The day with dianne Louise

He said, "Do you know why I have come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come. No one has the courage to support me against them except Michael, your prince. However, I tell you what is recorded in the book of truth. In the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to strengthen and protect him. Now I will tell you the truth. Daniel 10:20-11:2   We see another world where princes rule in parallel to this world. The prince of Persia ruled the Persian dynasty, yet the kings who ruled on earth were mere puppets. Michael, the arc angel, was the prince over Israel and the one speaking said he had supported Darius the Mede.   We can see that the spirit world plays figures in the natural world like chess pieces but the ultimate authority rests with the lord of hosts.   We Christians are part of the army of God, His Kingdom servants. Our champion is the Lord of Hosts, Jesus His name. H...

In the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The message was true and about a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel was mourning for three weeks.  I didn't eat any rich food, n o 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 bank of the great river, the 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 a sound of the multitude. Daniel 10:1-6 This sounds like Jesus yet Jesus would not have needed Michael the Arc Angel to assist him. It could well have been Gabriel or another angel. Daniel was now 84. Perha...

-while I was praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the first vision, came to me in my extreme weariness, about the time of the evening offering. He have me this explanation: "Daniel, I've now come to give you understanding. At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out, and I have come to give it, for you are treasured by God. Daniel 8:21-23 I am sure I have seen Gabriel. I was working as a registered   nurse in a rehabilatitation facility in Chatswood. The year was 2004 or 2005. I had gone down stairs to obtain a strong medication for one of the patients and as I went downstairs he was standing to the right. I said, "Hello!" I asked te Lord what He wanted me to do and did not receive a reply. He was still there on the way back and I smiled and again said, "Hello!" I wondered why He had come. I went back to dispensing medications and looked up and he was there holding out his hand in which was a beautiful ring. I am ashamed to say I did not take i...

Ah, Lord- the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His covenants- we have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from Your commands and ordinances. We have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, leaders, fathers, and all the people of the land. Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but this day public shame belongs to the men of Judah ..... Daniel 9:4-7 Daniel was a good and godly man, yet he identified with his people an the sins of his fathers. He was an intercessor. This man knew how, no matter what, to put the Kingdom first. We are in a new dispensation yet sin still abounds. I am being challenged to act righteously, not react out of the flesh when I get it right beautiful grace flows out of me. This week I got it right. Ah! Finally! I was challenged severely for two weeks now and this time I waited and worshipped. The lost in my world were very grateful for the gr...

In the first year of Darius, the son of Ahaserus, a Mede by birth, who was ruler over the Kingdom of the Chaldeans: in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books according to the word of The Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, that the number of years for the desatuon of Jerusalem would be 70. So I turned my attention to The Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. Daniel 9:1-3 Even though there was a prophesy that the time of captivity would be 70 years, Daniel did not rest back and just expect he went to prayer. When God speaks into our world, gives us a prophesy and we want to see it come to pass we can partner with Him through prayer, fasting and petition. We cannot manipulate the time because we are over the wait but by faithfulness and partnership with God we can see His Kingdom come. Amen! Catching God's heart is the start and praying His will is the next. I know as I allow God to direct my heart in prayer I have carr...

While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to unerstand it, there stood before me someone who appeared to be a man. I heard a human voice calling from the middle of the Ulai: " Gabriel, explain the vision to this man." So he approached where I was standing; when he came near, I was terrified and fell face down. "Son of man, " he said to me, "understand that the vision refers to the time of the end." Daniel 8:15-17 This is surprising as the description of the  events in this vision took place between the sixth and second century bc and do not appear to be end time events. This chapter refers to Antonichus as the little horn of chapter 8 but also have recognised that he typifies the coming end-time antichrist. Therefore there is a double-fulfilment of this vision. We all know that scripture has many meanings and our job is to respond to him and allow him to be God. Amen! Even in the midst of trial and testing we can have a great time with our God as...

In the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after the one that had appeared to me earlier. I saw the vision and as I watched, I was in the fortress city of Susa, in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai canal. I looked up, and there was a ran standing beside the canal. He had two horns. The two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one came up last. I saw the ram charging to the west, the north, and the south. No animal could stand against him, and there was no rescue from his power. He did what ever he wanted and became great. As I was observing, a male goat appeared, coming from the west across the surface of the entire earth without touching the ground. The goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. He came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and rushed at him with savage fury. I saw him approaching the ram, and infuriated with him, he struck the ram, shat...

Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one different from all the others, extremely terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, devouring, crushing, and trampling with its feet whatever was left. I also wanted to know about the 10 horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell- the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, and that was more visible than the others. As I was watching this horn waged war against the holy ones and was prevailing over them until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgement was given in favour of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom. Daniel 7:19-22 Daniel persisted and wanted to know. The horror of the actions of the fourth beast terrified him. Yet again we see, a judgement was given in favour of the holy ones. As to who the holy ones are we can assume this refers to God's people, whether during the Roman dominion, ...

As for me, Daniel, my spirit was deeply distressed within me, and the visions in my mind terrified me. I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things: "These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever."Daniel 7:15-18 Yes terrible things will happen and yes it will be hard for a time but we win. In all our days of trail we must press in to Him and He will turn things around. I have had 10 long years of struggle but the tide is turning and yes I still have trials but I cannot give them my heart. It belongs to The Lord. The enemy attempts to pop our heart out of our chests as we go through distress. I have to stop, sit down and turn to The Lord. Yet will I praise Him. The last few days have been a struggle to break through to new heights. The obstac...

I continued watching in the night visions, And I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him. He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; So that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, And His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13,14 In the midst of all evil our Lord comes, rules and reigns. We must keep our eyes on Him. Amen! Jesus Himself called Himself the son of man. He came many years later and wrestled authority off Satan. I must remember this. He is Lord. Amen!

In the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream with visions in his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the dream, and here is a summary of his account. Daniel said, "in my vision at night I was watching, and suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea. Four huge beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. Daniel 7:1-3 The first beast was like a lion, the second like a bear, the third like a leopard and the fourth was frightening and dreadful. We are not told what the beast was. However, this dream seems to relate to the dream of Nebucahadbezzar. He saw a man made of four different parts, each representing a future Kingdom. Daniel was unable to interpret his dream and had to ask what it meant. It greatly troubled him. He was a true visionary yet the impact of his dream troubled him and he was unable to calmly seek The Lord for its interpretation. I have seen some terrifying things in the spirit, just for a season. I re...

Then King Darius wrote to those of every people, nation, and language who lived in all the earth: "May your prosperity abound. I issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, And He endures forever; His Kingdom will never be destroyed, And His dominion has no end. He rescues and delivers; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, For He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." Daniel 6:25-27 What a decree! What a freedom for the Jews in captivity! This proclamation honoured God and Daniel and his people but did not free them from captivity. God was using His people in a foreign land yet they longed to return. Whist in captivity they were instruments for God to show Himself strong on behalf of those who loved Him. He was seen as a mighty God, the greatest of all gods. He is good and stirring His people to go into foreign lands for His purposes. These people will reside ...

So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you! " A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of the nobles, so that nothing in regard to Daniel could be changed. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions were brought to him, and he could not sleep. At first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lion's den. When he reached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. "Daniel, servant of the living God," the king said, "has your God whom you serve continually been able to rescue you from the lions?" Then Daniel spoke with the king, "May the king live forever. My God sent His angel and shut the lions mouths. They haven't hurt me, for I was found innocent before Him. Also, I have not committed any crime a...

When Daniel learned that the documents had been signed, he went into his house the windows in his upper room opened towards Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and have thanks to His God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning God, just as he had done before. So they approached the king and asked about his edict: "Didn't you sign an edict that for 30 days any man who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions den?" The king answered, "As a law of the Medes and Persians, the order stands and is irrevocable."Daniel 6:10-12 Daniel was one gutsy guy! I wonder how I would go with this one? Daniel knew the evil being plotted but preferred to spend time with his deliverer than live in fear.  The king was also being trapped, not just Daniel. He did not appreciate this. These men were playing a dangerous game. Jesus knew He was constantly being led to a trap ...

The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. Then these men said, "We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God." Daniel 6:4,5 You might wonder why they wanted to be rid of Daniel, we saw the same spirit in the Pharisees, scribes and Saducees in the time of Christ. They also conspired to be rid of him. Both groups had jealous hearts. The Chaldeans convinced Darius to make a law that no man could pray to any god for 30 days. They knew Daniel would disobey this ridiculous law, and he did. The consequence of disobedience was to be thrown into a den of lions. Daniel did get thrown into the den of lions but Darius fasted and prayed and Daniel was delivered. The result was that the accusers and all their families were thrown in in...

 Darius decided to appoint 110 satraps over the kingdom, stationed throughout the realm, and over them three administrators, including Daniel. These satraps would be accountable to them so that the king would not be defrauded. Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm. Daniel 6:1-3 Daniel was now 82. Most pictures show him as a younger man but he was by now 82. 82 and still in government because he had an extraordinary spirit. How good is this? Isn't it amazing that when you adopt an extraordinary spirit you are noticed. Daniel had this spirit for the very first days in Babylon at age 15. Throughout his life leaders called on and respected him, he was given authority over the land, God have him the ability to interpret dreams. We can choose to follow the crowd or follow our God. As Joshua said: this day you must choose who you will serve either the gods of the nations...

"Whoever reads this inscription and gives me it's interpretation will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around hid neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom." So all the kings wise men came in, but none could read the inscription or make it known to him. Then king Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face turned pale, and his nobles were bewildered. Daniel 5:7-9 This chapter was written 23 years later than chapter 4. Nebuchadnezzar died in 562bc. After his death there were several obscure rulers until his son in law, Nabondius took the throne. Belshazzar's grandfather Nebuchadnezzar had gone down this arrogant route and found himself insane for seven years. Belshazzar had taken the temple cups and articles of gold and used them in his drunken party. David actually said to him: "you knew what happened to Nebuchadnezzar but you did this anyway." Just as God had judged Nebuchadnezzar He was now judging the grandson, only more severely...

King Nebuchadnezzar, To those of every people, nation, and language, who live in all the earth: May your prosperity increase. I am pleased to tell you about the miracles and wonders the Most High God has done for me. How great are His miracles, and how mighty His wonders! His Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation. Daniel 4:1-3 This was written by Nebuchadnezzar after God had dealt with him. He became proud and God gave him a dream which Daniel interpreted. It was a warning to Nebuchadnezzar to repent of his pride or God would cause him to lose his mind and be cast out into the fields with wild animals for 7 years. He did repent, for one year and then became proud again, claiming all the glory instead of giving it to God. He was then cast out, just as the dream predicted. At the end of seven years his Kingdom was restored and Nebuchadnezzar lived two more years. He wrote: But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar looked up to heaven, and ...

King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue, 90 feet high and 9 feet wide. He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. So they all assembled for the dedication of the statue te king had set up. Then they stood before the statue Nebuchadnezzar had set up. A herald loudly proclaimed, " People of every nation and language, you are commanded: when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, an every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. But whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire." Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego replied to the king, "Nebuchadnezzar, we don't need to give you am answer to this qu...

May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him. I offer thanks and praise to You God of my fathers, because You have given me wisdom and power. and now You have let me know what we asked of You, for You have let us know the King's mystery. Daniel 2:20-23 This was written by an 18 year old boy who's heart was for God and not for food, pleasure, girls and fast horses. He is a man after David's heart with Solomon's wisdom thrown in as well. What a pleasure it would be for God to relate to this young man whose heart was His! As a third party I rejoice in his attitude and purity and I am just a reader. I look forward to the day when I can spend time with this young man and fel...

In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had  dreams that troubled him, and sleep deserted him. So the king gave orders to summon the diviner-priests, mediums, sorcerers, and Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. When they came and stood before the king, he said to them, "I have had a dream and am anxious to understand it." Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king: "May the king live forever. Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation." The king replied to the Chaldeans, "My word is final: if you don't tell me the dream and it's interpretation, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be made a garbage dump. But if you make the dream and it's interpretation known to me, you'll receive gifts, a reward, and great honour from me. So make the dream and it's interpretation known to me." Daniel 2:1-6 Daniel had just completed his three years training as Nebuchadnezzar did not start his official reign un...

God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. At the end of the time that the king had said to present them, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they began to serve in the kings court. In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them 10 times better than all the diviner-priests and mediums in his entire kingdom. Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. Daniel 1:17-21 These four young men could have lived in grief over the loss of their previous life and have been useless to The Lord. However they trusted Him and submitted to the training they received for three years and excelled above their peers. As we continually look back we rebel against the new and learn nothing. Grief and self-...

Daniel determined he would not defile himself with the kings food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief official not to defile himself. God had granted Daniel favour and compassion from t he chief official, yet he said to Daniel, "My lord the king assigned you food and drink. I'm afraid of what would happen if he saw your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age. You would endanger my life with the king." So Daniel said to the guard whom the chief official had assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, " Please test your servants for 10 days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then examine our appearance and the appearance of the young men who are eating the king's food, and deal with your servants based on what you see." He agreed with them about this and tested them for 10 days. At the end of 10 days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who were eating the kin...

In the third year of the reign of Jehoaikim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid seige to it. The Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels from the house of God. Nebuchadnezzar carried them to the land of Babylon, to the house of his god, and put the vessels in the treasury of his god. The king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring some of the Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility-young men without any physical defect, good looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the kings palace- and to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food and from the wine he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end if that time they were to serve in the king's court. Among them, from the descendants of Judah, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and A...

Then after speaking to them, The Lord Jesus was taken up to heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere. The Lord confirming the word by the accompanying of signs. Mark 16:19,20 Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father. I don't imagine His return was quiet. He had accomplished all He had gone to do. He faced violent opposition, faced His fears and sought The Lord for strength, completed the task, died a horrible death but then...... He went on His greatest mission to the bowels of Hell and stripped Satan of his authority. He took home all those held there, godly saints who were waiting for His resurrection. Satan could not oppose Him for He, Jesus, had authority. Amen! Now, He sits down in heaven to a celebration. All the saints who had waited, the  Father who had longed for a way to be made puts on the best light show; David leads the dance and organise a the music; Joseph provides the food; Abraham has trained animals to perform (...

Then He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accomplish those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak new languages; they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will not harm them, they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well." Mark 16:15-18 Those who go see these signs and wonders, those who set up camp and build denominations see them less, probably because they don't see many demons, snakes and no one is giving them poison to drink. However there are still a lot of sick people in church. Why is that? Perhaps we have come to see sickness as the norm and doctors as the answer? I know that the times I could not get to a doctor, either because I was in a place where I did not trust the medical field or I could not afford to go, I pressed into God for h...

Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected. Mark 16:14 Mary Magdalene had seen Jesus and so did the two disciples who were walking down to Amas, all reported that Jesus was risen but they did not believe. The 11 saw Jesus taken away, Peter and John saw more but what they saw fueled their unbelief. Hardness of heart comes from us processing with our natural minds and not spending time in the spirit. If we live with carnal minds and appetites they we cannot discern spiritual things. We have to be careful to have open hearts to what God is saying and doing, otherwise we miss the mark and affect those in our world with a wrong mindset. The Lord has the very best for us, we have to have an open heart to receive it. Amen!

Early on the first day of the week, after He had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons. She went and reported to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping. Yet, when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it. Mark 16:9-11    Loss causes us to grieve, withdraw and at times be depressed. I have dealt with this monster for over 10 years now. I was divorced in 2004 after 28 years of marriage. I then lost my position as a pastor, my friends deserted me, I lost my home, my financial security, and my health. I battled severe blackness but hung on to the Lord and wrote poetry to express my grief.   God was good and took me to Sydney Australia, where I knew two people and was very lonely but found a good church. I discovered that loneliness was not a destination, it was just part of the journey.   Loneliness and depression dogged me. I was fearful of ma...

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the Stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?' Looking up, they observed that the stone-which was very large- had been rolled away. when they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; they were amazed and alarmed. "Don't be alarmed, " he told them. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been resurrected! He is not here! See the place where they put him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, "He is going ahead of you to Galilee, you will see Him there just as He told you." so they went out and started running from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. and they said nothing to...

When it was already evening, because it was preparation day (that is the day before the Sabbath), Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, came and boldly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate was surprised that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died. When he found out form the centurion, he gave the corpse to Joseph. After he bought some fine linen, he took Him down and wrapped Him in the linen. Then he placed Him in a tomb cut out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Now Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus were watching where He was placed. Mark 15:42-47 Joseph is a man of much speculation. The gospels refer to him as a believing member of the Sanhedrin yet there is much colourful tradition surrounding his life as a Christian. The English believe he was responsible for the gospel first arriving in England, yet oth...

But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed his last. Then the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who was standing opposite him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "This man really was God's Son!" Mark 15:37-39. The centurion saw many deaths and knew that most we terrified, horrible in their cursings and lacking peace. Jesus did not curse anyone, He willingly gave up His life, even for the heathen centurion. The final act was God ripping the temple curtain and once and for all breaking the barrier between God and man. Now a way was made to be re-united with the Father. Unbelievers watch believers, looking for the light to light up their day. What will they see? Today started well but then seemed to deteriorate. I had the internet going on at home, having moved into a new home and endeavoured to wait for NBN (fast internet connection) in my area. While I waited I used my mobile on Hotspot. For today I had to buy a ...

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" Mark 15:33,34 This darkness was not just heavy cloud cover, this darkness represented God's judgement. Eg Exodus 10:21 How did a superstitious people handle this? Pilate already was worried, what did it mean to him? Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist returned, what would he think? The men who were responsible for the death of Jesus, how did this affect them? An act of God can lead us to repentance, if we yield. However, if we harden our hearts we miss a divine opportunity. John Newton was a slave trader yet he had a divine encounter and was forever changed. Amazing Grace was his song. It is important that we pray for the reprobate as God's ways are not our ways. If my attitude gets in the way then I shut down an opportunity for s...

They crucified two criminals with Him, one on His left and one on His right. So the Scripture was fulfilled that says: 'and He was counted among the outlaws. Mark 15:27,28 It is interesting that the very thing James and John wanted, to be positioned on Jesus' left and right when He came into paradise was given to two criminals. There are differing accounts about what transpired between them, Matrhew says they both hurled abuse, Luke says only one did, the other asking to be taken with Him into paradise, John does not mention them, Mark also states they both hurled abuse. However, it is fitting that this King be placed between those who needed Him the most. Amen! Jesus did His best work with those who were recognised as sinners. The 'good' folk struggled with the fact that they to were sinners. Australians don't receive well being told they are sinners and it is only the Holy Spirit who can enable them to come to a knowledge of their need. May we open our hearts to o...

They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. Then they crucified Him and divided His clothes, casting lots for them to decide what each would get. Mark 15:23,24 Wine mixed with myrrh was a primitive narcotic, Jesus refused it. The offer fulfilled the scripture in Psalms: 69:21 The whole of the Psalm is a cry for help and written by David. The beginning is a cry for help and from verse 30 becomes a song of praise. Jesus came from this man's line, his seed was in David's loins. Jesus did not cry out about the abuse of the men who taunted Him, His only cry was when the Father deserted Him. He did not take men's ways of solving His  agony, the offer of wine did not come from compassion, perhaps it was standard behaviour. The men who crucified Him were like grubs fighting over His clothes. He did not despise them. The people who hurled abuse at Him, He did not despise them. He forgave. If you have been an abuser of all that is right and have an encounter...

The soldiers forced a man coming from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus' cross. He was Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus. And they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha. Mark 15:21,22 Mark knew of Simon and would have probably known him from Rome. Simon was a Jewish believer from North Africa. Romans 16:13 refers to Rufus. Acts 6:9 indicate that there were men known as the Freedmen's synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, Cicilians and Asians. Simon may well have come to faith through this experience and led his children to the ways of the Lord. At the time of Christ's brokenness He impacts a mere stranger to Israel but not a stranger to God. Today there are many broken people forced from their homes in various parts of the world. These people, if they know Christ, can impact the lives of all who know them, by their lives, their faith and their testimony of God's faithfulness. Watching video footage of families resc...

Pilate asked them again, "Then what do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?" Again they shouted, "Crucify Him!" Then Pilate said to them, "Why? What has He done wrong?" But they shouted, "Crucify Him!" All the more. Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Mark 15:12-15 This was the first reference to crucifixion by Mark. However Jesus had hinted at it in 8:34 where Jesus told His followers to 'take up their cross and follow Him.' Jesus was denying Himself. He preferred that this cup be passed by but He knew that He was the only One who could wrestle us back from Satan. The horror of what He faced He would have seen around as criminals were killed in this fashion. We want a good life, where marriage never fails, children never suffer and life is good. Yet, rarely is it. Pain and suffering are a part of our lives. These...

At the festival (14:1; the festival of Unleaven bread) it was Pilate's custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested. There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who has committed murder during the rebellion. The crowd came and asked Pilate to do for them as was his custom. So Pilate answered them, "Do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you?" For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that He would release Barabbas to them instead. Mark 15:6-11 It is interesting that Barabbas' name ment 'son of the father,' and yet Jesus was the true Son of the Father. The people chose a criminal because the chief priests, who envied Jesus, manipulated them to ask for Barabbas. Envy set up camp in dishonest hearts. Jesus accused the Pharisees of being white washed sepulchers. He told them they were full of dead men's bones. He knew them for what thy w...

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests had a meeting with the elders, scribes and the whole Sanhedrin. After tying Jesus up, they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate. So Pilate asked Him, "Are you the King if the Jews?" He answered him, "You have said it." An the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. Then Pilate questioned Him again, "Are you not answering anything? Look how many things they accuse You of!" But Jesus still did not answer anything, so Pilate was amazed. Mark 15:1-5 This was the first time Pilate met Jesus and had a conversation with Him. Anyone else would rise to their defense when falsely accused. Jesus did not. The only question He answered was: 'Are you King of the Jews?' The gospel of John adds more: Pilate said to Jesus, "You're not talking to me? Don't you know that I have authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?" Jesus replied, "You would have no authority over...

While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest's servants came. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at humans said, " Tou also were with that Nazarene, Jesus." But he denied it: "I don't know or understand what your'rw talking about!" Then he went our to the entryway, and a rooster crowed. When the servant saw him again she began to tell those standing nearby, "This man is one of them." But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, "You certainly are one of them, since you are also a Galilean!" Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, I don't know this man you're talking about!" Immediately a rooster crowed a second time and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." When he thought about it, he began to weep. Mark 14:66-72 Peter was caught out and his glorio...

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for a testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they could find none. For many were giving false testimony against Him, but the testimonies did not agree. Some stood up and were giving false testimony against Him stating, "we heard Him say, 'I will demolish this sanctuary made by human hands, and in three days I will build another not made by hands.'" Yet their testimonies did not agree even on this. Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, " Don't You have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?" But He kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the High priest questioned Him, "Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus, "and all of you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming in the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "Why do...

While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had given them a signal. "The One I kiss," he said, "He's the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard." So when he came, he went right up to Him and said, "Rabbi!" - and kissed Him. Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. And one of those who stood drew his sword, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his ear. But Jesus said to them, "have you come out with swords and clubs, as though I were a criminal, to capture Me? Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple complex, but you didn't arrest Me. But the scriptures must be fulfilled." Then they all ran away. Mark 14:43-50 All the gospels record this incident, the gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus healed the man who lost his ear, John tells us that it was Peter who did the deed. How s...

Once again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing. And He came again an found them sleeping, because they coul not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to Him. Then He came a third time and said to them, "Enough! The time has come. Look, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. "Get up, let's go! See- My betrayer is near." Mark 14:39-42 Although the disciples were no support Jesus found His strength in the Father who sent His angel to minister to Him. (Luke 22:43) I have found through times of deepest anguish I was alone and knew I could not expect anyone to be my sustainer. I knew that my God was the one I needed to find and when I did I was strengthened. I still had to go through the trial and they were grievous and many but although it was a hard time I found my God in a far greater capacity than ever before. I  was visited by angels and the presence of God was overpowering. There is no trade I would give for the presence ...

Then He came and found them sleeping. "Simon, are you sleeping?" He asked Peter, "Couldn't you stay awake one hour? Stay awake and pray so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:37,38 Only one or two hours previous Peter had asserted that he would not desert Jesus but here he was deserting Him when He needed him the most. Peter was about to experience one of the worst moments of his life and prayer was the further war thing from his mind. Jesus could see Peter's fallibility but Peter was blind. The test would show Peter who he really was. How can I be a friend? How can I be a sister? How can I be a daughter? Not in my own strength certainly. However I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me. This afternoon i invited over some new neighbors to have dinner and they came. As they left I second guessed myself: 'did I say anything that God could use?' 'Why did I say other things?...

Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John with Him, and He began  to be deeply distressed and horrified. Then He said to them, "My soul is swallowed up in sorrow- to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake." Then He went a little farther, fell it the ground, and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, "Abba Father! All things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." Mark 14:32-36 Jesus experienced extreme anxiety about what was about to happen. He prayed that the Father might change His mind, but He didn't. I can say I am grateful He didn't. Yet Jesus suffered, first emotionally for me. There are some that are facing evil bent on destruction. Evil that would treat shamefully, just as Jesus was treated. I am sure that if it were possible the Father would have...

Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will run away, because it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." Peter told Him, "even if everyone runs away, I will certainly not!" "I assure you," Jesus said to him, "today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times!" But he kept insisting, "If I have to die with You, I will never deny You!" And they all said the same things. Mark 14:27-31 Testing shows us whether what we believe is based on falsehood or truth and only that based on truth stands. Just as it is frightening to stand and watch all that you own be swept away by floods, so is it standing and watching all you believe go up in smoke. Yet testing has to come otherwise we live in a fools paradise. If we press in to God and make Him our safety we will survive, emotionally and faithfully, if no...

As they were eating, He took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it, this is My body." Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them, and so they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is My blood that establishes the covenant, it is shed  for many. I assure you: I will no longer drink the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the Kingdom of God." After singing psalms, they went out to the Mount of Olives." Mark 14:22-26  Jesus, the new sacrificial lamb, was creating a new covenant Himself. This covenant was based on fellowship, relationship and a sacrifice far greater than any in all the centuries before. A perfect man would give Himself and win back the loving relationship God had with Adam and Eve. He was our restoration, our cleansing, our reconnection. He would redeem us from all the curse of sin and make a way for us to walk sinless, as we walk in Him. The bread represented His body...

When evening came, He arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining and eating Jesus said, "I assure you: one of you will betray Me- one who is eating with Me!" They began to be distressed and to say to Him one by one, "Surely not I?" He said to them, "It is one of the Twelve- the one who is dipping bread with Me in the bowl. For the Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but wow to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." Mark 14:17-20 How do we come to a place where we will betray? Take a bribe? Have an affair? Become a paedophile? We have stayed too long where we should have not been. Imagine Judas being courted by the Scribes and Pharisees, imagine them pandering to his lust for money and perhaps his disappointment in Jesus not being who he expected Him to be. Wrong desires, wrong thinking provide a fertile ground for the enemy of our souls. When deception has taken ...

After two days it was the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a treacherous way to arrest and kill Him. "Not during the festival, " they said, "or there may be rioting among the people." Mark 14:1,2 How wicked! They did not care for the people, they only wished to exploit and control the people. They were plotting to take away the One who loved them and gave His best to them. Fortunately the Father had a plan to use their wickedness. Jesus would die but rise again. Death could not hold Him down! Not only did He rise but He also marched into Hell and took captive the captives, in other words set them free. He dealt with the authority of Satan and took back all that had been stolen. I am so grateful! It is good that our God uses the wicked for His purposes. When trapped by wicked men remember God has a glorious plan, trust Him beyond what you feel, He will rule. Amen!

Now concerning that day or hour, no one knows- neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son- except the Father. Watch! Be alert! It is like a man on a journey, who left his house,gave authority to his slaves, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. Therefore be alert, since you do not know when the master of the house is coming- whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in te morning. Otherwise, he might come suddenly and find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert!" Mark 13:32-37 The disciples fell asleep in the garden of Gethsame when Jesus had expressly asked them to stay awake. He knew what was about to happen and knew that prayer would sustain them. Yet, they were comfortable in His shadow, He had always protected them. The future would be much different. I see many complacent and not alert. What does this mean? It means that when trial comes they may not be strong enough to stand. Trial is...

But in those days, after the tribulation: The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; The stars will fall from the sky,  and the celestial powers will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. He will send out the angels and gather His people from the four winds, from the end if the earth to the end of the sky. Mark13:24-27 Jesus is coming back and when He comes all the proud hearts will melt. The Son of God will come in power and glory and there will be no doubt that He is Lord. The joy of knowing Him without having this proof will endure to all eternity. The love of Jesus is more precious than silver or gold or diamonds. It is pure and does not fail. His love is the love we all long for. It is faithful and true, honest and earnest. There is no doubt about this love. It never fails. To go into eternity knowing this love is a great start, a preparation for a new beginning as friends and lovers, face to face.  ...

While He was sitting on the Nount of Olives across from the temple complex, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Him privately, "Twkl us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to take place?" Then Jesus began by telling them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name, saying, I am He, and they will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, don't be alarmed, these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of the birth pains. But you, be on your guard! Mark 13:3-9a As we study church history we see what Jesus was talking about, the false Messiahs did come and did deceive many, even close to the day that Jesus returned to heaven. Paul the apostle was constantly addressing falsehood. The disciples tweeked that Jesus was alluding to ...