Jesus o...

So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will give His angels orders concerning You, to protect you, they will support You with their hands, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered him, "it is said: 'do not test The Lord your God." And the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Luke 4:9-11 In this third test Satan quoted scripture but Jesus knew His scripture and was not going to be deceived by his enemy twisting the truth. I am amazed at what Satan tempted Jesus with. He did not know Christ. He had succeeded in tempting the first Adam yet he was thwarted in this attempt. Jesus had lived 30 years and been tutored in godliness with contentment, he was prepared, baptised in the Spirit and sold out to the Father's purpose. Every time our enemy comes against us we ...

The Devil took Jesus up on a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The Devil said to Him, "I will give You their splendour and all authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. If You, then, will worship me, all will be Yours." And Jesus answered him, "It is written: worship The Lord Your God, and serve Him only." Luke 4:5-8 It is interesting that Satan tempted Jesus with that which will be ultimately His and Satan did not know what time Jesus had come for. Jesus had come to make a way back to the Father and break the power of Satan over people's lives. Knowing you ultimate future your enemy will tempt you with a filthy back door where he is lord. Waiting for God's time and His provision purifies and ensures the promise will endure. We can trust The Lord to provide His best, at the right time, and not be beaten by circumstances in the meantime. Just because a promise tarried doe...

Then Jesus returned from the Jordan, full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over He was hungry. The Devil said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." But Jesus answered him, "it is written: man must not live on bread alone but on every word of God." Luke 4:1-4 I am grateful Jesus did not fail this test. However, He had spent 30 years developing a character that would stand the test of this enemy. Jesus loved the word of God and being very hungry was just a temporary moment in time, whereas His whole life had been one of submission to the Word of God. Also His future was emerging and when this test, and the following two were over He would go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit to do great and mighty things. In times of fasting and the hunger pangs come I remind myself that it is the revelation about the Word of G...

When all the people were baptised, Jesus also was baptised. As He was praying, heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are My beloved Son, I take delight in You." Luke 3:21,22 Throughout scripture we find people who The Lord took delight in but none as much as His Son, Jesus. Earlier in the gospel Luke mentions how Jesus grew up in wisdom and stature, in favour with God and with people. Luke 2:52 Jesus loved the Father and took delight in the scripture, He practised spending time alone in prayer and said He only did what He saw the Father do, this is intimacy at it's best. He would rise early and go out to be with God, He would spend all night in prayer at times. If He, the Son of God, needed to worship and be alone with the Father so do I. We see Jesus have conflict with the Pharisees and the Saducees and to handle this He would need to be strong in the Spirit and not run the risk of fle...

Now all the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were debating in their minds whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all, "I baptise you with water, but One is coming who is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing shovel is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with a fire that never goes out. Then along with many other exhortations, he proclaimed good news to the people. Luke 3:15-18 John was a good hell fire and brimstone guy. He said it like it was and shook the people out of their apathy and made them ready for Jesus. Imagine being called a brood of vipers, the people responded and asked what they must do to show repentance. John knew his place. He came for a short season. His whole life lead up to the time when the Father gave Him the word to go, he was primed and ready. Are you ready?...

Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don't start saying to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our father," for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones.! Luke 2:8 John was preaching a gospel of repentance to a group of people who believed that having Abraham as their father was enough. It is like saying, for example: "the American people have 'in God we trust on our money therefore we are safe.' Or a church goer saying, "I am safe because I turn up to church every week". When living a life of faith in Christ is required in all cases. It is not even sufficient to say, "I invited Christ into my life at 16", and not live as a Christian. We cannot excuse ourselves from the need for repentance. I need to repent daily, I need to carry an awareness of God that causes me to repent and want His way of doing things. Salvation is a living, vital, on-going experience and it bears fruit. John went o...

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontus Pilate was governor of Judea.........God's word came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight! Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low; The crooked will become straight, The rough ways smooth, And everyone will see the salvation of God. Luke 3:1,2-6 John's message was: 'prepare the way of The Lord.' What does this mean? It means that a heart needs to be made ready to receive all God has for it. Just because both are in the same vicinity does not necessarily mean they will connect. A person can go to church and miss it. They can stand in awesome worship and miss it. But a heart that is soft and rea...

After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. Luke 2:46,47 Jesus was 12. His parents had brought Him to Jerusalem for the festival but Jesus failed to return with them. When they finally found Him, after frantically searching for Him and had rebuked Him, He said, " didn't you know I had to be in My Father's house?" Jesus knew the importance of being in His Father's house and He was the Messiah, what does that mean to me? I love being in church. Yesterday my church hosted the feeding of 950 runners in my home town. I was there in the thick of it but could not wait to go to church and worship last night. Since I was a little girl I have been fascinated with my Father's house, and this was when I was searching for Him. I did not find Him as my personal saviour until I was 19. The word of God fascinates ...

When they had completed everything according to the law of The Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on Him. Luke 2:39,40 In 1:80 we are told that John the Baptist grew up and became spiritually strong. In Acts 6:8 we see Stephen strong in wisdom and tangling with the Pharisees. Stephen what strong in wisdom and grace looks like to Luke. Joseph and Mary parented Jesus well, perhaps that is why they were trusted with the responsibility. Have you ever wondered why God would trust you with the children He gave you? Did you feel out of your depth, especially with the first? I used to have dreams that I forgot to feed my baby daughter. She is now 33 and still going strong with two children of her own. How good it is to have a responsive child. Jesus was not born into sin, how different that would be?The very first. What an honour! How good it must be for the Father to have children that h...

There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38 Praise God for Luke's mention of Anna. Here was a woman in top heavy male dominate Jewish religion. A woman who was dedicated to God and served Him night and day. What a woman! This woman was well over 100 yet she stayed in the temple complex serving God with fasting and prayer. She did not think herself too frail to fast, we need to see her testimony. Widows and divorcees can find themselves in such a position. It is good to dedicate ourselves to The Lord instead of gossip and wasting our time and the time of others. To know The Lord, really kno...

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation, an the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, Simeon took Him in his arms, praised God, and said: "Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples -  A light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel." His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: "Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed- and a sword will pierce your own soul-...

When the eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named Jesus- the name given by the angel before He was conceived. And when the days of their purification, according to the Law of Moses, were finished, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to The Lord ( just as it is written in the law of The Lord: 'every firstborn male will be dedicated to The Lord) and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of The Lord: a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons). Luke 2:21-24 Even the One who had come as God was circumcised according to the law. Jesus Himself said: "I have come not to do away with the law but to fulfil the law".Matthew 5:17 The law was created because of sin, primarily. As Jesus had no sin He was able to complete the just requirement of the law for all men for all time. I can now come to God, in faith, and trust that all my sin is covered and that He is satisfied with His Son's ultimate sacrifice, by dying on a cross....

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock. Then an angel of e Lord stood before them, and the glory of The Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today a Saviour, who is the Messiah The Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough." Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favours! Luke 2:8-14 I wonder if the shepherds were happy to be out in the fields? Last night the temperature was down to -2 degrees (centigrade) here in Tamworth. Although I have been camping I must confess camping in the cold is no fun at all, even with a fire, the night gets colder ...

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Agustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough- because there was no room for them at the lodging place. Luke 2:1-7 Imagine having received this order when you were about to give birth to your first baby. Away from home and family in a cold, smelly barn with animals for company. I wonder if Mary and Joseph had ideas about how Jesus would come into the world or how He would be received. If they had ima...

Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. Then her neighbours and relatives heard that The Lord had shown her His great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. But his mother responded, "No! He will be called John." Then they said to her, "None of your relatives has that name." So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: His Name is John. And they were all amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, "What will this child become?" For, indeed, the Lord's hand was with him. Luke 1:57-66 When we step into God's...

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: Praise The Lord, the God of Israel, Because He has. Insisted and provided redemption for His people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets in ancient times, salvation from our enemies and from the clutches of those who hate us. He dealt mercifully with our fathers and remembered His holy covenant- the oath at He swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the price ledge, since we have been rescued from our enemies clutches, to serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness in His presence all our days. And child, you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before The Lord to prepare His ways, to give His people knowledge of salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of our God's merciful compassion, the Dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness and the s...

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of The Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour, Because He has looked with favour on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, Because the mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy. His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. He has done a mighty deed with His arm; He has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, mindful of His mercy, Just as He spoke to our ancestors, To Abraham and his descendants forever. And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home. Luke 1:46-54 Mary had a heart to praise, she was blessed out of her socks for being chosen to bear the Messiah. Her song above discloses her heart toward The L...

In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah where she entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: "You are the most blessed of women, and your child will be blessed! How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me! She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by The Lord will be fulfilled!" Luke 1:39-45 Have you ever been prophesied over? I have, many times. The important thing here is: 'blessed is she who believed!' Take a moment and think of what has been spoken over your life. Now start praising God for that word and note the difference. Have you been judging that prophesy by your experience?  Mary received the word of the angel with joy and s...

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, "rejoice, favoured woman! The Lord is with you. But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her: " do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and The Lord God will give Him the throne of His Father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end. Mary asked the angel, "how can this be, since I have not be intimate with a man?" The angel replied to her: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the Holy One to be bo...

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. When he did  come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realised that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept making signs to them and remained speechless. When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home. Luke 1:21-23 The people depended on Zechariah, he had a job to do. Yet he needed to be with God's plan for him right then. He was receiving a message that would transform the then known world. He and his wife would bear a son, John the Baptist. John would prepare the way for the Messiah. Being with the angel impacted John and left him speechless until John was born. This was because he had doubted the word the angel brought. This fact also impacted on his role as a priest, as a husband to Elizabeth, a neighbour and as a friend. He communicated by sign. The fact that Zechariah could no longer speak spoke to those around him. They would give him respect becau...

"How can I know this?" Zechariah asked the angel, "For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years." The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." Luke 1:18-20 I wonder what force was behind, "Now listen!" Our earthly minds see an indignant angel, yet even though Zechariah doubted he was not fried or dismembered, all that happened was he was unable to speak. Perhaps so that his doubt could not grow and destroy the promise, or perhaps to teach him not to doubt. God needed John to be born, he was the forerunner for Jesus. He had to be born. John was related to Mary and that was important. This gives me hope when I doubt his whispers, for I am a part of someone else's story. ...

" Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will call him John. There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while in his mother's womb. He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people." Luke 1:13-17 What an answer to prayer! Zechariah may have been praying in earnest as he entered the sanctuary of the Lord, or perhaps he had long given up. In his culture the absence of children meant judgement for sin and now he was going to be cleared. It is fitting that he was chosen to go into the sanctuary by lot, his blessing had come ...

Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true". And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His slaves what must quickly take place."   "Look, I am coming quickly! The one who keeps the prophetic words of this book is blessed."   I, John, am the one heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow slave with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."   He also said to me, "Don't seal the prophetic words of this book, because the time is near. Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy go on being made filthy; let the righteous go on being righteous; let the holy go on being made holy."   "Look! I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me to repay each person according to wh...

Then He showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb down the middle of the broad street of the city. The tree of life was on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His slaves will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Night and day will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because The Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5 We see a river in Ezekiel47:1-12 and on the banks there were trees whose leaves were for healing. The tree of life was last mentioned in Genesis 3. Mankind were forbidden from eating from it's fruit after the fall but now it has returned. It appears we will still eat and drink and although the curse...

Then one of the seven angels, who had held the seven bowls filled with the seven plagues, came and spoke with me: "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." He then carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, arrayed with God's glory. Her radiance was like a very precious stone, like a jasper stone, bright as crystal. The city had a massive high wall, with 12 gates. Twelve angels were at the gates, the names of the 12 tribes of Israel's sons were inscribed on the gates. There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. The city wall had 12 foundations, and the twelve names of the Lamb's 12 apostles were on the foundations. The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, it's gates, and it's wall. The city is laid out in a square; it's length and width are the ...

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God's dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe Way every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, Because the previous things have passed away. Then the One seated on the throne said: " Look! I am making everything new".  He also said, " Write, because these words are faithful and true." And He said to me, " it is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give water as a gift to the thirsty from the spring of life. The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, a...

Then I saw a great white throne and One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. Then the sea gave up it's dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead; all were judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15 There are some who think that the Christian is a part of the 'first resurrection' that mentioned in Chapter 20:5. This therefore means that all the Christians rule and reign with Christ as the second resurrection deal with the judgement at the great white throne. As a Christian I know that my sins have been washed...

When the 1,000 years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea. They came up over the surface of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city. Then fire came down from heaven and consumed them. The Devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:7-10 Why does Satan bother? He is so filled with hatred for the Lamb and the saints. He also does not care for those he deceives, he uses them like pawns. I imagine as he cooled his heels (joke) in the lake of fire he plotted how he could take out the Lamb and His people, or perhaps he was so filled with fury and rage he did what such a one would do, lash out indiscriminately. Why do we bother to hate and fight over a ...

Then I saw thrones, and people seated upon them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the people who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of God's word, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their forehead or hands. They came to life and ruled with the Messiah for 1,000 years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1,000 years had completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they but they will be priests of God and the Messiah, and they will reign with Him for 1,000 years. Revelation 20:4-6 The tribulation saints are chosen to be blessed and rule on earth with Him for the Millennium. They are the first to receive resurrection bodies. Imagine how the ungodly they rule view them, spooks, ghosts that never die. I can imagine all sorts of stories would evolve. Who are they on the thro...

And then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with a key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years. He threw him into the abyss, closed it Andover a  seal on it so that he would no longer deceive the nations until 1,000 years was completed. After that he must be released for a short time. Revelation 20:1-3 Wow! Imagine no devil? What would that be like? No accuser of the brethren, no condemned, no deceiver, no destroyer. Sinful man would still be around but what a difference, no protagonist. I wonder if any find repentance? Imagine being ruled by a sinless, godly man! How would that be? What peace! What joy! Amen!

Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. It's rider is called Faithful and True, and He judges and makes war in righteousness. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on His head. He had a name written that no one knows except Himself. He wore a robe stained with blood, and His name is the word of God. The armies that were in heaven followed Him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. A sharp sword came from His mouth, so that He might strike the nations with it. He will shepherd them with an iron sceptre.he will also trample the wine press of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:11-16 Every girl loves to dream of a knight in shining armour, perhaps thus is why. We are destined for the greatest hero of all, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus is no longer gentle. He has a sharp two edged sword to meter out justice. He will rule with a sceptre o...

Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude, like the sound of cascading waters, and like the rumbling of loud thunder, saying:  Hallelujah, because our Lord God the Almighty, has begun to reign! Let us be glad, rejoice, and give Him glory, Because the marriage of the Lamb has come, And His wife has prepared herself. She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me,  "Write: those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb are fortunate! He also said to me, "These words of God are true." Then I fell at his feet and worshipped him, but he said to me, "Don"t do that! I am a fellow slave with you and your brothers who have the testimony about Jesus. Worship God, because the testimony about Jesus is the spirit of prophesy." Revelation 19: 6-10 The vast throng heard praising The Lord are so many, what a feast! The actual awareness of this event has not hit the eart...

After this I heard something like the loud voice of a vast multitude in heaven saying: "hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God, Because His judgements are true and righteous,  because He has judged the notorious prostitute who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality; and He has avenged the blood of His slaves that was on her hands. A second time they said; Hallelujah! Her smoke ascends forever and ever! Then the 24 elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God, who is seated on the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all His slaves, who fear Him, both small and great!" Revelation 19:1-5 The war is almost over. The saints are before The Lord and Jesus is about to be united with His bride (the church). The heavenly hosts are rejoicing but more Importantly the people of God, as one, are rejoicing. hallelujah! Is heard in heaven. Christ has a plan and that is to spend the rest of eternity with his bride. No more evil, no more diseas...

Then a mighty angel picked up a stone like a large milestone and threw it into the sea, saying: " in this way, Babylon the great city will be thrown down violently and never be found again. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters will never be heard in you again; The craftsman of any trade will ever be found in you again;  The sound of a mill will never be heard in you again; The light of a lamp will never shine in you again; The voice of the groom and bride will never be heard in you again. All this will happen because your merchants were like the nobility of e earth, Because all nations were deceived by your sorcery,  And the blood of the prophets and saints, and all of those slaughtered on earth, was found in you. Revelation 18:21-24 It would almost be a relief to know that all that was and failed is gone. The world is reeling from all the plagues, the earthquake and now the financial system completely fails, all is gone. The great city, representing the ...

The kings of the earth who have committed sexual immorality and lived luxuriously with her will weep and mourn over her when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand far off in fear of her torment, saying: "Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the mighty city! For in a single hour your judgement has come." The merchants of the earth will also weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their mechandise any longer- merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine fabrics of linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; all kinds of fragrant wood products; objects of ivory; objects of expensive wood, brass, iron and marble; cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; wine, olive oil, fine wheat flour, and grain; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and slaves and human lives. The fruit you craved has left you. All your splendid and glamorous things have gone; They will never find them again, The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stan...