The day with dianne Louise

Then God said, "it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper  as his complement."  So The Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. The Lord God made the rib He had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. And tha man said: " this one, at last, is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called woman for she was taken from man, Genesis 2:18; 21-23 Between verses 18 and 21 God had Adam in the garden naming all the animals and also looking for a suitable companion. None was found. Now! The God who made Adam surely knew that none would be found. After all, He wired the man a certain way and knew exactly what would turn on his lights. Perhaps He did it so that Adam could understand how special his mate was when she arrived, perhaps it was for him to learn how unique he was. However, God created woman from one of Adam's ribs. I have heard ...

The Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He placed the man He had made. The Lord God caused to grow out of the ground every tree pleasing in appearance and good for food, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden, as well as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The Lord God took man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. And The Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die." Genesis 2:8,9;15-17 The garden of Eden sounds like a lovely place. When I see photos of the most glorious trees, laden with blossom, tall and majestic wonder at God's handiwork. I remember driving through the Dandenongs in Victoria, Australia and seeing the tallest, most perfect trees, trunks as wide as cars, with massive ferns around their trunks, I sensed the beauty of God...

So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. By the seventh day God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work He had done. God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation. Genesis 2:1-3 Well now here we see the beginning of rest from labour. What God had done on the preceding six days none could say: "I've done that! " or "I've done more!" The creator of all things set a president in place and who could argue with that? Rest is an integral part of life and labour. All that God did create He was pleased with and said it was good. He put all hat he had into the creation, made it the best it could possibly be and was able to say, "Now for a rest!" Why did God rest? Scripture tells us He does not get weary, so why did He need rest? Perhaps, like any good father He was setting an example? If He saw rest important then His creation would a...

Then God said, "let the earth produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that crawl, and the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds. And it was so. So God made the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and creatures on the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let us make man in Our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth. So God created man in is own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth. God also said, " Look, I have given you every seed bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth and every ...

Then God said, "let the waster swarm with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the large sea creatures that moves and swarms in the water, according to their kinds. He also created every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. So God blessed them, "be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters of the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth." Evening came and then morning: the fifth day. Genesis 1:20-23 When I decide to create something, even if it is a cake, I dream about it, see how it will look, then break it down to ingredients, measures, timings, containers etc. As I think about these verses I am fully aware that God spent time, perhaps centuries dreaming and patiently designing the various fish and birds. When I look at what He has created, they are not callously, casually or coldly created. They, each one, are intricately designed. The look, the habits, the food they woul...

Then God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for festivals and for days and years. They will be lights in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth." And it was so. God made the two great lights- the greater light to have dominion over the day and the lesser light to have dominion over the. Ight- as well as the stars. God placed them in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth, to dominate the day and the night, to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. Evening came and then morning: the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-19   What a day! Up until now there was nothing to say there was a day, as we know it. There had not been a sun or moon. Imagine no stars, sun or moon! Emptiness, no light, nothing. For all the Big Bang buffs here it was. Did God clap his hands and cause the sun, moon, stars and planets to be born? Perhaps! Perhaps He merely spoke it into being. Wh...

Then God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered into one place, and let dry land appear." And it was so. God called the dry land "earth", and he called the gathering of the water "seas." And God saw that it was good. Then God said, " Let the earth produce vegetation: seed-bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds." And it was so. The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit wih seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Evening came and then morning: the third day. Genesis 1: 9b-13 Now we know that God called the earth 'earth' and the seas 'seas'. It was His idea, not ours. I love to paint and as I prepare I choose a picture, either one I copy or one I see inside. God would have done that. I then choose paint, canvas and tools and then I might loosely sketch the image and finally go to work. I know how much paint I will apply, what ...

Then God said, "let there be an expanse between the waters, separating water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above the expanse. And it was so. God called the expanse 'sky.' Evening came and then morning: the second day. Genesis 1:6:8 As I read this I am in wonder. To be there watching the Spirit of God speak to a large watery planet and tell the elements to separate, what a wonder, what power, what a miracle. To be able to wonder is important. Children can wonder and imagine yet they become shaped over the years to 'behave' and in 'behaving' they can lose this wonder.  Yesterday I saw this in action and I can not lay blame, as I have done it myself. Adults like children to be seen and not heard. We want them to play together and not fight and when they fail to do it we intervene, often crossly. My daughter and grandchildren came to visit. The children went into the pool and begged me to go w...

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light, " and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light com the darkness. God called the light "day"  and He called the darkness "night". Evening came and then morning: the first day. Genesis 1:1-5 As we approach a New Year I have decided to go back to the beginning. Along with the first words in the Gospel of John I love these verses. I love to see my God there and in charge. His love created the universe and our Earth for His pre-determined race called mankind. His work was 'good', as excellence marked all His work. No short cuts, nothing missing, all as He planned it. Whether there was a time lapse between verses 1 and 2, we may not know until we see Him face to face. In an ...

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation, and 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 up 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 a 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- a sword will pierce your own soul-that ...

After hearing the king the wise men went on their way. And there it was- the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star they were overjoyed beyond measure. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11 I had search for Christ for 15 years. At age 4 I had an encounter that caused me to seek God. Those 15 years were a struggle. I followed all I had been told to do and failed. I had become quite despondent when finally He came to me. The wise men studied the stars and had travelled a few years from when they first saw the star. We can gauge this because Herod questioned the magi about when they first saw the star. He had assumed that the star appeared when Christ was born. He used this information to kill all male children  2 and...

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over the flock. Then an angel of The Lord stood before them, and the glory of The Lord shone about 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 people: today a Saviour, who is the Messiah The Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be a sign for you. You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough." Suddenly there were 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 Imagine being The Lord of heaven and submitting yourself to be a baby in the womb. For 9 months going through the foetal development we all went through, what patience! Imagine being born a helpless baby, laying aside all your glory and power and depending...

In the sixth month (of Elizabeth's pregnancy) the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man 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. Luke 1:26-29 Mary was perplexed as to why an angel of God should appear to her, let alone call her a favoured.  I wonder what caused The Lord to choose Mary. What was it about her that made her suitable to be the mother of His Son? Why did God choose me to know Him? Why did He choose to lead me as He does into a walk of faith? You may ask the same thing about yourself. You may have answers, I do not, but I am eternally grateful. To know the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as a personal friend is a blessing indeed. The apostle John called himself, 'the disciple whom Jesus loved.' Thi...

And so we came to Rome. Now the believers from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the three taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. When we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him. He then stayed on two years in his own rented house. He welcomed all who visited him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching things concerning The Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness and without hindrance. Acts 28:14b-16; 30-31 Paul finally made it to his destination, Rome. Like in any arduous journey the completion, when met by those you long to see, is edifying. Many will travel at this time of the year to visit family and dear friends. Some we have not seen for many years, some since youth. For some the meetings will be a blessing, for others a disappointment. Little children will be brought along and in some cases subjected to age old disputes and unforgiveness, when they had ...

Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publis, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitable for three days. Publius' father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying hands on him, he healed him. After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. So they heaped many honours on us, and when we sailed, they give us what we needed. Acts 28:7-10 Again, the Holy Spirit utilizes Paul to minister healing and salvation. If the boat had not founded in the storm Paul would never had been in Malta. Now, because of the storm Paul evangelizes Malta with the Gospel. What storm are you caught in? Are you thinking God has let you down? Why not be still and ask: "why am I here? Who do you want me to speak to Lord?" There is a reason for everything! God has a plan! Trust Him! Are you away from family at Christmas? Are you feeling sorry for yourself? G...

Once ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta. The local people showed extraordinary kindness, for they lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper  came out  because of the heat and fastened itself to Paul's hand. When the local people saw it hanging from his hand, they assumed Paul was a murderer who had, even though he had survived the sea, finally met justice. They expected that he would swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happened to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. Acts 28:1-6 Suspicious people assume justice is delivered by the things that happen to them and those around them. Godly people take them in their stride and move on. We cannot assume that because bad stuff happens to us or those in our world that we are wrong or out of order necessarily. Bad stuff happens to godly and ungodly alike but th...

But they struck a sand bar and ran the ship aground. The bow jammed fast and remained immovable, while the stern began to break up by the pounding of the waves. The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners so that no one could escape, but the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. Acts 27:41-43 Circumstances, outside of Paul's control seemed disastrous but God had a bigger plan and controlled the heart of the centurion, giving Paul favour. Needless to say, all the other prisoners benefited from Paul's presence. No matter what things seems to be like, all out of control, they were in God's hands. Are circumstances in your life shouting failure, condemnation, defeat? Start to speak scripture over them, prophesy to them, speak a future and a hope, most importantly go for a walk and worship The Lord for all His goodness. Amen! You will soon see how good God ...

Then Agrippa said to Festus, "this man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar." Acts 26:32 Paul had been under threat from the Jews who wanted to do away with him. He had been left in prison by Felix who only wanted money and now he faced the new governor, Festus, who, along with King Agrippa agreed he was innocent. Should he have not appealed to Caesar? At the time things were not looking good. The Jews wanted Paul back in Jerusalem to kill him and Festus was the new man on the block, eager to get along with the Jews. When Paul made his appeal the Jews were right in his face and fighting to have him return. Paul knew he was to go to Rome. He also knew he would be imprisoned. God had a divine plan for him and Paul trusted Him. So often we are made to second guess a decision or move we have made, when the original decision was quite okay. A stray comment by a family member can send us into a tailspin. Many will offer opinions about our life and our world, gr...

For many  days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging. Finally all hope that we would be saved was disappearing. Since many were going without food, Paul stood up among them and said, " You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss. Now I urge you take courage, because there will be no loss of your lives, but only of the ship. for this night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me, and said, "Don't be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar, and look! God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you. Therefore, take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we should run aground on a certain island." Acts 27:20-26 Paul had warned not to set sail and the centurion believed the captain, who said they could, rather than Paul. This is understandable! Paul was not a ship's captain. However, here he was standing up amidst...

But then Paul said, "I am standing at Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as even you can see as well. If I am doing wrong, or have done anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die, but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them, I appeal to Caesar!" After fear us conferred with his council! he replied, "you have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you will go!" Acts 25:10-12 It had been two years and still the Jews frothed at the mouth about Paul and wanting him dead. Felix had gone and although he had spoken often with Paul, because Paul refused to pay a bribe to him, Felix left him in jail. Now a new governor has come to Caesarea and gone straight to  Jerusalem, where he had spent 8-10 days in the company of Paul's accusers. Now Paul faces a new threat. Paul knew he was going to Rome, The Lord had told him that, and so he appeals to Caesar. I wonder how we would handle Paul...

And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now, when I have a convenient time I will call for you." Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. Acts 24:24-26 What does this passage show us about Felix? He was insincere and mercenary. Do you experience this in your world? I do! There are folk who see you as a means to an end. Their heart is not with you, they are users and interested in their own welfare. How does this make you feel? Me, it causes me to withhold grace an deal out law, because this is where they are at. This gives me insight into God. He loves us and wants to give us grace but if we use Him and refuse to give our heart, then we get law, a...

I always do my best to have a clear conscience between God and man.  Acts 24:16 For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. It is God who evaluates me. 1Corinthians 4:4 Having a clear conscience is a blessing. Trusting in The Lord and keeping our eyes on Him brings blessing. Paul relied on The Lord for his justification rather than on self effort. Paul trusted the Lord to be his judge. He did not judge himself yet he was self-aware. Each of us has an enemy who constantly condemns, why should we join him on his exercise of destruction. Whereas allowing the Holy Spirit to convict is much better. He give a life lesson and does not put down. Amen!  

Then Paul said to him, "Gid is going to judge you, you whitewashed wall, you sit and judge me according to the law, yet you strike me against the law." Acts 23:3 Paul, who knew the law, and was being judged according to the law, lashes out at Ananias, the high priest, who ordered him to be struck across the mouth for his claim, in verse 1, that he had conducted himself blamelessly before God.  When confronted about speaking as he did to the high priest, Paul States that he did not know he was the high priest. Ananias had been the high priest in Jesus's trial. Paul had been a student under Gamaliel, a member if the Sanhedrin, and to not have know Ananias seems odd. It is thought Paul had poor sight, however he may have been sarcastic, but then again, in the authority he had been given he may have been speaking prophetically. For Ananias was indeed a wicked ruler who eventually died at the hands of his people. As a general rule Paul exhorts all to honour those in leadershi...

But the following night The Lord stood by him and said: " be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome." Acts 23:11 Paul had set his face toward Jerusalem but there was more. He was to go to Rome and preach the gospel, even in chains. The Holy Spirit drew him on, empowered him and focused him. The Jews were determined to kill him and a group had bound themselves with an oath to not eat  or drink until he was dead. They would wait a long time as Paul lived on. When I read about the Jews determined not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul showed zeal, misplaced zeal.  In our own world we see young men strap dynamite to themselves because they believe that the people they are about to kill, along with themselves, are evil and they, for their efforts will live in a paradise tended to by vestal virgins. To us, their victims, this is crazy and misplaced but to them it is their passion and zeal. Where is Christ in...

But the following night The Lord  stood by him and said: "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome." Acts 23:11 Paul returned to Jerusalem and just as it had been prophesied the Jews took it upon themselves to attempt to kill him. The Roman commander at the barracks endeavoured to protect him but the Jews wanted him dead. He was almost scourged by the Romans but when they discovered he was also a Roman they stopped, as a Roman was not scourged but rather dealt with by legal means. The scene that played out was almost a repeat of Jesus' arrest. Again the angry Jews wanted him dead for teaching a different truth, a freedom they did not know but as well Paul preached to Gentiles. A Jew had nothing to do with Gentiles. I am sure the Jews thought thee motives pure, for the Law of Moses had been strict about the purity of their faith towards God. Yet when the new came, when their saviour came and did not fit th...

"I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by labouring like this, that you must support the weak. And rber the words of The Lord Jesus, that He said," it is more blessed to give than receive."" Acts 20:33-35 Paul was a tent maker and obviously used this trade to provide for himself. Of all people you would think he would have been supported in the ministry, but no! He supported himself. Paul's comment about the poor might infer that he thought the support of the poor was of a higher priority than paying him. The next concept is one I wish to address: 'it is more blessed to give than receive.' It is Christmas soon. Tonight I have gifts to my son, his wife Roz and their 5 children as I will nod see them on Christmas Day. I gave the first gift jointly to Jarrod and Roz. His comment was: " but mum we do...

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." Acts 20:32 Our God and His Word are the cornerstones if our faith, they are the source and supply of all we need. The word of God; written and revealed, gives direction, challenges sin that attempts to control, and bring life to dead areas in our lives. The presence of God, ah the beautiful presence, is more than choice silver or gold, more than the air we breathe.  Worshipping Him clothes us with protection and power, because worship honours all that He is and wishes to be in our lives. I have know those who could not trust Him for a mate but rather thought they knew better. He allows us to choose, but do we choose life? As we wait for His provision, He is more than enough!  He does not leave smelly socks lying around, He does not lay around and let me carry the burden, on the contrary He is the burden bearer, He i...

"For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all your flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember ....."Acts 20:27-31 Jesus Himself said to His disciples: "One of you is. Devil!" And here Paul is telling the leaders a similar thing. It is interesting to read in Revelation chapter 2 that Jesus commends the church at Ephesus for withstanding 'evil men', but rather the fact that they had lost their 'first love'. We can be so focused in one area and neglect the source of freedom we were given, the relationship with Christ. We can be so determine to grow and move on past our past tha...

And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, Except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulation await me. But none of these things move me; Nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from The Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:22-24 I wonder what reception Paul had, when he finally went home to glory?  Hebrews 12:1 states that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses urging us on in the race set before us.  Could Paul hear them? These I imagine at times, when alone and pressed I see them and hear them calling me on. Luke 9:51 tells us that as Jesus' time to return to heaven Drew near, His face was set like a flint towards Calvary. Nothing could dissuade him. Here we see Paul, with hi face set like a flint to Jerusalem, even though chains awaited him. This life is not about eas...

And see, I have kept nothing back from you that wa helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publically from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:20,21 Paul had a message he knew was for everyone and gave himself to minister in what The Lord had given him. He stated above that he taught all that was helpful. He did not venture into silly ideas and suppositions. As Reinhard Bonke says: "the ABC's if the gospel are enough." Being caught up in strange and hard to prove ideas, while tantalizing and impressive, do not lead to eternity. Jesus said he was the bread of life, the light of the world. He is enough and he is all we need. Keeping the gospel simple and all about a relationship with Jesus is all that is needed. He is our Saviour! Amen! Tonight I read the Christmas story to two of my grandchildren and it is simple and acceptable to them. They both love building towns, railw...

And about this time there was a great commotion about The Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. he called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said, "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover, you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship." Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"  So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theatre with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul...

This ( the fact that only those who knew Jesus personally had the power to cast out demons) became known both to Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also many who had practised magic brought their books and burned them in the sight of all and they counted up the value of them, and it totalled 50,000 pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. Acts 19:17-20 The Holy Spirit is pure and unpolluted and when given room to be just what He is by those walking in faith, He demonstrates the chasm that exists between light and darkness. The light dispels the darkness, always, revealing truth and when truth is revealed, liberty is experienced by those formerly caught in the clutches of bondage. We cannot successfully push the Holy Spirit to the side and run things our own way, because our enemy knows truth. (even th...

Then some of the Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call on the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "we exorcise you by Jesus whom Paul preaches."  Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said,  "Jesus I know and Paul I know, but who are you?" Then the man in whom the evil spirit resided leaped on them, and prevailed against them, overpowering them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded. This became known to Jews and Greeks  in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of The Lord Jesus was magnified. Acts 19:13-17 Who has the power? How easy it is for mankind to assume it has and foolishly step into an area that belongs to The Lord. He alone is God! Paul knew The Lord as friend and Saviour. The Jews knew Him as ruler and judge. Thy assume this was enough. Jesus was the key. Knowing Him and his Holy Spirit provided t...

Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Acts 19:11,12 Tonight I watched a movie called World War Z with my son. It was unusual in that a disease that infected people turned them into vampire like creatures and the disease spread like a flood. I was reminded of the scripture that says: when the enemy comes in like a flood God will raise up a standard against him. The disease portrayed in the movie destroyed families, communities, cities and countries yet a vaccine was found. I praise God for His Spirit who can lay a whole congregation on it's back through living restoration. The enemy can come in like a flood but it meets the mighty power of the Spirit of God and fails. It is the spirit of God that raises up, brings new life and hope, it is He who deserves all praise and honour. Our God can impart His Spirit to handkerchiefs and...

Paul said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." Acts 18:2 Receiving the Holy Spirit was imperative for the saints to minister in the power that Jesus had shown them. Jesus Himself waited for the infilling of the Spirit before He began to minister. I remember how I received the Holy Spirit. I had been away on a youth camp not long after being saved. Just being in the meetings and experiencing the Holy Spirit singing I spontaneously began to sing in the Spirit. On Sunday night, after returning home from camp I heard about the baptism in the Holy Spirit and discovered that was what had happened. The baptism in the Holy Spirit brought power to my walk in Christ. Now I find I must use the gift by choice. There may be times when I have a heart that is full and it flows from me but there are other times when I need to choose and in choosing to worship in the spirit t...

Now there was a certain Jew named Apollos, born in Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of The Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of The Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldy in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. For he vigorously refuted the Jews public ally, showing from the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 18:24-26,28 Apollos was on fire with the Gospel of truth. He didn't have it all right because he had not met the more. When he did find the more then he spoke it with boldness. The gospel is the power to save. Jesus is the light of the world and He alone is the Saviour. It is not our works that save us but our believing. As we speak scripture we release life. Yesterday I had such an opportunity and failed to speak. I found mys...

So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscillia and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay longer he did not consent but took leave of them saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you, God willing." And he sailed from Ephesus. And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phyrgia in order, strengthening all the disciples. Acts 18:18-23 Paul had a mandate and was contained by this, the Holy Spirit was leading him through the region 'strengthening the disciples.' Having a life ordered by the Spirit is peace. We can, at times, become anxious ov...

When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgement seat, saying, " This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law." And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "if it were a matter of wrong doing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. But it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters." And he drove them from the judgement seat. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgement seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things. Acts 18:12-16 This makes me laugh! We can become so obsessed with how a matter should happen that we, in anger, try to use the law to settle a matter when all it does is make us look stupid. Stupid! Church folk are supposed to know a better way! I remember seeing a dispute between Ri...

Now The Lord God spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "do not be afraid, But speak, and do not be silent; For I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you ; for I have many people in this city." Acts 18:9,10 Paul had faced much rejection in previous places. Was he now thinking it would be the same? Perhaps he was thinking of taking a break. We are told he went and stayed with Pricillia and Aquila and that they all were tent makers. Perhaps he was thinking of just doing his previous trade. Do you ever feel like taking a break from sharing the gospel. Have you faced much opposition? This comes in any ways: mocking, anger, violence, ignorance, avoidance. These all drain. To stay sharp we have to spend time with the source of life. He has all the power and all the glory! He has a plan and only His plan brings life. Amen! Seek that plan and follow it. Just as the wise men followed a star and sought the Saviour, do yourself a favour and seek Him continually. Amen!

"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preamp pointed times and boundaries of their dwellings. So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each of us; For in Him we live and move and have our being. Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. Truely, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given...

Now while Paul waited for them in Athens his spirit was provoked within him when he saw re idolatry in the city. Therefore he reasoned with the Jews in the synagogues and with Gentile  worshipers and in the marketplace daily with those, who happened to be there.! Acts 17:16,17 I watched the last Star Wars movie with my eldest grandson this evening. We had seen Darrh Vader die and subsequently be burner on a funeral pyre. Myer said, "Nanny, is there any way you can get up off that fire. I explained that when we die our families might bury us under ground or cremate us (burn us). But I explained that the real me is my spirit and it will go to The Lord for all eternity and that when I  die I will not have pain or suffering anymore. Myer lost a brother when he was unborn and I told him Timothy will be waiting to see him when he dies. I grew up a catholic and we were not sure where we would go when we died. Having Jesus as Lord of our lives gives us certainty. I wanted Myer to unde...

Then immediately the brethren sent Paul and Silas away by night to Barea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.  Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. Acts 17:10-13 We can see that the Holy Spirit was leading the way. The enemy of the gospel could only follow and misbehave badly. It is interesting that Satan had not gone before to create strife, he was, again, caught out. It is also interesting that what was once a move of God persecuted the Way. It shows us how infiltrated relegion is by our enemy. We cannot trust religious institutions to accept us or make room for us, if our ...

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonicia, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went to them, and for three Sabaths reasoned with them from the scriptures. Explaining  and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, " this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ." And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few leading women, joined Paul and Silas. But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar... Acts 17:1-5 Envy has to rely on evil men to achieve its end. There were no good decent citizens with this lot. How sad! Today we morn the passing of a good man, Nelson Mandela. Nelson was put in jail for 27 years by evil men who wanted to keep black men in bondage. His only crime was speaking out against the wrong. E...

Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and immediately all the doors were open and everyone's chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice saying, "do yourself no harm, for we are all here." Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, "Sirs what must I do to be saved?" So they said, "Believe on The Lord Jesus Christ. And you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:26-31 Paul and Silas had been beckoned to Philippi in a vision and because they operated in the power of God had offended certain people and this caused them to be beaten and thrown into prison.  Yet the Holy Spirit was still in charge and released them from prison in this dramatic display of power. Why? For the ...

Now when they had gone through Phyrgia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come Mysia, as they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, " Come over to Macedonia and help us." Acts 16:6-9 When Paul and his team went down to Philippi in Macedonia he and Silas ended up beaten and in prison. I wonder if at this stage any doubted the call to Macedonia? Yet in prison, in the dungeons, they chose to praise. Could you do that? Their praise opened the prison doors. Do you find yourself in a prison of some kind? Is it sickness or infirmity? Is it financial difficulty? Is it a restriction if some type? Praise works! It opens doors yet how easy it is to complain? I know I do at times. Yesterday I found myself extremely tired and struggling with the trai...

Then Paul came to Derbe and Lystra and there was a certain disciple named Timothy there. He was the son of a Jewish woman who believed, but his father was a Greek.  Timothy was well spoken of by the brethren who were Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted to have him go on with him and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew his father was a Greek. Acts 16:1-3 We have read in the earlier chapters of Acts how much the apostles opposed circumcision of new believers but here we see Paul do it without a murmur. Why? What caused him to submit youngTimothy  to such a painful proceedure and what did Timothy's father have to say about it? We are not told re answers to these questions. However it shows how a religious practice can so bind people that they become militant about it's requirement. We see te first circumcision with Abraham, the father of faith. It had nothing to do with law for hundreds of years. Circumcision was an outward s...

Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the people with many words. Acts 15:32 There is nothing better than a word in season that speaks to your inner man. There is nothing worse than a word that attacks and pulls down the inner man. I have a natural defense that goes into alert when a critical word is spoken over me. I attack back. However there was a time when such words would injure me. If we do not discern where a word comes from we can easily be manipulated, injured or deceived. Better to have discernment. Amen! Make a habit of praise and thankfulness and if a negative thought comes along pray for that in the person. Criticism hates intercession on behalf of another, it only wants to destroy, don't let yourself be used!

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 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. Therefore confess your sins to one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent requests of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. James 5:13-16 There have been times when I have suffered and prayed earnestly and times when I was joyful, like today and I am so grateful my heart sings praises. However, I have learned another important lesson: praise is my way through the rough spots and opens heaven to my circumstances. There have been times when I have been sick and needed the elders to pray over me. It is interesting that sin can cause sickness. I know sin opens the door to sickness and can testify ...

Therefore, brothers be patient until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the later rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord's coming is near. James 5:7,8 I know farmers and I remember one in particular who had experience flood and fire in Victoria. His attitude was the best I have ever know. He knew, as a farmer, that seasons come and go but he lived in hope for those seasons to bring the rains when required and the harvest in due course. I follow outback Australians on Facebook, as they post photos of their lives, it is inspiring. These people know the earth and have to trust. They are patient and rock solid people. I can learn from them. Today I have been on earth for 60 years and am grateful. I am grateful that at 19 I came to know my saviour. Today I know Him more than I ever did. His coming for me is closer than it ever was but the joy I exper...

Don't criticise one another, brothers. He who criticises a brother or judges his brother criticizes the law and judges the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbour. James 4:11,12 James is such a kick- butt guy. Imagine growing up with him as a brother. He is reputed to be the brother of Jesus. James was not a follower of Jesus but began to believe after the resurrection. I have a choleric sister and daughter. They can be tough, no mercy at times and at others a bowl of jelly. I think James is very much that kind of person, a no nonsense person. Today I went to Tamworth High and was involved in a scripture class. I was told before we went in I could share something if I liked, I liked. I was asked what I would share and I said: ' I have no clue but I am ready!' When it came time to talk I flowed with the Holy Spirit and was thinking to myself: ' this sounds goo...

What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don't they come from the cravings that are at war within you? You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and don't receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you can spend it on your evil desires. James 4:1-3 Only yesterday I was talking to my brother about a war that is brewing in the South China Sea between China, Japan and the Philippines. China wants what it cannot have. They want an island that belongs to the Philippines, Scarborough Shoal. After the Tsunami Japan, for the first time since the end of WW2 have gone outside their own waters, in their boats, to lend aid to the Philippines. In a brash statement China suddenly declared ownership over this island, banned anyone else from flying over the zone and even printed it on the front of their passports. China is behaving like a bully and through bluff and intimidation plan t...