The day with dianne Louise

Your land is desolate, your cities burned with fire, foreigners devour your fields before your very eyes- a desolation demolished by foreigners. Isaiah 1:7 This word is spoken to a people in rebellion against their God. They were under judgement. As Christians we can change the face of things, we can bring healing to our lands. In Queensland Australia 80% of the state is in brought whilst the coastal areas is inundated with rain. We can pray for our land and our people. We can interceded for an outpouring of the Spirit of God on hearts and lives and see our lands restored. As the church humbles itself and prays God moves. I follow farmers on Facebook and hear their cries and see their plight. Many farmers from richer, well watered areas are sending fodder but what they really need is a God type visitation, an outpouring of God's favour and presence on the land. I know they a asking for money, and yes we can send money but we can also pray. Salvation is the best experience we can ha...

From the sole of the foot even to the head, no spot is uninjured- wounds, welts, and festering sores not cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil. Isaiah 1:6 Tonight I met with other 'believers' for a farewell dinner for a couple moving away.  I noticed that there was a problem with infirmity. As I listened I could see souls trapped in helplessness. I began to wonder where was their God. So many Christians are caught in the trap of infirmity and rather than going to Christ, moan about their lot. The enemy traps in cages of helplessness and we must break out of them by focussing on Jesus and giving Him praise. He gives us the tools we need. We must slap ourselves with the word of God and pull out our faith and go on the offensive.  I also experience injury, it  has only been about 8 weeks since I fell at the pool and broke a rib and two weeks since I overused my arms and legs causing injury to joints, muscles and tissues. But I know the One in whom I hope, He is Jesus, Son ...

Oh sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, brood of evil doers, depraved children! They have abandoned the Lord; they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they have turned their backs on Him. Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep on rebelling? The whole head is hurt, and the whole heart is sick. Isaiah1:4,5  Our nations are turning away from their roots, a Christian heritage. Standing outside Christ and refusing to be delivered and healed does not make much sense, but many do it, believing their are their own masters. Ha! Ha! Satan has deceived again! On the other side is God reaching out, calling them in. Why come in? Some friends from church have just had their first baby and it is a little girl. We have watched their journey through pregnancy, on Facebook. Now the little daughter has arrived and I sense intense joy. I remember the pleasure of having my daughter. Something awakens inside we never knew possible, such love. Now, if we humans can love so much, an...

Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth, for the Lord has spoken: I have raised up children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. The ox knows its owner, the donkey its master's feeding trough, But Israel does not know; My people do not understand. Isaiah 1:2,3 I believe the heavens and earth, the plants and animals hear their maker better the the prize creation, mankind. Purity and love speaks to the stars, causes the sun to smile, the moon to quietly glow. The trees clap their hands, the animals lift their heads in worship and sing His praises, and mankind sleeps. Man, was given choice, but he chooses death and destruction thinking it is freedom. The Father stands waiting for the son to return. Grace flows out after him, but he walks on by, blind and deaf to the glorious One. Have mercy Lord! Amen!

Now may the God of peace, who brought you up from the dead our Lord Jesus- the great shepherd of the sheep- with the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory belong to Him forever and ever. Amen! Hebrews 13:20,21 Note our God is a God of peace, He lives in peace and as we know Him, we come into peace. I have a friend who has always said to me: 'let peace be your governor Di.'(thanks James!) we find our minds drawn to vindictive thoughts, vengeance is me,meats me! Yet we know where they come from. Who is leading? Who is in control? A nasty spirit! My prayer is that God equips me to do His will. Scripture tells me I am given all I need to walk in righteousness, I need to do it. So, therefore, I must step out in faith, believing He has equipped me. Amen! The goal is to work what is pleasing in his sight and give Him the glory forever and ever and not steal it for myse...

Pray for us; for we are convinced that  we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honourably in everything. And I especially urge you to pray that I may be restored to you very soon. Hebrews 13:18,19 All of us are attacked, in our own weakness. We have an enemy that seeks to destroy us. Operating with a clear conscience is a good place to be and one we must fight for. Our enemy is constantly trying to deceive us, condemn us, pollute us. Our role is to stand in the freedom won, with the helmet of salvation in place. Salvation is full of grace, grace that levels all proud argument, disputes all deceptive thoughts, confirms who we are in Christ. We can allow grace to fill us, infuse us, preserve us. Praying for each other rather than gloating over the falls of each other is how we defeat the enemy. He constantly tries to divide us from the place where we belong. I know he does me. He is a liar, a thief and nothing, absolutely nothing good dwells in him. When we stand in...

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17 If we want our leaders to lead in a way that benefits us we should support them in prayer and not be selfish in our prayer. The church does not exist to pander to childishness or selfishness, but to lead us into all grace. If our leaders ask that we do not park in a certain place because that is reserved for mothers and babies and the old, then we should listen and obey. If our leaders confront us about our lifestyle, we should listen and correct our behaviour. If our leaders believe we as a church should go a certain way and develop our buildings then we should listen and pray and seek God for our part in this poroject. We need to use our faith and trust God to use our leaders to direct us. Amen! The above scripture says it is profitable for us to obey. Let's heed the...

Don't neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. Hebrews 13:16 When we are centred in Christ we are filled with passion for the good He would have us do. When we are only loosely connected we devise our own version of 'good' and stress about fulfilling that good. Over the years I have head many 'good projects,' some are God inspired, but again that does not mean it is where He is guiding me. I am learning to not push against a closed door. If the door is not open for me then that is not where He would have me. There are so many good ideas, but what is God wanting me to be involved in? We can be intimidated by the passion of others, feel cold and unfeeling because we are not on board with their vision. We have to realise that the body of Christ is a vast organism and God uses different parts to fulfill different tasks. If my heart belongs to Christ then I can trust Him for His direction. Seek Him for His passion for you, don...

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Don't be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by foods, since those involved in them have not benefited. We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle do not have a right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the most holy place by the high priest as a sin offering are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that he might sanctify the people by His own blood. Let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace. For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come. Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name. Not neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. Hebrews 13:8-16 It is so easy to want to add to our faith. The early ...

Remember your leaders who have spoken God's word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 Our leaders generally exhibit faith in their attitudes towards one another, life's problems; giving. If we can see fruit of righteousness then we should imitate them. Conversely, if they have no fruit, which could happen, in a particular area, then we would be foolish to follow suit, in that area. Having good leaders that lead by example is such a blessing to the church, this given certainty and security about their church. If we are in practice what we say we are then we are a source of blessing to others, especially when we are leaders. Amen! Having a gracious, patient leader encourages us to be patient and gracious. Having a faith filled leader encourages us to step out in faith. Good leaders are so valuable!

Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself said, ' I  will never leave you or forsake you.' Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid, What can man do to me? Hebrews 13:5,6 The love of money therefore, comes out of mistrust of the One who says: He will never leave us. He is judged as unfaithful when we find ourselves in places stretched and in need. When I am in such places it is for me to find Him there, or conversely, because I am where He is not, I must move. Then I must find out the reason and if I am where He is not, I need to get back to where He is, but if I am having to find a Him in the new place, then find Him I must, instead of going to fear. My God is good! He supplies all I need. He is my lover and friend. I can trust Him. Of late I have been relaxing into my business and placing less pressure on myself to be doing or running to the drum of another. In business there is so much no...

Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefined, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers. Hebrews 12:4 Can this be more straight forward? I don't think so. There is no way you can get from this that you can be loose about marriage. God is faithful to us, as a married man, He is our example. Marriage is to be kept clean, pure even, honest, open and together. Anything or anyone who thinks they can divide a marriage, are in trouble, from God. This scripture says 'God will judge the immoral and adulterers.' Watching pornographic movies, going to porn site online are all acts of adultery. If Jesus, God's Son could keep it clean as a single man, married men can keep it clean. Us singles can as well, we have an example, a leader to follow. Making crude jokes about marriage and those who are married are also disrespectful. We can keep it clean and honour marriage. Amen! Whatever is good, and clean and lovely, think on these things! Amen!

Let brotherly love continue. Don't neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily. Hebrews 13:1-3 Do we still know how to do this? It is saying brotherly love. Last night I cooked up something different and took a photo and sent to my natural sister. It is not usually like me as I normally think it trivial, but she liked it. I am on Facebook and the times I actually post something about me are the times my friends come alive and like my post. It can be something so insignificant, it amazes me. TD Jakes put up a post in which he was holding his phone camera at arms length to get started and then hand to someone, I presume his wife, and them film an invitation to watch his service. I thought it very funny that he showed his human side, the older person trying to do a selfie, I wrote to him and said h...

Make sure you have not rejected the One who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected Him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven. His voice shook the earth at that time, but now He has promised, ' yet once more I will not only shake the earth but also the heaven.' This expression, 'yet once more,' indicated the removal of what can be shaken- that is, created things- so that what is not shaken remains. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:25-29 The writer of Hebrews understands the respect that should be afforded to God, do we? Many create a slot for God in their lives, by they are in control. In the wilderness, in the Old Testament, God's people chose not to enter into a close relationship with God and instead told Moses to be the mediator. Whilst Mos...

For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. (Mt Sinai) . Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the Living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering, to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to God who is the judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, to Jesus ( mediator of a new covenant), and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:18-28 The Hebrews would understand this comparison, they lived and breathed the Old Testament but now they are being presented with the New, Jesus Christ and Him crucified. We may, or may not, have been raised in church. I grew up in a Catholic household and attended mass regularly. I knew the 10 commandments and continually strived to fulfil them, constantly falling on my face in failure. Last night at connect gro...

And make sure there isn't any irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for one meal. For we know later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he didn't find the opportunity for repentance, though he sought it with tears. Hebrews 12:16,17 We read the story of Esau and Jacob in Genesis 25:33. We see there that just as Hebrews says, Esau did not care for his birthright, until it was important to him. Having a birthright brings responsibility, a certain level of behaviour modifications, but Esau was not prepared to adapt or change, he lived for his sensual appetites, not for honour, His God or his family. His father loved him, yet Esau despised his position. However, Jacob cherished the idea of birthright, to him it was everything, he was willing to deceive to obtain blessing. Granted he was resorting to his own ability and strength instead of trusting the Lord, but God met him and he changed. As Christians we have a  birthright, as...

Make sure no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble by it, defiling many. Hebrews 12:15 Did you know you could fall short of the grace of God? God's grace is there for us in abundance, flowing freely. I can access it just by asking. So how do I find myself entertaining a root of bitterness? Shopping in the wrong store.  Before the internet sex shops where in a lot of towns, men had to physically go there. They were seen going into the shops, possibly questioned as to why they went there. They were in the wrong shops, buying the wrong product. In the kingdom of God, the main product is grace and out of grace everything else flows. A root of bitterness is bought at a shop of offence. Why were you there? You, like the man at the sex shop, were lured there by your enemy who wanted to cage you. We are told to guard our hearts( Prov 4:23) and also to put on the helmet of salvation.(eph 6:17) The helmet of salvation says to the thoug...

Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness- without it no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 If I am pursuing peace with everyone, I do not have the space to sit in judgement, criticism cannot be in my mouth, my heart must be pure towards all men, even those who hurt me. Now, there's a challenge! My naturally reaction against those who hurt me is to retaliate in some way. However, God has grasped my reactor and said, "trust me to use even your enemies." As I lay down my own cause, I am being changed from the inside out. Nowadays I see rejection as a traffic control mechanism, it flips me into the right direction. I can then be grateful as now I am on the right path. Holiness cannot be in the same place as malice, envy, anger, jealousy, pride, arrogance. Holiness means 'set apart,' it does not mean self-righteous, but Christ righteous. Why all the fuss? Do you want to see God? If your answer is "yes!" then pursue peace and holiness. Amen! Simple!!

Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight your paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead. Hebrews 12:12,13 I believe this is such an important passage. So many my age are tired and looking for pleasant looking places where they might lay down and take a rest. Yet there is only one place where it is safe to lie down and take a rest, under my God,s feathers. He is my sanctuary, my shelter, my shield, my sustenance, my rest. For several weeks now I have known that Saturday is for the Lord. I still clean and mow and wash but do it in Him, mindful of Him. I enjoy our time together, our space, our communion. I am quiet, I listen to good music and messages via podcasts. I have stepped it up a notch and there is no TV Friday or Sarurday night. His presence is invading my world. Week nights I am giving to Him and am seeking Him. Why? Because He is the only liberator, deliverer, fulfilled I know. Driving to church Sunday...

Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline- which all receive-then you are illegitimate children but not sons. Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn't we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? For they discipline us for a short time based on what seems good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead. Hebrews 12:7-13 You can't beat good discipline, done in love, for a godly purpose, it produces life. My son was very dramatic as a child. When he was about to be smacke...

' My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives.' Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? Hebrews 12:5-7 Depending on the type of earthy discipline we will all vary in our reaction to the above scripture.  My dad was not good at this and it prompted me to be better. I made sure I discipline for bad behaviour and loved my children afterwards explaining what they did was wrong but I loved them still. My son received the more discipline as he pushed the boundaries more. At times I despaired that I had to discipline him so much, however, he is now a good dad.  Accepting discipline from God is a challenge to the world of 'I', however I will not grow as a Christian without it. Accepting that God does discipline is important. We usually resent things going wrong or not accor...

Therefore, since we also have such a large crowd of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and sin that so easily besets. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfected of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself so that you won't grow weary and lose heart. In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:1-4 The sacrifice of all who have been mentioned in chapter 11 and also our Lord has been so huge. How could I not appreciate and feel a part of something so great. I am being watched, saints are watching me to see how I, a born again believer walk, when they only had faith for such a day. Jesus pushed through the pain, disgrace and fear for me so that I could endure, He made a way ...

And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Sampson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead-they were rIsed to life again. Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection, and others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had provided ...

By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. By faith he crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do his they were drowned. Hebrews 11:27-29 What I see is obedience, yet it is called faith. Why? Because Moses trusted God, he obediently followed. So, when I step out where God would have me, trusting against all, it is faith. Moses had the noise of the people he was delivering and the noise of the Egyptians who were used to being their lords and masters. They would have been taunting them, confident that these stupid people would fail. Noise and opposition are a given. This is where focussed trust comes into play. The Lord often says to me: "Look at Me!" When I am looking at him, I cannot see or hear the noise, even though it is still there. Amen!

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of the Pharoah's daughter and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short lived pleasure of sin. For he considered the reproach because of the Messiah to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since his attention was on the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26 The Lord's hand was on Moses. I imagine his parents were in prayer for him. They knew he was special and that God had a plan for him. Moses was drawn by God, compelled by Him into the desert where he stayed for 40 years. I wonder if he thought it was all over? But God knew it wasn't! The forty years in the backside of the desert were preparing Moses to walk in humility before Him. God did not need an upstart, an impetituous young man who acted in his emotion. The time out back cured him of all such actions, so much so he did not believe he could speak to the Pharoah. It is interesting that this scripture says that ' Moses cons...

These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from afar, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. Now those who say such things make it clear make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. But they now desire a better place-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-15 What did all of these have in common? 1) they had a relationship based on love for their God, love crew them, compelled them, encouraged them 2) they saw something worth walking towards, something drew them 3) they embraced what they saw and if filled them with hope  4) they accepted that they were strangers in the land, they did not try and adapt to the point of losing their identity and vision 5) they did not look back and think of where they came from 6) they ...

By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who has promised was faithful. Thereford from one man-in fact, from one as good as dead- came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore. Hebrews 11:11,12 Well now! This chickie can identify with Sarah and Abraham, no I am not as old as they were when they had a baby but one gets to an age when you know age is catching up. Today I had a physio appointment as I am again injured. After two episode of fast swimming on two separate days my legs are still on fire, tingling and very much not at rest. The news was not good. And then there is my right shoulder that, many years ago, I had a rotator cuff tear. I was told that this leaves the shoulder with only three of the four anchoring muscles working and they are struggling to stop the ball joint slipping around in...

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going. By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Issac and Jacob, co heirs of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:9,10 Going to a place God directs is not easy. Many times we leave family, friends, routines, lifestyles. However, when it is done in obedience there is the best reward of all, friendship with God. Whilst it is often lonely, in time God provides the companions on the road. Abraham obeyed many times. The biggie is when God commanded him to sacrifice his son Issac. He got up immediately and went to the place of sacrifice. The son he has so waited for, God was asking for as a sacrifice. God waits until Issac is bound, on the altar and about to have the knife plunged into his heart. Issac must have been some young man to submit as well. The chain of obedience emerges. Imagine li...

By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7 In Australia we have just had a Prime Minster deposed and replaced by a man he originally replaced. I have seen nasty, violent hateful slander against our prime minister by the media and people on social media. It is as if all hell has been let loose. I can imagine in Noah's day the criticism he would have received for building a boat inland, when rains and floods had never been seen. We are told that men were very wicked in that day. Our prime minister was replaced by a man who dose not believe in God and who is in favour of same sex marriage. For all the clever things the new PM has done he has not deemed it clever to be a believer nor embraced the gospel of life. I am not about to follow suit and dissect the new PM, that is not my role. I think one ...

By faith Enoch was taken away so he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. For prior to his removal he was approved, since he had pleased God. Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:5,6 Enoch walked with God for 365 years. He fathered his first son, Methuselah, at 65. I am 61 and done with having babies. Genesis says that after the birth of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God for another three hundred years. Now I wonder, did having Methuselah cause him to draw near to God or was he already there? Having children gives us an understanding of the Father's heart. I have walked with God since I was 19 and my record is nowhere as long. For me to imagine living another 300 years blows my mind. To be faithful to God that long required a love for the one he walked with. A love for God was birthed in me at 4 but my walk with Him was patc...

By faith Abel offered to God a better gift than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith. Hebrews 11:4 The gifts we give and offerings we make can be made powerful through faith. I am sure Abel did not set out to offer a better gift than Cain, he just did because His gift was given with. Heart for his God, a desire to bless and please. When we give birthday presents and they are merely something we like, without consideration for the recipient, then we are giving selfishly. Yet if we give, with the person in mind and love in out hearts, even if we do not know what to give we will surprise ourselves and the receiver with something special. When I manage to do this it blesses me as well as the receiver. How good to be a blessings! On Sunday I conducted a Skate Park Day, it was called a fundraiser, but really the money raised was pitiful especially when you only sell sausages and bo...

By faith we understand that the universe was created by God's command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible. Hebrews 11:2 It is a lot more exciting to have a miraculous God rather than trying to find a human understanding on how creation came to being without Him! As children we read stories about magical things and thrilled at the concept yet as we mature Satan again robs us of the joy. As children we understand magic, mystery and miracles as being possible, we don't know how but we believe. By faith, that wonderful, powerful substance, we can again see miracles. For the God we serve has not changed, He has power, wonder working power in the name of Jesus to break every chain, to,open every door. God created the universe and the earth hangs in nothingness by the power of His word. He aligned all the planets so that they fit together perfectly, He created the stars too numerous to count for our benefit. He has put in us a sense of wonder and a des...

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. Hebrews 11:1 How good is God to give us faith? The nature of faith is so vital! If we look into the spirit with spiritual eyes we see substance, a vital living substance. When we speak in faith, in the spirit the things we speak about grow. Faith is very powerful, that is why it is so important that we speak in faith and not doubt, fear or compromise, because these actually destroy the substance in the spirit. When we partner with God and speak what we hear Him saying we are building. The spirit hovers over the deep dark void and it was the spoken word that created something. "Let there be...." When we partner with Satan we tear down that which we, or others have built. Our mouths have great power, power to build and power to tear down. We must be careful that we partner with the Lord, protect our minds and speak life, not entertaining all the negative, critical, destructive thoughts that are floati...

For yet in a very little while the a Coming One will come and not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him. But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and obtain life. Hebrews 10:37-39 The Lord responds to faith, is looking or faith in His people. Can we surprise Him? Hardly, bless Him? Yes! If you have been a parent you will understand. Imagine a little three year old excitedly running into your bedroom saying: 'daddy bike, daddy bike!' and looking at you with wide eyed expectation. Now you may be tired but the delight of your little one calling your name thrills you and you make an effort to get up and go with your child who is desperately wanting to learn to ride. Our Father delights in His children calling His name and wanting to grow in areas of our life, calling upon His aid and expecting Him to be there. We are meant to stretch, grow and change not sit and stagnate in front of the ...

For if we deliberately sin after receiving the knowledge of truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgement and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries. If anyone disregards Moses' law, he dies without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment do you think one deserves who has trampled on the Son of  God, regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insulted the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:26-29 I am currently  reading John Bevere's new book: ' Good or God?' It is very confronting and the above scripture he addresses. We cannot write this out of the bible because it seems so harsh. We are called to live holy lives, set apart lives, sanctified lives and we do this in the strength of the Grace God gives us. We do not have it in our flesh but our new nature has all of Christ in it and that is more than enough. Our problem has always been, and...

So don't throw away your confidence which has a great reward. For you need endurance, so that after you have done God's will, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:35-38 Ever had a winning ticket in a raffle and thrown it away? Imagine having the entry ticket to your favourite band and throwing it out in the trash? We have something even better: we have right to access the throne of God by the sacrifice Christ made. Should we miss our step and fail to enter in, turn away in disbelief before that day, how sad to watch all those who were faithful sit down at the marriage feast with the lamb (Rev 19:6-9) and know we could have been there but are now in eternal darkness being taunted by the one who deceived us to disbelieve? Jesus taught about the 10 virgins: five wise and five foolish. The five wise were prepared ...

Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way He had opened up for us through the curtain (that is, His flesh) and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in water. Let us hold to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:19-25 We must walk in faith of the new life Jesus gave us, not in rememberance of sin or our past. Faith calls us forward into the new which God has for us. We are cleansed from our sin. The author calls us to remain faithful, holding to the confession of our hope without wavering...

"Look he days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Judah- like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hands to lead them out of the land of Egypt. I disregarded them, says the Lord, because they did not continue in My covenant. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lorx: I will put My laws into their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be My people." Hebrews 8:8-10 The above was taken, in part, from Jeremiah 31:31-34 I am so grateful Jesus came, I could not keep the law in a pink fit, especially when I know that I only have to think about a matter. Envy, jealousy, anger, hate, lust all get in the way of us keeping the commandments, however when I invited Jesus into my heart, He wrote a new commandment and it is with His power I accomplish the keeping of it. Repentance is wonderful! Being able to repent is tops...

Now the main point of what is being said is this: We have this kind of high priest (a perfect one without blemish), who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle that was set up by the Lord and not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; therefore it was necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. Now if He were on earth He wouldn't be a priest, since there are those offering the gifts prescribed by the law. These serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle. For God said, "Be careful at you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain. " but Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree He is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been legally enacted on better promises. Hebrews 8:1-6 When Moses was shown the pattern to bui...

For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefined, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn't need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do-first for their own sins, then those of the people. He did this once for all when He offered Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son, who has been perfected forever. Now the main point of what is being said is this: We have this kind of high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that was set up by the Lord and not man. Hebrews 7;26-8:2 Jesus filled the job description. Have you ever sat down and thought about the attributes you wanted in a god you would serve, really serve? The writer of Hebrews is doing just that here. I know many would want a genie that complied with their every wish, but then this wou...

So Jesue has also become the guarantee of a better covenant. Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:22-25 How wonderful is He? What a comfort it is to know He will never die, be replaced, move on. He will always remain and continue to intercede for me. Than You Lord! We are watching hundreds of thousands escape from their homeland Syria because of persecution. Those who are meant to protect them, failed them and they have run looking for safety. The problem they are still facing is: who will that be? Who will care and who will protect? My country Australia is up in arms wanting the government to 'do something!' What is needed is that we, the individuals, do something. We must choose what sacrifice we are willing to make to acc...

If then, perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be in the Oder of Melchizedek and not of the order of Aaron? For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of the law as well. For the One these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar. Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah, and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests. And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears, who did not become a priest based on a legal command concerning physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. For it has been testified: 'you are a priest forever in the Oder of Melchizedek.' Hebrews 7:11-17 I don't know about you but I am grateful that the new came in the shape of Jesus Christ. Struggling under the law would have been a heavy burden indee...

For this Melchizedek- King of Salem, priest of the most High God, Who met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, And Abraham gave Him a tenth of everything; First His name means king of righteousness, Then also King of Salem, Meaning king of peace; Without father, mother, or genealogy, Having neither beginning of days nor end of life, But resembling the Son of God- Remains a priest forever. Hebrews 7:1-3 Melchizedek appears suddenly in scripture when Abraham is returning from a battle. Yet Abraham recognised something. Abraham knew this was no ordinary man. I wonder what stories were being passed around about Melchizedek? In an age of mystery, hidden way back in time, what were the thinking processes of the people of the day? Were they want to superstition? Did the lack of knowing cause them to create mystery where there was none or did this man Melchizedek live in a way that spoke to all around Him. What did Abraham recognise in Melchizedek? I love the way He...

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself: 'I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you.' And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise, for men swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. Because God wanted to show His unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with a oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:13-20 Today we saw the Syrian refuges fleeing Syria in the hope of finding a new homeland in the countries o...

For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, became companions with the Holy Spirit, tasted God's good word and the powers of the coming age, and who have fallen away, because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt. For ground that has drunk the rain that has often fallen on it and that produces vegetation useful to those it is cultivated for receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and will even be burned in the end. Even though we are speaking this way, dear friends, in your case we are confident of the better things connected with salvation. Hebrews 6:6-9 I have noticed that the tense of the speaker(s) is plural. The writing appears to be by more than one person. The use of 'we' occurs in verses 5:11; 6:9. Perhaps this book was written by the governing apostles?? I love a mystery! Next, there i...

Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of: Repentance from dead works Faith in God Teaching about ritual washing Laying on of hands The resurrection of the dead Eternal judgement. And we will do this if God permits. Hebrews 6:1-3 Please note that the above are considered elementary by the author(s). These are what we preach, where is our maturity? Nowadays to get more than this we must go to bible school. Is that right? The gospels and epistles tell us to repent, change our direction and submit to Christ. Jesus Himself said: 'abide in Me and I in you.' Abiding mean setting up camp. If I set up camp in Christ: does He watch smutty movies? Does He gossip? Does He self-promote? Does He indulge in self-pity? Does He   Allow His thoughts to b filled with envy and slander? I think the answer is NO!!! So what does abiding in Him look like? Lets re-read the gospels and learn from him. He said: ' My yoke...

We have a great deal to say about this (Jesus being our High Priest), and it is difficult to explain, since you have become to lazy to understand. Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God's revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature- for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. Hebrews 5:11-14 What an indictment: 'you have become lazy to understand.' How does such a thing come about in a society where there are no TVs, iPods, iPads, iPhones, game boys? It seems, not matter what period in time we look at, people can always choose to not spend time getting to know God and His word. The early church did not have bibles as we do, they had the letters from the apostles and the Torah. In the third century a Greèk translation of the Old...

During His earthly life, He offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the One who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. Though He was God's Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. After He was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, and He was declared by God 'a high priest in the order of Melchizedek.'  Hebrews 5:7-10 Jesus prayed in earnest that He be spared the cross, but God did not answer Him. His silence was a 'No Son! You must do it!' Just as it is when God is silent to us, it means, 'no son, you must do it!' This makes me think, ' if God did not spare His only Son, then He will not let me out of doing what I have to do.' Jesus was heard by His Father. He Himself said, ' I thank You Father that You always hear me!' He knew He was heard. Note, Jesus is a source of eternal salvation for those who 'obey' Him, not just like Him, or s...

For every high priest taken from men is appointed in service to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he was also subject to weakness. Because of this he must make a sin offering for himself as well as for the people. No one takes the honour on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, the Messiah did not exalt Himself to become a high priest, but the One who said to Him, 'You are My Son; today I have become Your Father,' and also said in another passage, 'You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.' Hebrews 5:1-6 Both references quoted above come from Psalms. Jesus' thread was there and speaking about the One to come. Aaron was an imperfect high priest, building a golden calf for the Israelites so they could worship it. He was a foolish man, yet God used him. I wonder if he had a little grace because of Moses ...

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens- Jesus the Son of God- let us hold fast to the confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time. Hebrews 4:14-16 Ah! So good to know you Lord! So good to be able to sit in the quiet and read your word and turn to you for Your ways! Tonight I went to the Chamber of Commerce dinner and found it boring and tedious, except, I found treasure. Ah! Glory! My hairdresser's daughter and I got talking and she is passionate about youth. I told her about my Skate Park venture and she is in. She does not know the Lord yet, but He's acoming! I also prays about my young cousin that I had befriended over the last week and she invited me to be friends on Facebook. Oh Jesu...

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart. No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account. Hebrews 4:12,13 Yesterday, at my aunt's funeral, two portions of scripture were read and one in particular was Matthew 25:1-13 this speaks about the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins. This morning on Facebook Lo! here is an old clip of Billy Graham preaching on the exact same text. Billy was asking: " if you knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow, would you live differently?" I have to say, "Yes!" I would be more ardent in reaching lost souls and praying for these. I re-posted the clip for if my family, who attended the funeral saw it they would be more inclined to watch it and now my prayer is that the Holy Spirit anoi...

Therefore, while the promise to enter his rest remains, let us fear that none of you should miss it. For we have received the good news just as they (the children of Israel) did; but the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith. Therefore, a  rest remains for God's people. For the person who has entered His rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from His. Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that noone will fall into the same pattern of disobedience. Hebrews 4:1,2; 9-11 These two passages warn us about unbelief and failure to enter God's rest. The Israelites, with the exception of Moses, Joshua and Caleb, and perhaps a few others, did not believe God was there for them and did not trust him to care for them in the promised land. Those who did not believed all died in the wilderness and 40 years later Joshua led the next generation in. Unbelief, that inability or unwillingness to trust God f...

Watch out, brothers, so that there won't be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin's deception. For we have become companions of the Messiah if we go,d firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start. Hebrews 3:12-14 We can believe that finishing well is important for the longest time and one day turn around and find ourselves trapped in sin. To move on again to the finish line we can repent and be delivered from that sin. However, if we like that sin and have a web of intrigue around us that keeps that sin in place, our finish line will be far from where we had once planned. In fact we will hear Jesus say: 'depart from Me because I never knew you.' So many have been deceived, so many have been blinded by sin. How did that happen? Ever heard the words: ' I just need to relax.' These words are spoken, often, by those...

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your father's tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works for 40 years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation and said, "They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known My ways." So I swore in My anger, "They will not enter My rest." Hebrews 3:7-11 The above scriptures originally came from Psalm 95:7-11 and referred to Exodus 17:7. It is like a paper trail. As we follow back we see a very contentious people who grumbled and complained a lot and irritated the Lord. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to not harden our hearts, as the Hebrews had done in their rebellion. God, correctly sums them up and says, 'they always go astray in their hearts.' Now as a born again believer we are to make our Saviour Lord and submit our lives to Him, so that all our carnal appetites are dead and t...

Therefore, holy brothers and companions in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession; He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was in all God's household. For Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more honour than the house. Now every house is built by someone, but the One who built everything is God. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future. But Christ was faithful as a Son over His household. And we are that household if we hold on to the courage and the confidence of our hope. Hebrews 3:1-6 What was it like for Jesus to walk is earth as a Son? He had to grow up in a normal family. Yes He was first but others came. How did He handle the new and rejoiced over others? How did He handle sharing? How did He handle responsibility? He had to learn. He was not like Adam, created as a man. He started out as a baby, He had ...

He had to be like His brothers in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested. Hebrews 2:17,18 If Jesus came as 'all God,' He could not experience what we do and we could then dismiss His understanding and offer. Yet He was all man, and all God at the same time. He was sorely tempted in all ways we are tempted but did not yield. It appeared he was taken advantage of, used and abused, but it was part of a plan. He was the perfect lamb that was to be slain to pay the price, once and for all. Satan thought he had won. Imagine the shock at finding that Jesus was invading his territory and had authority to liberate all the captives. Jesus is worthy to be trusted, relied upon and yielded to. He is a far better Lord than we can ever be. Our sin-riddled lives are want to be selfish and prone to mi...

For in bringing many sons to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God- should make the source of their salvation through sufferings. For the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. This is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers saying: 'I will proclaim Your name to My brothers; I will sing hymns to You in the congregation.' (Psalm 22:22) And again, 'I will trust in Him' (2 Sam 22:3). And again, 'Here I am with the children God gave me.'(Ps 18:2) Hebrews 2:10-13 The first Adam had been given everything subject to him, but he gave it away to Satan. Jesus, the new Adam, came all man and all God to redeem back what was stolen. He did this on the cross. Satan can no longer come to us and say he owns the world, he doesn't. My Jesus was longed for throughout the Old Testament. He came at the very best time and walked with us, sinless. By being sinless Satan had nothing in Him. By dying on the cross He paid the price for the r...