The day with dianne Louise

For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. Philippians 2:13 HCSB What I love about this verse is my God is giving me the desire to do His good purpose. We dont naturally desire God's good but rather have a penchant for our own selfish desires. However, we have an advocate. How good is He! Our part is to yield and respond to His prompting. Today was a good day. Nothing has changed but then everything has changed. Last week I remember when the change began. I was feeling sorry for myself and expecting clients to reject me because my employer was in the news in a bad way. I had a client, who is a businessman, say to me:"It is everywhere and in every facet of life." He was not negative but rather positive and uplifting. I am truly grateful to that man. Each day I saw God bring blessing and hope. Today I decided to call a couple of clients who had not returned paperwork. They did not have a problem with me. I ac...

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:1‭-‬4 HCSB This passage speaks of oneness. A group of people, the church at Philippi, all having the same focus, working for the same goal, having the same mind. Wow! Individualism is so powerful today that people shun collectivism, except perhaps for a single shared focus, for a period of time. Years ago I used to enjoy Star Trek and Voyager movies. I think it was in the Voyager series, they ran into a cube-like structure called The Borg. The Borg assimilated individuals for the collective and once assimilated that person ...

All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29‭-‬30 HCSB What stands out to you in these verses? For me it is: because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This speaks to me of power and authority. Yet, here is One with tremendous power and authority and gentle and humble at the same time. What does meeting a humble person do for you? They impact me with their peace and grace. How good is God! To lay down power and authority and take on grace and humility just so I can find rest for my soul! How good is that? Thank You Lord! Amen!

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 HCSB Some versions of this scripture render: rest for your soul. Our soul is our mind, will and intellect, our emotions, the part we identify with being 'us.' If we think about it anxiety and fear attack this area. We would have heard, in days gone by:'my soul is troubled within me.' This is the part that Jesus came to set free and give rest. We can hand over our anxieties to Him and receive His rest in exchange. The way to stay in rest is to abide in Him. We have all experienced fierce storms. Branches attached to a strong vine will weather the storm, whereas branches that have withered become dry and will snap and be blown away. I must stay supple and drink deeply from the nourishment of the vine, it is good and heals me, restores me, fulfills me. Amen!

When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, people groan. Proverbs 29:2 Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. Proverbs 29:8 An angry man stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered man increases rebellion. Proverbs 29:22 The way leaders behave, the way the media report issues all matter. If leaders act corruptly, people are hurt. If matters are wrongly inflamed people are hurt. We are responsible for how we affect others. The trust of others must not be taken lightly. Respect is always important. Amen!

The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected. Proverbs 29:25 HCSB Fear of man we must fight against, fear of God we must fight for. After all what can man do to you? Man can hurt, hurt greatly, but they cannot take eternity from you. Jesus told a parable about a begger called Lazarus. Lazarus lived outside a rich mans gate. The rich man saw him daily as he went in amd out. Perhaps Lazarus thought living at a rich mans gate would be a good place, he was wrong. The rich man didn't even think to give Larazus the scraps from his table, but rather he gave them to his animals. Both men died. The rich man went to hell and was consumed in fire; Lazarus went to heaven and was comforted by Abraham. The rich man begged Abraham to allow Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue but Abraham told him that was impossible. He reminded the rich man of the choices he made while on earth. The rich man then begged Abraham to send Lazarus to his brother...

It is clear that you are Christ’s letter, produced by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God — not on stone tablets but on tablets that are hearts of flesh. 2 Corinthians 3:3 HCSB What a commendation! What high praise! For others to see Christ at work in me. May His fragrance seep out of my pores and lift others up! Yesterday I was given some second hand lillies. My neighbours were going away and they asked if I wanted them. It was their way of saying "Thanks for the ANZAC day fun!" I didn't mind that they did not buy them for me. I happen to appreciate nice flowers and they are beautiful white lillies with a heady fragrance. It doesn't matter that they must stay on my patio as my mother struggles with the scent... I can still smell them. Is my fragrance like that? I pray it is. Today I was pleased to be a part of the local astronomy club that won a government Grant of 1.8 million dollars for our new club facility and teaching centre. W...

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 HCSB A spirit can be anywhere. The Spirit of the Lord is free to move anywhere, particularly where invited. When we ask Jesus into our hearts His Spirit enters in. We can choose to allow Him into our minds and thinking, our flesh and our appetites. There is no Place He cannot go, when invited. As I invite the Holy Spirit into my business, He comes; my family, He comes; my home, He comes. Wherever He comes He bring freedom. This freedom is 'singing in the rain' stuff. Things can be all gloomy outside but inside I am having a party. The Holy Spirit carries the power and authority of God. He breaks chains, opens prison doors, frees the oppressed. He is good! He represents all of the Godhead! Amen!

All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord evaluates the motives. Proverbs 16:2 HCSB We are so caught within our own frame of reference we believe it is right. However, God and wise others sit outside our frame of reference and see differently. The more insecure we are the more we become cross with a lack of acceptance of our judgements and ideas. We often see on the news where an offender receives, what we consider, a light sentence for a henious crime. Tonight, for example, a young woman was only given 2 years jail for driving under the influence of drugs and killing an 11 year old boy. We were not in the court and did not hear all the deliberations and evidence. We would judge this as too lenient. We might be right and then again we may not. In the decisions we make about our work ethic, relationship ethics and so on, we have our own bias. Yet God's word tells us to live by God's standards and His judgements, them and only then will we be truly right. Amen! Th...

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 HCSB We think we can plan the steps, but only God knows what must be done in us to successfully bring about the project. He is the master designer. I know I can see a goal and set about to achieve it only to find it fraught with difficulty. However God brings things in from left field and it is done. It is done His way and in His timing. This does not mean we should be slack, we still need to be diligent because that keeps us focused and on track. It makes us press into God and seek His way. Learning to not allow distractions are important. Distractions deflect us from the path. Learning to know God's voice in all things is important. If it is God, it is good, if it is freshly it is wrong. Stay on track! Amen!

The Lord is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 HCSB The above verse is Moses speaking to Joshua. Joshua is confirmed as the new leader and now Moses encourages him to trust the Lord. We must allow the Lord to go before us. He is a good leader. The best in fact! He knows the best paths. We think we do but He actually does. I find myself learning on these new paths, being set free and enjoying the way. Lately things have been tough but I knew I had a street activity organised for today. I cannot afford to allow how I feel when going through something to make me cancel outreach to my community. I want my street to feel like they belong and can talk to one another. My Indian neighbours struggle and the white folk don't make it easy for them. Today I met two new neighbour's who are Philippino. They came and brought their son. They had fun. They said: " we have bee...

Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 HCSB This verse was spoken to the children of Israel by Moses. Moses was now 120 and had handed the leadership to Joshua. After 80 years in the desert they were now entering the promised land, the land of their inheritance. For 80 years God had gone before these people: a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Now things were changing. They were going to have to trust that God was with them. We have to trust God when He says He is with us. God gives us His word but depending on our experience with adults growing up, we may struggle or find it easy. I have struggled. This week I entered another level. It looked like God had taken me into a new place and left me there to die. Looks can be deceiving. He has shown Himself to me in a new way. He is still faithful! The key for me has been not to speak out the fear o...

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. “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 3:14‭-‬16 HCSB Jesus, here, was telling Nicodemus that He must die on a cross and why He must die, so that we could have eternal life, that is, live forevermore with Him. Those who do not have eternal life perish. Where do they perish? In hell. Hell was made for Satan and His demons but he is populating it with humans to torment forever. Death is not the end of torment. Perhaps it is the real beginning. I must choose, myself, who I will follow and tell others about Jesus, as He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Him. There is no other way to eternal life. Jesus is it!

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 AMPC Sorry folks! I happen to like the Amplified version as it begs me to dig deeper and not gloss over the words. Today as I read comparison versions this jumped out at me, especially the Amplified interpretation of 'believes in.' 'Clings to' sticks out. I spend most of my time here, clinging on for dear life. As the Lord insists on taking me to high places, and as I am not experienced in those high places, i am like a backpack to Him. I am walking through scary places right now. It is as if I am walking through molten lava fields with lava either side of the path popping and gurgling. I supply the scary music. My God sends the right person at the right time. I am cared for and I am grateful. ...

What then? If some did not believe, will their unbelief cancel God’s faithfulness? Absolutely not! God must be true, even if everyone is a liar, as it is written: That You may be justified in Your words and triumph when You judge. But if our unrighteousness highlights God’s righteousness, what are we to say? I use a human argument: Is God unrighteous to inflict wrath? Absolutely not! Otherwise, how will God judge the world? Romans 3:3‭-‬6 HCSB Chapter 3 of Romans is full of steak that requires a lot of chewing and contemplation. God created the world and all in it. Cannot He also create rules for maximum efficiency? It is as if the man who created an engine is being held to account for telling a ball bearing what its function is and what its parameters are. We become so enamoured with our own power and arrogance. Ha! Ball bearing!! Behave! I am learning to trust His way. Today I attempted to work knowing that people were not responding to my emails and messages. Probably ...

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23‭-‬24 HCSB Verse 23 settles the question: am I a sinner? The answer is Yes but as I place my faith in Christ I am declared right with God. Jesus was born without sin, just as Adam had been. Yet unlike Adam He did not sin, even though he was tempted in every way. Adam took on sin as a mantle for all mankind and Jesus bought our forgiveness for all mankind. We don't enter into it just by being born into the world but by being born again through a spiritual rebirth. As I intentionally ask for this rebirth I receive it and in so doing live as Christ lived, not as Adam lived. God's glory is found in Christ. As we walk in faith in the freedom Christ won we see His glory. Glory is not easily won or given. Glory costs something. It cost Jesus His life and it raised Him from the dead. It costs me my life, my old carnal way of ...

How I love Your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me. Psalms 119:97‭-‬98 HCSB Today as I walked I asked the Lord to meet me at church. The worship was good but the word spoken by a delightful young man, passionate about his God, was best. God's word for me was: 'Simple Faith'. Again and again the Lord asked me to follow with childlike faith. I cherish God's word to my heart. I spent the rest of the day staying away from over-thinking. I had a friend over for lunch, read a book and mowed the lawn and gave my God space to invade my world. This scripture promises I will be wiser than my enemies. I needed to hear this as I constantly doubt myself. He is with me! Amen!

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. Psalms 119:105 HCSB We don't need a torch until it is dark. There are different types of dark; dusk; dark with a full moon; dark with a waning moon and dark without a moon. Until it is really dark we might manage. When we need a torch what do we reach for? A good, reliable, strong powered torch or a box of matches? Today is dark in my world and there are no immediate answers. I must reach for the torch that will guide my feet along the path to breakthrough and victory. God's word promises to be such a torch. Now to test it out and ....no matches! I cannot rely on anyone or anything but God and His word! Amen!

For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps. He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth; when He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He was suffering, He did not threaten but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:21‭-‬23 HCSB Following in Jesus' steps is my challenge. His love for us compelled Him and His love for me compels me to seek His way. Today I decided to not listen to the negative reports and keep away from Facebook. It was the best decision as suddenly I was able to see others. I was reminded this life is not about me but others. I took my Mum to a doctor's appointment, came home and did things with her then at 1pm went and helped with a fundraising sausage sizzle at Bunnings. Came home to find the house filled with boxes of mums goods from Sydney. I kicked into gear and had it all away within an hour. Mum was blessed and I was ...

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; you have been healed by His wounds. For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:24‭-‬25 HCSB All sin we struggle with, Jesus took to the cross. All fleshly desires, habits, attitudes, behaviours and inclinations, all were dealt with at the cross. Our task is to step into faith and believe and appropriate our freedom. No matter how ugly our sin, Jesus took it. Nothing was left out. All sin was nailed to the cross as Jesus became sin for us. We can trust Him to be our Saviour, He is worthy! Amen! If He paid for our Sin He also has a way out of our sin. As we trust Him and follow Him we find our freedom. He will lead us out of the dark into the Light. He is our guardian and He is in the Light.

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness. Proverbs 15:2 Appearing wise or foolish all comes down to behaviour. What a trying day to end a trying week. To top it off I had a call from a compliance officer wanting to book in an audit. I told him where to go so well he laughed. At times we want to vent and rip the offenders apart. The emotion I was experiencing today was overwhelming. To top it off my printer kept demanding more toner, I still don't have internet and still am using 'hot spotting' with my mobile. I was having to submit new business on a new system that was not working, clients calling, mum wanting her hair put in hair rollers and a brother coming for lunch. My insides were shredded. I am glad I went walking this morning and sang almost all the way. I needed that! Fortunately I was able to be gracious to clients calling for help. Clients rely on us for grace and good service. We are problem solvers. ...

A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. Proverbs 15:1 HCSB Why do harsh words come? Probably we are running on empty and have not spent time in the Spirit so that what flows out is a river of life instead of an avalanche of mud. At the end of a trying week I am often tired. When I am tired I need to refresh. If I don't refresh I am running on empty. How do I refresh? Giving myself space, seeking God and listening to podcasts from the preachers I listen to, intentional singing in the spirit and worship, gardening and painting. People don't deserve my wrath. It is nasty and destroys life. They deserve life. Life speaks of God and His ways. Amen! Life ministers and draws people, harsh words repel. Choose Life!

Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. James 1:21 HCSB Unless the word is implanted it will not bear fruit. How does it get implanted- meditating upon it, talking to others about it. What I dwell upon rules. What do I say to myself? What do I confess? What do I read, watch and associate with? If I am to be a winner I must associate with winners who confess winning. Tonight I did am experiment. My mum and I have new card game. She has had such good luck it has been demoralizing. I decided to start confessing victory, that I was lucky, that I was a winner. It took 2 games and things changed. I won the last game. I must confess winning over my own life. I am a winner! Amen!

Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. James 1:21 HCSB Do I avoid moral filth? Yes! Or do I chase after the implanted word of God? Yes both. However, we all know trying to avoid chocolate makes it more alluring. Thrrefore my focus should be more of the good and a result will naturally be: less of the bad. Going around condemned and conscious of evil within keeps my eyes on me. Going around conscious of God's good draws me to Him. When having to decide what movies to watch: good uplifting movies without filth. When choosing what books to read: good moral stories with an uplifting tale. When choosing what company to keep: those with clean mouths and good conversation not filthy conversation. It might mean new friends. Pray and ask God for pure friends. Whatever is good and clean and lovely- think on these things! Philippians 4:8.

Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. 1 Timothy 1:5‭-‬6 HCSB If a teacher is not driven by love then they will be prone to have selfish motives. In other words am impure heart motive. When we instruct from selfishness and not a love for those being taught then we can abuse those we are to teach. Today has been a difficult day. My employer is in court for misleading and cheating their clients, because of shareholders. I remember what the company was like before it demutualised. It cared for clients and planners. Not so now! The bottom line, profit rules. In other words impure motives have taken over. When impure motives take over the consequences can be devastating. The people concerned are threatened with jail time. We are not talking rogue planners but the board of the company. The revelation has been a devastation and chasing the d...

I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry — one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” — and I am the worst of them. 1 Timothy 1:12‭-‬15 HCSB This is Paul the apostles testimony. It almost reads like a testimony of John Newton, who was a slave trader before salvation. We don't know our sin until it is revealed by God. This has to be the testimony of many, it is mine. I continue to have sinful practices revealed to me. As they are revealed I repent and move on in grace. How good is God! He gently reveals our sin, forgives us, cleanses us and calls us sons and daughters. How good is that! I am c...

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. Colossians 3:9‭-‬10 HCSB Lying is a fleshly habit and needs to go. Why do we lie? Sometimes fear of man; fear of looking bad; fear of failure. All of these are rooted in a poor self-image and a desperate need to appear better than we are. Try honesty! You'd be surprised how people respond. As we are renewed in our thinking and see ourselves as we really are then we are not compelled to falsify but rather can live in truth. Get to know who you are, as God says you are and live out of that! Amen!

Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:5‭, ‬16‭-‬17 HCSB I want to focus on the first sentence:Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Idolatry is focussing on worldly stuff instead of God. Not just one of the things mentioned, but all. We don't need little Buddhas all around the house to be in idolatry, all we need is to keep living like the world lives, living for self, and we have idolatry. However, we are encouraged to allow the message ab...

The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and all your soul so that you will live. Deuteronomy 30:6 HCSB Circumcision of heart is what God is after, not circumcision of flesh. He wants our hearts to be His alone. All my reactions and initiatives must be His. Today was a good day of yielding emotion to the Lord and allowing Him to go deeper. This is where He wants to go. Amen! Yield and be blessed!

For I am commanding you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and multiply, and the Lord your God may bless you in the land you are entering to possess. Deuteronomy 30:16 HCSB What does loving the Lord look like for me? It is not an emotional response to a beautiful view or photo, even though these evoke gratitude. For me it has to be allowing Him into the hidden parts of my life. Truth must dwell there. If I be honest there are short-cuts there where there should not be. My personality is the true Australian: 'she'll be right mate', in other words optimism. I have never really embrace detail and it has been where my greatest effort has been. My work required detail and it has been my weakness, therefore my greatest effort has been here. I am grateful for auditors and compliance they keep me accurate. Truth can be compromised with a she'll be right attitude. It also carries...

Then King David went in, sat in the Lord ’s presence, and said, Who am I, Lord God , and what is my house that You have brought me this far? 2 Samuel 7:18 HCSB God, through the prophet Nathan, had just told David He would bless him and his descendants. David is overawed. Why would God have chosen the youngest son of his family and mark him to be king on Saul's demise. When God gives us a prophesy, we can well feel the same. I know that when I have received a prophesy it has gone to my innermost being. It was a secret blessing. It was just for me. Some of these prophesies I have carried in my heart for many years and during difficult times they have encouraged me. Never let go of a prophesy. As we see in the Old Testament, some prophesies took many years to come to pass. God is not slow in His timing, only in ours. Amen!

Because of Your word and according to Your will, You have revealed all these great things to Your servant. This is why You are great, Lord God . There is no one like You, and there is no God besides You, as all we have heard confirms. 2 Samuel 7:21‭-‬22 HCSB David had planned to build the Lord a house but God sent Nathan the prophet to tell him that his son would build it but not before God told him He had been happy dwelling in a tent and had never complained or asked for a house. God then went on to say how He would bless David and how his name would be remembered. David was so impacted he went and sat in God's presence and said the above to the Lord. This is a responsive prayer to God's goodness. David loved God and God loved David. God was a father to David. We have the same Father who, because we chose to believe in His Son, pours out His love towards us. Remember in all the years of David running from Saul God still loved David. God used the bad times to mould Da...

Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works — this person will be blessed in what he does. James 1:23‭-‬25 HCSB How much time do you spend in front of a mirror? Do you remember what you saw when you walk away? Sometimes I do. I read the word of God every day, mostly twice a day. Do I remember what I read? Do I take time to allow it to get down deep in my soul? James tells me that if I don't it is like looking in a mirror and forgetting what I saw. How silly is that! Yet if I look into what I read, study it and meditate on it and persevere in it, then I am lining myself up to be blessed. Being blessed is worth pursuing but it comes from diligently studying God's word. It is so ful...

My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. James 1:19‭-‬21 HCSB Does this sound like self-control? Yes, it does! I must be quick to hear what is actually being said and also quick to hear what God is saying about what is being said. It is His opinion that is required after all. If I only hear naturally I will judge with my emotions which may cause me to act to indulge another. What is God saying to them? I had this come home to me when I ministered to Nepali pastors in their own land. They were hurting hoping I was a miracle provider for them. However God opened my eyes to what He had given them and wanted to use. I knew I must submit to my God and not interfere with what He was doing. I knew I had to risk being judged as cold and heartle...

For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious. 1 Thessalonians 5:5‭-‬6 HCSB I remember a very old song about being children of the light: 'we need not always stumble in an ever darkened way, though the darkenss may close in around and trouble everywhere....' Although trouble is all around us we can love in the Light, Jesus is the Light. We can live in Him. We need to choose to live in Him and His word and not be troubled by the happenings all around us. Trouble is aplenty but we can be protected, if we choose to stay close to Him. Amen! We need not submit to the mind numbing demands and attitudes of the world. He is good and His ways are best. Try it! It works! Amen!

See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 HCSB This scripture harkens back to Matthew 5:38-45. Here in the sermon on the Mount, Jesus had began confronting teaching of the day with a higher way. Paul summarises it in this scripture above. How do I repay evil for evil? This is basically saying: 'If you hurt me I will hurt you.' However Jesus and Paul were saying not to do this. Unfortunately we do repay evil for evil. When pushed, crushed and driven we retaliate, much like wounded animals. In the sermon on the mount Jesus said: "do not resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also." These are hard words to bear and only His grace will enable us. In myself I do get angry and want compensation when abused. In ourselves this grace and level of forgiveness does not abide. How it outworks in our lives is individual...

If the Lord had not been my helper, I would soon rest in the silence of death. Psalms 94:17 HCSB Only God is true! Only He can help. He is the best helper! Today I had to endure a 2 hour long trial of being handed from one department to the next and finally having to pay $180 so I could have my internet reinstated, all because the provider stuffed up, and keep my cool. Ahhhhhh! I did and was gracious but went out for the rest of the day. I know I am learning emotional control and self control. I made room for my God and He came through! You see I want to win the prize that awaits me. I am sick of missing the mark. I kept saying to the Lord: "Help! I want to win Your prize!" I did not crush anyone! Yay! What about me? Someone else brought my groceries. Tonight I have a new steam mop and things are working out. Tomorrow is another day. I am a winner because I won self-control! Praise God!

If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your faithful love will support me, Lord . When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy. Psalms 94:18‭-‬19 HCSB Our perception of our ability to stand or withstand sinful behaviour is very subjective indeed. Is our assessment correct? Does it line up with God's assessment. He says to us: "I have given you MY Son as freedom and My Holy Spirit as indwelling strength, check again!" We who know God and call ourselves Christians have so much power and authority given to us, we are well able to do and go where God has called us to go and do what He has given us to do. There is no room for squirming and wriggling out of our task. We need to take a breath, look to Him and go again and not confess the negatives. Our confession needs to line up with God's estimation of a matter and not our own. Really, failure to obey and step into destiny is self-willed rebellion at best. We need to repent and go. Amen!

Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. Colossians 3:2‭-‬3 HCSB This is the challenge when so much of this earth is screaming for attention. We have to have training in righteousness. It does not come by osmosis; it does not come by magic but by learning. Today I realised that, much of how I do things is driven by anxious toil or dread of being penalised if I have not done what I am doing by a certain time. Our God is not in this! If I am being diligent in my work I will accomplish what I must, in time, by being diligent. The axe has not fallen. Although forests are falling all around me, I am safe. Setting my mind above means making space around my world for the presence of God and trusting Him to inhabit that space and lead me. It does not mean I am sitting on a seashore meditating on the clouds. I can make space by refusing to react. Today I had another little Indian call me and wan...

And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Colossians 3:15 HCSB The whole of this chapter speaks to practical Christianity, the how to of our lives. Paul speaks a lot of allowing the peace of God to rule. God's peace is a good governor. If our aim is to walk in Him His peace rules. At Work, currently, I have a lot of noise thrown at me. It demands attention. Yet what is God saying? The noise of life is a robber of Peace. It steals our rest. The enemy of our soul comes to rob and steal but Jesus came to give us abundant life. Our striving for abundant life can also cause us to lose peace. Paul, in this chapter tells us to keep our eyes on things above. Striving happens when we have our eyes on things below. If we want peace we need to follow the instructions. Amen!

I cling to Your decrees; Lord , do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of Your commands, for You broaden my understanding. Psalms 119:31‭-‬32 HCSB We can trust the Lord to protect us from shame. Our enemy heaps on shame and if we have an inclination to listen to shame we will succumb. However, this is not necessary. In Christ I am the head and not the tail. Today a colleague and I travelled down from the country to a seaside city for training. I made a point of visiting the beach and getting my feet wet. When I returned I had sandy feet. I didn't care. The pleasure of spending time on my Lord's beach was worth it. I was not ashamed. I grabbed a few paper towels and wiped my feet. Jesus was not ashamed to have a woman pour anointing oils on His feet and wipe His feet with her hair. He saw in her genuine love and in her critics nasty malevolence. He told them to leave her alone. I went to spend time with my God. I am sure His comment would have been the same. I did ...

I will never forget Your precepts, for You have given me life through them. Psalms 119:93 HCSB Jesus told us: "I am the way, the truth and the life". John told us that Jesus was the word made flesh. Jesus is the embodiment of the word of God. As I read the gospels I see the word of God revealed. As I study the life of Christ I see how God is, I know what the truth is as I watch Him. I learn how to behave and how to live by watching Jesus. God is good to us by giving us Jesus. Jesus said: "if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father." Jesus revealed God to us. It therefore makes sense to get to know Jesus, instead of the law, as He fulfilled the law. I can do no better than Jesus. Amen!

Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him. And all the families of the earth will mourn over Him. This is certain. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the One who is, who was, and who is coming, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:7‭-‬8 HCSB I was saved in the flower power movement in the 70s. We were passionate, white hot. We all believed Jesus would retun any minute. Here I am 40 more years later and am convinced the time is near. Jesus is again pouring out His spirit on the earth and souls are coming to Christ in the droves. Praise God! As of yesterday I have now stepped into the leadership of a prayer group, praying for Nepal. This morning as I prayed my passion arose. I want to see souls saved. Amen! Today I was back at work. Work tends to drain the enthusiasm as I face onerous compliance schedules. However, I refuse to yeild my joy. I kept singing in the spirit and encouraging myself. I know He has H...

In the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: 'Look I am sending My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; make His path straight!" John, Jesus' cousin was chosen to be this voice. Imagine what growing up with each other would be like. Did they play pretend roles of what this time would look like? Did they know their roles in each others lives? Jesus grew up knowing scripture as I am sure John did. When they looked at each other what did they see? We know John came preaching from the desert, that he looked like a wild man with his camel hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and that he ate locusts and wild honey. What compelled the people to come to him? They flocked to him and were baptised by him. Were they that hungry? We know that history tells us nothing had been heard from God for 400 years, that i...

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die - ever. DO you believe this?" John 11:25-26 Lazarus had just died. Jesus did not come when Lazarus was sick because He knew Lazarus must die and He, Jesus, must raise him from the dead. What stories Lazarus could tell later! What a testimony: 'I was dead and am now alive.' when Jesus came to Lazarus' home Martha met Him and said: "If you had been here my brother would not have died." Jesus replied "Your brother will rise again." Martha said: "I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." But Jesus replied: " I am the resurrection and the life." The resurrection is not just a happening, it is the personhood of Jesus Christ. We all come alive in Him. In His discussion with Martha Jesus removed the resurrection from an obscure event to a ...

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. James 5:16 HCSB What has the confession of sin to do with healing? Does sin make us sick? Yes sin makes us sick. Bitterness and unforgiveness makes us sick. I see someone I care for constsntly struggling with bitterness and unforgiveness and bowel problems. In Australia we have a saying; 'it is stuck in my craw.' In other words the venom is choking me. As we Christians apologise to one another for our judgements and unforgiveness we are set free. However we need to do the apologising and repenting to be healed. We cannot experience the healing promised for if we fail to confess, then we fail to receive prayer from those we confess to. Confession is one thing Catholics do well. Unfortunately confessing to a priest is not quite the same as confessing to the one we have wronged. For their prayers for us re...

Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones. Proverbs 3:7‭-‬8 HCSB I don't always feel confident in my work. I am constantly asking the Lord for a better way. I have so much going on and wear so many hats that I forget things. Fortunately I receive grace. Today I had the type of interview I love: a mature Christian lady who I was able to speak godly truth with. The world has its way of doing things but it is not God's way. His wisdom is best. I want God's best and I seek Him for His truth. He alone is good. Amen! Don't let too many voices affect you. Choose God's way. Remember it is not the world's wisdom you need, but God's wisdom. It will keep you safe.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 HCSB The Lord is worthy to be trusted. Test Him now amd see, He is good! Our own understanding is wrongly coloured with disappointment, anger, resentment, faithlessness, all manner of upsets. Bit He is consistent and never loses sight of the goal. The right path is one our wise God sees and knows to be good for us. It is not tainted with lust and selfishness but with love and a good outcome. No plan I make is better than His. He is above and beyond all I can ask or think. He is there first. He has the big picture in mind. My view is my current and pressing need.

Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily. Hebrews 13:3 HCSB In a world racing from one like to the next, how do we slow it down and think of those suffering in prison? When being in prison is not covered by the media or when you are just ordinary, how do people hear and care? Good question! We in the West are suffering from information overload. I myself find my attitude becoming cynical and ho hum! There is so much devastation, so much corruption and abuse, where do we start? For me I have to start before the Lord. What is important to Him? Who does He want me to pray for? I cannot load myself down with guilt for not thinking about or praying about all needs. He has a request of me and that is what I must respond to, not what social media tells me to respond to or demand I give to. However, I must make time for Him and give Him room to burden my heart with His agenda. Then I am doing my ...

Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. Hebrews 13:16 HCSB When can doing good be a sacrifice? When someone wrongs you, when retaliation is your first desire. This is when doing good is a sacrifice. Pleasing God is more important than self-satisfaction. Self always demands justice, ever if it is one-sided. Children cry:"that's not fair!" But if we remember correctly, Jesus told a parable about unfair wages: “He replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I’m doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me on a denarius? Take what’s yours and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my business? Are you jealous because I’m generous? ’ “So the last will be first, and the first last.” Matthew 20:13‭-‬16 HCSB When I googled this passage my screen was filled with unjust wages, rights and wage tribunal links. You see how we demand justice and yet are not just to for...

The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding. Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when he seals his lips. Proverbs 17:27‭-‬28 HCSB Word restraint is good and worth pursuing. Talking too much is like taking a scourer to peoples brains. It is really aggravating. Taking time to listen and perceiving apt questions to ask about the listener is very wise. Watch them light up! However, too much flattery is a waste of space. Try restraint! There's that word again! A babbling brook is good over stones and beside silent trees. In other words water not human babble is best. Ha ha! In fact a cool stream is refreshing.

A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of hearts. Proverbs 17:3 HCSB The Lord constantly tests my ability to handle difficult people and situations. This shows me He is looking for something. My belief that all is ok even when it does not look ok. When He whispets: " You have all you need", I know to another human, I do not. Yet He wants to show me how to navigate my small ship through treacherous waters that are shark infested. All the while I will receive calls from salesmen claiming to be who they are not. God is looking for His Son in me. I see Jesus saying to Peter: " go catch a fish and in its mouth will be a gold coin. Use that coin to pay our taxes." Obviously a debt was due and Peter knew they did not have the funds at that time. There are times when payments are due and funds are not in. God provides. We cannot become annoyed that we must sail through treacherous waters, we cannot stomp our feet and demand a bed ...

These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Deuteronomy 6:6 HCSB How do we get things in our hearts? Spending time, giving attention to; becoming fond of. Today I said goodbye to my grandchildren as I had to travel home. The one who I have spent more time with, the eldest Myer, was the hardest to say "Goodbye" to. We are fond of each other as we have spent quality time together in Tasmania. The book of Deuteronomy tells us how to get things in our heart: Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Deuteronomy 6:7‭-‬8 HCSB Observance, relationship and repetition. Myer and I have a game set up that will keep us in contact. It has a chat box behind the game. Staying in relationship takes time and effort. This is the same with our God and His words. Contact and time. Mak...

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5 HCSB The chance to see how strong our love for God is, is when things go wrong. In these times: will I trust Him or will I rail against Him as being unfair? We see relationships break down as love is lost. Perhaps what in fact is lost is the padding, the illusion, the pretence, the dream. What is left is what we really entered into a relationship with: that beautiful woman has a spiteful nature when not being cute; that handsome man has a violent temper when he drinks, and He likes his alcohol. What did we refuse to believe about our partners in the heady infatuation? What causes us to enter into relationships in the first place? Did we come to God because we thought He might be our Genie in a bottle? Did we really think He would stand by and allow us to rule Him? He is God and creator of all. We must love and serve Him. He must be first in all things. Amen!

One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:10 HCSB Confessing and believing are all that are needed: "I know I have failed on my own, I need You Jesus. I believe you paid for my failure. Thank You! Please come into my heart and be my Lord!" Amen! No high wall to jump. No crawling on my knees to Mecca. No isolation as a monk, no flailing myself with whips or rods. I am accepted and set free upon the confessing and believing. So simple. I am made righteous by His gift. I am not righteous of myself. I am clean. Praise Him! Amen!

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 10:8‭-‬9 HCSB This way of being right with God flies in the face of self-effort. Earlier in the chapter Paul says: Because they disregarded the righteousness from God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted themselves to God’s righteousness. Romans 10:3 HCSB It is not a matter of how many prayers I say; what penance I do; the fasting I do; the abstinence I practice. All are nothing compared to accepting that Christ did it all. He is my righteousness. This is all I need. Paul tells us: there is none righteous, no not one.Romans 3:10-12 There is nothing I can do to earn eternity. I must accept the way given. If I want access to a room that is pass-coded, I need a key....

But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” Matthew 28:5‭-‬7 HCSB The Angel who rolled away the tombstone had a message: Don't be afraid Jesus was raised from the dead and no longer in the tomb Go tells the disciples the good news They will see Him in Galilee. This was all unbelievable good news. Jesus was not the captive of death, He had gone to preach to those who had died before and would see them all again soon. Good news! The Message of Easter is not just a day off, loads of chocolate and self- indulgence. The real gift of Easter is freedom from eternal death. We have a future and a hope. Amen! I have a friend who recently buried he...

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. Matthew 28:1‭-‬3 HCSB This is the first time I caught that the earthquake occurred because the angel came. How good and majestic is that! What a testimony to the guards. The guards would then report to Pilate, who would then have the fear of God in Him. Would He report this to Rome? The other gospels mention the women coming but here we see them caught in an earthquake. How would that have been? The other disciples who have worried about them and wondered if the earthquake was an omen. Now the women saw the angel. Was he a big guy? Was he Michael? What an entrance! What a beginning of the resurrection morning! Happy Easter!