The day with dianne Louise

Before the men fell asleep, Rahab went up in the roof and said to them, "I know that the Lord has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorites kings you completely destroyed across the Jordan. When we heard this we lost heart, and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God n heaven above and on the earth below." Joshua 2:8-11 Isn't it amazing that Rahab reported on events that put the Israelites in a high profile. She did not know about their sin, or their wandering in the desert, or if she did she failed to mention them. What we remember about ourselves is not what the spirit world sees or fears. What we remember is not what others see or remember. What God says about us is much more important than our failings...

Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two men as spies from the Acacia Grove, saying, "Go and scout the land, especially Jericho." So they left, and they came to the house of a woman, a prostitute named Rahab, and stayed there. Joshua 2:1 Just as Moses before him had done, Joshua sent in spies but these men sound more like seasoned soldiers used to Joshua's command. They went immediately not asking why, what, how. They knew what to do and where to go. They went to Rahab's house. Rahab was an innkeeper and prostitute. If you want to know what is happening in any town in Australia you go to the local pub. People who go there love to drink, which loosens the tongue, and talk and talk they did. Well, at least Rahab did. Sending in spies bolstered Joshua's confidence because that is what a soldier does, scouts out the place before them. In Australia we have, like most countries, special elite forces that go ahead of the main force. They make the way easy for the followers, t...

Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people: "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get provisions ready for yourselves, for within three days you will be crossing the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you to inherit.'" Joshua 1:10,11 This reminds me of he story Jesus told about the wise and foolish virgins. The wise took along provisions in case there was a delay. Going into another land for battle where water supplies and food supplies were not guaranteed, it is important to be prepared. Even though the land was the promised land, flowing with milk and honey, it was important o be prepared and have adequate supplies. As Christians we must always be prepared to go into a promised place or situation. We cannot just show up without provisions, otherwise we will be a burden on the team. How can we be prepared? By not spending all we have on now, by not assuming now is all there is. When God commands us to go, we must be...

The 11 disciples travelled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshipped, but some doubted. Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to Me, in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 Jesus commanded His disciples to go into all the nations, making disciples. I am grateful He came, made disciples and then commanded them to go. If the Jews had received Jesus as their saviour I wonder if the outcome would have been the same. The above verse says that some doubted. What made them doubt? Perhaps their belief that death is final. What did they doubt about Him? Did they doubt He had all authority? Perhaps that He really was the Messiah now that He did not fit their i...

But the angel told the women, "Don't be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, "He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there. listen, I have told you." So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. Just then Jesus met them and said, "Good morning!" They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshipped Him. Then Jesus told them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there." Matthew 28:5-10 The Angel came and did his job, to bring a message and roll back the stone, and shock the soldiers. Ha! He did this well and the women went on their way to take the message to the disciples when Jesus appears. Now, He did not need to appear as the angel had done the task, but, here w...

When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Then Pilate ordered that it be released. So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen, and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the Rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb. Matthew 28:57-61 The first thing I wonder is: was Joseph the rich young ruler who came to Jesus and asked what he must do to obtain eternal life? If he was, it is good to find him here being faithful and lacking fear. The Lord loved the rich young man and I can sense his love for this man. The next thing I notice: Mary Magdalene and the 'other' Mary were seated facing the tomb. They would have been exhausted with grief. They watched the one they loved be brutalised and see Him die, bereft of the Father. As a woman I k...

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, Lena sabachthani?" That is, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:45,46 Darkness represents our sin. I wonder if the darkness was immediate or gradual? Did the Father leave Jesus suddenly or gradually? Did Jesus not know that the Father could not look on sin and had to leave?Or did He expect the Father to stay and be His strength? Why did Jesus call the Father God and not Father? In the garden He called Him Father? There are times when God is 'Father' to us, times when He must rule and He is 'God.' Jesus knew intimate fellowship. When He prayed to the Father He called Him Father. So strange for Jesus to now call His Father, 'God.' I have so many questions and I know he Lord has so many answers. Do you know the answers? Why not share them with me.

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but a riot was starting instead, he took some water, washed his hands, in front of the crowd, and said, "I am innocent of this man's blood. See to it yourselves!" All the crowd answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!" Then he released Barabbas to them. But after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Matthew 27:24-26 Here we have a heathen man struggling to preserve Christ's life and His own people demanding it. Pilate could see Jesus' innocence and wanted nothing to do with the taking of His life. The saying, "His blood be on us and our children," was a callous and indifferent statement. How can we call down a curse on our children and their children! Our behaviour must not impute blame to our forebears. They must be able to decide for themselves. I am aware that all I do lays down a foundation of righteousness or unrighteousness for my grandchildren. This life is not a...

Now Jesus stood before the governor. "Are you the King of the Jews? The governor asked Him. Jesus answered him, "You have said it." And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He didn't answer. Then Pilate said to Him, "Don't You hear how much they are testifying against You?" But He didn't answer him on even one charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Matthew 27:11-14 Jesus answered to the truth not the lie. His accusers were fabricating lies to have their own way. Why argue with liars and cheats? Yet the governor represented authority and was the one who could crucify Him. Jesus knew who He was, what He had to do and where He was going. There was a path He had to tread, horribly unpleasant but a path that led to the greatest victory over sin and death. Amen! I must not love my life, even to death, because I have a path to walk and though I would wish for another path, this is it! The reward is great and the many I brin...

Ithen the chief priests took the silver and said, "it is not lawful to put it into the temple treasury, since it is blood money." So they conferred together and bought the potter's field with it as a burial place for foreigners. Therefore that field has been called Blood Field to this day. Matthew 27:6-9 Judas returned with the silver when he saw Jesus condemned to death. Perhaps he only wanted to shock Jesus into doing what he thought He should do all along, be a king, or perhaps his offense at Jesus' attitude to money was spent. The reaction of the leaders showed that they knew Jesus was innocent. Their decision to buy a field to bury foreigners in was not going to free them from their guilt. It is amazing how we can think by doing something that appears just and right can exonerate us from our sin and the consequences of it. There was a prevalent thought in some Jews that believed criminals received atonement though death. Judas hanged himself, perhaps he thought t...

Now Peter was sitting in the courtyard. A servant approached him and she said, "You were with Jesus the Galilean too!" But he denied it in front of everyone: " I don't know what you're talking about!" Matthew 26:69,70 Recently I read an account of Christian children who were captured by ISiS and given an opportunity to recant their faith. The child being interviewed had escaped from an IS camp and said, "We all did, of course." These children were then made to watch the slaughter of adult Christians and were indoctrinated daily in the Muslim faith. Jesus taught His disciples: ' he who denies Me before men I will deny before my Father.' Now I cannot judge the children for denying their faith, I imagine it would have been horrifying. We are safe here in Australia yet can still manage to 'deny' Christ by allowing our environment to dictate our stance as a Christian. What is He wanting us to say and do? Tonight I had another neighbourho...

"By the living God I place you under an oath: tell us if You are the Messiah, the Son of God!" "You have said it," Jesus told him. "But I tell you in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." Matthew 26:62-64 Jesus did not hold back and try to protect Himself. There is a saying: 'in for a penny, in for a pound.' In other words if I am in at all I am all the way in. I am a Christian! I am not just a Christian by name only I must be Christian in deed and in truth. I am washed by the blood of the Lamb, sanctified by His grace. Purchased by His blood. Cleansed from all unrighteousness. I am His and He is mine. All that is His is mine, all that is mine is His. This little light of mine, I must let it shine, let it shine, let in shine. Don't let anyone put a basket over your head! Amen!

Then Jesus told him (Peter), "Put your sword back in its place because all who take up the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think I cannot call on My Father and He will provide Me with 12 legions of angels! How, then, would the scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?" Matthew 26:52-54 There is a right way to handle everything. This past week there has been another slanderous attack on Hillsong Church. The media did not contact the church for their opinion but went from a slant that they understood. An assumption that Hillsong must be a cult and they must be doing something wrong because, well, this is all they know. The head pastor, Brian Houston, wrote on Facebook about keeping a loving attitude. If the church and its people lash out back, well this solidifies the opinion that they are wrong. Jesus faced a crowd of people who wanted His blood. They believed He was a crook and a fake. Jesus knew that retaliation was not the right response. He had to...

While Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon a man who had a serious skin disease, a woman approached Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive fragrant oil. She poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw it they were indignant, "Why this waste?" They asked. "This might have been sold for a great deal and given to the poor." Matthew 26:6-9 This has troubled me. Why were the disciples indignant? In other gospels we see it was Judas who was indignant. Matthew cites it was 'the disciples.' I could understand Judas being indignant. He had a thing about money. In verse 14 we see him go and betray Jesus for a third of what the ointment was worth. What sort of spirit is offended in lavish love? I suggest a religious spirit. It is the type that has attitude on how things should be done. Yet this same man had been used to perform miracles. Jesus had entrusted him with His money, His love and His glory. Jesus' response to ...

"When the Son of man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, "Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me. " Matthew 25:31-36 The righteous go on to say,' lord when did we do all these things to you?' And He replied, "when you did it for the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to Me!" Our Lord identifies with us, if we are the least in our own...

"For it (the Kingdom of God) is just like a man going on a journey. He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two and another one- to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey." Matthew 25:14,15 I have read this story many times and heard it preached on. Always I have thought of the talents God has given me and how I must be a good steward of my talents. Today as I read this I see the master gave his slaves 'his' possessions. I think of what are the Lord's possessions. They are: the people in my world, the business I manage, the planet I inhabit, to name a few. How am I being a good steward of these? I am surrounded by neighbours. What can I do for them? I can love them, open up my world to them and invite them in. I can respect them, honour them. I have a business to run that also has people in it. How am I a good steward towards these people? How I treat them will reflect on how I...

"Then the Kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible. When the foolish took their lamps, they did not take olive oil with them. But the sensible ones took olive oil in their flasks with their lamps. Since the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. In the middle of the night there was a shout:'Here's the groom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. But the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.' The sensible ones answered, 'No, there won't be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell, and buy oil for yourselves.' When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived. Then those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ' Master, mast...

"Who them is a faithful and sensible slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time? That slave whose master finds him working when he comes will be rewarded. I assure you: He will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says in his heart, 'My master is delayed', and starts to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, that slave's master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrite. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 24:49-51 Two opposite behaviours and two opposite rewards. They represent two types of believers: one is passionate about his Lord and his task the other is not. You might say they are the spiritual man and the carnal man. What task have I been given? Who has the Lord given me to care for? Each of us has been given a task, whether we ...

Immediately after the tribulation of those days: 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 the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the peoples of the earth will mourn; and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. Matthew 24:29-31 The disciples had asked Jesus about the end times and this was a pry of His reply. It is interesting that He comes after some sort of tribulation and signs in the sky. Many movies have been made about cosmic catastrophes. The book of revelation gives a lot more detail. Needless to say there is coming a major cosmic event, after a particular tribulation. Jesus goes on to say His coming will not be expected, except by His people. As in the days of Noah people w...

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away." Matthew 24:35 In a day when there is much cleverness and invention the word of God is still the same, it's power is still as great, it is as fresh as when first spoken. No amount of re-translation can change that. Our God is just as mighty, the power that raise Christ from the dead is still here, still potent. Our God is greater than all the noise, He rises above all circumstance, all enemies will bow the knee. Our God is an awesome He reins over all. He is mightier than any enemy, greater than any disease, stronger than any foe. His word prevails. No cleverness of man has made Him obsolete, He remains when all the clever are gone into the grave. He triumps over all time, all coldness of man, all ignorance. No weapon formed against Him shall prosper and I am His. He is my champion, protector, deliverer, lover and friend. Nothing can come against the ones He loves and last, He tears down all the works of...

Because of the increase of wickedness the love of most will grow cold. Matthew 24:12 When we consider wickedness we think of the Islamic militants, the slave traders, the pedofiles. Why this is true wickedness but is there another? How does the aforementioned make the love of many grow cold? Might I suggest it doesn't, in fact it fans the flame. So then, what is this wickedness? Is it the pornography that sneaks onto your screen? Is it the way you abuse your spouse? Is it the way you cheat on your tax? Is it the way you rage on the road? Is it the hidden lies? The cheating? Or is it pure selfishness? Scripture tells us what the works of the flesh are told us by Paul in Galatians 5:19-21, check them out. You will notice 'outbursts of anger, hatred, envy, drunkenness, carousing, strife, factions etc are mentioned. Why we would consider these innocuous, yes? But wickedness? Wow! We are called to be salt and light. Salt and light cannot walk in the ways of wickedness. So then, wher...

"Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you , how often I have longed to gather you together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look your house is left to you desolate. You will not see me again until you say, 'blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" Matthew 23:37-39 How sad! To be so loved yet miss all that that love would give. I see this so much: 'I will do it my way!' 'I will earn my way!'  I spoke to a man only yesterday morning who claimed he was building up his good works account so that 'karma' would come back to him. I told him I do good deeds by the grace of Jesus Christ. I told him about my born again experience and that I discovered that a relationship with Jesus was the way. He was not happy. Jesus is the answer and tho time and ages roll Jesus is still the answer, He's the answer to my soul and though some may say He doesn't fit with their ...

...and he who swear by heavens throne swears by the One who sits on it. Matthew 23:22 We become so caught up in our own authority and the proving of it, we start to make wild gestures and wild comments. The above verse comes after Jesus had been teaching on the importance of not trying to impress with outlandish statements, all we need is our 'yes' to mean 'yes' and our 'no' to mean 'no'. What makes us try to impress? I imagine it is insecurity in ourselves. All of us have patches of insecurity. When we find ourselves there and very vulnerable we say what we need not say to help out insecurity. When, really, we need to embrace our insecurity right through the other side and find our God is actually there. He is our security, no we ourselves. I have been challenged to walk in the Spirit in the light of sharing Christ with the sick, the broken and the tormented. There are times, frankly I do not know what to say so I back off, wait and give grace. I so wan...

"Nor are you to be called the teacher for you have One teacher, The Christ." Matthew 23:10 In society we love to give and receive titles, yet titles are traps. With them others attempt to box us in and then will only expect what they think we are. This can be a problem because if we accept the box then we can restrict God's power in our lives. We need to stay open to the Spirit of God. He is fresh every morning.  Today I expected the weather to be like yesterday because the weather report said it would be. I almost didn't come to the beach not plan a swim. However, I looked out and glory of all glories it is warm enough for a swim. One last swim in a sea pool before I leave.  Fond memories to take with me along with all the people I have met, ministered to and enjoyed. Thank You Lord! Amen!

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Saducees, they came together. And one of them, an expert of the law, asked Hum a question to test Him: "teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands." Matthew 22:34-40 It is not so much that we do this command, to love out of guilt or shame for not loving but more a stepping into relationship with the Lord and others. Now this love relationship cannot be done casually, but in deed and in truth, intentionally, choosing to get to know this Lord and savour His breath, His presence, His whispers and look for Him, seeking Him out, longing for Him as a deer looks for water. Loving others cannot be done casually. We must choose to linger and spend tim...

Then he said to his servants, "the wedding banquet has been prepared but those who were invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite anyone you can find. " so the servants went out to the street corners and brought in all they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was full of guests. Matthew 22:8-10 Even the modern day church can miss a move of God. What causes us to miss it? Indifference, preoccupation, cold hearts. What do we miss? The presence of God, the word that could change all our circumstances. Being in the right place at the right time is important. I heard last night how an attendee at conference received a Rhema from God about his future and ended up in bible school and now is going to Nigeria to minister. This would not have happened if he had not attended. A Rhema is a God breathed, God inspired word. It is important to have our spiritual ears on. Tonight at conference Daniel Kolenda is preaching, I would not miss it for the...

Jesus spoke to them again saying, "the Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited and they refused to come. Matthew 22:1-3 Again Jesus is talking about His people the children of Israel refusing His Father's invitation to come to Jesus. Today I went to see an old client. He is about to turn 80 and still claims to be an atheist. He doesn't like church and had a son die when he was young. He says he does not blame God but then went on to say, "If there was a God why did He let my son die?" Sounds to me like He does blame God. I told him that when he dies, which he is constantly going on about, that it is not over but the beginning of eternity. I asked him what he would say if he stood before the Lord, who he refused to believe in and discovered He was the most beautiful thing his eyes had ever seen. He replied, "well then I would know I had made a mistake." I said, "...

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of heaven will be taken away from you and given to another who will produce fruit. He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces but he whom the stone falls on will be crushed. Matthew 21:43,44 Jesus told parables to highlight the fact that God was taking away their sole right to the kingdom and giving it to the Gentiles, that's us. So where does that leave us? Responsible for what has been given to us. Jesus Himself tells us that we will have to give an account. I ask that my eyes and ears are opened to opportunities to share the Kingdom and not squander them on myself. Amen! Last night on the bus home there was a frail old man and I was removed from him because I had a window seat. He appeared to want to get up and a young man who sat next to him saw his distress and asked if he could help. When the bus cleared the young man sat near me and I thanked him and prayed for his future. This was the least I could do. 

What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, "I want you to go into the vineyard today and work," and the son said, "I will not go," yet later he changed his mind and went. He went to the second son and said the same thing and this son said, "I will go," but did not go. "Which of these two did what the father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus answered them, " I tell you the truth, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of Heaven ahead of you. For John came to show you the way of righteousness but you did not believe him but the tax collectors and prostitutes did, and even after you saw this you did not repent and believe him. Matthew 21:28-32 The hearts of the scribes and Pharisees had grown cold. James tells us our hearts are hardened by the deceitful was of sin. If you were to tell the Pharisees they were sinners they would have been horrified. Yet what was their si...

"If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."Matthew 21:22 Jesus had just cursed a fig tree for not having any fruit. When they went by the tree the next day it had withered. The disciples were amazed. I wonder why? They had seen Jesus heal the sick; open blind eyes and deaf ears; he had fed the multitude yet here He merely cursed a tree and it withered. What are the parameters of our faith? Where are the boundaries? Do we know why the boundaries are there? What do they look like? Can we believe for finance and not healing or vice versa?  Can we explain these differences? I know the more time I have to think and analyse the more barriers I construct in my mind. I remember walking into my mother's house once and saw she had a crooked finger and asked about it. She explained she thought it was arthritis. Without the thinking I grabbed it and rebuked arthritis and told it to straighten, it did. There are other times I walk into a wall of heaviness and mor...

Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the moneychangers tables  and all those who were selling doves. "It is written," he said, "that My house will be a house of prayer but you are making it a den of robbers." The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple and He healed them. Matthew 21:12-14 It is interesting that God wants His house to be a house of prayer, not sacrifice. We tend to associate the temple with sacrifice as so many of them occurred there. But Jesus calls it a house of prayer. And what is prayer? Relationship with God. When we are caught up in buying and selling in the house we make it a place of noise and human nature but He wants it to be a place  of peace where we can meet with God and have a divine exchange. Amen! Straight away the blind and lame come to Him to be healed.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem the whole city was stirred and said, "Who is this?" And the crowd replied, "this is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." Matthew 21:10,11 From what I can see, according to Matthew, this was the first time Jesus went to Jerusalem. The crowd saw Jesus coming, riding on a donkey. They threw their cloaks down on the ground before Him. Thus when Jerusalem heard the commotion they wanted to know, "Who is this?" Jesus did what He did to fulfil prophesy about Him. 'Say to you daughter, Zion, see your king comes to you gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, a foal of a donkey.' The crowd called Him a prophet. They did not know who he was. Prophesy called Him their king. There was only one group of people who knew who Jesus was. The disciples, and even they did not grasp all He was. Jesus alone knew who He was. Yet He submitted to doing what He did knowing the hearts of all that were around Him. Gentle, and riding on ...

As Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho a large crowd followed Him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard Jesus was going by   they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the more, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" Jesus stopped and called to them, "What would you have me do for you?" "Lord", they answered "we want our sight." Jesus had compassion on them and immediately they received their sight. Matthew 20:29-34 Many are deaf and blind when it comes to the gospel yet to those who ask in faith receive eternal life. As a Christian I know there are still times when I am blind and deaf. I can imagine the Lord saying to Himself, "If only she could hear she would understand things as I see them." At these times I pray for insight and see, but oh if only I saw as He sees and hears what He hears. Faith moves God a...

When the ten heard about this (asking for preferential treatment in heaven) they were indignant with the two brothers (James and John). Jesus called them together and said, "you know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Who ever wants to be great should be servant of all, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- just as the son of man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:24-28 It is interesting that Jesus chose Gentiles as a reference for rulers lording it over subjects. The Jewish nation had enough overbearing leaders as well. The disciples were struggling with their fleshly ideas. They were wanting to turn children away, judge and hate those who oppressed them. Jesus wanted them to have a Godly perspective. He was in a place He wanted to bring them to. Operating in love. Love conquers all. If love is the centre of all then ...

Then the mother of Zebedee's two sons came with her sons and kneeled down in front of Him and asked a favour of Him. "What is it you want?" Jesus asked. "Grant that in Your Kingdom one of these two sons may sit at your right hand and the other the left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am to drink?" "We can," they answered. Jesus replied, "You will indeed drink from my cup but as to who sits on My right or left is not mine to give. These places are prepared for who My Father chooses." Matthew 20:20-23 Ever got caught up in the moment and ran with grandiose thoughts? I have. We are so earthly at times. We judge a situation from our feeble perspectives and do not consider the big picture. We judge others as not as good as us, we become self-righteous at time and praise God the Lord comes along with a levelling experience that brings us back to earth. This is what is happening here...

Peter answered Him and said, "We have left everything to follow You, what will there be for us?" Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed me will sit on 12 thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, sisters or brothers, mothers or fathers, or children or fields for my sake will receive one hundred times as much and inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last and those who are last will be first. Matthew 19:27-30 Jesus had previously been teaching about the rich and the Kingdom of God. How it would be hard, but not impossible for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Peter now says,  "But Lord we left everything for you." In other words if the rich can get in and keep their stuff what about us who left everything. Perhaps he was a little indignant, who knows. Jesus now tells them their reward which is substanti...

I tell you the truth, it is hard  for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:23,24 Jesus had just had a rich young ruler come and ask how he could obtain eternal life. Jesus initially told him to keep the commandments, to which he replied, "this I have done since my youth. What more must I do?" Jesus them told him to sell all he had and follow Him. The man went away sorrowful because he had a lot of possessions. I recently bought my grandchildren a little book that addressed this story in a very funny way. It's de out hat the camel was proud of all he carried but came up to a very small door in the wall. To get through he had to gradually remove all his trappings so he could get through and in so doing was stripped down to himself, without anything else. In other words he had been humbled and reminded of what he was, a simple cam...

Some Pharisees came to Him to test Him saying: "is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" Jesus said to them, " haven't you read at the beginning the creator made them male and female and said, "for this reason a man should leave his mother and father and be united with his wife and they will no longer be two but become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one. Therefore, what God has joined together let no man separate." Matthew 19:3-6 By the time Jesus had arrived on the scene the laws surrounding marriage had changed from the original intention. During Moses' time a man could give his wife a certificate of divorce. The Pharisees brought this up to justify their stance. Yet what was Jesus saying? God made male and female and Jesus said: 'for this reason a man should leave his mother and father and be united with his wife.' What has that got to do with their lust and hard hearts? Nothing! Could it be possible tha...

This is how My Heavenly Father will treat you if you do not forgive your brother from your heart. Matthew 18:35 Jesus had just told a story about a master who had forgiven his servant his debt because the servant pleaded with him. However, the servant went and treated his debtors cruelly. Jesus went on to say the master, when he discovered the behaviour of the servant, threw him into jail until he could pay his debt. How many of you are able to pay a debt whilst in jail? No? If we are not free to work then we cannot repay our debt, not really. Jesus was saying if we jail everyone who sins against us with our judgement then our world is stuck in jail just the same. Not a good outlook. Amen! Set the prisoners free!

Lord how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Seven times? Jesus answered not seven times but seventy seven times! Matthew 18:21,22 Forgiveness is limitless, unending and ever full of grace. Jesus was teaching his disciples about God's forgiveness and His grace. We have limits but really if we stop to think our limits come out of our inability to accept humans as sinners, that we are sinners and we all need a tablespoon, make that a bucket full, of grace. (Perhaps a truck load!) Grace gives room, makes a way, provides answers. Amen!

'Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them." Matthew 18:18,20.  This text comes after the instruction about restoring a brother who sins against me, whatever I bind on earth is what is bound in heaven, whatever I loose on earth is what is loosed in heaven. If I fail to forgive, judgement is held and we are both stuck. Now if I, in self-righteous indignation endeavour to pray God's fire on a brother, this would not work. My attitude is wrong and the action is not approved in heaven. I must get over my offence, humble my heart and find God's answer. His answer is: first try and reconcile. Then if you fail join in prayer for the brother and it will be done as that prayer seeks God's best for the man. I know when I touch God's heart and when I pray as He would want me pray. Everyone needs room to ...

I assure you: whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18 This scripture flows on from verses 15-17 about correcting a brother who sins against you. Once you have tried to restore a relationship with a brother and fail and then take along two or three witnesses and if you then fail you take it to the church. In this context if we do things God's way and follow the steps outlined then we are in fact attempting to loosen the offense of the believers. If we fail then the final act is to treat the offender like an outsider. This is God's way to attempting to shock the relationship into a right path. In the parable about the son who wanted his inheritance and went off and squandered it, the godly principle was to restore once the son came to his senses. The Father did not run after his son, the son had to go and learn his lesson. Although the father looked daily for his son, he had to trust that he...

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you and if he listens to you, you have won a brother over. If he doesn't listen to you take along two witnesses and if he still does not listen to you tell the church. Matthew 18:15-17 I have paraphrased this scripture as I am sitting in a pathology lab with my mother as she has a blood test. I have had literal brothers and sisters sin against me and have not dealt with things as scripture suggests. I have allowed the injury and gone away to lick my wounds. I have need to speak about the wrong done to me, to them. Choosing a right time is important and choosing to speak at all is important. I must first make sure it is not my problem and it actually is a 'sin against me.' Where we fall down is speaking to others about it first and inflaming others against the sinner. As I have been inflamed by friends against their others until I discovered the truth I am slow to take up the offense of a fr...

See that you don't look down on one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of My Father in heaven. ( for the Son of Man has come to save the lost.) Matthew 18:10,11 The 'little ones' referred to believers. Wow! This takes some digesting. There are believers who behave badly, there are foolish believers, immature believers, downright stupid believers but they all have Angels who stand before the Father. Humour me for a minute. Imagine being an angel of a foolish believer, standing before the Father and defending your charge. "Father, give them time, I am sure they will grow up." I wonder if our angels ever blush? I am sure we give gem plenty to blush about. I know I have. So then, if we are to receive this word, what does that mean about what my behaviour and even attitude should be like? Gracious! Generous! Kind! Patient! Perhaps I should re-read 1Corintians 13 again. It is so easy to be impatient, unkind, un...

At that time the disciples came to Him and asked, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. He said to them: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child will be greatest in the Kibgdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:1-4 Our life goals seem to be to learn more and become clever. Yet we an be so clever that we miss the Kingdom of Heaven. Being self-sufficient is not where humility lies. Humility lies in knowing you are not clever or able and trusting the One who is. Having just spent a few days with grandchildren I watched how, from very young, the goal seems to be, 'I can do that myself.' I am now visitng my mother in Newcastle and am watching the, 'Can you help me with this please,' attitude. Mum is becoming frail, after her operation last November her hair began to fall out. ...

As they were meeting in Galilee, Jesus told them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised up." And they were deeply distressed. Matthew 17:22,23 Why were they distressed? Firstly that Jesus would be betrayed. Who by, they all, except Judas, did not know. Secondly that Jesus would be killed. They did not hear or understand what came next: 'on the third day He would be raised up.' Perhaps they assumed it meant raised in glory. Have you ever been so upset by the news that you were about to lose a very good friend that you failed to hear the second part? Yes! Failing to understand scriptures prophesy would also be a problem. We have the value of hindsight. We know Jesus rose again and the victory His death and resurrection won for us is eternal life and an open relationship with the Father. Today is our true birthday. Today represents the beginning of our new relationship with God. Today we ...

When they reached the crowd, a man approached and knelt before Him. "Lord," he said, "Have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers severely. He often falls into the fire and often into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him." Jesus replied, "You unbelieving and rebellious generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to Me." Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and from that moment the boy was healed. Then the disciples approached Him privately and said, " Why couldn't we drive it out?" "Because of your little faith," He told them. "For I assure you: if you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:14-20 Why did Jesus seem so exasperated with the disciples? Why such an outburst? He had just had a glor...

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wants to come to Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, And follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me, will find it. What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, then He will reward each according to what He has done." Matthew 16:24-27 Jesus is giving His disciples the example to follow. He, God, gave up His life in glory to come to earth and become a man. He was reviled, scorned and ultimately crucified for His efforts. How does this relate to me, a 21st century Christian? Life is not always happy. The modern mans desire to be happy is in stark contrast with what Jesus is saying. It is now Easter Saturday. We remember Jesus dying on a cross for our sins. Today 21 centuries later the world saw Jesus buried in a tomb. Is you life in a tomb? Were you going somew...

Then Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Saducees. Matthew 16:6 Why did Jesus say this? Yeast inflates a lump of dough. What was with the teaching of the Pharisees and Saducees? Puffed up pride in their interpretation of scripture. We don't have Pharisees and Saducees but we have plenty of people who would put us in bondage by subtly drawing us away with 'do good' doctrines which appear SO righteous but are really self- righteous. 'Righteous' characters are also critical characters. If you feel a bout coming on rebuke it and start praising God for the ones you were about to give a tongue lashing. Do be deceived it happens to everyone. The devil sets us up with his whispers about how good we are and how bad others are. Don't fall for it! Keep praising!

Now Jesus summoned the disciples and said, "I have compassion on the crowd, because they already stayed with Me for three days and have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry; Otherwise they might collapse on the way." Matthew 15:30,31 This is the second time that Jesus wants to feed the crowd. The first time the disciples identified their need and wanted to send them away to find food, Jesus, instead asked them what they had and used this to feed the thousands. Again, we see the crowd staying for three days without food. I have never seen this but I am sure it happens. I am sure Reinhardt Bonke or Daniel Kolenda might see it when large crowds travel long distances to hear the gospel, but westerners struggle to go without for a meal. Imagine someone being so engaging that you don't notice being hungry for three days? Again Jesus' compassion is for the whole man. He had fed their spirits but knew their flesh needed food. Another miracle was coming. A...

Moving on from there( Tyre and Sidon)Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee. He went up on a mountain and sat there, and large crowds came to Him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, those unable to speak, and many others. They put them at His feet, and He healed them. So the crowd was amazed when they saw those unable to speak talking, the deformed restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they gave glory to the God of Israel. Matthew 15:29-31 Note Jesus sat down and they came to Him. What was His advertising campaign? Who was Hus herald promoting Him? We know that John the Baptist went about calling people to repent and making them aware that the Kingdom of God was at hand. After 400 years of nothing they were hungry. But what compelled people to come to Jesus? I believe His compassion for them went abroad. What are people hungry for? Genuine love. The real things is deep, wide, peaceful, compelling. The people knew He had compassion because He lived it. Gr...

When Jesus left there, He withdrew to the area of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from the region came and kept crying out, "Have mercy on me Lord, Son of David! My daughter is cruelly tormented by a demon." Yet He did not say a word to her. So His disciples approached Him and urged Him, "Send her away because she cries out after us." He replied, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came, knelt before Him, and said, "Lord, help me!" He answered, "It isn't right to take the children's bread and throw it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she said, "Yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table!" Then Jesus replied to her, "Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done to you as you want. And from that moment her daughter was cured. Matthew 15:21-28 The Canaanite nation was the most notorious pagan enemy of Israel. Imagine the most notorious  ene...

Summoning the crowd, He told them, "Listen and understand: It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. Matthew 15:10,11 This statement greatly offended the Pharisees because they upheld such stringent rules about food, may of which God actually gave the people in the time of Moses. To have felt you had obeyed these commands and were diligent I follow them, believing this diligence made you righteous and now to have one who claimed to be the Christ tell you  otherwise would have shocked and horrified them. What rules govern you life? What strict parameters have you established in your life? Do you now glory in them? The test for this is what comes out of your mouth. Do you judge and criticise others because they fail to keep such rigorous standards? Ha! Ha! Caught? Don't worry we all do this. Yet what is the best way? I think it is allowing God to govern and lead and giving Him the glory. Staying close to Him tends...

Then the Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem to Jesus and asked, "why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they don't wash their hands before they eat!" He answered them, "And why do you break God's commandments because of your traditions?" Matthew 15:1-3 We can be so caught up with petty things, such as traditions, when greater things are important. A critical spirit loves nothing more than to come and accuse another person to you. Yes there is always some truth in the accusation but by following the accusers promptings we will invariably miss something more important, such as love, patience, kindness etc. I've noticed his activity a lot lately, whispering accusations against many in my world. He can go to hell. Try this, as the thoughts come start praying for the one who is accused, they surely need your prayer. Amen!