The day with dianne Louise

Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, whoever is unfaithful in very little is unfaithful in much. Luke 16:10 What are you faithful to? The task or the leader?  I know people who are so focused on the task at hand they give it preference over the leader, to the point of defending the task, or their attitude to the task rather than deferring to the leader. Do you know people that have to listen to the radio news, when travelling in the car, no matter what else is going on? It is as if a little shrine has been established to 'the news,' and thou shalt not interrupt same! As a boss I know what I prefer. To have to argue for respect is not good.! As a parent and grandparent I know what I prefer, respect and honour. A person who takes honour seriously is greatly appreciated. Amen!

Then Job stood up, tore his robs and shaved his head then fell on the ground and worshipped saying: 'Naked I came into the world and naked I will leave. The Lord gives and The Lord takes away blessed be the name of The Lord.' Job 1:20,21 More ancient than Moses is Job. Job did not sin in all he said, says verse 22. He had just received news that all his flock had been stolen, his children killed and his barns blown down. He did not swear or blame God. What a man! He fell on the ground and worshipped! Praise God! What are you facing today? Have you lost all? Are you living as a asylum seeker, a displaced person? Are you in jail for your faith? Blessed be the name of The Lord! Amen! Are you a westerner who has lost his job? His marriage? His children? Blessed be the name of The Lord? Amen! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him!

Lord, You have been our refuge in every generation. Before the mountains were born, before You gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity. Psalm 90 This is the beginning of a psalm of Moses, the man of God. How ancient is this? Yet here we see God is our refuge. In Mses' time chocolate was invented, did you think it was a modern recipe? Lineal printing was invented, as were chariots. We have the pleasure of reading the prayers of an ancient man because somebody took time to write it down. Do you write, journal and keep records of your Christian journey? I have the first journal I ever wrote, from when I was 19 and first saved, I have other physical journals along the way, in fact a box full of journals and now a web full of posts. Why bother? I am glad Moses bothered to write down things that happened in Exodus, Liviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy for without his writing we would not have this history, in fact Genesis was written by him. From a reclusive shepherd ...

Seek The Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. "For My thoughts are not Your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways." This is the Lord's declaration. "For as heaven is higher than the earth, so are My ways are higher than your ways and My you guts than your thoughts."Isaiah 55:6, 8,9 Before I came to Christ I endeavoured to find Him through my own means but He had a plan. His path led me to His door and there He opened up to me. I remember the dullness and the longing. Yet when the light went on joy came and although I have been severely tested I hang on to Him, for He is God, He is faithful and never gives up on me. I see so many struggling to be righteous in their own strength, it is impossible. The simple way of surrender is the only path to salvation. God's thoughts towards me are so much better than I could imagine. His plans for me so much higher. I praise Him! Seek Him, You will find Him when you want Him with all your heart. Am...

Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should. Ephesians 6:18-20 Stay alert for your enemy the devil is prowling around looking for someone to devour. 1Peter 5:8 We cannot afford to do anything which will dull our spirits and make us blind to what is happening in the spirit. Others need us to be alert, we need us to be alert, the Spirit desires us to stay alert. An alert Christian can put 10,000 to flight because we will walk in who we are and trust in the One who called us. We are in a critical time, we are ambassadors and our prayers are important. Staying awake to what is happening in the Spirit can save souls, bring grace, blessing and an open door to hearts ...

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of our afflictions that took place in Asia: we were completely overwhelmed- beyond our strength- so that we even despaired of life. Indeed, we personally had a death sentence within ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and He will deliver us again while you join in helping us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 Each of us will suffer, in some way, for the gospel. If we accept that fact and not become angry and resentful then we will also realise there are those of us who give their lives for the sake of the gospel. Rather than obsessing about my own world I can lift my mind and heart to the above request that not only Paul made of his brethren but today many would ask it of us, their brethren in safe western cultures. I personally know a couple th...

Look to The Lord and His strength, seek His face always. 1Chronicles 16:11 Proverbs 3:5,6  says: trust in The Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right path. Don't consider yourself to be wise (verse 7) How do I seek The Lord? In prayer, relationship. In relationship, true relationship, there is room for another opinion. If I insist on being always right then I doom myself to isolation. I have a God who wants relationship, is good at relationship. He does not talk all the time, He does not whine and complain, He is good company, He does not Lord His opinions over me, He is always loving, even when I am wrong, He is faithful and not fickle, He is strong without abuse, He gentle without the woose, he does not insist on His own way, He is patient and kind, He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not conceited I, He always acts properly, He is not selfish, He is never provoked, He forgets...

Brothers, my heart's desire desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation! Romans 10:1 I am passionate about Jesus and others knowing Him. I will go wherever He calls me, do what ever He leads me to do to win souls. I am His vessel to bring good news to a lost and dying world. While the world fights to save the planet and the whales I will fight to save them. I want to share eternity with them. Go out! Get involved in your world. Join Rotary, join Apex or some such, get involved in a cause and bring your light into that project, be passionate and love those you work beside. Do it with gusto! If you are salt and light then you will have effect! Do it! Lay down your own comfort and get God's heart for lost, hurting people.

If you abide in Me and My word abides in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. John 15:7 When you stay close to someone, consistently, they come to know you and your word is proven trustworthy. They then open up and give you more room. How much more does our God who knows us and loves us want to do the same? I know that when I stay close to The Lord I am confident that He hears me and then I boldly ask for others. Today a nasty wind came up and I knew it could be dangerous, especially if someone was careless with fire. I prayed a prayer of intervention. The wind dropped.  When I came home today my mum was struggling with hay fever and I prayed, she improved. When our prayers are for others we are heard. I am not saying that God does not listen to my needs, but that because we are close He knows my needs and I know all is well. A fellow Rotarian had gone away on holidays and entrusted me with a task for a bike riding event we are organising in October called Pedal ...

But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. John 4:23,24 There is one reason you cannot make an image of God, He is spirit. However, by coming to earth Jesus gave us a human likeness to refer to. He was God in the flesh, the word made flesh. Yet, in the above scripture we are told what the Father is looking for, people who worship Him in spirit and in truth. What does that look like? I will explain by digressing. Mankind want to travel into space and believe to do so efficiently they need to travel at the speed of light. There are a few problems around this, according to Einstein: as you travel at the speed of light your mass doubles and time slows down. Time slowing down would not be too much an issue but doubling in mass would. I imagine that past the speed of light your body would expl...

Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7 What to do with anxious thoughts? Give them up through prayer and petition.  What do you get in return? Peace that surpasses understanding to guard your hearts and minds. Fair trade? No! But a really good one! Thank You Lord! Amen! If I awake in the night and can't get back to sleep because of an active mind I go fishing with The Lord. Huh??? I have created a story that I participate in. It had it's beginning in a childhood memory. Once, long ago, when dragons walked the earth....oops! No, when my mother was having my second sister, my brother Peter and I caught the bus out of town to where my grandparents were camping by the river. They had a big green canvas tent, inside were 4 fold up beds with lots of colourful blankets...

Lord, I call on You; hurry to help me. Listen to my voice when I call on You. May my prayer be set before You as insence, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.  Lord, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.  Do not let my heart turn to any evil thing or perform wicked acts with men who commit sin.  Do not let me feast on their delicacies. Let the righteous one strike me- it is an act of faithful love; let him rebuke me- it is oil for my head; let me not refuse it.  Even now my prayer is against the evil acts of the wicked. But my eyes look to You, Lord God. I seek refuge in You; do not let me die. Protect me from the trap they have set for me, and from the snare of evil doers. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass safely. Psalm 141:1-5,8-10 I love the word picture created with the verse: 'let my prayer be set before You as insence'. Insence smells good. In the suite of offices where I have my own office there is a wo...

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called the Mount of Olives.......when they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying....all these were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers. When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability of speech. acts 1:12,13,14; Acts 2:1-4 This was a powerful prayer meeting. The disciples obey the  Lord, when He told them to go back to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit, that is precisely what they did. They prayed and waited and their wait was rewarded by a powerful outpouring of The ...

Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful he should sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of The Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and The Lord will restore him to health; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. There,confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous man is very powerful in it's effect. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours; yet he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced it's fruit. James 5:13-18 I find this scripture has been neglected somewhat now days. We run to doctors instead of elders. It is a pity as it appears that sickness can be a result of sin and doctors cannot forgive us our si...

I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in defence and establishment of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment so that you can approve the things at are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11 This is an apostolic prayer. The church in Philippi was the first European church th...

" And the foreigners who join themselves to The Lord minister to Him, love the name of Yahweh and become His servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold firmly to My covenant- I will bring them to My holy mountain and let them rejoice in my house of prayer.......for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."Isaiah 56:6,7 Us non-Jews are the foreigners, we have made Yahweh our God, Jesus our Lord and saviour. The barrier was removed in Christ and now we can come in. God intends His House, His church, to be a house of prayer for all nations. God loves not only our own culture but all cultures and they are welcomed in His House. Jesus made a point of this scripture in Matthew 21:12-17. He went into the temple complex and drove out those who were buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changer's tables and the chairs of those selling doves. He told them that it was written that 'My House will be called a house ...

Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers, read it, then went up to the Lord's temple, and spread it out before The Lord. Then Hezekiah prayed before The Lord: "Lord God of Israel who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are Gid- You alone- of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. listen closely, Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, Lord, and see. Hear the words that Senna he rib has sent to mock the living God. lord, it is true that the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but made with human hands- wood and stone, so they have destroyed them, now, Lord our God, please save us from his hand so that all e kingdoms of the earth may know that You are The Lord God - You alone." Then the son of Amos sent a message to Hezekiah: "The Lord, the God of Israel says: "I have heard your prayer to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria." 2King...

I have revealed Your Name to the men You gave Me from the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. John 17:6 The whole of chapter 17 is a prayer Jesus prayed, it has been captured by John. It is a beautiful prayer which displays how Jesus prayed to the Father. In the verse above He is praying for His disciples. Each of us has been given a reach of people to influence in our lifetime. We are display Christ, not ourselves. Our epitaph should read:' when you saw ..... You saw Christ.' There's the rub! What do people see? I am blessed to have 700 odd clients given to me and I seek to care for them as God would have me do. Yesterday, in the course of an interview a client disclosed how low he was and I talked about how Christ made the difference to me and offered to pray for him. Previously in the day I met a woman who has a family member facing cancer, I had previously told her I would pray and I have. I love these people and pray Christ into t...

"If Your presence does not go with us, don't make us go up from here. How will it be known that I and Your people have found favor in Your sight unless You go with us," said Moses. "I and Your people will be distinguished by this from all other people on the face of the earth." The Lord answered Moses, " I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." "Then Moses said, " please, let me see Your glory." Exodus 33:15-18 Moses started out doubting God would use Him with Pharaoh and now he was daring to challenge God to accompany the children of Israel. He received his requested answer and then moved on to more.... Let me see Your glory! I love this bold approach. I am inclined to be the same and Moses makes it ok for me to enter into the presence of God boldly. Today, in Moree, NSW, Australia I was in McDonalds waiting for my order when a  5 year old girl marched up to her mother with...

God, create a clean heart for me, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation and give me a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12 David had been confronted with his sin of murdering a man and taking that man's wife by the prophet Nathan. David had been deceived and was far from the Lord's presence. He had been living in the lust of his flesh. In the psalm he had recognized his sin and was asking for forgiveness. He realized how far he had gone from the Lord's presence. Conviction of sin is a wonderful gift from God. A part of what the Holy Spirit does is convict is of our sin. Having a soft heart is a heart that responds to conviction and goes on to repent. I love repentance because it cleanses me of the hold of my enemy. I am free and clean in God's sight. There is no penance to do except walking in repentance, which means, if I am genuinely sorry and repentant I will not go th...

Bless The Lord oh my soul worship His holy name, Bless The Lord oh my soul and forget not His benefits. Psalm 103:1,2 At times, most times, we need to stir up our souls to praise the Lord yet when we do we are lifted up above all that troubles us. Today I travelled through the countryside again and saw how the rain had kissed the fields. Tomorrow I am driving to Moree, out past Narrabri. It will be good to go, as I have longed to go as I have not been there since I was 16 (a long time ago). I am travelling to meet a local minister, a man of God. What a pleasure it is to do business with God's servants.  Tonight I am staying with dear friends in Boggabri. How blessed am I? How good is my God? The Bless The Lord album is a great companion as I travel. Travelling with worship! What a life! Amen!

Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in You. I will seek refuge in the shadow of Your wings until danger passes. I call to God Most High, to God who fulfils His purpose for me. Psalm 57:1-3 David wrote this prayer when he had to escape Saul who was pursuing him to kill him. God had anointed David and yet an evil spirit in Saul wished to kill David. David needed to cling to The Lord, burrow deep into His protective arms and trust Him because all natural indications told him he would die. As a Christian I know I have an enemy who hates me and continually seeks to destroy me. Whether my enemy has skin on or is invisible he is still there and his malevolence is a patent threat. At times I feel his sulphurous breath on my neck but I have a weapon David did not recognise as his sword, the word of God. 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the Lord's servants, and thei...

David and his men arrived in Ziglag on the third day. Tha Amalekites had raided the Negev and attacked and burned down Ziglag. They had also kidnapped the women and everyone in it from the youngest to oldest. David was in a difficult position because the troops talked of stoning him for they were all very bitter over the loss of their sons and daughters. But David found strength in The Lord His God. David said to Abithar the priest, son of Ahimelech, "bring me the ephod". So Abithar the priest brought it to him, and David asked The Lord: "Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?" The Lord replied to him, "Pursue them, for you will certainly overtake them and rescue the people."  1 Samuel 30:1,2;6-8 David had taken his men off on a raid with the Philistines and upon his return found the town sacked and all the women and children gone. His men were tired and hungry and expected to return to their homes, they were gone and so were their families. ...

Yahweh, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth! You have covered the heavens with Your majesty. Because of Your adversaries, You have established a stronghold from the mouths of children and nursing infants to silence the enemy and the avenger. When I observe Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You set in place, what is man that You remember him? The son of man that You look after him? You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honour. You made him lord over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet; All the sheep and oxen, as well as the animals in the wild, the birds of the sky, and the fish of the seas. Yahweh, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth. Psalm 8 This is a psalm of David. This man knew his God and how to worship. David had much to complain about as he was being pursued by Saul for years, at times he despaired of life, yet he went to God, sought His solace an...

Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh. Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord's tabernacle. Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to The Lord and wept with many tears. Making a vow, she pleaded, "Lord of hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant's affliction, remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, I will give him to The Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut. 1Samuel 1:9-11 Hannah had been barren and although her husband loved her, his other wife, who had many children showed her contempt. Isn't it amazing how those who lack love abuse those who have it. The Lord heard Hannah's prayer and she bore a son, a great man, Samuel, one of the greatest men of God. He was dedicated to The Lord and did not turn to the right or left, he was steadfast. Truth was found in his mouth, integrity in his heart. Hannah had been barren for a number of years but finally she had had enough of the abuse of her husba...

Jabez was more honourable than his brothers. His mother. Named him Jabez and said, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez called out to The God of Israel: "if Only You would bless me, extend my boarder, let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm, so I will not cause any pain." And God granted his request. I chronicles 4:9,10 Right in the middle of the geology of the descendants of the tribe of Judah these two verses appear. We have no idea as to who Jabez's parents were. We can only assume that he fits in where he is mentioned. Just like the book of Job which tells the tale of another righteous man these few verses tell a whole lot. The Old a testament really only deals with, throughout it's history of a select few names, if we really think about it. In the thousands of years we only hear of those who had a relationship with their God. It is unusual to have this mention, right in the middle of a genealogy. The writer of the book had an awareness of Jabez ...

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Saviour, who wants everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. 2 Timothy 1-4 We can neglect prayer for our nation, our city and our neighbour and suffer the consequences. In my city there are frequent break ins by youth and some are quite violent towards animals, namely smaller dogs. They have stomped on the dogs to kill them. Their efforts are brazen and without compassion on humans or animals. I pray that God gives the police insight as to the robbers whereabout and that they are caught before they do too much damage. The robbers then get put in jail and then along comes the Christians to share Christ with them and I pray for their salvation. As I drive I pray for the farmers and I pray for rain. When I see th...

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, " Sit here while I go over there and pray." Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, My soul is swallowed up in sorrow-to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with Me." Going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, " My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." Matthew 26:36-38 We need to look at two things here: Jesus' prayer to be released from the cross and His request of the disciples to watch and pray with Him. There will be 'cups' that come our way, they will be huge and not at all what we want to face. It may be a loss of a loved one, a fact that we are about to die, horribly, or we are facing ruin. As we face our future we can have comfort in knowing that Jesus also staggered at His future but went on to pray: ' no...

In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. I didn't eat any rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn't put any oil on my body until the three weeks were over. On the 24th day of the first month, as I was standing on the banks of the great river Tigris, I looked up and there was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like topaz, his face like the brilliance of lightening, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of the multitude. Suddenly, a hand touched me and raised me to my hands and knees. He said to me, "Daniel, you are a man treasured by God. Understand the words I am saying to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you. After he said this to me, I stood trembling. Don't be afraid, Daniel, he said to me, from the first day that you purposes to understand and to humble yourself before your ...

Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. 1 Timothy 2:8 The apostle Paul was specifically  addressing men in the Ephesian church in this scripture. The church was under attack from without and there were heretics within.  When we face opposition we want to fight yet Paul was particularly encouraging the Christian men to live differently, to show Christ. What people see when we are in conflict is important. It takes an act of humility to submit to prayer with the lifting of hands and to worship God rather than abuse mankind. There is always conflict and some of it is very public. What will hungry heart see? What do you unsaved family and friends see? Grace or greed? Greatness or grotesqueness? Humility or hatred?  Jesus taught in Mark 7:20-23 what comes out of a person-that defiles him. For from within, out of people's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries,  greed, evil act...

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who daws near to Him must believes He exists and rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 The previous verse deals with Enoch who walked with God for 365 years and God took Him, he did not die but disappeared. If I seek God I am praying. If I am praying and have faith that He hears me then I will receive what I petition Him about. If I am whining or complaining, no faith, no answer. If I seek God only when things go wrong, there is no relationship and no faith, and no answer. I remember watching a movie where the heroine was praying for her marriage, because it was obviously falling apart. She prayed, waited for a minute then got up saying something negative about the experience and went off on her own tangent. This to too often the truer picture of people in prayer. James said: you do not have because you do not ask and you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. Jam...

For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with my understanding. I Corinthians 14:14,15 This particular passage is a part of a chapter dealing with order in the church service. However, as an individual I do pray in the spirit, especially when I do not have a natural understanding of how to pray. In this instance the Holy Spirit guides me how to pray and I know He knows what is needed. However, my mind needs to be occupied also and to keep it from wandering I endeavour to tune it in to what my spirit is praying. This past week I had undertaken to uphold a group of men who have been in lock down in a local jail so as to bring Christ to the inmates. It has been interesting! There were calls to pray throughout the night in a few instances but on the whole my dedicated time has been 6-6.30 am. There is only so mu...

Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7 So, don't worry about anything! Easily said, tougher to do. Worry is like a see-saw or a rocking chair. It oscillates, goes back and forth around a central point. Nuts! Why bother? The aspects of prayer above are: prayer and petition and thanksgiving,   We have to make our requests, thus prayer Sometimes we have to endure in prayer, petition, applying the shoulder to the wheel And when we really need to break through thanksgiving - the sacrifice of thanksgiving greases the hub. Anything worthwhile requires effort, determination and persistence. Jesus told a parable about this in Luke 18:1-8 In this story there was a widow woman who wanted justice from an unrighteous judge. He gave her what she wanted not because of any other rea...

Pray constantly. 1 Thessalonians 5::17 The real widow (divorcee), left all alone, has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 1 Tim 5:5,6 Having a heart that goes to prayer instead of complaining is having a heart that our God delights in. Divorce and widowhood are unpleasant and fraught with difficulties: loneliness, fear and anxiety can be prevalent but really there is only One who can calm the storm, only One who cares deeply enough to stay through it all. Our God promises to provide all our needs and we have to trust Him for He is worthy of our trust. If we experience lack, perhaps we are trying to convert worldly wants into needs. I have allowed The Lord to show me, exactly, what are my needs, these He never fails in. Past experiences are not a guarantee of future experiences. We must allow God to create the new, take our hands off, give it all to Him and watch Him go. Prayer nee...

Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13,14 Now this confidence we have before Him: whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for. 1 John 5:14,15 The key is to know you are asking in His will. When you know that, there is a confidence to prayer.  My goal is to be so in tune that I have more answers than not. My desire is to know answered prayer. As I read this and ponder the words, there is so much here that God would have us know. Firstly He would have us know Him, the only wise God. When we know Him, we have the answers. In any given situation we can know the answers because we are in tune and know Him, and wait, for Him and His point of view, this is where the life is. What causes us not to know is emotional and mental turmoil over a given situation. Turmoil is not...

Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 In heaven our God's will is a given, it is carried out without argument. Our Godparent is honoured and respected. Yet on earth there is a battle. As a Christian my task is to establish the kingdom of God in my world. I am not here to live like the world or for myself, I am here to establish the kingdom of God. How do I do this? By daily seeking my God and His ways and putting His ways before mine. Jesus said, " seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." Matthew 6:33 In this chapter, chapter 6 of Matthew Jesus firstly tells us what not to seek: treasures on earth; our life; what we eat; what we wear; money. Jesus said it was more important to have a sound eye that sees what He sees than to have a corrupt eye that lusts after the things of the earth. "No one can be a slave to two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other....

"Father, Your name be honoured as holy, Your Kingdom come." Luke 11:2 This is the first verse in The Lord's Prayer. I want to look at it and assimilate it in all that it has. Father. This addresses the God of all as a personal, loving dad. Father! He is not removed and distant, He is the dad that is home at nights, tucks you in to bed, reads you stories, tells funny jokes, plays with you, knows all the answers (knows more than Google). Your name is honoured as holy. This says, I know you are good, righteous and true. You keep Your word. You put Your word above Your name. You are dependable, reliable, honest, You are good. May  your Kingdom come! Says, I like all that You are and because You are so good, and all about You is good, I want Your way of doing and being to rule. I am barracking for You. I love this! Amen!

He was praying in a certain place, and when He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples. Luke 11:1 There are times when we want to know what to pray. At times I ask and at other times I pray in the spirit. I am seeking The Lord for souls and for healing of the sick. I believe He is showing me how to pray and more importantly when to pray. I will have a burden for a particular illness and I will seek The Lord as to who and often He shows me and I pray.  Sometimes I know people need prayer. As example, at this present moment a team of men are staying in the local jail to minister to the inmates for the week. I have agreed to pray and I take this seriously. I have nominated a time and will pray at that time. However, my God knows all and I will find myself praying at other times as well. Having a heart that is willing to pray is vital. As I travel to Narrabri, NSW, Australia, every week lately I have 2 hours to pr...

In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of the Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples but could not speak Hebrew. I rebuked them, cursed them, beat some of their men, and pulled out their hair. I forced them to take an oath before Gid and said:" you must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or yourselves! Didn't king Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations. He was loved by his God and God made him king over all aid real, yet foreign women drew him into sin. Why then should we hear about you doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our Gkd by marrying foreign women?"  Even one of e sons of Jehoiada, son of Eliashib the high priest, had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. so I drove him away from me. Nehemiah 13:23-28 Although this conjur...

At the same time I saw people in Judah treading the wine press on the Sabbath. They were also bringing in stores of grain and loading them on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought to Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day. Nehemiah 13:15,16 I have met a lot of people lately that are constantly running. They have too much work on, as in two businesses, a family, animals and are run ragged. This is no good for them. There must be rest somewhere in a week. As New Testament believers we can say our rest is in Christ, and that is so, but to have one day a week when we rest and recharge is good. To honour The Lord in our rest is good. I hold all things at arms length on the weekend, I do what is only necessary and resist all that demands I run. I know I need to rest and recharge, I love it, a change of pace and a change of task. If we do not know rest we cannot hear the spirit of God, who is at rest. He is w...

At that time (the dedication of the wall) the book of Moses was read public ally to the people. The command was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the Assembly of God, because they did not meet the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam against them to curse them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing.  When they heard the law they separated all those of mixed descent from Israel. Now before this, Eliashib the priest had been out in charge of e storerooms of the house of God. He was a relative of Tobiah and had prepared a large room for him where they had previously stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, and the tenths of grain, new wine, and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, along with the contributions for the priests. Nehemiah 13:1-5 Nehemiah had gone back to Babylon to serve the king and again asked for leave. Upon his return he found Tobiah happily ensconced in the temple where all...

On that same day men were placed in charge of the rooms that housed the supplies, contributions, first fruits, and tenths, and the required portions for the priests and Levites were gathered from the village fields, because Judah was grateful to the priests and Levites who were serving. Nehemiah 12:44 Today, in Australia, as we go to church to thank The Lord for delivering us a new government, I am grateful also for those who serve in the house of my God. It is my good pleasure to give to The Lord, knowing that those who serve me will use what I give for the ministry. I give firstly to The Lord, that way I cannot be convinced I am giving to a particular person who may offend me at some time in some way. I trust The Lord to bless what I give and to care for my person. I will invariably fall foul of someone and my giving is not based on me liking the minister, I like my God. If I am in the right place then I am doubly blessed. Today, as I go, I look for the power in the word of God to ch...

At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sent for the Levites wherever they lived and brought them to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres. Nehemiah 12:27 The wall had been completed, the people had gathered to hear the word of The Lord and were beginning to put their lives in order, the people had cast lots as to who now resided in Jerusalem. Nehemiah had instituted procedures and reinstated laws. Now it was time to dedicate all that had been done. The wall had to be rebuilt but then it had to be dedicated to The Lord. By dedicating it to The Lord it became His and holy to The Lord. As we rebuild godliness in our lives, our families and our businesses they need to be dedicated to The Lord. He must come first, His ways be our ways, His lights our thoughts. We are about to have a new government in Australia. Part of the ceremony is the pray of dedication to uphold righteousness. The leaders are prayed...

In view of all this ( the prayer of remembrance) we are making a binding agreement in writing on a sealed document containing the names of our leaders, Levites, and priests. The rest of the people- the priests, singers, and temple servants, gatekeepers along with their wives, sons, and daughters, everyone who is able to understand and who has separated themselves from the surrounding people's to obey the law of God- join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the law of God given through God's servant Moses and to carefully obey all the commands, ordinances, and statutes of Yahweh our Lord. Nehemiah 9:38, 10:28,29 The conviction of God's word causes the people to want to change. In a heady moment they are determined to right their ways and they write this all down, much like a New Year's Eve resolution. However, just like a New Year's Eve resolution they will fail because good intentions do not make new behaviours. The change mus...

On the 24th day of this month the Israelites assembled, they were fasting, wearing sackcloth, and had out dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the guilt of their fathers. While they stood in their places, they read from the book of e law of The Lord their God for a 4th of the day and spent another 4th of the day in confession and worship of The Lord their God. Nehemiah 9:1-3 As we sit under the word of God we are convicted of our God's righteousness, His holiness and how we have sinned and missed the mark. I find just by being in church I will receive revelation that I didn't know I needed or desired. However, because I come seeking The Lord and love His word it speaks to me. There are times when freedom comes and I rejoice, other times conviction comes and I come into a time of repentance and freedom and change of my future ways. Gathering together with believers in a place you bel...

On the second day, the family leaders of all the people, along with the priests and Levites, assembled before Ezra the scribe to study the words of the law. They found written in the law how The Lord had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should dwell in booths during the festival of the seventh month. So they proclaimed and spread this news throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, "Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, just as it is written."  The people went out, brought back branches, and made booths for themselves on each of their rooftops, and courtyards, the court of the house of God, the square by the Water Gate, and square by the Gate of Ephraim. The who,e community that had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. They had not celebrated this from the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day. And there was tremendous joy. Ezra read out of e book of the la...

When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people gathered together at the square in front of the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses that The Lord had given Israel. On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding. Ezra praised The Lord, the great God, and with their hands lifted up all the people said, "Amen, Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshipped The Lord with their faces to the ground. ...the Levites explained the law to the people as they stood in their places. They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving meaning so that the people could understand what was read. Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, " This day is holy to The Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the ...

Some of the family leaders gave to the project. The governor gave 1,000 gold coins, 50 bowls, 530 priestly garments to the treasury. Some of the family leaders gave 20,000 gold coins and 2,200 silver minds to the treasury for the project. The rest of the people gave 20,000 gold coins, 2,000 silver minds, and 67 priestly garments. So the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, temple singers, some of the people, temple servants, and all Israel settled in their towns. Nehemiah 7: 70-73 Now that the walls had been repaired and census taken, the priests sorted and order was in place, the people gave. As you see vision, order and progress you can see the outcome and the desire to participate through giving becomes evident. I wasn't even there but I can sense the progress and feel the joy of order, leadership and vision. God chose well when He chose Nehemiah to fulfil the task of restoration. Has God called you to party in restoration? He has me and I can say that I am not as far along, I am stil...

And from the priests: the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai- who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name. These searched for their entries in the genealogical records, but they could not be found, so they were disqualified from the priesthood. The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummin. Nehemiah 7:63-65 These men were probably already serving as priests and now that the census had been taken were being removed. This puts to mind a time when Jesus said: "not all who call me Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven." Matthew 7:21 Revelation 20:12-15 talks about he Lambs Book of Life. Those who's names were not in it were thrown into the Lake of Fire. This tells us that there are some who now minister but do it in their flesh and will be thrown out. Not pretty! God's...

The following are those who came from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but were unable to prove that their families and ancestors were Israelite: Delaiqh's descendants Tobiah's descendants And Nekoda's descendants. Nehemiah 7:61,62 Two families mentioned were a part of the troublemakers: Delaiah and Tobiah. Now I cannot find that these are the actual two previously mentioned as being involved yet the names are the same. I am interested because troublemakers have something to hide, and in this case, they were frauds. This is encouraging as we see that by doing the genealogical count the deception was uncovered. Once the deception is uncovered the troublemakers have to shrink away in shame or find another way to enter in to the city, which in fact Tobiah did. (We will look at that further on the the book) The deceiver works on lies and counts on liars to do his work for him. He can only enter when he deceives people to a mindset that allows him entry, otherwis...

When the wall had been rebuilt and I had the doors installed, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed. Then I put my brother Hanani, in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah, commander of the fortress, because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most. I said to them, "Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot, and let the doors be shut and securely fastened while the guards are on duty. Station the citizens of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some at their homes. The city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and no houses had been built yet. Then my God put it into my mind to assemble e nobles, the officials, and the people to be registered by genealogy. I found the genealogical record of those who came back first, .......Nehemiah 7:1-5 Order was coming back to Jerusalem at the hand of Nehemiah, inspired by The Lord. Nehemiah needed to install leaders who he trusted to manage the city. Tobiah had too many fri...

The walls were completed in 52 days, on the 25th day of the month of Elul. When all our enemies heard this, all the surrounding nations were intimidated and lost their confidence, for they realised that this task had been accomplished by our God. During these days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah's letters came to them. For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah. These nobles kept mentioning Tobiah's good deeds to me, and they reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me. Nehemiah 6: 15-19 Nehemiah completed the wall in 6 months, this icluded the time he took in travelling from Susa to Jerusalem. In this time he was able to harness the workforce, keep them encouraged, defeat his enemies and complete the task. How amazing that he accomplished all this in such a short time. What focus! What determinati...

I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted to his house. He said: "Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you tonight." But I said, " Should a man like me run away? How can I enter the temple and live? I will not go." I realised that God had not sent him, because of the prophesy he spoke against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He was hired, so that I would be intimidated, do as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit me. My God, remember Tobiha and Sanballat for what they have done, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who wanted to intimidate me. Nehemiah 6:10-14 How sad when God's people believe lies about you, are not discerning and attempt to hinder you. Nehemiah's life would be in danger by going into the temple and he knew that. The very nature o...

When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that no gap was left in it-though at that time I had not installed the doors of the gates- Sanballat and Goshem sent me a message: " Come, let's meet together in the villages of the Ono Valley." But they were planning to harm me. So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should work. Cease while I leave it and go down to you?" Four times they sent me the same proposal, and I gave them the same reply. Sanballat sent me the same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand. In it was written: It is reported among the nations - and Gesham agrees- that you and e Jews plan to rebel. This is e reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to be one their king an have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: " There is a king in Judah."...