The day with dianne Louise

Cast your burden on the Lord , and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalms 55:22 HCSB This verse comes at the end of Psalm 55 in which we discover David is being oppressed by someone he trusted. The way he describes the oppression describes my life of late: My heart shudders within me; terrors of death sweep over me. Fear and trembling grip me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest. How far away I would flee; I would stay in the wilderness. Selah Psalms 55:4‭-‬7 HCSB It has been a tough new beginning to 2017. It has been an intense battle. However, today I fly to Sydney and tomorrow I fly to Nepal via China. China is one place I want to go. Yesterday I decided to finish a book I had been sent my a missionary friend on shame culture, to prepare me for the Nepali. At the very end I found the 'what's was going to do. I knew the 'why'. God has plans for Nepal. Howeve...

Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for — believe that you have received them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24 HCSB Jesus had just cursed a fig tree the day before and now it was withered. The apostles were amazed. Jesus is telling them to believe when they pray and they will have. However of we look at the story, Jesus did not appear to pray, or did He? The next day when they came out from Bethany, He was hungry. After seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, He went to find out if there was anything on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again! ” And His disciples heard it. Mark 11:12‭-‬14 HCSB What we see is a bold statement, a command. Where is the prayer? Is it a quiet internal pray that Jesus prayed to the Father? Was He demonstratinc a lesson of faith intentionally? We don't really know because we are not told. What we are told...

I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord , the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep. The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side. The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever. Psalms 121:1‭-‬8 HCSB At times there seems like there is no help. The people we know are not the answer. This includes us. The end might be staring you in the face. Yet your eyes must go up in search of your God. When we expect others to bring the answer we are disappointed and can become bitter. Look up! They are not the answer, God is! When God wants to be the man, others do not get a look in. It is God who provides, who keeps the enemy from the door. Man cannot do what God...

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9‭-‬10 HCSB This morning I am challenged to five you an appraisal of the difference between believing and confessing and the 'Born Again' experience. I grew up believing that Jesus was the Son of God. I worshipped Him from afar. I confessed Him as Lord, but did not experience Him as Lord. Until I had a 'born again', experience was I able to truely make Him Lord. The born again experience was one Jesus Himself taught the Phariisee Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a good man, seeking God's way. He believed Jesus was sent by God. However he needed the 'nore' experience. In John 3 Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the night to ask what more must he do to be saved. Jesus told him in verse 5: “I assure you: Unless som...

But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 HCSB The Lord strengthened Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, uet He still had to face the cross. Our God will guard is but the enemy will still try all he can to rob, kill and destroy. He thought he destroyed Jesus, but He rose again. This knowledge does not stop him attempting to destroy us. He will only succeed when we give up or yield to the noise. Yesterday his weapon was shame. Shame has been very useful against me in the past. I was brought up with shame. Last night I spoke to my mum about this and she did not know how shame came into my world. Parents can motivate by shame, unknowingly. Catholicism lays on shame for those who break the Catholic rules. Perhaps it was a combination. Needless to say I have experienced my fair share of shame. Now shame is something to be overcome. My Jesus took all shame for me. It is interesting that shame comes up as I prepare to go to a coun...

The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8 HCSB There are times when pleasant words are hard to do, yet the effort is worth it. Yesterday was one such day. Another day of fire. We are experiencing very had vetting of documents at present. Yet three of us are leaning in to the solution and whilst it continues other requests come in, Knock backs happen and disturbances aplenty. Yet we kept a steady approach and pushed on with a good voice. It was another hot day in the cauldron but a day of learning. I told the girls it was okay and that we would become better for the experience. 'Better' is preferable to bitter. Enduring patiently was the objective. No longer am I troubled with the fact I don't have much time, as 'yes' it is a fact but God holds the timepiece. Today is a public holiday but I will work. I am away for a month soon, so it does not matter. We have been blessed with some g...

Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9 HCSB Verse 8 says: The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8 HCSB I could say yes to this verse, as to the one above. Yesterday I awoke to crushing stress and fear. I went for my walk and praised the Lord. As i prepare to go to Nepal next week, the forests are ablaze, the heat is intense and great grinding machines are chasing me (i should write a novel methinks) I had staff coming and mother wanting to go visit a relative and I received a message from one who was causing me grief: 'can we meet?' I made a time and proceeded with the mountain of work before me. The young man who had worked for me and was leaving came with a gift, an unexpected gift. I was delighted. What a blessing! I received a fountain pen, a special pen. It was my parting gift. A thank you for believing in me gift. This same young m...

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:8 HCSB On Monday night I had a conversation with an elderly woman who believed all questions would cease in heaven. As one who asks questions, this response did not satisfy me. I ask, seek and knock. There are some doors the Lord has not opened to me. I am still knocking. I want to know the why, the how, the what for. I know Job did not get his questions answered when God showed up. He was satisfied. Being a relational person the Lord's presence is dear to me. So, if I had to choose, I would choose presence. This scripture promises answers, promises finding that which we search for. If we want more fun God, He will answer. In the early part of the last Century Christians conducted tarry meetings. They sought God for His Holy Spirit. Some times this took quite a while. It doesn't now as there has been an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. What are...

“Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching,and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 HCSB This scripture is tied to seeking for eternal life. I remember being that seeker. I was confused, hungry and searching. I had religion without relationship and I wanted relationship. I had bought a bible and begun attending a nurses hristian fellowship meeting. I knew the others in attendance had something I didn't have. I knew my life was empty but I needed the missing link. My God had to show up and convict me of sin and then lead me to the person who would bring me.into relationship with Jesus Christ. This is my prayer for others. I see those who are lost and needing life. My prayer is they find the connection. As we come to recognise our sin and repent we open our hearts to His goodness, to Him. Amen! As a Christian when I need a breakthrough I seek Him again. I am here again. I want more of Him manifest in my world. I want ...

I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel. Psalms 32:8 HCSB This Psalm deals with: sin, repentance and forgiveness. When we stray and sense ourselves distant from God; feel indifferent or arrogant towards Him, then if we humble ourselves and are repentant, we are forgiven, immediately and once again will find the voice of the counsellor and guide. If we are worried about the way to proceed, we need not. He.is there to guide. Amen! In times of distress the Lord keeps saying to me: "Look at Me! Look at Me!." He does not want me being made fearful by looking at the challenges but rather faith filled by looking at Him. Acting on worry causes us to sin and this leads to fear, and around we go. God's ways are ways of peace. We need to walk in them. Amen!

“This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25 HCSB Verse 19 begins the instruction about earthly possessions: 'don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy amd where the thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth or rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal.' This life is full of anxious toil. We fret, push and pull, to no avail. Our minds are consumed with getting stuff: the latest ..... How different and peaceful are the priorities of heaven? I have been robbed, three times. The first was my home when we lived in Gosford near Sydney. I lost a locket my mother had given me. Unbeknownst to me it was worth $1000. It's actual value was not the monetary value. It was a family treasure. The next time was ...

He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 HCSB This scripture was a part of that recited 4 times a day. It was called the Shema and comes from Deuteronomy 6:4-5. The listeners, the Pharisees had asked Jesus what was the greatest command. Jesus went on the say: 'the second is like it; 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' This was new but basically summarised the remaining commandments. How do I know I am loving the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind? It will be portrayed in my decisions, language, attitude and how I behave. I may never be perfect, but still as I walk in a him, He perfects me. How quickly do I repent when I err? Repentance keeps me clean and carries me. I can see how I am loving my neighbours, all the others, by the way I treat them. Do I speak well of them or poorly about them? Do I yield to a part spirit and go along with the crowd or stay in Him? If I find myself lackin...

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7 HCSB Those who choose God as their portion and get to know Him, fear or respect Him if they keep His word. The word of God tells us how to behave. If we listen and harness our emotions and will to obey, we are His. Those who choose such a path choose wisdom. Those who submit to God's hand and yield to His will begin to know how to live. However, those who choose to walk according to what 'feels good' to them are in danger. Self, not God, is the ruling authority. How many times do you hear, "it felt good, so I did it!" This is the wide path to destruction and self-deception. Joy comes from walking with and abiding in the Lord. Abiding in the vine, being grafted into a life blood not our own, seems strange at first but so peaceful and satisfying. The vine supplies nourishment, fellowship and protection. The Gardner, the Father, cares for us. He removes the r...

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 1 Peter 5:6 HCSB Humbling myself is never a nice process but one I would rather do that have Him humble me. When I strut or am arrogant I can be sure the pit into which I fall is right in front of me. When do I humble myself? At every opportunity I have to be proud I suppose. Self reliance removes us from the grace of God. When we experience failure we see our lack and rather than cover it we have an opportunity to confront or agree with the truth. The bible tells us that Moses was the most humble man who ever lived. To see humility in action all we need to do is read the story of his life. He began life as a hidden baby, the Pharaoh wanted to kill baby boys. He was taken in by the Pharaohs daughter and raised in royalty but knew where he belonged. He handled this revelation wrongly in killing a man and then fled to the wilderness to be trained as a shepherd for 40 years. At t...

How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord ’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. Psalms 1:1‭-‬2 HCSB When Job was in a mess his wife advised him to curse God and die. As I lead up to going to Nepal in 2 weeks the heat is on: finance needs to spread like butter; compliance needs to lighten up; clients are needing to come to the table; less people in the house would be good and the list goes on. I have spent hours working and there is a wall in front of my efforts. Today, if it is to be then God let it be, otherwise I will sit in the dirt and scrape my sores (figuratively). I might just have a party. I have a client turning 65 today amd I have been invited to his party. I will go and be a blessing. While I have much against me I had a call yesterday from a woman who wants to partner with me in what I do in Nepal. I know God is building a team and I se...

For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 HCSB These are the words spoken to Mary by Gabriel when he told her about her cousin Elizabeth's pregnancy. Elizabeth was old for having a child. I am regularly faces with impossible situations and then I must decide: Today will I believe? There are times I would rather not be stretched, most times they are inconvenient. Sometimes they are annoyingly inconvenient. I may go through a period of time where there are continually new stretches, one after another. It is as though I am in a fiery furnace. Perhaps my silver is being heated so thatbthe master can see His face in me. At present is one such time. The fire is being poured on and the weather is hot as well. Yet in the midst of the heat is blessing. Yesterday I went shopping after chirxh. I needed to buy some winter clothes for my trip to Nepal. I had been given a store voucher for Christmas and that very store had clothes for winter (in the midst of a hot summer) on ...

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23‭-‬24 HCSB This verse comes after an exhortation by Paul to obey their masters. It is believed that slaves were habitually lazy because they served another man as master. Families would sign themselves over to slavery to pay off debts. It makes sense that Paul exhorts them to serve with a good heart. We could take this into the workplace. If we work for another man or woman then we need to work for them as if we are working for the Lord. Unfortunately today, we are needing to be told: "Work for your boss as if working for yourself." We are inclined to be selfish and many harbour thoughts that they could do things better. Working is not just a means to earn money but rather a means to serve the Lord creatively. His creativity is there for the asking. There are many i...

Because of the Lord ’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! Lamentations 3:22‭-‬23 HCSB It is good to know God's mercies are new every morning. I don't know about you but there are days I am sure I have emptied the bank account. Yesterday I thought I blew the bank. We are experiencing very hot weather at present and my decision to work from home is being tested. My mother is visiting, having had an eye operation on Thursday; I have had staff coming to the house; annoying people calling to complain about $11.00; struggles with programmes and the list goes on. I think what blew the bank for me was hearing that we have lost a good politician because the media crucified her. Why did that bother me? Because I hate injustice and malice. I am so grateful for God's mercy. His mercy I crave. If I receive it I must give it. Today is another hot day amd another chance to test my resolve- will I give ...

This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Joshua 1:8 HCSB Applying the word of God as a remedy for all that ails us and comes against us is wise, rather than running to the latest guru.social Media is awash with remedies for all that ails us. We could spend all our money on chasing such remedies but what does the word of God say about our predicament? Recently I heard a message by Bill Johnson on how he came through cancer and a bowel operation last year. He was very sick and could eat nothing for a time. Daily he took the word of God and it's promises, he listened to worship music and took communion when able. He told how he trained his children to know the weapons available to them: the word of God; the blood of the lamb; worship and a good confession. These weapons are more powerful than any other. Let us g...

For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, and he must turn away from evil and do what is good. He mist seek peace and pursue it, because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their request. But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil. And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? 1 Peter 3:10-13 HCSB I think gossip fits the bill of.speaking evil. It is tasty to those who consume it.can you see it coming? If you love truth, in your own mouth it tastes like dross. You feel unclean and want to run. Run from it as it is destructive to the speaker and the hearer. For the Lord's eyes are on the righteous. How sad to sorrow Him. Whilst He is forgiving I want to honour Him. I want His smile. I want to hear Him say, " Did you see that, there's my girl!" I want Him to be proud of me. Seeking peace is something most of us woul...

All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. Ephesians 4:31‭-‬32 HCSB In this chapter Paul reminds us not to live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds (v17). Anger is foment ed in the mind. We are infected with an offensive thought by someone's words or actions, often we misunderstand. Suddenly rage comes, 'how dare they.' Is this any different that the non-Christian? No! We are also told: ' be angry but do not sin!' This.indicates we will all get angry at times but we need to take it to the Lord and not dwell upon it. On Monday I said I woke knowing I had conflict but also was hearing a song in my head. I chose to play that song rather than the offence amd even want so far as to put on worship music. I received an apology, for which I was grateful. The problem dissolved in worshi...

He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 2 Timothy 1:9 HCSB 'Works usually signifies self-effort. Prior to his conversion Paul was a zealous Pharisee who grew up under Gammiel and who believed Judaism was the only way. Then, he met the Saviour. He was forever changed. I was a zealous Catholic. I loved the 'bells and smells'. But He had another plan. He made me so hungry for a relationship with Him I was willing to leave Catholicism amd follow Him where He led me. The Holy calling God had prepared for Paul was to take the gospel to the foreign lands. Paul went willingly and gave his life for the gospel. I hear many stories of lives changed by the gospel. I recently read a book of a young girl forsaking Islam for a relationship with Christ. Eric Liddell forsook a running career to go to China as a missionary. There are many such s...

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. John 15:7 HCSB Verse 5 tells us if we remain in Him we produce much fruit and that our fruit will remain. Now we are told if we remain in Him our prayers are answered. What does remaining in Him look like? It is not just an emotional fuzzy feeling from singing worship songs, it is a knowing that even in conflict we put His ways first. We may jave spent our whole working life, faithfully building a work God ordained but now out of left field we arw in a nasty conflict. In conflict we stand to lose all we have built and done because we walk after our emotions and not Him. Why is it in conflict we do not remain in Him? This is the very time we need to remain in Him. What we have built could be a relationship, a church, a business or a combination. Why destroy all we have built because we are angry or hurt? What woukd God have us do? If we remain in Him and pray about the problem He w...

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 HCSB Have you ever spent time watching royalty? As I mentioned in a previous post I watched a Netflix series over Christmas called 'The Crown.' These story was about Queen Elizabeth, our current monarch. In the story we see a young girl being groomed to be queen but never expecting it as she had her father King George on the throne. Elizabeth had not.long been married to Phillip and was planning to write to her father about the life they wanted to live. She never sent that letter because her father died from lung cancer. Suddenly life changed for her and for Phillip. When we become a Christian we become a part of a Royal family. We are to be groomed by the Holy Spirit to rule and reign. Problems arise when we want to live it our way and for ourselves. It will n...

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. John 15:5 HCSB Outside of Christ all we do is fleshly and corruptible. I am reminded of movies where yu see people and things incinerate immediately and fall in a pile of ash. My constant question to myself is: am I in Christ in this. This is especially true in conflict. In fact I am there at the moment. It seems to be a season I am in. Whilst determining not to be treated poorly I mist maintain Christ's attitude. He was not frightened by confrontation. In fact He spoke His mind firmly and called a spade a spade. Whilst He put up with Judas for three years, Judas was there for a reason. Even Peter got a serve and was told in no unceretain terms he was siding with Satan. Conversely being a Christian does not mean you don't confront or that you are an pushover. At times in conflict the hand of the Lord is upon me to walk a conciliatory pat...

Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. Ephesians 5:1,2 Verses 4:31,32 leads into this scripture and says: All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. In other words forgive one another. I don't know that I have discussed bitterness and think this is a good opportunity. Bitterness is a deep problem. Anger, resentment and conflict not resolved causes a heart to sour. Bitterness is referred to as having a root. We are told in scripture to dig it out. Hebrews 12:14,15 You know you yourself are dealing with bitterness when talking about another person who has disappointed and hurt you and you taste bitterness on you tongue. Hurts and disappointments are a part of life, I have h...

Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:11‭-‬12 HCSB Verse 10 says: Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Jesus is our example. He came to serve His creation not to Lord it over them. When we serve others we are doing as He did. What does this look like? Jesus knew who He was, the Son of God, yet it did not see it as a reason to take authority over us or to Lord it over us. There were many times when the disciples got things wrong. He gently confronted then. He even rebuked them, but He did it in love. When we are upset by someone we want to correct them. How do we do that? Do we publicly humiliate them and go around speaking evil about them or other we confront in private and then move on? In any relationship there is confrontation and disagreement....

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. 1 Peter 5:10 HCSB Suffering, misunderstanding, rejection and abuse are all part of being a Christian. The apostles showed us their ability to endure through suffering. The story of the saints of old show us this very fact. After suffering comes restoration and glory. We have seen David be annointing king and then be chased for years by a mad king, who he would eventually replace; we see Joseph in prison for years for something he discovered not do, only to be released to become prime minister; we see Daniel live out his days in captivity and become an important man in the society he lived it- apart from the Lions den- he lived well in captivity. So many more saints of old, as Hebrews 11 tells us, suffered 'a little' for their faith. Suffering is a part of life. Trying to avoid it is foolishness. Su...

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 HCSB This statement by Jesus is in response to a request by Thomas to see the Father. It is only fitting that a Thomas like person should receive the word from Jesus. For all the doubters about Jesus'relevance and importance, here it is. If Jesus said it no other man made it up or added it. Thr apostle a John, who wrote the gospel was closest to Jesus and faithfully reported all he saw and heard. If we accept that there is no other way, peace comes. All self-effort, all mysticism, all need to placate odd deities through fear, is gone. What freedom! Try Him, you will not leave when you find Him, not just a knowledge about Him, but actually find Him. He is good! He is faithful! He is a friend like none other. He is exceptuonally wonderful! He is peace, He is joy! Amen! To come into my house you need a key or me to open the door for you. Elsewhere Jesus also says H...

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. John 14:27 HCSB Jesus had been telling the disciples about His betrayal and that He was going away where they could not go, right now. It would have been troubling. Because we know the final story of the gospels we fail to fully appreciate their fear. Yet, here we are and God's word tells us He is with us and not to fear. We are even told what the end of the world looks like, yet we fear the outcomes in our own life because we see the problem and not Him. We have to see Him. His peace is more valuable than anything we know. His peace carries us through many a battle, past screaming demons, past hate, malice, anger and resentment. His peace is found in His love for us. I am wrapped in His love and protection. His peace is a prize worth seeking. His peace never leaves. We might go back to fear but He is constantly there with His peace and protect...

“Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18‭-‬19 HCSB Today we start a new year, 2017. I have a visa card that will expire in 2020, it replaced one that expired last year, so it is current. All the things that happened in 2016 are past, they are a platform for what will happen this year. Earlier in this chapter the Lord talked of bringing his people back out of captivity, the captivity happened in the past yet it happened for a purpose and is now going to be built upon by a 'new thing.' Last year was challenging for me but I built upon it and moved on. The Lord is promising something new this year. We need to be expectant as we enter the year. The lessons I learned from the difficult times are gold, I value them. I value my God's hand in my past and look forward to His hand in my futu...