The Rebuke


Do not despise the Lord ’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.
Proverbs 3:11‭-‬12 HCSB

Yuk! Discipline! Who enjoys it? However, who is grateful when it has passed and a new you stands in faith before God?

Last night I spent time sharing Australian culture with my hosts and their friends from church. We are staying in a very poor house where the hosts fed us all freely. I was given a room by myself. My bed is a plank of wood covered with the barest covers we would call a mattress. Thr walls are made of earth, as is the floor. Above my head are branches held together by mud. Spiders roam around. My coverings are the poorest of poor. What I would give to these people is all I could muster.

Yet! What is God saying to them? Again I must bring a rebuke. " Wake up! Open your eyes to all God's benefits to you!" This is the pastor's house. Yet God has given him land, he has built a church and has, in a very small village, 100 people attending church. He wants money to buy the field beside the church to bury his congregation in as they die. He has his elderly mother and father living with him. They will probably be the first to receive the benefit.

The Nepali Christians want burial over cremation because the Hindu nation they live in creates the dead amd they feel the practice is heathen. I told them how in Australia we do both. God's word does not specify what we should do. It is a matter of choice. I was encouraging the believers to open their minds to God's way of thinking. Our spirit leaves our body and goes to Him forever. The body is a tent only.

The village needs water. The Christians would be better favoured if they used any money they had to pay for pipe to bring the water to their village. These poor people have something money cannot buy. They have a beautiful village, beautiful country, goats, cattle and land to grow things. I encouraged them to rejoice in what God has given them. They may be isolated but God is with them. They hoped I would give them money because I am a westerner.

One thing the Lord has taught me: "I alone am God! I alone am your provider. I alone will lead and guide you. Don't look at your own lack or inability!"

Oh God! I again preach today and will share my testimony. I want them to learn to walk in faith. Amen!

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