The day with dianne Louise

Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from Your instruction. Psalms 119:18 This scripture reminds me of a Michael W Smith song: Open up the eyes of my heart Lord. Perhaps you would like to sing along: Open up the eyes of my heart Lord, open up the eyes of my heart, I want to see you, I want to see you.(repeat) To see You high and lifted up, shining in the light of your glory, Pour out Your power and love, as we sing Holy, Holy, Holy, holy, holy, holy, we want to see You, we want to see you. I suggest you Google the song and sing along, Or better still buy it through ITunes for $1.29. It is good to worship the Lord and recognise He is holy, especially at the start of your day. My connect group studied prayer and fasting last night. There are always only a few who speak. I wonder what the rest thought. Today I am speaking about singing worship songs, as you would a love song, to the Lord. Paint your world today with this song. Plant it as a seed in your s...

Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. The dominion belongs to Him forever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10‭-‬11 HCSB Grace belongs to the Lord. Wherever grace is He is. He is the God, ruler, supreme being over grace. Grace is unearned favour, unearned and unbought. It is grace I seek, often. When I find grace, I know I am safe and secure. Amen! This God of grace called me, little old me, to His eternal glory. Why would a great, supreme being bother with me? Because this God of grace is also Father. When I suffer He comes, personally, to sustain me. He surrounds me with His loving presence. No elite and far removed God is He! The dominion, lordship, belongs to Him! Our enemy puts out the illusion that he is lod. Ha! He is a defeated foe. My God rules and reigns over all. My God is strong and mighty and comes to my aid. He does this our of love, not com...

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude. Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ. For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Having been buried with Him in baptism, you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Colossians 2:6‭-‬10‭, ‬12 HCSB When I first became born again, as.knew I had received something new. I was filled with joy unspeakable. Note: I said filled. All my life I had been a Catholic and never had been filled by any rule, regulation or ritual. However, by simply asking Jesus to come into my life I was filled. If I am filled with something, am I not ful...

“See, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to His temple, the Messenger of the covenant you desire — see, He is coming,” says the Lord of Hosts. Malachi 3:1 HCSB This book was written 460BC. We can see God is the God of the long prophesy. God promised Abraham that He would be God to his descendants and it took 400 years in Egypt for that to happen. In fact in Genesis 15:13,14 God prophesies that Abraham's descendants will be enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. The Messenger mentioned in Malachi was John the Baptist. We know John came as a forerunner to Jesus. God has long term plans, we, on the other hand are short-term planners. God sees much further they we do. He is God of vision. When I struggle to believe a vision He has shown me, I must keep my eyes firmly upon Him. His vision will come to pass. Just as Abraham had to believe God, and so do I. What am I called to believe and do? I must be faithf...

When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. Ecclesiastes 12:13 HCSB These verses come from a chapter named: The Twilight Life, in the book of Ecclesiastes. It talks about old age and approaching death. I know several old people in my family and several through my church connections. As people age they become frail and feeble. Some lose their minds to Alzimers disease, and this is sad to watch. In my family none have this, praise God. The four women: my mum and three remaining aunts are all bright mentally but fail physically. There is another aspect worth noting. When I see old people who still fear God, I rejoice! I spend time monthly, praying for Nepal with a few older women. The one who leads the group is in her later 80s and her love for God and His people still burns bright. This woman was a doctor and gave a good part of her life to Nepal and the gospel. Seniors who have lost their way sadden ...

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word. I have sought You with all my heart; don’t let me wander from Your commands. I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. Lord , may You be praised; teach me Your statutes. With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth. I rejoice in the way revealed by Your decrees as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Psalms 119:9‭-‬16 HCSB I see a zealous young man, a junior priest, an acolyte, determined to serve God with his whole heart. However if we go ahead 30 or 49 years, what do we see and hear? Would his confession be: "I failed." I hope so. For where would be the need for Christ. This passage is filled with: I will. When it is all about what I will do, then I get the glory and will become self-righteous. Yet with the failure of I, we are pushed to find a saviour. Amen...

Shout triumphantly to the Lord , all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His — His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations. Psalms 100:1‭-‬5 HCSB There are times, especially when we go through things, that this Psalm smacks us up the head. It is especially in these times when I should praise the Lord. He is still good and His love towards me has not changed. Amen! Yesterday while conducting a review and searching for a client who had been missed, I discovered an error in application. This error is serious and has to be corrected, resulting in me being out of pocket around $3,000. Ouch! However, this client is a small customer and needs me to look after him and I will make sure he is compensated. W...

Then David praised the Lord in the sight of all the assembly. David said, May You be praised, Lord God of our father Israel, from eternity to eternity. Yours, Lord , is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to You. Yours, Lord , is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our God, we give You thanks and praise Your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:10‭-‬13 HCSB David is here worshipping God at his son Solomon's crowning. David is at the end of his life. He has a vast experience with God to draw upon. I am almost 63 and have a longer period to draw upon myself. However, I know there are people who remember the bad instead of being grateful for the good. David could have done as well. David was dying...

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:57‭-‬58 HCSB Yesterday I sensed I had hit another funnel. Nothing was happening. I had hit another wall. Why? I think it is time for me to go deeper and learn the Lord's strategies. I sent more money to Nepal and bought air tickets for February. I am going to spend time with those who minister to ministers in the villages in Nepal. I am stepping into the car that says: 'we are part of the answer'. I have a dear friend in Japan who is struggling with neighbours in establishing a church and needing funds. There are needs everywhere. Yesterday I went to a council tidy towns meeting and watching people who don't know God struggle to maintain there hold on their territory. Without Christ, all is futile. Unless I live for Him, I waste...

Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. As it is written: He scattered; He gave to the poor; His righteousness endures forever. Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing ...

Yahweh, You are my God; I will exalt You. I will praise Your name, for You have accomplished wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. Isaiah 25:1 HCSB Yesterday I had a conversation with my mum that went like this:"why is there two testaments and what is the difference?" I explained that the word Testament meant will. That the old came about because of Adam's sin, man began to struggle to please God, the relationship ship was gone; and that the new was Jesus coming to save us from the failure exhibited in the old. As I read the Old Testament I see it is filled with promises of a new and better way. Even this chapter of Isaiah. Out of ruins comes a promise:The Lord of Hosts will prepare a feast for all the peoples on this mountain — a feast of aged wine, choice meat, finely aged wine. On that day it will be said, “Look, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He has saved us. This is the Lord ; we have waited for Him. Let us rejoice and be gla...

Lord , how my foes increase! There are many who attack me. Many say about me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah But You, Lord , are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord , and He answers me from His holy mountain. Selah I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. I am not afraid of the thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side. Rise up, Lord ! Save me, my God! You strike all my enemies on the cheek; You break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord ; may Your blessing be on Your people. Selah Psalms 3:1‭-‬8 HCSB I have been praying and fasting this week and I can honestly say that my sight has been locked firmly on the Lord and seeking Him. I have not noticed enemies. I know they are there but in this time they are locked out. My attention is on Him. As I fast my attention is not on me. I am seeking God. I have discovered something. As I seek God and give Him...

God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. So I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory. My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life. So I will praise You as long as I live; at Your name, I will lift up my hands. Psalms 63:1‭-‬4 HCSB Can we agree with David that our natural world is a dry land? The world and it's system sucks all the moisture from our bones. It demands our life essence. Yet? David paints a picture of life and refreshing ad he gazes on the sanctuary. He attributes life and refreshing to God. He logs for it and therefore seeks it with all that he is. As i prayed this morning I pondered the tithe and it stretched to a tenth of my waking day being given to God. Say your day was 14-16 hours long, that is 1.4-1.6 hours with God. David strikes me as a man who thirsted to be in God's presence. I wonder how many hours thirs...

I will thank Yahweh with all my heart; I will declare all Your wonderful works. I will rejoice and boast about You; I will sing about Your name, Most High. Psalms 9:1‭-‬2 HCSB David thought God was worthy to be praised. He had real enemies who sought to kill him but the Lord sits enthroned forever (v7) The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.(v9) He is our solace when things go wrong, our peace, our safety. Those who know Your name trust in You (v10). Knowing God is knowing you have a friend, a comforter who will not judge but love. Sing to the Lord, declare His deeds among the nation.(v11) This Psalm is a call to prayer and praise of our God. We must remember our God and give Him praise. Amen

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20‭-‬21 HCSB Paul's heart is bursting forth with praise for his God. Chapter 3 tells us of the grace God gave to Paul 'to preach to the Gentiles about God's incalculable riches of the Messiah and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.'verses 8 and 9. In verses 14-19 Paul prays for his readers that they might know the height and depth of God's love. He then goes on the passage above. Paul knows God is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think. What are you asking and thinking? I have been challenged to pray for big stuff, beyond all I have asked before. I want to walk in the big arena of the kingdom of God. How about you? As I walk in all God has for me I show fo...

But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Jude 1:20‭-‬21‭, ‬23 HCSB Praying in the Holy Spirit is praying in tongues in our heavenly prayer language. When i am burdened to pray, this is the best way for me to pray as I know it is operating in the spirit. It is powerful and effective. The Spirit knows how to pray and as I pray in the Spirit I partner with Him to do good work. I grew up reciting certain prayers and that is all I knew. Being born again liberated me to converse with my God. I can go before Him and dance for joy, and know it is ok. I am not separated from Him anymore. My sins have been washed away by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. I am free. Being baptised in the Spirit furth...

"For I know the plans I have for you-" this is the Lord's declararion- plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you"- this is the Lord's declaration- Jeremiah 29:11-14 It is time to pray. What is it you want from the Lord? A restored family, healing, breakthrough in business? Then pray! Leave unbelief behind, fast and pray  and seek your God. Perhaps you need to hear God's heart for you? Pray! Perhaps you can't  believe He loves you? Pray! Perhaps you  need deliverance?  Pray! Jeremiah gave this message to God's people who had been held  captive in Babylon for 70 years.  It did not look like they would be set free. They had sinned and been captured by Nebuchadnezzar and hauled off to Bablon. Yet here was a message of deliverance, if, the recipients of the...

A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. James 1:12‭-‬15 HCSB The book for James opens speaking about trials: Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. On the one hand we are blessed when we experience trials and on the other they don't come from God but rather our own evil flesh. Why are we blessed? We are blessed when we choose to not yield to our ev...

Then David praised the Lord in the sight of all the assembly. David said, May You be praised, Lord God of our father Israel, from eternity to eternity. Yours, Lord , is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to You. Yours, Lord , is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our God, we give You thanks and praise Your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:10‭-‬13 HCSB In this Chapter 28 of Chronicles, Solomon David's son is being crowned king and David is giving a huge provision for the building of the new temple. This prompts the people to give, and they give large amounts of gold, silver, bronze, iron and precious stones. Then the people rejoiced because they had given with a whole heart. David then goe...

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith — more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3‭-‬9 HCSB We have been given new birth, a new life, sanctified and made holy by Him. A life...

For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. As God’s slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil. 1 Peter 2:15‭-‬16 HCSB This chapter is full of a call to holiness. It starts with: so rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. In verse 11 Peter says: I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you. In verse 13 he says: submit to every human authority because of the Lord. Yesterday I had the US election report on my computer screen and was monitoring it. A reporter here is Australia said: "whoever gets Florida wins the election." So I started to pray for God's will to be done. As I watched Florida it changed colours a few times but became solid red, Trumps colour, and I discovered who would be president, the reporter was right. At the end of the day Trump won. Now to us in Australia that is a scary propo...

Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3‭-‬4 HCSB I think to understand these few verses you must understand the whole letter to the Philippian church and Paul'' heart. Paul was in Rome in prison. He shares how he longs to go to be with the Lord, but also longs to stay because of those like the people he writes to. The opening verses of this chapter Paul says: If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Philippians 2:1‭-‬2 HCSB This letter is a letter of love. Paul is lovingly encouraging the readers to act out of love for their fellow man. How do I challenge in love? Is it for the betterment ...

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 HCSB I don't hear much about people wanting to be wise these days. It is more about fun, excitement and experiences. When i was young I wanted adventure. I can say I have had that. However, I remember an old man saying to me: " You are very nieve." That very label made me want to rid myself of it and the alternative was wisdom. How does one become wise? Well for a start you must be seeking it. The above verse indicates that true wisdom is tied up with God. Buddha spent his life seeking wisdom and was unhappy at the end of his life at not having found it. Yet people worship an inperfect man. What does the fear of the Lord look like? Fear here represents deep respect, an acknowledgement that God is above all. Yet this respect is the beginning of wisdom. The pursuit of wisdom is the pursuit of God. Knowing Him is knowing wisdom. Along with wisdom is und...

For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human, who gave Himself — a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5‭-‬6 HCSB When God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush, when Moses asked "Who will I say has sent me?" God replied " "I am!" God has never had a problem with who He is- He just is! It is human minds that struggle. Hown can they believe in a God who is? God demonstrates His power through the miracles He performed. The last miracle in the deliverance of the people from Egypt, was the angel of death going though the land and taking the life of the firstborn unless the blood of the lamb covered the lintel of the door post. The first miracle of the entry into a new land was the parting of the Red Sea. The people walked through on dry land. Today God demonstrates His power in many different ways. The greatest is Him coming to live in our hearts. How can this be? The God of th...

One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise. Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense. Proverbs 15:31‭-‬32 HCSB This chapter of Proverbs has a lot to say about wisdom and foolishness, in fact the whole of Proverbs does. It talks about the foolish and the mockers despising wisdom. Mockers represent spirits of evil to me. Their nature is: they are obnoxiously obstinate in their folly and not willing to change. THEY treat righteousness with ridicule and contempt. THEY are proud and a source of contlict. Because they are not open to correction they are unable to learn and are therefore condemned. Along with being obstinately immoral, they perhaps add a smug overconfidence that increases their pigheadedness. Because they delight in evil conduct, they are dangerous to be around. II a world where we accept abnormal behaviour as radical or rebelliously indifferent, we do not see in the spirit. If we ...

Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 HCSB My body is not my own, it belongs to God. If i rhink about how i would care for a treasure belonging to someone else, how would I treat it? I am the Lord’s treasure. My God takes delight in me, He paid the price for me. Therefore, how should I treat my body? I love to exercise daily. Yet a goal to have a god-ike body is not all there is. I have punished my body trying to be ready for events; I have even broken bones. Is this caring for my body? I love to ride my bike but have been hit and broken my pelvis, does this mean I was not caring for my body? I don't think so! Accidents hapoen. I am back on my bije but nore.indful of traffic. A dose of Nepali traffic sorted out any fear I had. How would God have me care for His treasure? I have seen too many falter and become ill because they did not care for ...

For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. Galatians 1:10 HCSB This is a constant challenge. People will want us to keep quiet about thongs that should be dealt with, to be sulent about sin. Today secual sin is rampant and hidden. Pornography is violent and destructive and leads to horrible destruction in families and lives. At present I am being challenged to confront a brother who is walking in darkness. He is deceived and thinks he is unable to change. Christ died to set us free and give us hope. Saying we cannot change and it is God'' problem is a slap in the face to Him. It also makes me angry. I am a slave of Christ not of sin. In Him are all my answers and all truth. I must live as if this truth is mine. Amen!

Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord , shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout triumphantly to Him in song. Psalms 95:1‭-‬2 HCSB The somg Shout to the Lord by Darlene Zscheck, Australian pastor amd songwriter aptly does just this. When the song was released it was embraced by the world such was the annointing on the song. Other songs similarly have been taken up. When I was in Nepal recently and attended a Nepali church service we sang a Geoff Bullock song: The Power of Your Love. Whilst it was sung in Nepali my mind remembered the English lyrics. This particular song was written back in the 90s. Amazing grace was written in 1779 by John Newton and we still sing it. A good worship song lives long. Perhaps it is because God loves it? David knew it was good to shout joyfully to the Lord. The Psalms exhort us to worship and praise and it is good for our soul and spirit. As we sing songs of praise we release heav...

My eyes are always on the Lord , for He will pull my feet out of the net. Psalms 25:15 HCSB I am a driver and I know I should keep my eyes on the road, if I don't I can come to grief. Today we have a real problem with mobile phones distracting us. There are many unnecessary accidents caused by people using their phones whilst driving. When I do long country trips I like to listen to my music on my phone, through the car system via Bluetooth. However, if I take off and forget to set it up I will find myself fiddling with my phone and wandering onto the wrong side of the road. It is better to pull over and not face the danger of an accident. When I was a teenager a friend had an accident all because he was fiddling with his casette player. He overturned his car and fortunately did not injure himself too much. When I was 20 and driving home via the steelworks in Wollongong late at night, a car came across in front of me from the left and veered to the oncoming traffic and had a...

The Lord is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry for help and saves them. Psalms 145:18‭-‬19 HCSB There are times when the tide seems against us, forever it seems, but then suddenlt it changes and all that was against you is washed away, the struggle is gone. Will you persevere to see this? Or will you give up defeated and lose the chance? This morning I awoke from a vivid dream in which the oppressor was being oppressed, the tide had turned. Our God is in charge of the tide. He rules the waves. Have you holidayed by the sea and gone down to the beach only to find the tide was up and wondered,'when will the tide be down?' You would not know except for tide charts, which you have to trust are accurate and go back at a time they specify. You will find they are right. The tide has indeed gone out. We have a chart in life, the word of God. We know there is a season for all t...