The day with dianne Louise

The Lord has issued an order concerning you: There will be no offspring to carry on your name. I will eliminate the carved idol amd cast image frim the house of your gods; I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible. Look to the mountain- the feet of one bringing good news and proclaiming peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah; fulfill your vows. For the wicked one will never again marxh through you; He will be entirely wiped out. Nahum 1:14,15 Mmm! Strong language! The enemy is found contemptible before God And will never again march through me.  I claim this! I have been through enough! It is time for a change! Amen! What about you? Do you claim the goodness of your God? It is time to celebrate my festivals. I think i will celebrate retirement from my current occupation and watch for the next chapter. Amen!

This is what the Lord says: Though they are strong and numerous, They will still be mowed down, And he (Assyria)will pass away. Though i have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer. For I will break his yoke off from you And tear off your shackles. Nahum 1:12,13 I am currently rereading a Michael Pitts book: Power Shifters. For me, it is more a case of what I am doing in my world to change Atmospheres and cultures. I will not accept the authority of the enemy And challenge his lies. My God goes before me and it bringing all things Into order. I am being opposed on the personal front but satan must yeild to the power of God. I am here, as a stake in the ground, immovable to represt Him and His glory. His ways are important to me. I cannot and will not compromise. I am His! By being faithfull to Him I am establishing an atmosphere that is sweet, clean, loving, changing, washing the filth away. Choose to stand immovable, faithful, resolute. Dont yield or compromise....

The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who take refuge in Him. But He will completely destroy Ninevah with an overwhelming flood, And He will chase His enemies into darkness. Whatever you plot against the Lord, He will bring it to complete destruction; Oppression will not rise up a second time. For they will be consumed like entangled thorns, Like the drink of a drunkard and like straw that is fully dry. One has gone out from you, who plot evil against Yahweh, And is a wicked counsellor. Nahum 1:7-11 The Lord does indeed care for those who take refuge in Him. Do you take refuge or play church? Do you play at being a Christian? Do you understand a Christ one is one who is imersed in the vine, belongs, makes Jesus Lord of all.  Do you know what that looks like? It looks and feels.like peace. As I flow with the Lord and do not take my queue from others, the world, my feelings but from Him alone I experience peace. Ninevah represent...

The oracle concerning Ninevah. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is fierce in wrath. The Lord takes vengeance against His foes; He is furious with His enemies. The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; The Lord will never leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet. He rebukes the sea so that it dries up, And He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashen and Carmel wither; Even the flower of Lebanon withers. The mountains quake before Him, And the hills melt; And the earth trembles at His presence- The world and all who live in it. Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, Even rocks are shattered before Him. Nahum 1:1-6 The Assyrians were a cruel and harsh people. They ruled from  725-605, 120 years of cruelty. But this was coming to an end. The Assyrians remind me of modern d...

Now to Him who has power to strengthen you according to my gospel and proclamation about Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages, but  now revealed through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among the nations-to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ- to Him be the glory forever! Amen Romans 16:25-27 This epistle presents the gospel about Christ with clarity and authority. I am secure in its truth. I know my God better for having studied it. I appreciate the man who wrote it and the Holy Spirit who inspired it. Amen! Paul understood the Old Testament and the prophetic scriptures, he draws them out like a master and reveals Christ and the truth of the gospel in all its glory. Amen! I am so grateful for the heart of my God who draws me, calls me to know Him. He is worthy of all praise! All honour! All glory! Amen!

The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore, I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good, yet innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:19,20 What an honour: for all time, it is written that the Roman church was an obedient church. Can this be said about us? Obedience is done in private as well as in public. Do you have an ear for truth or are you listening to the deceiver? Being wise about what is good when you have an ear for truth. I recently was asked advice and gave it. The person then chose to ignore my advice, which was wise at the time, (I do get it right when my heart is not ruled by emotion.) This person went on to borrow for what he should not borrow and will therefore pay the consequences. When in the consequences he will wonder why he is there, perhaps even think God has failed him, but he has failed to hear truth, he is responsible. We are to...

Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause dissensions and obstacles contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them, for such people do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words. Romans 16:17,18 How do you find out someone is working to their own agenda when they present with smooth spiritual words and appear to be oh so good? You don't be hasty to become entangled in their web of intrigue, you wait and be patient and pray for guidance. Recently I found myself caught into an intrigue but as I waited and prayed the truth came out. As time went by the person involved began to let down their guard and let the truth out. Time and patience can save us from serious trouble. Fools rush in. Don't be quick to rush in, wait patiently for the Lord. Many a life can be saved from a disasterous marriage, a destructive business deal, by waiting and not being emotional. Pr...

Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostle's, and they were also in Christ. Romans 16:6,7 Again women are mentioned in Paul's letter. Paul appears to genuinely appreciate women in the ministry and does not appear to have a problem with them being named co-workers. Mary, and Junia and previously Prisca, there is also Tryphaena and Rufus's mother, Julia, Nereus's sister mentioned further along in this chapter. For a man who was a Pharisee above all Pharisee's Paul has changed. His change has not just been in certain areas of his life but rather all encompassing. From a Jewish culture that belittled and restricted women, Christianity is liberating women. Jesus began this movement. Women associated with Jesus were welcome and free and treated as equals. What then has given religion the right to take them back into bondage? As Christianity, true Christ...

Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert to Christ in Asia. Romans 16:5b What a good record! First convert and friend of Apostle Paul. We might remember our first friend, we might remember our first convert but to have both in one, that is good. Epaenetus means well loved and worthy. I wonder, did the act of Paul writing this about the man create the meaning, or was the meaning there before they met? I suspect the meaning came afterwards. We give people names, these names have meaning. Some are fond nick names, some are not tender nick names and some are in between nick names. I have a nick name for my daughter, Min. My daughter told me there was once someone who heard about the nick name and called her by that name, she was furious, she told the man, "that is my mother's nick name for me and you do not have the liberty to call me by it!" Each of us is given a name by God. It is His gift to us and it is tender between us. That name means something to God. ...

Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the gentile churches. Greet also the church that meets in their home. Romans 16:3,4 What an honour to be noted in scripture for all time. This came about because these two, husband and wife, locked into God and saw in Paul a servant who gave his all for Christ. Today I go to the Skate Park to love the youth there. There are some faithful souls coming with me because they believe in the cause and in me. I am grateful. Thank you both Dave and Jake. The weather will be very cold but the kids will be there. We will go because they will be there. Our names may not be written anywhere for the world to see but in God's book, I know we are written, and that, dear readers is the most important of all. For all eternity we will be remembered. Don't waste time on fruitless pursuits. Remember why you are here and serve the Lord with all your h...

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the chuch in Cechrea. So you should welcome her in the Lord, in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many-  and of me also. Romans 16:1,2 It is believed that Phoebe was the one who carried this letter to Rome for Paul. She was in Rome for other reasons, we can assume. As Paul asks the Roman church to assist her in whatever she needed. Did Phoebe travel alone or with family? We are not told. She must have been reasonably wealthy to be able to travel to Rome in the first place and if she did travel without family she would have had servants  to travel with her. What I like about her is her spunk in travelling to Rome in a very dangerous time. Phoebe had done Paul a service and was a benefactor of many- again she would need to have been wealthy enough to take on the role of benefactor. In September I travel to Nepal to help those wh...

Now I appeal to you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join with me in fervent prayers to God on my behalf. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judae, that the gift I bring to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, and that, by God's will, I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you. Romans 15:30-32 This prayer was partially answered, the gift was well received but the unbelieving Jews in Judae were incensed by the unbelieving Jews from Asia and apprehended Paul and wanted to kill him. Paul did indeed go to Rome, but in chains. He spent a few years in jail at the governor's residence in Caesarea. If Paul had gone to Rome as a free man he probably would have not spent two years in Casearea in the governor's residence, he would not have ministered to the Centurion and soldiers on the boat, he may have missed being shipwrecked on Malta and ministering to the people there. God made sure Paul arriv...

Now may the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 The God of Hope, gives us hope, leads us in the way of hope. This same God fills us with all joy and peace, as we believe in Him. He is the source of joy and peace. If you long for joy, or peace, they are not found in a game, clothes, shoes, parties, friends even. Friends will let you down, they are only human. But, He alone is pure, He alone is trustworthy. Amen! Once we have joy and peace we can overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. If you think you will source hope in yourself or your own efforts, forget it. You are not pure enough. You will lead yourself astray. Amen!

For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the scriptures. Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement  allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice. Therefore accept one another, just as the Messiah also accepted you, to the glory of God. For I say that the Messiah became a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises to the fathers, and so that Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. Romans 15:4-9 I am grateful to the scripture, there is hope there. There is the Son there, the Way, the Truth and the Life is there. I study the scripture twice daily and enjoy the feast. It is not a duty, yes it is a commitment but a joyous one. I can be going through something and I read the scripture and it puts ev...

Now, we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Each one of us must please his neighbour for his good, to build him up. For even the Messiah did not please Himself. On the contrary, as it is written, 'The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.' Romans 15:1-3 Our society lives with the rule: I do what pleases me, the weak I tred on. However, here we are challenged in our strength, ot bear with the weaknesses of our brethren. To do so would require humility. It is better we humble ourselves than have the Lord humble us. What is strength? Is it arrogant pride and self-confidence? Or is it humility? What is humility? I say it is strength contained. I am not humble when I am beaten, yes the experience can humble me. But in that breaking period I am not able to help others in humility unless I forsake self-pity. Moses was raised in a king's court, yet he knew he was a Jew and grieved for them. He...

So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. Do not tear down God's work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong for a man to cause stumbling by what he eats. It is a noble thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother stumble. Do you have a conviction? Keep it to yourself before God. The man who does not condemn himself by what he approves is blessed. But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats because his eating is not from a conviction, and everything that is not from a conviction is sin. Romans 14:19-23 The key is not my conviction but pursuing peace. Eating too many cookies can affect you if you are sedentary, that is desk bound, but if you do manual labour you may be fine. Judging others because they don't eat as you do is petty and foolish. Note, we are told: ' do you have a conviction- keep it to yourself.' Now, we don't like to do that, we love to spruke and draw attention to how...

Therefore, let us no longer criticise one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in your brothers way. I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. Still, to someone who considers a thing to be unclean, to that one it is unclean. For if your brother is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy that one Christ died for by what you eat. Therefore, do not let your good be slandered, for the kingdom of God is not in eating and drinking, but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by men. Romans 14:13-18 Impatience is unkind. Patience is sourced in love and is kind.  Allow patience to have its full effect in your life. Hold your emotions together and allow love to rule. Impatience makes it all about me. Patience makes it about us. We need to walk together in love. No ones opinion is greater than anyone else's....

Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but don't argue about doubtful issues. One person believes he may eat anything but the one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not criticise one who does, because God has accepted him.  Who are you to criticise another's household slave? Before His own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand. For the Lord is able to make him stand. One person considers one day to be above another day. Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each must be fully convinced in his own mind. Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honour of the Lord. Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, yet he thanks God. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. If we live, we live for the Lord; if we die we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we bel...

Beside this, knowing the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. Let us walk with decency, as in the daylight: not in carousing and drunkeness, not in sexual impurity and promiscuity, not in quarrelling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires. Romans 13:11-14 Wake up from sleep! The virgins all fell asleep whilst waiting for the groom to arrive. Five were prepared and five were not, which are you? The disciples fell asleep in the garden of Gethsemane whilst Jesus was praying. Endurance was not their strong suit. They were not prepared for what happened next, Jesus was. It is time to be awake as the Lord is returning soon, be ready, you do not know the hour or day when He will come and if He comes and you are asleep, what will be...

Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments: Do not commit adultery Do not murder Do not steal Do not covet And whatever other commandment- all are summed up by this: love your neighbour as yourself. Romans 13:8,9 Today I divide out a 'sons' inheritance and send him on his way. I had brought a young man into the business, I trained him, sacrificed for him and had hoped he would succeed me but he wants to leave and go his own way. I remember the day my actual son left home for a distant place and I had to release him. It is the same today. This young man wants his inheritance and wants to go and set up his own business. I am grateful because I want him to go. In my industry allowing a younger person to leave your business in generous terms is rare. Whilst I am not giving freely, I am giving generously. I want no lasting entanglement or broken relationship. If I do this well, I move on myself, well,...

For government is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay your taxes, since the authorities are God's public servants, continually attending to these tasks. Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honour to those you owe honour. Romans 13:4b-7 We submit not because of fear, but because of conscience. We are children of God. Jesus Himself paid His taxes, yes He worked a miracle as to the provision of the funds, but He paid His taxes. God's people are not to walk around with a victim mentality, but rather a Victor's mentality. As a victor how can I bless my community, my country? We don't bless to get, we bless because it is right to bless. We don't give to receive, we give because it releases us. We are the light of the worl...

Everyone must submit it the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.mso then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgement on themselves. Romans 13:1,2 This was written when the cruel Romans governed. The Jews that did rebel a few years later, in Jerusalem, did so at a loss of over a million lives and the destruction of the temple, their treasure. We are told, rather, to pray for our government, our leaders, so that they will govern wisely. This applies in church as well. A split in a church is led by rebels.  What is God's way? Pray and obey. If there is blatant sin in the leadership of the church, then leave and allow God to deal. In our modern democratic governments we are prone to take people to task through the courts. Does it benefit us? Whenever our fleshly self-righteousness is stirred we believe we are right, but are we? I have a rule of thu...

Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good. Romans 12:21 How am I conquered by evil? By yielding to offence. How am I offended? When I am deeply hurt and wounded by others. How did Jesus conquer evil? By forgiving His enemies on the cross. This, of all places, would have been where the hurt was deepest and where offence would have been greatest. When I am hurt have I been nailed to a cross? Even if I have been hurt and abused shamefully, I have a mentor who has gone before and forgiven, just as He forgave, He asks me to forgive, can I refuse Him? What did forgiveness get Jesus? He was raised from the dead, He was given honour above all honours and more important the Holy Spirit was released to empower His disciples. What good can I do? I can bless my enemies. As I bless them I am dealing with my own heart, I am practising forgiveness, and releasing myself from prison. Amen!

Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil, cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honourable in everyone's eyes. If possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Friends do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: ''Vengeange is mine, I will repay.'' Says the Lord. But: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you w...

For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophesy, use it according to the standard of one's faith; If service, in service; If teaching, in teaching; If exhortation, in exhortation; Giving, with generosity; Leading with diligence; Showing mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:3-8 Oh how we need sensible thinking. We are neither less than God says we are, and we are not higher than God's word says we are. Having sober judgement is important. It is so important not to run with emotional thinking, but rather scriptural thinking. What does God say about me in this situation? What would Jesus...

I Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1,2 How is my mind renewed? Ephesians 4:20-24 says: but that is not how you learned about the Messiah, assuming you read about Him and were taught by Him because the truth is in Jesus. You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God's righteousness and purity of the truth. The truth is in Jesus. If I am believing wrong things about myself, if the enemy has lied to me and has me captive in a prison of his making, how do I get free? By discovering the truth about myself according to what Christ says in the word of G...

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgements and untraceable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor? Or who has ever first given to Him, and has been betrayed? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:33-36 I don't know about you, but personally, I am constantly betrayed and disappointed by my fellow mankind. This is because they are not God, they are imperfect and flawed. Yet it still hurts and the barbs go deep, but I will recover as I hide myself in the shadow of His wings. He is ever faithful. The times I am disappointed in Him are the times I have allowed myself to run ahead and make erroneous judgements. As I return and stay close all is well. The only way to heal is under His wings, not having pity parties or roasting parties. Being alone under His wings is quiet, but if I quieten my heart, I heal quicker and more thoro...

So that you will not be conceited, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery: a partial hardening has come to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The Liberator will come from Zion; He will turn away godlessness from Jacob. And this will be My covenant with them when I take away their sins.' Regarding the gospel, they are enemies for your advantage, but regarding election, they are loved because of the patriarchs, since God's gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable. As you once had disobeyed God, but now have received mercy through their disobedience, so they too have now disobeyed, resulting in mercy to you, so that they also now may receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience, so that He may have mercy on all. Romans 11:25-32 Some despise Israel, some honour it. I am one who honour it. Whilst living in Sydney many years ago I had a Jewish girlfriend and she e...

But I ask, "Did they not hear?" Yes, they did: 'Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the end of the inhabited world.' (Psalm 19:4) But I ask, "Did not Israel understand?" First Moses said: 'I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that lacks understanding.' (Deut 32:21) And Isaiah says boldly: ' I was found by those who were not looking for Me; I revealed Myself to those who were not asking for Me.' (Is 65:1) But to Israel he says: 'All day long I have spread out My hands to a disobedient and defiant people.' (Is 65:2) Romans 10:18-21 Paul masterfully collects all the above scripture together to show God's attitude to the rebellious Israel. They had been told, all throughout the Old Testament scripture spoke of Christ, yet when He came they rejected Him and crucified their Saviour. You know yourself you can know something but not know it by revelation. As a C...

But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written 'How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!' But all did not obey the gospel. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed our message?' So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ. But I ask, "Did they not hear? Yes they did: 'Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the inhabited world. Romans 10:14-18 Isaiah in 52:7 proclaims: how beautiful are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaim salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Good News is indeed good news to the hearers of the message. We have a message of hope for others and we need to share it. Your story will minister, how d...

One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Now the scripture says, 'Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:10-13 I see a lot of people, Christian people, caught in places, habits, sins that they have not been able to pass. Some have been stuck all their lives. What a horrible place to be in. Therefore they struggle with scripture that says they can be free. They are many caught in sexual sin, alcoholism, drugs, overeating. Why, because they have wrong thinking. Scripture tells us: be transformed by the renewal of your mind. If I keep going back to the same place and eating the same soulish, fleshly diet of unbelief, I will continue to see the same awful results. If, however, I change the place I eat from, the ...

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God concerning them (Jewish nation) is for their salvation! I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Because they disregard the righteousness from God and attempt to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted themselves to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law: 'The one who does these things will live by them.' But, the righteousness that comes from faith speaks like this: 'Do not say in your heart, "Who will go up to heaven? That is, to bring Christ down or 'Who will go down into the abyss?' That is, to bring Christ up from the dead. On the contrary, what does it say? 'The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.' This is the message of faith that we proclaim: 'If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is...

What should we say then? Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness- namely the righteousness that comes from faith. But Israel, pursuing the law for righteousness, has not achieved the righteousness of the law. Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. as it is written: 'Look! I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over, yet the one who believes on Him will not be put to shame. Romans 9:30-33 Why do so may Christians stumble and fall? Where is our faith? Is it in Christ or our own efforts? Do we really know Christ? Or is our experience half or less than what it should be? how can we settle for a pleasant looking place that is not Christ? We are seduced that is why. We have been warned that in the last days Christians will settle for doctrines of demons. Why? Is ease so attractive? Is hard work so repugnant? Is Christ so unattractive? As a catholic I know why I fail...

And what if God, desiring to display His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience objects of wrath ready for destruction? And what if He did this to make known the riches of His glory on objects of mercy that He prepared beforehand for glory- on us, the ones He also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? As it also says in Hosea: ' I will call Not My People, My People, and she who is Unloved, Beloved. And it will be in the place where they were told, you are not My people, there they will be called sons of the living God. Romans 9:22-26 This morning I am seeking more of God. I want His heart for a dear friend who believes they are gay and feels trapped. I know only the love of God can deliver this friend. The wrath of God was poured out on such people in the Old Testsment but now His grace is available to set the oppressed free. I know when I find the heart of God and His compassion I can pray with power and it is His power that delivers fro...

What should we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not! For He tells Moses: "I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy. For the scripture tells Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this reason so that I may  display My power in you and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth." So then, He shows mercy to those He wants to, and He hardens those He wants to harden. Romans 9:14-18 We could ask: "So does God reject genuinely repentant people?" I could not imagine that being the case- because repentance is a gift, even that comes from God. My intercession is that He pours it out more liberally. Yet I know His eye roams to and fro across the earth looking for those whose hearts are genuinely His. Do you seriously think He rejects these once He finds them? NO! Yet, amidst the mire of those who walk away and stand ag...

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants. On the contrary, your offspring will be traced through Isaac. That is, it is not the children by physical descent who are God's children, but the children of the promise are considered to be the offspring. For this is the statement of the promise: 'At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son. And not only that, but also Rebekah received a promise when she became pregnant by one man, our ancestor Isaac. Romans 9:6-10 Paul is here making it plain that the children of Abraham, the true children are those born out of the promise and received by faith. The Jews and the Arabs share a common ancestor in Abraham but Sarah was the chosen to bear the child of promise not Hagar or any of the wives after Sarah's death. Isaac was the son of promise and then through Rebekah only one of her son's, Ja...

I speak the truth in Christ-I am not lying; my conscience is testifying to me by the Holy Spirit- that I have intense sorrow and continual anguish in my heart. For I could almost wish to be cursed and cut off from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, the promises. The ancestors are theirs, and from them, by physical descent, came the Messiah, who is God over all, praised forever. Amen! Romans 9:1-5 Paul had had a divine revelation of the Messiah and once he embraced the truth he was a man possessed by that truth. The blindness he once had, his fellow Jews still had and he longed for them to see what he could see. I have a revelation of Christ that I long for my siblings and cousins to see. I cannot force them, I can only love them and pray for them, seeking any opportunity to share the Christ I know. I had a revelation of the truth, a...

Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that not even death or life, Angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height one depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! Romans 8:35-39 Yesterday I was sent a report about Christians being jailed in Nepal for preaching Christ. Apparently Nepal has one of the fastest growing rate of conversion to Christianity in the world. I am about to go there in September. As a Christian I am helping in the reconstruction effort after the earthquake. I have noted that the cost of being caught sharing Christ is a $5,000, 5 years in jail and when released fr...

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all; How will He not also with Him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God's elect? God is the One who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:31-35 The first verse here is probably the only one my mother knows off by heart. This scripture has taken her through cancer twice and she still lives. Whenever sickness knocks this is her mantra. You might say my mother is a living testimony of the faithfulness of God to His word, many a night she would be challenged by fear of dying a horrible death and many a night this scripture pulled her through. She is going strong at 84. The Father gave us His Son, He gave Him up to death on a cross for us, us who ...

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified, and those He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 These scriptures tell us that ALL things, both good and bad, work together for our good. Whilst we prefer it all to be good, this is a childish hope. Things happen and when they do God picks them up and uses them to aid in our growth. He makes living things out of dead things, He uses the rubbish to fertilise us, He uses brokenness to graft in others, He uses joy to attract others. He wastes nothing! The next bit gets exciting- He foreknew me, He predestined me to conform to the image of His Son. Conformation requires change, remoulding, fire, brokenness. Yes, well, maybe not so exciting, but r...

In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weaknesses, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mindset, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26,27 If we want a sympathetic God we have it, if we want s just and caring God we have it. We have been given a Holy Spirit to indwell us, a Spirit who intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. Now, in my mind, unspoken groanings speak to me of intense concern and love. What love is this? How good is this? I am watching my God go before me and do amazing things. Last week I was told that a key staff member wanted to leave and create his own business. This meant I was back to selling my own business and winding it up. I gave notice to the landlord and within days a new tenant came who wanted all my furniture, my telephone system, my computers, my internet and he offe...

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God's sons to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to futility- not willingly, but because but because of Him who subjected it- in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God's children. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labour pains until now. And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits- we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. Romans 8:19-25 For Paul to say: 'for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not w...

So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But, if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. All those who are led by God's Spirit are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children, and if children, also heirs of God and coheirs with Christ- seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:12-17 For a Christian, one set free from sin, there is no such confession, "I cannot help myself, therefore I will sin." Yes I cannot help myself but: greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world!!!! Greater! Greater! Greater! Amen! I can trust Him, He is my deliverer! Amen! Therefore, as I am led by the Spirit, ...

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, since the Spirit lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:8-11 When I was first saved we sang a chorus that took it's base from these scriptures: 'if the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwell in you, dwell in you, if the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwell in you, dwell in you, He will quicken your mortal bodies, if the Spirit dwells in you,halaleujah.' Singing scripture was a sure way of learning it, even if now it appears corny. By the mere fact that I remember it goes to show it went in. I don...

Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit's law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. What the law could not do, since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin's domain, and as a sin offering, in order that the law requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh think about things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit think about things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God's law, for it is unable to do so. Those who are of the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:1-8 I have a choice then: walk in the Spirit and be free from condemnation because Jesus ...

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am made out of flesh, sold into sin's power. For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin that lives in me. So I discover this principle: When I want to do what is good, evil is with me. For in my inner self I joyfully agree with God's law. But I see a different law in parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will...

What should we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin if. We're not for the law. For example, I would not know what it. To covet if the law had not said, 'Do not covet.' And sin seizing an opportunity throu the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind. For apart from the law sin is dead. Once I was alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. The commandment that was meant for life resulted in death for me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy just and good. Romans 7:7-12 Have you ever heard: "I didn't know that was wrong!" In Australia we have a thing called 'insider trading,' which some believe is not wrong. They receive a tip from someone on the inside of an investment house who knows things and leaks them to someone who should not know thi...

Since I am speaking to those who understand law, brothers, are you unaware that the law has authority over someone as long as he lives? For example, a married woman is legally bound to her husband while he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law regarding the husband. So then, if she gives herself to another man while her husband is living, she will be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law. Then, if she gives herself to another man, she is not an adulteress. Therefore, my brothers, you also were put to death in relation to the law through the crucified body of the Messiah, so that you may belong to another- to Him who was raised from the dead-that we may bear fruit for God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions operated through the law in every part of us and bore fruit for death. But now we have been released from the law, since we have died to what held us, so that we may serve in the new way of the spirit and not i...

For when you were  slaves of sin, you were free from allegiance to righteousness. So, what fruit was produced then from the things you are now ashamed of? For the end of those things is death. But now, since you have been liberated from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification (holiness)- and the end is eternal life!  For, the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus us our Lord. Romans 6:20-23 Can you see the treasure? The fruit of righteousness results in sanctification (holiness). As I resist sin and the lust in my flesh, I produce fruit of righteousness and receive the reward, sanctification. Amen! Sin stands in the way of righteousness and hinders sanctification. If we yield to the lusts of our flesh, then we are slaves to our flesh and Satan laughs. "Look at those stupid Christians,  they have no power because they won't say no to themselves." As I please myself and my emotions I dist...

What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but grace? Absolutely not! Don't you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey- either sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? But thank God that, although you used to be slaves to sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were transferred to, and having been liberated from sin, you became slaves to righteousness. Romans 15-18 We do give ourselves to things. Why do we marry? We see in someone else something we want, for a woman it may be security, comfort, companionship, for a man he is attracted to the physical and sees it fulfilling his sexual appetite. Yet, even on this level we can be so wrong because of what we allow to direct our choices. If we analyse the motives they can be flawed. Whilst on one level there is nothing wrong with wanting companionship, if the one you yoke yourself to has a spirit of fear in control you are y...

Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal bodies, so that you obey its desires.  And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But, as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:12-14 Now, can you see? We are not to obey the desires of sin. This sentence almost personifies sin, does it not? Sin has desires, to live in you, rule you and impact on others, in a disasterous way. So, could I extend this to the ought that there is a spirit in sin, wanting to rule you? But, we are alive from the dead and are urged to yield ourselves to God and ALL my parts for righteousness. I have a choice, I must choose life, not death. Sin must NOT rule over me because I am no longer under law, where sin lives, but under grace, where glory lives. A good choice! Yes effort is required, but what a prize...

Now if we  died with Christ, we believe we will also live with Him, because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead will not die again. Death no longer rules over Him. For in light of the fact He died, He died to sin once for all: but in light of the fact that He lives, He lives to God. So you too consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:8-11 Things rule over us until we beat them. The hardest to beat would be death! Would you agree? If I die and come back to life, then nothing can touch me. Jesus passed on sin, He did not sin, the last test was death. Satan could not trap Jesus into sin, so he thought he would get rid of Him in crucifixion, but he did not count on Jesus being raised from the dead. As a Christian, when I am baptised, I say to Christ, I'm in! If I am in death, I am in resurrection. Therefore if I am in, who can remove me? No one! I am safe in Him! Amen!

What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptised into a His death? Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life. For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of a his death, we certainly also will be in the likeness of His resurrection. Romans 6:1-5 Grace is in Jesus Christ. To take the grace without the dedication of my life to stay buried in Him, is rude, arrogant even, throwing the gift of Christ's life back in His face and saying: "Worthless!" He loves me enough to die for me, can't I love him enough to live in Him, the victory He won is mine, all I need to do is walk in it, His peace is mine, all I have to do is appropriate it, take it, by faith and walk in it. Amen! To say yes to sa...

So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone. For just as through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin is multiplied, grace multiplied even more so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:18-21 You may not fully understand this scripture but what you need to know is: grace, represented by Christ, is stronger than sin. We can be so caught up in our old nature and the battles we have with it, we can assume that sin is greater. Wrong! You thinking is wrong. Sin has made you believe it is greater. If you have the habit of pandering to your feelings and lusts then it is easy to believe sin is greater but when you choose to stan...

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned. In fact sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person's account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam's transgression. He is a prototype of the Coming One. Romans 5:12-14 As the seed of Adam we were all born with the same blemish, sin. Whilst the law did not exist during the time between Adam and Moses, people still sinned in going their own way. Adam, being the first man, had the responsibility of making choices that would benefit his seed, but he didn't. He chose a path that suited him, he sided with his wife who had disobeyed God. He wilfully chose to sin. Whereas those born into the results of his choice did not wilfully choose that path, it was inevitable. Jesus was the second Adam. He had choices. He had to be sent into ...

For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person-though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Much more then since we have been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, we will be saved by His life. And not only that, but also we rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have now received this reconciliation through Him. Romans 5:6-11 I understand being helpless. There are moments in my life when I am unable to steer through life, at those times all I have is trust. Salvation came to me in such a time. I was lost, unable to read my bible, nor understand it. I was stuck in my lostness and aware that I was not close to God- wh...

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5 Look at all the 'power words.' Declared righteous, faith, peace, access, grace, hope.  As I use my faith, I am declared righteous. It takes faith to believe in Jesus and to walk in Him. As I am in a him, I have peace! Ah! Peace! I have access to grace. God's empowering grace, gentle, forgiving, empowering grace! I stand in the hope of His glory. As I walk in him His glory shines through! Amen! Now, it gets...

For the promise to Abraham or to His descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise is cancelled. For the law produces wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants-not only to those who are of the law but to those who are of Abraham's faith. He is the father of us all in God's sight. As it is written: 'I have made you the father of many nations. He believed in God, who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist. Romans 4:13-17  The law is necessary because it shows us where we sin. In society law provided structure and barriers, yet if I depend on it alone to be righteous then I depend on my own effort. I know in myself there is envy and malice at times, I therefore fail t...

Likewise, David also speaks of the blessing of the man God credits righteousness to apart from works: How joyful are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered! How joyful is the man the Lord will never charge with sin. Romans 4:6-8 Paul is referring to Psalm 32:1,2. This is a beautiful Psalm. Verse 3 says: 'when I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.' David knew he had sinned but he says in verse 5: 'then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and you took away the guilt of my sin. When the Lord brought me to the point of salvation I knew I had sinned and desperately wanted to be clean and have a close relationship with him. When I confessed my sin and asked Him in, He came and the liberty I felt was as wide as the sky. My cleanliness was a pure as fresh fallen snow, but, best of all I could see and understand the work He did for me ...

What can we say that Abraham, our physical ancestor, has found? If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to brag about-but not before God. For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Now to the one who works, pay is not considered a gift, but as something owed. But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness. Romans 4:1-5 Abraham was before the law and he walked before God in faith, believing that all God said to him would come to pass. He was sorely tested. The son he dearly wanted came after a 20 odd year wait, but he came. God promised Abraham that his children would be like to sand on the seashore, like the stars in the sky. Abraham did not see this but believed and it has come to pass. God regularly turned up to fellowship Abraham and test him. There was no legal agreement between God and Abraham. Abraham walked in faith, believ...