The day with dianne Louise

“But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27‭-‬28 HCSB As the lines are drawn in society: those who condone same-sex marriage; those who don't: those who believe in violence to serve their God and those who don't, God's word prevails. We may have enemies but we are called to love them. How do I love my enemies? I can pray God's richest blessing on them. May He invade their worlds and give them a revelation of Jesus Christ that gives them a new heart. If Christians withdraw from society and allow an 'us and them' mentality to develop, critical thinking will cause hate to grown in hearts that have answers. Anyone who has Christ in their hearts has an answer for a fallen world. We can talk ourselves into battlements and must be careful to seek the Lord for His greatness. If Jesus can be nailed to a cross and ask the Father to forgive those who ...

There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. 1 John 4:18 HCSB This verse has forever smacked me in the face. When fear comes knocking, usually at 2 or 3am, I know it is an enemy and cannot give it room. Now, I take my thoughts captive and go fishing. Let me explain: apparently it is a type of self hypnosis. As a child I had a favourite memory of catching a school bus to go out along the river where my grandparents went annually to fish. My mum was in hospital having another sibling. This is a good memory, full of victory and peace. Therefore when fear comes knocking, after rebuking it I see my God lift me up over my circumstances as I enter the bus. I look down on the bully who was with me all throughout my school life, and know she is small, really. (This represents fear) I make myself concentrate on all aspects of this bus, this is a God bus. I concentrate on landmark...

In the same way, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:5‭-‬7 HCSB We are prone to take portions of scripture and make a stance or a doctrine out of that scripture. There are words that resonate within us, particularly when we go through difficult times. My bible programme had given me verse 7: casting all your cares on Him for He cares for you. However as I investigate I find young men are being exhorted to humble themselves and that God would raise them up. Personally I still need to humble myself at times and I am a grandmother. I am in a time of desperately needing God to appear. The storms are raging, the doors are shutting and I need a miracle. So, I will accept my verse...

I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5 HCSB Jeremiah protested to the Lord saying he was only a youth but the Lord said: Then the Lord said to me: Do not say, “I am only a youth,” for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the Lord ’s declaration. Then the Lord reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and told me: I have now filled your mouth with My words. Jeremiah 1:7‭-‬9 God first looks for hearts that are His, then He fills their mouths with His words. In Australia we have a famous older stateswoman called Margaret Court who, in her younger years won 24 grand slams. No-one else has done this yet. Margaret now is a Christian mnister. Recently she took the media by storm by sending a letter to the QANTAS CEO saying: because he openly promotes same sex marriage , she can no lon...

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37 HCSB To fully appreciate this verse we must read verses 27-38. Jesus goes way beneath the surface: If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. Luke 6:32‭-‬34 HCSB Our natural tendency is to love those who love us. We must be honest with ourselves. Yesterday I gave a friend a surprise 65th birthday party. It was easy to do. He is a friend. The past few days I have been dealing with enemies. They are definitely not attractive but their need is as great. Jesus wants us to pause and breathe in His deeper truth. Who are your enemies? Why do they behave like ...

One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:10 HCSB In this Chapter Paul is comparing believing the law and the righteousness it gives to having faith in Christ. In the previous chapter he deals with Israel's rejection of Christ. In this chapter he uses words of Moses to build the case for believing in Christ.Paul quotes verses from Deuteronomy and then comes to the above passage. This verse is a pinnacle. It presents the life and truth of Christ. Believing in our heart is one thing but when we confess with our mouth we 'make it so!' (Can you tell I am a treker?) Our mouths were given to us to create, just like our Father creates. Confessing a thing cements it into being. This is why we must be mindful of our words. Prophetically speaking is even better. There we reach into heaven and capture the mind of God over our future and speak it into being. We live in a glorious day in medicine....

The Lord spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: May Yahweh bless you and protect you; may Yahweh make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may Yahweh look with favor on you and give you peace. In this way they will pronounce My name over the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:22‭-‬27 HCSB Did you know the actual blessing was a priestly blessing. Blessings were invoking the power of God on behalf of the people of God. This blessing would bring abundance; numerous descendants; a fruitful land; health; protection from enemies but most of all; God's abiding presence. The face of God reflects the righteous character of God. God is good! He is full of justice and mercy and this I seek daily. However, more important to me is the presence of God. His presence makes all things better. Amen! Israelis have a corner on pronouncing blessings. Fathers bless their children constantly. In the Old Testament a father g...

Take delight in the Lord , and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit your way to the Lord ; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, psalm 37:4-6 The whole of Psalm 37 compares the heart of the lover of God to the man who has no time for Him. One who delights in the Lord is one whose sensor is set for God. Without knowing it we can be tuned for what is wrong instead of God. Our antanea needs re-tuning; our mind needs refocusing to thinking about our world like He does; our senses need to be tuned into His presence. I have some young church friends who recently had a new baby. As I look on their little son I remember. I delighted in my babies. I was besotted. My whole being was tuned into their presence; their voice; their needs; their delights. What delighted them delighted me. This gives me a benchmark for delight. In summary I would say I was tuned in! I have been reading a little book by Jean Rodden on called: 'Life on the roo...

While he was still confined in the guard’s courtyard, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time: “The Lord who made the earth, the Lord who forms it to establish it, Yahweh is His name, says this: Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:1‭-‬3 HCSB Jeremiah is not in a good or comfortable position. Because he has prophesied against Jerusalem, it's king and it's people saying they would be handed over to Nebuchadnezzar. The King did not like Jeremiah's prophesy and so imprisoned him. In the midst of being imprisoned God tells him his cousin will come and ask him to buy land, although confused he buys the land when his cousin arrives. Jeremiah is seeing judgement being metered out on Jerusalem, for their unfaithfulness and idolatry. Destruction is all he sees, but God is bringing a new word, a word of future restoration. The word from God is personal to Jeremiah, an encouragement. We have he...

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 Two of the conditions for entering the sanctuary of God were praising Him and serving Him joyously. As a young Christian I grew up singing a chorus around this psalm: I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter His courts with praise, I will say this is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice for He has made me glad. Is it me or do we seem to wake with more awareness of problems these days. Perhaps we are so up to date with happenings in the world as soon as we turn on our phones, perhaps we are under attack and perhaps I am ...

Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 HCSB The Corinthian Christians were saying: “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be brought under the control of anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 HCSB They were claiming a right to do anything they wanted. The main problem was sexual sin. Paul goes on the address this: The body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 1 Corinthians 6:13b The church is in its infancy but already littered with wrong teaching. Corinth was a bed of sexual immorality amd the Christians needed to come out of it completely. We are not our own but belong to Christ and His Holy Spirit resides in us. We cannot, therefore, live to please the lusts of our old dead nature. As we...

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 HCSB And Jesus continued to say, “I am the light of the world - whoever journeys with me shall not walk in darknes but will radiate the light of life!” (The word 1, to hold; resonate; in this case, radiate.) [John 8:12] by Mirror Bible - mobile app. http://www.mirrorbible.com The difference between these two translations is in how we handle the 'light that Jesus gives. I like the Mirrors interpretation- that we would radiate the light. I resonate with this as I am a studier of.the stars and know we have mirrors in the telescopes that reflect or radiate the light coming from the objects we look at. The mirrors actually magnify what we are seeing. We could adapt that understanding here-we magnify what we are seeing as we look at Christ. Amen! This requires a walk of faith. We have a very old and very large 36...

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word. Psalms 119:9 HCSB Purity is so precious to God. He is pure, He creates pure, He gives purity in His relationship with us. However this is the one thing that mankind struggles most with returning to Him. Not only young men need purity, older men need not start into pornography, divorced Christians should again offer purity instead of settling for a 'partner'. Disillusionment settles on older Christians as things don't turn out the way they thought they should and disillusionment leads to sexual sin. Sexual sin is thrown at our society from all angles: freedom of homosexuality; transgenderism; multiple partners, mssturbation and it goes on. Yet God calls us to purity. Jesus Himself said: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8 For young men and women to keep themselves pure they do more than bless their own lives, they bless their future children and grandchildren. By...

Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3 HCSB Sacrifice pleases us. Our ego enjoys it. It makes us self-righteous, not God righteous. We cannot be righteous and just without being grafted into the life-giving flow of God. In the Old Testament sacrifice was instituted for sin but used to cover an unclean heart, a heart that wanted to do things it's own way and by sacrificing an animal it covered the bases required- the least possible it could do. Today the battle is with us. If my old nature is constantly revived and not truly dead I will lean to sacrifice and not righteousness. If we genuinely seek the right way then our eyes will be on the Lord. He is God. He is good. Righteousness dwells in Him. If I abide in Him because I choose Him and His ways, then righteousness is easy. Amen!

I have sought You with all my heart; don’t let me wander from Your commands. Psalms 119:10 HCSB For the Old Testament believer, wandering was a lot easier. They did not have the indwelling spirit of the Holy Spirit. They had to really seek God. The New Testament believer has the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide and direct, that is, if we are listening. Why do we wander? We wander because we feed our flesh and our old nature loves to be God. We avoid wandering by living in, abiding in the vine, abiding in Christ. If we feed our spirit life, it longs for more of God. If we feed our flesh life we wander by the stalls of sinful pursuits. Jesus taught us in John 15, if we abide in Him, He will abide in us. Sounds like a good union to me. What do you think? Jesus gives us a promise for abiding in Him- we produce much fruit. Apart from Him we cannot produce fruit. He goes on in John 15:7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for yo...

Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:6‭-‬7 HCSB The only truth I can rejoice in, fully, is God's truth. The biggest truth governing forgiveness, mercy and grace is: 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son and whoever believed in Him He has eternal life. John 3:16. This is the premise for love and forgiveness. At present I am a target of hate. Hate has no reason it just hates. I can react and hate back or love and pray God's grace and mercy on the haters. It is easier to react and hate back but this is a 'No win' solution. If I choose this path I allow bitterness, condemnation, arrogance, pride etc in. They don't deserve a hearing. Amen! As I am hated and have to love I understand in part what God goes through. He loves mankind, but in their brokenness they blame Himn for their pain and hate back. He is not responsible ...

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24 HCSB As a child of God we have so much to rejoice in today: His goodness; His grace; we are seated with Him in heaveddnly places. We are blessed! We must learn to rejoice in what we are given, in Him and not focus on what we lack. Jesus Himself said:" life is more than food and clothing Luke 12:23 Paul tells us in Romans: for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 HCSB Yes there are more things that bother us: relationship issues and finance being tops but still Jesus tells us to seek His kingdom and all these things will be added. Amen@

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Proverbs 31:30 HCSB A woman who fears the Lord is a woman who seeks His opinions and ways above her own freshly thoughts and reactions. When I choose to be emersed in the Lord this response to Him is automatic. Today is Mother's Day. For some it will be a day of blessing, for others a day of trial. The important thing is, for me, to remove all expectation from family but to walk in grace. The one mother who models motherhood to us is Mary, the mother of Jesue. Her son went into public ministry and once she visited Him and could not get it. The people told Him his mother and brothers were outside and He did not rush out but said: "who is my mother and brothers?Those who listen to me are my mother and brothers". This seemed to indicate there were issues in His own family. We know His brother's did not believe in Him but we also knew His mother knew of her role in life. Mar...

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 HCSB Today I am visiting family and feeling very weak. I have an autistic grandson and I long to see him free. I took him out to the shops and planned to go to the library yet he never made it. He had a major melt down and ran off on me. I had to call my Son to come and help. I am very aware of the challenges my Son and his wife live with, along with his siblings who have to cope with His behaviour. Today, this woman who had been used by God in so many ways felt helpless in this fray. I can see I need an abundance of grace to walk through this time. I am sitting in the library shattered and longing for answers and the power of God. I can see what I must do, I must pray. But in the meantime His grace is sufficient for us. Amen!

But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 HCSB Paul is not saying he is a worthless worm. He is not saying he is not made in the image of God, but He is saying he knew why he was on earth. He was a minister of the gospel. He burned to share Christ and see souls change. My purpose is to walk in God's ways and fulfill His calling. It is not to live for myself and feather my own nest. If we are distracted from the course God has for us then we have lost focus. If the people next door or in our street do not get to see Christ in us then why are we here? Our bank account, the possessions we accumulate are not the primary focus, God's kingdom is. Are you walking as a Christ follower? Does His light shine in you? In a world that seeks to bolster self-image to know you are a son or daughter of God is enough. You are royalty. However as a Chris...

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. Hebrews 11:1 HCSB Chapter 11 of Hebrews helps us understand Faith. Faith is visionary, we know our father Abraham carried this vision for the future but there are others in the bible who help us understand Faith: Faith caused God to command the universe into being; Abel applied faith and offered a better sacrifice than Cain (on the surface it did not appear to help him, his brother murdered him but he sits with God, Cain doesn't; Enoch walked with God in righteousness and did not die but was taken away; Noah built an ark, believing God against all his natural instincts and the attacks of all those doomed to die; Sarah was able to conceive well after childbearing years. And there are many more. Faith is active, visionary and faithful. I would rather carry a vision faithfully then walk around grumbling at the state of the world and how things are now. I am sure Noah could not conceive what being in...

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 HCSB A man can think a certain way, until someone comes along and disagrees with Him. Proverbs 18:17 We need to be in relationship with equals, people who know us and will contend with us for the truth. This is why I love Connect Group. At present we are studying a topic:'The Blessed Life.' It is about tithing. We watch a video then answer questions from the floor. When we put our opinions out there we show ourselves for who we are. Have you ever believed a certain thing until you said it out loud and watched it fall to the floor? I have. Whilst it is embarrassing it is good to know the truth. The truth sets us free. People who stay away are in danger of deception and bondage. Come into the light so all your works may be known. Amen!

Therefore, dear friends, since we have such promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, completing our sanctification in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 HCSB Is this a mere suggestion or is it a command? It is neither. Paul is teaching. As there is a 'therefore, we must first see what came before. And what agreement does God’s sanctuary have with idols? For we are the sanctuary of the living God, as God said: I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people. Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord; do not touch any unclean thing, and I will welcome you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:16‭-‬18 HCSB These verses are a compilation of Leviticus 26:12; Is 52:11; 2Sam 7:14 are a few references. Paul was apt to do this to make a point all of scripture works together to tell us about our G...

so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. Hebrews 9:28 HCSB The sacrifice Jesus gave of His life, was perfect. There was no longer need for another sacrifice. He is seated in heavenly places and is coming again in authority. This time He will not be laying down His life but coming to take His prize. His prize is the 'bride of Christ.' Christ's bride is made up of believers who have purified themselves by living in Him and His word. This will be a different Jesus. He will not be humble and meek. HE Will come with His angels and take His bride. Why will He need His angels? They went before Him when He came as a baby and now they will go before Him and bring in the harvest. It is only by faith we will believe this can happen. It is by faith that we receive Him, live for Him and go to Him. There will be plenty of sniffers who will watch thi...

The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 HCSB I am in an astronomy group and we are fascinated by nebulae. This is the name given to where stars are formed or there is a interstellar collects of ionized dust, hydrogen, helium and other ionized gases. One of the closest is the Orion Nebulae. Many a astronomer become quite excited when they discover things previously unseen. They will be up all hours photographing the sky. (I am not that keen) We have something greater than the stars here. The Son of God, the creator of the stars came to earth. The three wise men recognised this. He lived a life of grace and truth. He showed the then world what God was like. I love reading the gospels and seeing Him there. I recently read about a group of people who go underground, squeezing through small passages and holes in search of limestone caves. I like diving but not ...

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. James 1:2‭-‬4 HCSB The scripture for today was verses 2 and 3. However we need verse 4: But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4 HCSB We must complete the race. We have a goal before us:.vuctory, eternity. We can't stop, caught in a net because we don't dig deep enough to find the Lord's strength and purpose. As a runner trains they must deal with their bodies: I am tired; I want to eat pizza; I want to go out on the town; I want a body like that person so I'll take drugs. It goes on and on. The goal for the runner is a gold medal in the Olympics perhaps. To win the medal there are strict criteria that the runner must fulfill. As a Christian trains and persev...

Just as you don’t know the path of the wind, or how bones develop in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you don’t know the work of God who makes everything. Ecclesiastes 11:5 HCSB This verse comes right in the middle of two verses about sowing and reaping: 'One who watches the wind will not sow, and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap'.(4) 'In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don’t know which will succeed, whether one or the other, or if both of them will be equally good'. Ecclesiastes 11:4,6 HCSB Having been a nurse I know how bones are formed in a mother's womb and we now, through science know where the winds come from but we do not understand the ways of the Holy Spirit. He is ever present and ever moving. We cannot afford to allow circumstances to stop us from sowing. It is always good to give and not hold back. At times all we have to give is a smile, a letter, a text. At times of abundance we h...

Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16‭-‬18 HCSB Always means always. Rejoicing in pain is difficult but doable. As we rejoice that our names are written in the lamb's book of life we are reminding ourselves we have an eternity. 1 Thessalonians speaks to the second coming of Christ in every chapter. Paul is bringing an eternal perspective. Secondly pray constantly, in season and out of season. It is good to have a commitment to regular habits of action. Making aneffort to do what a Christian needs to do is important. Wallowing in pain and misery is not a solution. Strengthen the limbs that hang down, lift up those arms in praise, open that mouth and give glory to God. Amen! Yesterday I had a call from a dear friend who had lost her husband through divorce. He had treated her shamefully. Yet some 1w years later he sent her a letter of apology. I cried and cried. I was rejoicing with h...

The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20 HCSB Who do We hang out with? I see a lot in social media about hanging out with people who agree with us or encourage us. However we need people who will be real with us and preferably those who are wise in God's ways. My church connect group is not full of businessmen. It is made up of an assortment of people but they have one thing in common, they seek God. This makes them wise. Wisdom is knowing you need God and invite Him in to your circumstances. Amen! Yesterday was a devastating day. I am an authorised representative of a large financial company and yesterday when I received my commission statement they had raided by commission for what they believed is a legitimate reason. This reason has not been applied equitably across the board but applied to me. Injustice hurts. When I had dealt with my anger about the injustice I wrote emails asking for this to be dealt ...

The result of humility is fear of the Lord , along with wealth, honor, and life. Proverbs 22:4 HCSB Ah! Humility! At times I walk in it but at other times I am outspoken. I have to trust the Holy Spirit to be the motivation for when I am outspoken. I am not sure it is always received and I apologise in advance. I am posses by passion for justice and righteousness, consumed by them. If we want to know what humility looks like we can look at Moses. It is recorded that He was a most humble man. In the New Testament we have Jesus who said of Himself: 'take my yolk upon you for I am gentle and humble of heart.' Matthew 11:29. Taking Christ's yoke upon us has a promise of rest for our souls. Anyone want rest in your soul? I am sure we all would. Ad I lay down my opinions and seek His opinions and follow them, I am healed. Oh how good it is to be being made whole. As I submit to the journey Christ has for me, He brings healing out of left field and surprises me with His ...

As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while all day long people say to me, “Where is your God? ” I remember this as I pour out my heart: how I walked with many, leading the festive procession to the house of God, with joyful and thankful shouts. Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. I am deeply depressed; therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and Your billows have swept over me. The Lord will send His faithful love by day; His song will be with me in the night — a prayer to the God of my life. I will say to God, my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression? ” My adversaries taunt me, as i...