The day with dianne Louise

Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a foolish man consumes them. Proverbs 21:20 HCSB As I trust the Lord for my needs and wants He constantly surprises me with little treasures. My greatest treasure is Him and His word, next are the people He brings into my world and lastly earthly gifts which might not seem much to many and not, therefore treasured by them. On Tuesday I was tired and struggling to concentrate and my mum suggested we go to Bunnings (our tool and gardening centre). She bought me a door bell and a pot of lavender. I love my door bell. It was only $8.95 but it works and I had never thought of one until recently. I don't always hear people knock. I love my lavender as I love the smell of lavender. Little, simple gifts can be such treasures. We need to value them because of the heart that gave them. I so value my saviour because of the love that came my way. He is so precious.

The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:17‭, ‬21 HCSB Pleasure is good, if it comes from righteousness. King David sought pleasure and took a man's life to cover his sin. Each of us may seek a pleasure in relief for hard work. Many Australians see pleasure as their right for hard work. They love their alcohol. However alcohol lowers resistance to a behaviour that is not acceptable in the light of day, in fact it destroys relationships and families. To protect ourselves from destruction we need to create habits that protect us. Instead of a 'few beers' there will need to be a new habit. Myself I would not struggle with tea but I am sure my male counterparts may. However it is not impossible. Why do we need to turn to alcohol or gambling to relax. All we have done is create a habit. Wine and oil represent co...

May the Lord be praised! Day after day He bears our burdens; God is our salvation. Selah Psalms 68:19 HCSB I praise the Lord for He brought me through one very stressful day. I realise that stress is mostly an emotional response to a perceived threat or barrier that seems insurmountable. However, I live to tell the tale. Praise God! So often we give up because of an emotional crisis yet growth is on the other side. Amen! We need to press up and grow muscle within! But give up and never know what a mighty warrior we are. Our God is there, a very present help in times of trouble. He will not fail. Today I had an audit, did some exams and compliance work. The audit was good in many respects, I have improved in many ways but bad in other ways. Two small errors cost me a large red mark. Even though I had corrected my errors the corrections were not compliant. Ahhh! I prayed that I would not break down or spit the dummy. I didn't! I also saw what the solution was. Now I know s...

We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 HCSB Moses had to wear a veil over his face after spending a month in the Lord's presence. We of the New Testament glow from the indwelling Spirit. We do not need to veil our faces but let our light shine. As we spend time with the Lord and His word our light shines brightly into the darkened world. Recently, in the media, a report showed younger and younger children suffering with mental illness. Jesus is the answer. I am praying for an outpouring of the Spirit of God drawing these young people to hope. Jesus is the only answer to all our ills. Sure we can take pills but they are an expensive substitute to a living solution. Prior to coming to Christ, those who knew Jesus personally glowed. They had something I wanted. Now it is my turn to be the light. In the coming...

Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth. 2 Corinthians 4:1‭-‬2 HCSB What is 'this ministry'? The ministry of showing Christ as opposed to the Old Testament Law. Jesus is whole different thing to legalism. When asked what the greatest law was He said: "that you should love the Lord you God with your whole heart, soul and mind and the second is to love your neighbour as yourself." Along with the law was all manner of secret things, the hidden things, the thou shalt not things. However, in Christ is walking in the light as He is in the light. This light is where we have true fellowship with one another. It is also where we become candles in a dark world. Jesus said: "You are a light set apart on a hill. Matthew...

Give thanks to the Lord , for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 HCSB The above was a command given by David to the priests as they brought the ark of the Lord back to Israel. In fact He had said: Then David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers and to have them raise their voices with joy accompanied by musical instruments — harps, lyres, and cymbals. 1 Chronicles 15:16 David had tried to bring back the ark on a cart but when a man died for touching it he went to the scripture and discovered that the priests were to carry it. I can imagine he was quite excited about getting the procedure right and knowing he had procured the ark for the city of Jerusalem. In the New Testament we are the ark, God's presence dwells in His people. It is not as if we each have a small portion but as His Spirit dwells in us, all of Him can dwell in each one. If all of my God dwells in Me them I can commune with Him at any time. H...

Surely You desire integrity in the inner self, and You teach me wisdom deep within. God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:6‭, ‬10 HCSB Jesus told His disciples: "You must be holy as your heavenly Father is holy." Matthew 5:48 Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered. Hebrews 5:8. Jesus Himself had to learn to follow truth, to seek God's will above His own. He said, whilst in the garden before he was to be betrayed: " Father, if it is at all possible, let this cup pass from Me, but not My will but your will be done." LUKE 22:42. David knew that only God could forgive him and cleanse him. No one can forgive like God can. Feeling soooo clean within and knowing you are right with God, now, that is something!

God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 HCSB Praise God for the indwelling Holy Spirit! Now, the guilt of sin is short. When aware of my sin I can repent immediately and receive forgiveness. I grew up in a Catholic home where I had to go to confession and tell a priest all my sin and he would give me absolution, along with penance. However, the guilt and shame remained. Now I know I am clean. The first time I knew such forgiveness was when I asked Christ into my life. He came in with His oceans of forgiveness. Nothing is too hard for Him! David didn't have the indwelling Holy Spirit and how He would have enjoyed such a gift! I Do! The Holy Spirit enables me to be truelly sorry and His grace washes me clean. I am one breath from a clean heart, constantly! How good is that!

When Solomon finished praying, fire descended from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests were not able to enter the Lord ’s temple because the glory of the Lord filled the temple of the Lord . and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:1‭-‬2‭, ‬14 HCSB God shows up with His glory in answer to someone's heartfelt prayer and obedience. At the time of building the new temple Solomon was passionate to build God's house and fulfil his father's wishes to create God's house. He was a new king and had a desire to do it right. David had a passion for God and wanted to build Him a house. I wonder if God showed up out of honour for David or for both David and Solomon? We know David pursued God almost all His 70 odd years, whereas Solomon pursued...

Then the Lord appeared to Solomon at night and said to him: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a temple of sacrifice. If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the grasshopper to consume the land, or if I send pestilence on My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to prayer from this place. 2 Chronicles 7:12‭-‬15 HCSB In the above passage I have separated verses 12 and 13 from 14 and 15 because 14 and 15 are verses we hear a lot but do we know where they come from? The Lord said these famous lines when He appeared to Solomon in the night, after he had dedicated the new temple to Him. Solomon 'the wisest man who ever lived' had built the Lord a temple and finally dedicated it to Him. At this time Solomon's heart was steadfa...

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Romans 8:31‭, ‬34 HCSB Not only did Jesus die for our sins, He spends His time interceeding for us. If we can intercede and continue to pray for others, He does it more so. How amazing! How odd! The Son of God bothering to intercede for me! Many times I am not worthy. What does He see in me that is worth persevering for? He see who I am destined to be. As my intercessor He calls forth that destiny, in faith. Thank You Lord! Amen!

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31 HCSB At times it seems as though all is against us. However, that is just what they are, the seemly things. They are noisy and outspoken but not really relevant. We need to know what voices to listen to. Satan comes with: 'hath God said?' God comes with: Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out. John 6:37 Satan says: 'You're doomed!'.Jesus says: 'I have come to give you life and that life is abundant life.' We need to study the gospels and see Jesus. He turned no genuine person away. He even persevered with the Pharisees. Yes He may have appeared to test one little lady who was not a Jew but He was merely revealing her faith and she did receive. We can trust Him! Amen!

For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. Romans 15:4 HCSB The apostles wrote about the happenings around Jesus and those like Paul, from their experience with Him after He had gone. They all wrote lessons on how to conduct ourselves, the importance of loving God and loving our fellow man. Only the very last book in the bible was otherworldly. Every other letter, record and encouragement was instruction on how to live, possibly with the exception of the Acts of the Apostles. In the gospels Jesus Himself taught us, who were in the saints loins, how to live. You see we, in our present time, are connected to those who went before. We are not removed from Christendom, we are pearls sewn on the edge, but still vital and relevant. The book to Hebrews tells us that those who have gone before are watching on and encouraging us to persevere. Amen! Don't lose hope!

Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice. Romans 15:5‭-‬6 HCSB We have more opportunity to live in harmony when we have grace to one another. If I am annoyed by you then I will not be praying for God's best for you. The enemy wants to fill our minds with pictures about the failures of others, causing us to withdraw from each other and not have fellowship with one another. When the images come, take this as an opportunity to pray for that person Satan is trying to divide you from. When we stay in fellowship we can work together to glorify God through our attitudes and actions filled with grace. Amen! Remember an enemy seeks to divide and conquer. If he can divide us, He will isolate us and imprison us. Make an effort to love. Choose what to think. When bad images and bad feeli...

Shout triumphantly to the Lord , all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalms 100:1‭-‬2‭, ‬4 HCSB 'I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously the horse and rider fell into the sea....'. Another old chorus taken from Miriam's song when God delivered Israel from Pharoah at the Red Sea. It is good to sing songs about the goodness of God and His mighty ways. It is good to praise God for the calling and ministry your enemies have been called to. You never know it might just be the catalyst they need. By praising God for their future you are part of the solution and by praising God for His plans you are releasing souls to his hand. Better than being negative and complaining. Now when the enemy bring someone to mind, who is distressing me, I praise God for them and their ministry. Miracles are coming! Amen!

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalms 100:4 HCSB Years ago we sang a chorus which started: 'I will enter His gates.' When we says I will, it is saying I choose to do this. I will make an effort to do this. Thanksgiving is unnatural, grumbling and complaining is natural. Depending on your proclivity to complaining, depends on the effort required. However, rest assured change will come! The Psalmist, in the scripture above is commanding- do it! The chorus we used to sing was our response-I will! So much can cloud our minds and affect our hearts. So many divisive thoughts and attitudes can come against us. We must choose to love, choose to praise and choose to believe. Amen! Today... I will give praise and walk in thanksgiving, then my circumstances will change. Amen!

I will thank Yahweh with all my heart; I will declare all Your wonderful works. Those who know Your name trust in You because You have not abandoned those who seek You, Yahweh. Psalms 9:1‭, ‬10 HCSB Have you ever met someone, sat down and talked and afterwards known you can trust them? Trust is an amazing attribute. Today trust is primarily in self, probably because time is not given to getting to know someone else. When we have someone we can trust, we relax and tell them things about ourselves that make us vulnerable to hurt or injury. Working in relationship to create trust is important and good for our health. We sleep better when we can trust another with our burden. Being able to trust God comes as we test Him. He actually invites us to test Him: Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this way,” says the Lord of Hosts. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure. Mal...

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 If I am to thank God with ALL my heart then I need to fix things that mess up my heart. For me unsolved conflict with others can leave a bitter taste and I know where my heart stands with others as I talk about them. Does bitterness gush forth or grace? Today I am convicted to fill my heart with grace. For then I can love the Lord with my whole heart, there will be no bad bits on offer. Jesus told us the two greatest commands were: love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind and love others as myself. We all know we think favourably towards ourselves and cut ourselves more slack than we do others. This is a good place to start. Love others as I love myself. I will need the Holy Spirit's help here. Then I can declare God's wonderful works and thank Him with ALL my heart. Amen!

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 glad in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9 HCSB How long have you waited for God? Jesus waited 30 years, Abraham waited 25 years, Moses waited 40 years. How long did you say you have waited again? The New Testament is full of encouragement to stay the distance, to be patient and wait. I have waited 14 years and sense I am on the brink of a wild adventure with God. As I know it is my future I am keen to start but just as you must organise visas, have your shots, buy your ticket and pack, preparation is still needed. If I had not waited for God's best, if I had doubted Him and turned aside, where would I be? He and His plans are worth waiting for. Amen!

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 We do not know the plans God has for us, but they are there. If we live in doubt that invades our minds, if we confess the opposite of the hope within us they we put ourselves in chains, in jail. Alternatively, if we silence the noise and choose to walk, perhaps one small step at a time, we will begin to see, as the cloud lifts, that hope becoming a reality. Adventure awaits us! Dare we believe?

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. because You are my helper; I will rejoice in the shadow of Your wings. I follow close to You; Your right hand holds on to me. Psalms 63:3‭-‬4‭, ‬7‭-‬8 I could say: because you are my lover and friend, I will lift up my hands, I will praise you and come near to you. Your presence is life to me, your smile my joy. My God is more than my helper, rather because He is my lover and friend He helps me, He goes before me. Amen! There is no one else I wish to impress but Him. There is no other opinion that matters like His. His opinion is life itself. His word sustains me. Now, isn't that better than moaning?

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. You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise You with joyful lips. Psalms 63:3‭-‬5 HCSB This Psalm was written when David was on the run from Saul. Imagine that! Thousands of years ago one man, David, destined to be king and chased for around 13 years, writes this Psalm for us and it still encourages us. Men and women who believe in Jesus face potential death or serious bodily harm, daily. The Lord is their only hope. In countries ruled by despots it is dangerous to believe yet may do. It was dangerous for David to believe that God had spoken and that He was to be king. If he had renounced kingship, I wonder if his life would have been spared? Probably not. We know our enemy wants us to renounce our relationship with God but life would be no better if we did and our eternity would be miserable. Yet, in the midst of ...

But You, Lord , are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. Psalms 3:3 HCSB Jesus was from the line of David. As we examine His life, we see: He was rejected by family and His community, He was rejected by the church, the very people He came to minister to tore Him to shreds and nailed Him to a tree. Yet, He put His faith and trust in His Father. He spent time with His Father. His Father was His life and example. He got to know His Father. His Father was His focus so that whatever the Father did, He did. Jesus was judged worthless and cast aside. Isaiah says: we esteemed Him not. Mankind still reject him but for those who do seek Him, He enters into a love relationship with them and gives them eternal life. What love is that? Jesus is my shield and song, my strength to lean on. I will praise Him as long as I live! Amen!

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 Today let us digest a whole Psalm. The story behind this Psalm- David is on the run, again, but this time he is king and his pursuer is His Son Absalom. We may fail to fully comprehend this Psalm, unless we have experienced the same thing. Not many of us will be kings and queens in an earthly sense, however as children of God we are royalty. In famili...

Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6 HCSB If we have a hard and begrudging eye, we will sow sparingly. If we are self-centered we will worry about our needs first and perhaps neglect the area of giving. Most churches are governed by the 80% rule. 20% of the people give 80% whilst 80% give 20%. Whilst it is not good to give all your money away, just as it is foolish to waste all your money on senseless buying. Believing that because you give faithfully that God should bless you more than those who don't is also not a good focus. If you love the Lord with all your heart then your cash is His. We must live out of this space, a good relationship with Him. What is He doing? What is His focus?

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15 HCSB After reading the whole chapter 9, which deals with giving a financial gift thst they, the Corinthians, had pledged. Paul, in this chapter reminds thebreaders that it is more blessed to give than receive, and as we give we will receive. Have you heard the saying: 'unless the Lord builds the house, thry Labour in vain who build it'?(Psalm 127:1). Well, giving to get praise, giving to be on team or any motive unless God motivates, is fraught with problems. However, so is saying you will give and then failing to give. I remember a time I was at a church in Sydney and I had pledged to give $10,000. I did not see my market drying up or the fact that I would break my back. My ability to give was severely hindered. However, a few years later, I completed the pledge. I knew had pledged before God and knew I must compkete what I had finished, to my own hurt. The following year I had an opportunity to enter m...

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 15:58 HCSB Steadfast and immovable are traits that are hard to produce naturally. Life is full of knocks and those knocks impact us emotionally. However, if we follow our emotional impulses we falter in being steadfast. Therefore, submitting all to Christ we can find ourselves asking: " Lord, how will we handle this one?" The reason we are so impacted is we have created criteria for our life: If I get this job, if I pass this exam, if I earn this amount of money, if he/she agrees to date me, marry me all will be well. Wrong! All will be well when we keep our eyes on Jesus and allow Him to train us in righteous living. Amen! Get out Your bible and get to know it. Find Jesus there and study how he handled life. He did it well. Why did He do it Well? He said: " I only do what I see my Father doing." Good ex...

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 1 Corinthians 15:57 HCSB What is victory? It is overcoming! The biggest hurdle we need to overcome is our emotional life and self-pity. The somebody done me wrong song has to cease. Poor me! Perhaps you had been in a better financial position before now, perhaps you've lost your house, your family, your job and all that you felt identified you. I have been there. However it was the best thing that happened to me. Now I have my identy in Christ, now I am established on the rock and nothing can hurt me. When you go through loss people with what you have lost affect you. Put up your shield! Don't let the voices or images into your heart. Accept them as them and be pleased for them. Let your source of contentment be God! Allow Him to heal you and restore you. Getting replacement people or things will not fix you. Only God can heal you. Amen! I can hear the timid voice: "But what will I beco...

Now therefore, our God, we give You thanks and praise Your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13 HCSB So much is happening in our world: so much bad and not enough good, it seems. But then, it depends on what you listen to. Millions are coming to Christ. The sick are being healed, lives are being restored. Maybe not where you live or to the people we know but it is happening. My mum went back into hospital on Monday, yet I mobilised prayer support and she is recovering faster than ever before. My church prays every week and people are being healed and souls are being saved. In my city, Tamworth, we had one of the best results against gay marriage. It was only marginally ahead of those who voted No. Our politicians in the area are good men and women. Our police force are rounding up criminals at the rate of knots. Our city is prospering, praise God! We need to focus on what God is doing! Amen!.HE has never ever been surprised and always keeps moving to bring about His purposes. He is...

Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:8 HCSB When I become distracted by a way of thinking that tantalize my mind or emotion and then go on to preach it, I am in danger of preaching messages that are reproachable. Messages from the fringes, though tantalising distract and are not from the powerhouse of who God is. End times predictions and interpretations are such an edge; prosperity teaching is another. Whilst both belong to the Christian experience they are not the centre. Paul said: that I would know Christ and Him crucified. (1 Cor 2:2) Paul goes on to say: My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit, so that your faith might not be based on men’s wisdom but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4‭-‬5 I would rather hear Christ and see powerful demonstrations of Christ: the sick healed; the dead raised and souls ...

Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. Titus 1:15 KJV Those who do not believe IN Christ believe in something. If the purity in Christ does not draw them, then impurity or some other belief will take hold. I'm Australia we have just had the same-sex debate. Many who championed same sex marriage saw dirt in all those who opposed them. Some of those who did oppose saw dirt in those who supported the motion. On both the sides there are those who's eyes are not filled with light. Wht do Christians refuse to bake cakes for homosexuals? Why do homosexuals want Christians to bake cakes? A different side of the same problem- prejudice and lack of love, perhaps. I opposed the marriage of homosexuals because of scripture. What would Jesus do? Jesus was pure. To the pure all things are pure. Does that mean He saw homosexuals as pure? No! But His attitude was the same to them...

For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11‭-‬13 HCSB Jesus didn't come and just give us a ticket to enter into God's presence. Our God is holy and we who hold His presence in earthen vessels must portray His holiness by living out of that indwelling spirit. It was grace that sent Jesus, it was grace that compelled Jesus and it was grace that hung Him on the cross to pay the just penalty for sin. Grace, that unmerited, unearned favour, that loving grace. When we come to repentance and ask for forgiveness, it is given. When ask Him to come into our lives as saviour and Lord, He comes with all His power and glory. The least we can do is live out of that grace. I have all I need to live for Him, to live in Him- g...

For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else. For each person will have to carry his own load. Galatians 6:3‭-‬5 HCSB Perspective! Do I consider myself to be other than what I am? Am I deluding myself? If I really want to know I must examine my own work, not comparing it to my brother or sister but comparing it to Christ. I must carry my own load. I have experienced lonely times when I wished someone would carry me and my load but had to learn my God is there for me and He is all I need. It was a time of growing up. When I compare myself to others I start the circle of self-righteousness and criticism of others. I, again, hear Jesus saying: if you eye is full of light then your whole body is full of light. Matthew 6:23 Light reveals, uncovers and brings truth. Amen!)

Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:7‭-‬8 HCSB Spirit and flesh, do we discern which it is we are sowing to? Because I am emotionally excited by a thought or pathway does not mean it is right. Regardless of how I feel, the right path is to follow Christ, be it paved with gold or littered with rubbish. The apostle Paul demonstrated both to us. His original pathway was the self-righteous Jew persecuting Christians, his next was one of continual brokenness, injury, deprivation and frustration, ultimately leading to death at the hands of the Romans. The prosperity gospel discounts the second, opting for glory and riches. While some are called to this path, not all are. What grace has God given me? Who does He want me to touch? Has He humbled me for a purpose or is He exulting ...

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 1 Peter 1:5‭-‬6 HCSB What is the salvation to be revealed in the last days? Could there be a better, fuller salvation? Have you settled for a taste of salvation instead of the full meal that awaits you? Also, I am protected by God's power, through faith. In other words I must use my faith to see that power. Sitting on a cushion expecting service will not see it but rather disappointment. Top all this off with trials to your faith and you are on the road! Sounds good yes?? No! Yet although it does not sound good something draws me, whispers to me, "come see!" Coming??

since you have been born again — not of perishable seed but of imperishable — through the living and enduring word of God. For All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you. 1 Peter 1:23‭-‬25 HCSB As we age we know we are wearing out, externally that is. As an older woman I can attest to this and am not alone in this awareness. Yet, within me is the eternal seed that lives forever. My spirit was made alive in salvation. What a day that was. No-one can take that from me. No critic, no judge no evil thing can take away my right to eternal life, only I can walk away. I know people who have yielded their treasure to bitter twisted lies and I mourn for them but will not join them. Life without Christ is no life at all. Know what is true treasure and hold to it! Amen!

Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:6 HCSB The interpretation of this passage is varied, but one thing is for sure, we have treasure in earthern vessels. We have the glory of God in earthern vessels. When we attempt to give what is holy to pigs, those who act like uncouth animals, they tread on it, muddy it and treat it like filth and then turn on us to attack. If we carry, already, a fortified mentality, we will see all unsaved as pigs, when they are not. It is important to discern as to who are actually pigs. We need to ensure we have treasure and then care for it. Amen!

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord ’s glory, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 HCSB So much has been hurled at the church and God's people. The enemy was sure it would stay silent and be controlled as usual. However the church is finding its voice and is arising. In Australia, we were warned about making a stand and we did. It started with anti-abortion, picked up pace with rejection of same sex marriage and now is standing against euthanasia. We cannot be silent. The enemy of our souls is on a rampant path: steal, kill and destroy. He is attacking babies and the elderly outright and taking out youth with alcohol, speed and drugs. He is wearing out the melennials with overwork and destroying the marriages of any he can. Who says they is no Satan? Rise up church and fill this earth with the knowledge of the Lord! Show forth the kingdom in words and deeds! Bring life, miracles and hope back to a dying world! Amen!

For I was very glad when some brothers came and testified to your faithfulness to the truth — how you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:3‭-‬4 HCSB As a parent I can testify that there is great joy in knowing that your children walk in truth with the Lord. There is such satisfaction in knowing that natural and spiritual children walk in truth before the Lord. To hear from others about your children is very rewarding. As Christians we have a role to disciple people and bring them through to a truthful walk before the Lord. John was writing this letter to a man named Gaius. The opposite is also true. It is sad when children walk away from the truth. Our children's walk are a constant purpose of prayer for parents. We have dual roles: seek and save and disciple. A part of discipline is praying for the continued growth of those we disciple. We cannot ease back and say: " what will be will...

Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually. 3 John 1:2 HCSB Too much focus is place of prospering financially and too little on spiritual prosperity. Mammon lures us to its glitter. What does a prosperous spirit look like? Have you actually thought about it? A native African would say prosperity to him is being able to go where he pleases, grow as he desires and be free from bondage. Our spirit and soul long for such freedom. If we refuse to submit to every evil thought then we set our souls free and in turn our spirit becomes freer to reign with godliness. We are not bound by others in any way then. If I am not reacting all the time then I am open to free thinking and can easily touch the Spirit and flow with Him. This is the goal, then the sky is the limit. (As an astronomer I would also challenge that! Ha! Ha!).

Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth. 2 Corinthians 4:1‭-‬2 HCSB Mercy is ever extended to me because in human weakness I fail. That gracious mercy compels me to look out, reach out and continue on. I have to forgo shameful secret sins, ever judgmental thinking so that I do not distort God's message. It must be pure for others. Critical thoughts come along and I have to shake them off so that my eye is good. Then I can give uncluttered time and love to others. I deceive myself by allowing evil thoughts about others to have fertility in my mind. Feeling sorry for myself provides fertile soil. Kill self-pity! Amen!

Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 HCSB There are various reasons why we give up: we are tired; we feel old and want to 'retire'; we become sick or disabled; we believe a lie that we are ineffective and not relevant. No matter what age or disposition we can still be effective. If we think about it: we have seen disabled in the Paralympics; we see disabled bodies with brilliant minds contribute to science; we see elder statesmen like Billy Graham still preach through written word. So, who has deceived you into believing you are no longer able? If we frame our ability to be a Christian witness by how we see ourselves, we fail to see ourselves as God sees us. The question should be: how do I appropriate what God has for me now in this season? God is at work in me to will and to do His good pleasure.( Phil 2:13) This is the truth as it is the word of God. He who beg...

I assure you: Whoever receives anyone I send receives Me, and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” John 13:20 HCSB The challenge for us is to discern who God has sent with healing and words for us. Jesus had a problem in Galilee, they knew Him and refused to accept that God's Son was someone they had known, yet others were raised from the dead, healed and delivered by Him. There could be people we know who have been sent from God to lay hands of healing on us, however, because we know them we refuse to believe God would use them. How awful to stand before the Lord and ask "Why didn't you heal me?" And have Him reply: " I sent John and Ruby but you would not receive from them!" To know God indeed hears our prayers and sends help. May we be receptive to God's messengers! Amen!

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34‭-‬35 HCSB Before Jesus law governed. Now love and grace came into play. What a difference! I imagine the struggle going on inside the listeners: "but, but! What about the law?" " How can you love your enemies?" "How can I love someone I am taking to court?" Today we are told love must allow the obscene. A total opposite again! We must take the counsel of all scripture before making a judgement. Should love compromise standards given by Christ? What does the New Testament teach us about such things? The world would definitely be a better place with God's love in action. What would Jesus do? He would love more out of a free heart uncluttered by sin and dysfunction. He brought wholeness into the world. He was salt and light. This is what we are to...

And tell Archippus, “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.” Colossians 4:17 HCSB I heard an interesting message by John Bevere some time this year in which he said: when you stand before the throne of God He is going to ask you what you did with what He gave you. The thrust of the message was that many are off doing what they think the Lord wanted instead of being right where He wanted them to be. My constant struggle is against freshly desires to be where I 'feel comfortable' and that is usually with family. I also love serving in the church but God wants me out with the lost. Now, I must say, I love that place best. At times I would rather curl up with a good book than go out to circulate with neighbours. Last weekend was typical of this. I knew I had to start welding my community together and set out to invite them to a street Christmas party. I put down my book and went. The response was amazing. We need to hav...

Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. Colossians 4:5‭-‬6 HCSB Outsiders ate those who don't know Jesus yet. I love these people. God loves these people. Our speaking near them as well as to them has to be seasoned with salt. Do you know what that means? Salt is a good healer of wounds and a cleanser. Words can do this! First you have to be others conscious and second be where they are. They are all around you. They are hurting and looking for God. On Monday night we had astronomy( looking at stars). It was a boring AGM(annual General meeting). However boring it still provided opportunity to give love. The president's speech was well thought out, well written and presented. I praised him. A man came who had been to church the previous day, and become saved, and He was proclaiming how good church was. I agreed with Him but didn't go...

From the words of his mouth, a man will enjoy good things, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence. Proverbs 13:2 HCSB I love to paint and know what a pleasure it is to create a work of art. Likewise a word well spoken blesses the hearer. Good word use can be a joy, if you stop and take time to employ it. I am visiting grandchildren tonight. One boy is autistic and it is very important to speak carefully. Tonight I taught he and his brother Archie to play a game called Rummiking. With wise speech I was able to show this boy why actions were important. Normally Ryan will react to losing. However, tonight he took it well. I know full well the times I fail my friends and family, however if I focus on blessing then I forget about me and think of others. Treacherous people don't care about others and speak indiscriminately. We need to choose how we will speak.

The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. Proverbs 13:3 HCSB A loose mouth is trouble. We can get into such trouble with a mouth connected to our emotions. Remember what Jesus said, " if the eye is full of light, then the whole body is full of light; if the eye is full of darkness then the whole body is full of darkness. If the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness. Matt 6:22,23 A heart charged with wrong reactions, because the eye that filters everything is dark, is going to spew forth an evil report and in the process destroy precious friendships, worse still it will take the lives of precious people. In Australian politics we see men and women shredding the character of those they oppose to win an argument; in America they kill many innocent people because of a bad eye. People take risks with alcohol, drugs and speed because of a bad eye. The world they view is against them and to ease the pain they...

But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people! 2 Timothy 3:1‭-‬5 HCSB What stands out to you in this passage? Sure it describes our current world status but what really hits you? What hits me are the words: "Avoid such people!" Paul tells us difficult times will come, but why will they be difficult? Because mankind will love itself rather than God. Our world as we know it is blowing apart as the fabric disintegrates. If what holds all things together is rejected then that glue leaves us to our own devices. What a mess we make without Him! So.... to have the command to 'avoid s...

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16‭-‬17 HCSB When Paul says 'all' he means all. The bits we struggle with we need to pray over. Rejection of what we don't like or ignoring the parts that rebuke us are not the way to go. They are often more important than the parts that affirm us. The big struggle items is sexual practices. We don't like being told what we can and can't do and who we can and can't do it with. I remember when I first gave my heart to the Lord I struggled with the book of Romans. I found The apostle Paul arrogant. Yet now, I look back with fondness on the years I have enjoyed reading the epistles and greatly appreciate Paul. Even the books of Deuteronomy and Numbers have gems hidden there for me to find. Let scripture touch you and rebuke you and face it prayerfully:...

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. Galatians 2:21 HCSB I am so grateful that I do not have to earn my salvation. All I have to do is accept the grace offered to me; I am offered forgiveness and a return ticket to the Father. I am righteous, made right with God, because of what Jesus did for me. I am set free from the load of sinful separation. I am welcome in. Today at church our focus was: One Day. Many people say they will go to church one day. Today was that day. Many came and gave their hearts to the Lord. Their One Day had arrived. Not one had to pass a test before entering church, they did not need to bring a bribe, they did not need to do anything except 'accept and believe and confess' their acceptance of the free gift. How good is that? Grace is so amazing!

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:19b,20 HCSB This little gem comes at the end of chapter 2 of Galatians. In the bulk of the chapter Paul tells how he was set apart, his relationship with the leaders in Jerusalem and how He confronted Peter about his hypocrisy towards the Gentiles. I worry about being critical, in print, at times, but here is, to Peter's eternal shame, a record of His rebuke by Paul. The thrust of the letter to the Galatians is staying free and not going back into bondage. Peter, who Christ had set free, when faced with religious Jews from Jerusalem did not eat with the Gentiles, as he previously had done. He was exhibiting 'fear of man.' When Jesus sets us free it is an insult to go back to our religious practices and no longer walk in freedom. We are not saved through works but for work...

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart. In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:3,4 Have you ever considered that Jesus endured the hostility so you would not lose hope? We must connect the dots! We do not suffer in isolation, we are not alone in this. Nothing has befallen us that is not common to mankind. Jesus Himself suffered and He was the Son of God. Did He complain? Satan tempted Him with the easy way out and He refused. When we struggle we are not alone. He has gone before, He has made a path. Stay on the path. Amen!

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1‭-‬2 HCSB Nothing we do goes unnoticed. We may assume 'no one notices' but we are wrong. We can see ourselves as an island (me, myself and I) but we are not. Myself, I spend a lot of my time alone but I have witnesses. I quite enjoy a good murder mystery? A 'who dunnit?' Always, always, always, there is somebody who knows something and what murderers and thieves assume is: no one saw me! Not only do we have earthly eyes watching us, we have those who have gone before us watching. They cheer us on. They have paid the price for their faith, many dying horribly. We ...

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law: The one who does these things will live by them. But the righteousness that comes from faith speaks like this: Do not say in your heart, “Who will go up to heaven? ” that is, to bring Christ down or, “Who will go down into the abyss? ” that is, to bring Christ up from the dead. On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:4‭-‬9 HCSB Living the Christian life out of a faith acceptance of what Christ did and offers is so much easier the more we decide to walk in it, daily. As we exercise daily, naturally and choose to:get up and go to school; to work; to be that mum; that dad; that boss; we need to exercis...

Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. Psalms 51:1‭-‬2 HCSB God heard this prayer by David and chose to offer the forgiveness he sought to all mankind. He did this: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 HCSB David believed God and was called righteous. To be righteous, all we need to do is believe that He sent His Son to forgive us, accept Him and ask for Him in our lives. 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. Romans 10:9 HCSB There is nothing I can do, as in good works, that will earn me eternal life. I must believe and accept the free gift. Amen! This means all sinner are acceptable. God does not grade us.

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 HCSB Mind games! Our enemy is good at mind games! I am reading Matthew's gospel and am stuck on 6:22. 'The eye is The lamp of the body. If your eye is good it is full of light; if it is bad it is full of darkness. If the light in you is darkness, how deep is that darkness'. Do you realise that the eye here is the thinking, evaluating part of the mind? If something happens to me, my reaction is either light or dark. Did you know you can step back from automatic and choose manual? I have started to have realization or awareness in my reactions and am assessing them, if wrong correcting them. I don't want dark reactions leading to a dark inside. The world reacts. We dont have to react, we can choose a slow, steady, measured approach. Amen! No! I am not perfect! I make mistakes, I made one tonigh...

For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. Romans 12:3 HCSB Paul was able to say this because of grace. If we live by grace, in faith, then we think correctly. However, if we live by our own determination and reckoning we fail and live out of striving not grace. When we live out of grace things flow from the Spirit. Our words bring healing and life not upset and frustration. What are we looking for? Our own way, our own rights or God's way? We have each been given a measure of faith. It is well worth getting to know what that is. We can fall short in our estimation or over-stretch. However coming to know what we have been given is wise. I suppose you could say this is living with insight and understanding and intentionality. If I truly know myself and all God has given me I can live in faith towards God and be a blessing t...

Look at what is obvious. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself of this: Just as he belongs to Christ, so do we. 2 Corinthians 10:7 HCSB At times we can become arrogant in our righteousness. We then need to take a hard look at ourselves and examine on what righteousness do we stand: ours or Gods? He is our righteousness. If we become arrogant then we have subtly deceived ourselves that we did it all, after all 'we are soooo good!' Ha! Sorry! Wrong! Sound the gong! Recently I saw this is someone else but I know I am just as capable. We can become elated after a breakthrough or a win and bam! Off we go like a rooster in a hen house, crowing about the fact that there are eggs, no, the rooster does not lay them! It looks ugly in others, it looks ugly in us. It is important for us to keep a humble assessment of ourselves, if not we are heading for a crash and burn experience. They hurt! So, the morale of the tale is: don't become so ...

For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3‭-‬5 HCSB I think the first argument we can face-off is the argument that arise as to why I do not share my faith. At present, in our church Connect groups, we are studying how to share our faith. If we are being honest there are fears we must confront, laziness of lifestyle and general reticence to putting ourselves out there. However, we cannot deny we are commanded to go. I have had a burden for my street for quite a while now. After reading a few books about Asset Based Community I am convinced it is the way to harness a community and at the same time evangelize a community. I believe as I empower my community I bring Christ to them...