The day with dianne Louise

I love you, God — you make me strong. God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. My God—the high crag where I run for dear life, hiding behind the boulders, safe in the granite hideout. Psalm 18:1‭-‬2 MSG Tonight we had a grand final in one of our football leagues in Australia. My favourite team was up against another favored team in the big clash in Sydney. Over 70,000 people went to the match and the rest of us watched it online or on TV. The favored player from my team was up on charges for a shoulder tackle during the week. Many thought he should have been banned from playing which was to be his final match. In hindsight this would have been the best move. For tonight the team was thrashed by superior playing and it was not worth this player being allowed to play if indeed he did do wrong. The opposition had a wounded favored player who everyone thought would not play because of a shoulder injury. Yet he played and managed the team as cap...

I love You, Lord , my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalms 18:1‭-‬2 HCSB The Lord is indeed my strength and salvation, the safe haven I run to. He alone has the answers, His forgiveness is best, His reward great. Today the enemy threatens again. My mum is challenged with illness and a return of a twisted bowel. I rebuke it and stand in the Lord, I seek Him in this storm. The storm has been raging for weeks now as I plan to go to Nepal. I have been struggling with headaches and pain in my lower abdomen. I am rarely ill and don't suffer with headaches normally, my finances have been challenged as well. But God, is working for me, providing outside of what the enemy has strangled. No weapon shall stand. I am going and souls will be saved and set free. Today I declare that God is indeed my strong tower, He is my strength and song, my deliverer, my mo...

I’m sure that won’t happen to you, friends. I have better things in mind for you—salvation things! God doesn’t miss anything. He knows perfectly well all the love you’ve shown him by helping needy Christians, and that you keep at it. And now I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish. Don’t drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them. Hebrews 6:9‭-‬12 MSG The Message bible totally unfolds meaning around the above scripture. We can, at times, read a scripture and hide behind a lack of the full understanding and therefore exempt ourselves from the full meaning. Yet this version gives us nowhere to hide. The opening line: " I am sure this won't happen to you," refers to the previous verse talking about judgement for unbelief. (Just so you know- no wriggle room here). God does, indeed, know our works. Helping needy Christians is just tha...

For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints — and you continue to serve them. Hebrews 6:10 HCSB Although we do not work to earn salvation, being a Christian, a Christ follower, calls us to do good works. Good works is different for each of us, yet they are there for us to do. Some will help the poor, some will minister to the elderly, some to the disabled, some to homeless and yet again some to children. What is your calling? When we walk in our calling we fulfill the mandate to the body of Christ. Jesus was walking compassion, He healed the sick, provided food for the hungry and did not judge the sinners. Jesus said:"If you see Me you see the Father." This is our calling. Amen!

But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 HCSB When we walk in the light we can recognize that what upsets us is not the other person's fault but our own. The light helps us truly evaluate our reactions. Why did I behave like I did? Perhaps our own insecurity or desire for prominence makes us annoyed with the dominance of others. When we see ourselves as we are we can accept our fault and forgive others and continue in fellowship. Fellowship only happens in light and truth. When we have fellowship Jesus cleanses us from all sin. We need fellowship. Amen!

Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5‭-‬7 HCSB Walking on the light, God's light shows by our actions. We can go to church but still be in darkness and it will show. If we walk in cleanliness and truth before the Lord we are free and full of joy. Walking in the light means we are not walking in sin or deception. We cannot be deceived if we are walking in the light. Walking in the light, we love the truth of God's word and it cleanses us and frees us from bondage. Another clear sign that we are walking in the light is we have good fellowship with one another. Good fellowship means we walk in truth with one anot...

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole. 1 Peter 1:3‭-‬5 MSG A brand new life has to be unpacked. It is like receiving a wonderful Christmas gift and leaving it under the tree and never taking down the tree. It is not Christmas all year long and neither should we stay with the first experience. Salvation is daily and found in relationship with our God. Just as receiving a Christmas gift from the queen is not enough and quite rude if we fail to unwrap it. Collectors of, let's say Leggo, dont always open the boxes and put the pieces together. Neither do all Christians. Both, sadly, are missing out. One of my greatest joy is watching, or helping, my grand...

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Peter 1:3 HCSB We have been given new birth into a living hope, not a maybe hope, a if I'm good enough hope but a sure hope. My hope is in Christ alone. Because Jesus died and rose again, I have this hope and this hope sustains me, eternity is mine. Knowing where I will be, forever, is important to me. Living an earthly life is not enough. Living with my God forever is my joy, partaking in Gis pursuits and what thrills me. Our God is able to keep all we have given Him until we meet again. I can trust Him and live for Him. Amen!

I called to the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place. Psalms 118:5 HCSB We see so much distress, we suffer it ourselves. Today was one of those days when interference was running riot. I had to rebuke the enemy and stand. I ended with another nasty headache and went to bed for a time then rose and cooked our dinner. I am glad I did, it was good to have a healthy meal. Mum told me about a woman who is dying and had just had a violent row with her son. She needed to go to palliative care and her son would not take her. Instead one of my church friends took her. My distress paled to insignificance. Distress causes people to kill themselves and others. Yet, in our distress, we have One who is able to save us, if we would but try. How good is He? Seek Him first, second, last and always. Seek Him!

I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy. He listened so intently as I laid out my case before him. Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn; then I called out to God for help: “Please, God !” I cried out. “Save my life!” God is gracious—it is he who makes things right, our most compassionate God. God takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me. Psalm 116:1 MSG In our cry for help, do not dictate how God can help. Allow Him to be creative. So often we like to say how the help should come and what it should look like. This is the hard part but it also shows who wants to be in charge. Will we let God be creative? Will we see a miracle? Miracles are unexpected and out of the blue, we cannot orchestrate a miracle. We can pray for one but not package it, this is God's department. He wants to surprise us. Let Him! Amen!

Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don’t really believe me. Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go. I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me. John 6:35‭-‬38 MSG Every one of us who call Jesus as saviour, eventually come running to Him, and, He will never let us go! Never! Never! Never! Remember, we may think we did the deed of inviting Jesus into our hearts, but the Father gave us to Him. We are not in charge, God is! Lap it up! Love being loved! Amen!

“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again. John 6:35 HCSB Jesus was being harassed by people who had been fed the loaves and fishes. They were demanding miracles and signs. They got off on a track talking about food, as Jesus had led them there because He was wanting them to know the above scripture. In other words, He is all we need. In this world of house payments and car payments we would differ. To really understand where Jesus is coming from we need His divine help. Jesus is not saying you dont need food and drink either, but rather hinting at a deeper truth. He has told us:" seek and you will find." The deeper things are there for such a purpose. Amen!

And me? I’m singing your prowess, shouting at cockcrow your largesse, For you’ve been a safe place for me, a good place to hide. Strong God, I’m watching you do it, I can always count on you— God, my dependable love. Psalm 59:16‭-‬17 MSG I look forward to seeing what the message does with scripture. Such colorful language! 'My dependable love', how sweet! It is full of energy. Well, I did sing and soon my heart left for joy and took over. I went up my hill as usual and culled tiger pear. The local children will soon be able to go up the hill to play. Lots of lovely places to hide or make forts. The view was, as usual breathtaking. My morning started at 5am. I watched the pink descend through the skies and dip to kiss the hills in the distance. What glory! The day was not without challenges, my internet is not working as it should and I am having to cable up to the modem when normally it is wi-fi. Poor me! I was trying to make an application on line and it took all day...

But I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning. For You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble. Psalms 59:16 HCSB Are things tough? Are you facing a large army of enemies? Sing oh barren one! This is a God principle. He sent His people out against formidable enemies, singing. It is not enough to only sing when things are good, sing when things are bad, or appear threatening. Sing when you have no reason to sing, sing in the rain. For the joy that was set before Him, Jesus endured the cross. Strength comes from a vision of what He will do. Amen!

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. Galatians 5:1 MSG Stand fast therefore in the liberty, wherewith Christ has set you free and do not again be entangled with the yoke of bondage. (Old scripture in song chorus taken from this same scripture. I learned this well as we sang it often). What are the things that entangle us? In nature if you get too close to certain creatures, they wrap themselves around you. A typical example would be a king cobra. The snakes intent is to eat you and there would be no kind consideration or playfulness. Why then do we assume we can dance with drugs, alcohol, pornography, gluttony and not be taken captive? Scripture tells us that we have an adversary stalking us, seeking to devour us. He plays to our weaknesses. Strengthen the weak parts and resist the devil and he will flee. Amen!

Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 HCSB Paul, in this chapter is dealing with a church that is believing the men must be circumcised, just as the Jews were. Obviously a jew had been telling them that salvation was made secure through circumcision. In Christ salvation comes through believing in Him and living your life in faith towards that gift. Nothing else is required. We cannot add to a perfect sacrifice. All we have is carnal, He is divine. When I grew up in the catholic church I found many requirements but no eternal salvation. God had to take me outside the church to find Him. Just as He was crucified outside the temple on a hill called Golgotha. Jesus is enough. He is all I need. Amen!

“The One that God sent speaks God’s words. And don’t think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces. The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away—a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn’t see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that.” John 3:34‭-‬36 MSG What a brilliant interpretation of these passages. The message lends itself to clarity in many ways. I remember when I first came to Christ I used a copy of the Living Bible, itself also a paraphrase. It sure made the bible a joy to read, as does this version. Accepting Christ as saviour and lord sure opens doors to all God has for me. What a blessing! I once was in sin in the dark and now live in the light. How good is that! Amen!

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hands. The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:35‭-‬36 HCSB Without Christ in my life, I had no peace and felt I was under wrath, as I was estranged from God. The moment I invited Jesus into my heart this all changed and I knew I was home and that I belonged. Outside of Christ all that happens to me feels like I am the subject of a vengeful God, yet in Christ I know things happen and He is with me. All who don't know God rail against Him demanding freedom and hating Him for justice. In Australia, if you kill someone you experience the wrath of the law, you go to jail. In God's kingdom He has given us a way to eternal life, Jesus. Jesus is the only way, the only answer. Jesus gave His life for our freedom and to make a way. Rejecting His way is rejecting the sacrifice. Sin requires death. So...

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. Galatians 6:9‭-‬10 MSG I understand fatigue, intimately. I remember when I first started competing in triathlons the first time, it was raining. The swim was through muddy water and I could not breathe. I kept saying to myself,"But what if I can!" As I was at the back of the pack to exit from the water was up a muddy, slippery slope and I kept going. The next leg was a bike ride in wet clothes. I got on my shoes and started off. The rain fell like sharp razors against my flesh. Again, "but what if I can!" The last leg was a run. By the time I dismounted my bike I could hardly walk, let alone run, so I shuffled off, saying to myself, "but what if I can!" I put my head do...

So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. Galatians 6:9‭-‬10 HCSB There are times we become disappointed because we expected a certain outcome. However, the problem is with our expectations not necessarily our effort. It is good to serve and to give and trust the Lord. However the return or harvest time is not ours to dictate, that belongs to God, ours is to trust. Encourage yourself in the Lord and keep going, let Him be the driver and trust Him. Amen!

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 MSG It is amazing when you let God work things out. Today I was blessed by a surprise gift. God uses the humble many times to bless others. I am loved and very blessed indeed. Being a good friend is so important. Offering to help others is part of being a friend. Being generous with time, money and love all make this world a better place. Today is all that matters, today and those who are in that day. Love them! Am enjoying reading more of Gods word today. Life is there. Enjoying spending more time with the one who loves me most- my God. Thank You Lord!

Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Hebrews 13:5‭-‬6 HCSB To help me understand these scriptures I cast my mind back to raising my children and lollies. As a parent I had to be the self-control for them. They would eat more than they needed, just because they were lollies. I remember my eldest grandson being trained in this area as well. I remember his 3rd birthday party and he saw lollies, he rarely had them, and cordial. He wanted to feast on these empty calories but his mum held him in check. Jesus Himself told His disciples that if your son asked you for a fish, would you give Him a snake, therefore your heavenly Father is also good. He was referring to something else but the principle is the same. If we come to God asking for our needs, will He, instead, give us lemo...

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 MSG Today was another great day. I began a drawing course and loved how things fall together. Recently I had purchased new colour pencils and guess what I needed? Colour pencils! Various close-off items to do for work and preparation for what is to come. Mum is struggling with diabetes, it is currently out of control and we are endeavouring to rein it in. (A lot of prayer on my part and practical methodologies as well) Yet worrying about tomorrow takes too much energy, today is sufficient for now. What is God doing? Where is He going? I would rather an adventure with the Lord than sit worrying about my future needs. God is still good and still in control! Amen!

Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 HCSB What good advice! The provision problem is Gods, ours is the trusting. So, what has today have for me? Enjoy my God and enjoy others. The days are getting longer as we approach the spring equinox on about 23rd September. On Sunday we will have 12 hours of sunlight, more time to enjoy the day. In Spring I change the colour scheme of my lounge/dining area to cool greens and blues in readiness for warmer weather, I spend more time in the garden and outside, the skies are good as well. So much to rejoice in. Rather than worry today I will be active today in enjoying what today brings. I will ask the Lord what surprises He has for me today and wait for them. Amen!

A spoken reprimand is better than approval that’s never expressed. The wounds from a lover are worth it; kisses from an enemy do you in. Proverbs 27:5‭-‬6 MSG Express your love! Say it! Do it! I can't emphasize enough how important it is to say: "you did great!"; "I am so proud of you!" "I love you more than I could say!" You know what I mean. Say it to your children, especially, to your spouse, to your friends, say it to your mum and dad. I am so grateful for my mum who is almost 87. She is very funny, smart and determined to rise above life's knock backs. She has fought cancer twice, a damaged back, a bowel that twists mercilessly and a dysfunctional pancreas. Yet she loves and gives and gives. I make time for mum. She is not hard to have around. Yes she restricts me but I am honoured to have her. I trust God to order my steps and this season is all about mum. We have such laughs, we play cards, garden and cook together. I watch mum with ...

Better an open reprimand than concealed love. The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive. Proverbs 27:5‭-‬6 HCSB Love needs to be expressed. Many experience reprimands but not love. My dad was the disciplinarian but rarely the lover. My mum was the workhorse (she had six children) not often the lover. Raising my two children I tried to be a loving mum and a good disciplinarian. By today's standards I was tough but loving. My children were made aware that they were disciplined for bad behaviour but I still loved them. I endeavour to be a good friend and confront my friends lovingly and if I can't wait until I can. Friends can be annoying, so can I. We need to be open and honest with each other and not gloss over upsets and offence. At times we need to deal with ourselves first as we are being too sensitive. I always distrust excessive favour and wait to see the motive, the personality and the reality. No one but God loves me excessi...

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, “ God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything , inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind. Isaiah 40:27‭-‬31 MSG So glad God does not get tired out! I do! I also become irritable when tired and lack patience. So glad God does not lack patience. Had a beautiful day in God today. It started up on my hill culling tiger pear (a nasty form of cactus which is pest in Australia). The views were spectacular, in fa...

He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. Isaiah 40:29 HCSB I watch many weary. God is waiting to strengthen them. For our part as hands and feet of Christ we can strengthen others by sharing His word, giving of ourselves and being present. However, for me, my God is my strength and my song. He gives me hope to carry on. He alone is pure living water. God is good, go to Him, spend some ahhhhhh times with Him. Amen!

What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God -direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him Makes it. Psalm 18:30 MSG Gods roads are tested by Him. Although he leads us into paths like that followed by Indiana Jones in 'Temple of Doom', we might have an adventure but are safe with Him. I love reading Clive Cussler novels about espionage and underwater adventure. His heroes are a hairs breath from expiration in every novel, but Clive brings them through. If he, a natural man, can bring his heroes through how much more will our God bring us through. Our God is using us in the lives of others to bring His kingdom to pass. He has the big picture before Him at all times. We need to not nit pick about the detail. Amen!

He reached down from heaven and took hold of me; He pulled me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my distress, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out to a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me. God — His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Psalms 18:16‭-‬19‭, ‬30 HCSB I love the images David created in this psalm. He wrote this psalm on the day the lord delivered him from king Saul. When we experience a God-rescue or deliverance we should sing our own song. Many of us go through deep waters, through very trying times and when God shows up the scene changes. Each of us has an enemy and he drives many fleshly enemies to rise up against us but our God is their adversary and He lifts Himself up in our defence. 'In my Father's house there is a place for me, I'm a child of God...

He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.’” JOHN 7:38 AMP We can see from this version of the bible that believe means more than we often take it to mean. When we say to someone: "yes I believe you" or "I believe this will work" our believing is short term and linked to a single occurrence, often said not truly believing at all. So, now we know that bible believing means a whole lot more, this is heart and soul stuff. This is, "I believe you will not shoot me if I show myself stuff'. It is serious and involves life and death, spiritual and natural. The bible tells us: and God said,"today I put life and death before you, blessing and cursing, choose life that you might live." DEUT 30:19 As a Christian I cannot spray paint on a Christian suit and pretend, I must live it out day by day. Amen!

On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.” He said this about the Spirit. Those who believed in Jesus were going to receive the Spirit, for the Spirit had not yet been received because Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37‭-‬39 HCSB We who have accepted Christ into our lives have this promised Holy Spirit. He is alive in us. How do we let Him flow out from us like a stream? First be aware we have this stream wanting to flow, second fellowship with the Holy Spirit and release Him to flow. Jesus told us in John 15 that if we abide in Him He will abide in us. We are connected to the flow by abiding. Now to release the flow we need to pray an awareness of the stream and people around us. Who needs God's love, encouragement, a listening ear, friendship, grace,...

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. Psalms 73:26 HCSB Today my flesh failed. I developed a massive migraine. I am not a headache person and this was nasty, it made me quite ill. I messaged my connect group leader asking for prayer and went to sleep. After several hours I awoke much better. Praise God we have people we can connect with and who will pray for us. This brings comfort as does knowing we have the Holy Spirit to rely on. I am at a place where more of me and my life has made God my portion. It is good how God slowly tightens the screw. I am grateful that He is merciful and allows us to learn to trust. Praise Him! Amen!

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all You do. Psalms 73:26‭, ‬28 HCSB Our flesh is weak and when our gaze is downward we grumble and moan and become anxious. Yet we must place our hope and our gaze on God. We must prove our faith in Him. Amen! The God in whom I trust has been around forever and has never failed, why doubt Him? Surely He can handle our prayers, our griefs, our sorrows? When all else fails we have our God. When all we can do is not enough, we have our faith and hope in our God. Amen! Look up!

So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. 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 3:1‭-‬3 HCSB Keeping our mind above is the challenge, especially when we have an enemy who wrestles with us continually to keep our eyes on earthly things. You know when he is active as your mind becomes harassed with: 'solve this!' ' look at this!' 'Why is this happening!' And on it goes. As I write this blog there is a red band of error warning across the top of the page. Certain colors and bands harass and demand attention. Yet the people God has for us to minister to are right before us and the enemy wants to push them aside by keeping us preoccupied. Amazingly the red warning is gone and peace has returned. Our God does this for us. He is good. Amen!

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. Colossians 3:1‭-‬2 MSG Pursuing things over which Christ presides, what does that look like? Well, He is king and has a kingdom and wants any who will come to enter in. If we approach life with Him in the focus we will win souls, bring healing to the sick and build bridges. Those without hope shuffle alone, eyes cast down. All over the world we have homeless people who have lost hope. They have their eyes cast down and see themselves cast out from society. What is Jesus doing? What are His movements? Where is He going? If I live with a heart to the kingdom of God, then He is my focus, His work is my delight, His heart is my heart, His thought...

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. EPHESIANS 6:10 AMP Draw my strength from Him. This gives me comfort as I know Him and can trust Him explicitly! He is good! I am also told to draw strength from my union with Christ, this is also good as I know Him intimately. This awareness has taken time. My Lord has taken me through valley after valley after valley and shown Himself faithful. He is so good! I can worship You Lord and know You are my prize. Amen!

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. Ephesians 6:10‭-‬12 HCSB This exhortation comes after the instructions on various relationships we have in life: husbands and wives; sons and daughters: servants and employers. We cannot do relationships well without the strength of the Lord and insight into what our true enemy is. God gives us armour, we are not left naked nor defenseless. In all that comes against us we need to discern what the true enemy is. The latest onslaught is the taking of the lives of family, self, neighbors, school colleagues, life is no longer sacred. Who, really, despises us so much? We have a truly evil enemy and he needs us to stand up to him with Godly weapons. ...

Thank God ! Call out his Name! Tell the whole world who he is and what he’s done! Sing to him! Play songs for him! Broadcast all his wonders! Revel in his holy Name, God -seekers, be jubilant! Study God and his strength, seek his presence day and night; Remember all the wonders he performed, the miracles and judgments that came out of his mouth. Seed of Israel his servant! Children of Jacob, his first choice! He is God , our God; wherever you go you come on his judgments and decisions. He keeps his commitments across thousands of generations, the covenant he commanded, The same one he made with Abraham, the very one he swore to Isaac; He posted it in big block letters to Jacob, this eternal covenant with Israel: “I give you the land of Canaan, this is your inheritance; Even though you’re not much to look at, a few straggling strangers.” 1 Chronicles 16:8‭-‬19 MSG Remember and recount all Gods goodness to you! Dont sit in how you feel and be miserable. You have more to be grateful ...

Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonderful works He has done, His wonders, and the judgments He has pronounced, 1 Chronicles 16:11‭-‬12 HCSB The above scripture is King Davis's words to the priests when the ark of the covenant had been brought back to Israel. David instructs Asap and the other priests. We read many psalms with Asap's name attributed to them so we can assume Asap did as he was commanded. In the New Testament we have many instructions in the epistles written by the apostle Paul. One is: rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice. Philippians 4:4 David would agree with Paul. As we come before Him today let us search for the Lord and His strength. Let it not be coffee or chocolate that fuels us but our God Himself. I search for you Lord as I look for your strength and glory today, you are my breath, my smile, my song, my joy! Amen!

I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalms 16:8 HCSB I have mentioned before I am interested in astronomy. The club I belong to has a solar telescope with which we can view the sun. This telescope has a special filter to protect the eyes from damaged as looking at the sun destroys our retina, after prolonged exposure. My Jesus is the filter through which the Father views me. He sees me as washed clean by the blood of His Son. My Jesus is the filter through which I view my world. I must see my life as He sees it, because my emotions do not interpret well, they are inclined to be negatively affected. Defying all circumstances I am living free and rejoicing and absolutely loving life. Because I am so free, I am much more tolerant and patient. Today a small task turned into an hour-long task and even my mother commented on my patience. (I wonder where I got that from?? Not from my family!) I had the best day and all because of the...

Lord , You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. Psalms 16:5‭-‬6 HCSB As we seek God and all His righteousness all His blessings are ours. He is our portion and no good thing will He withhold from us. I am at an age when I see more people I know dying, one died yesterday morning. Most leave an inheritance for their families. A Christian has an inheritance in God and, if they are wise, leave a Godly inheritance for their children and their children. What foundation am I laying for my family? If righteousness and faith towards God are my life then my family will receive this as an inheritance. Jesus, our brother, went before us and purchased freedom for us and left it to us as an inheritance. We can walk into our inheritance once we hear and accept it as ours. We belong to Gods family and as such are partakers of all Christ did and left for us, all we have to...

Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalms 34:8 HCSB Tonight I went to an 80th birthday party. One of my friends was boasting about a cheesecake his wife had made. He was inviting us to taste and see how good it was. I did not partake. Yet try as I might to imagine how it would taste, the only way to truly know what it tasted like was to try it. The above scripture invites us to taste the goodness of God. I can tell you how good He is to me, but the best experience for you is to taste and see for yourself. Tonight I opted for a piece of carrot cake. It was a very small piece but because it was so good, I had another small piece. God is like that and much better. Once you taste having Him in your life, you are smitten and want more. There is no limit to the depth, breadth, height and length of Gods love toward us. Now that is an awesome experience begging us to come on in. The water is warm. Amen!

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry for help. The face of the Lord is set against those who do what is evil, to erase all memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them from all their troubles. Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. Psalms 34:15‭-‬17‭, ‬19‭, ‬21 HCSB We must believe our God is our deliverer against all the proud shouts of the evil one. If God be for us, who can be against us! As a child of God, I call on Him to be my defender, my justice, my protector, my shield. As He has promised in scripture, I claim His presence in my life. Let the redeemed of the Lord say 'so', say 'so', say 'so'! I expect to see the Lord in the land of the living. When we are expecting visitors we do something, we make ready. We cook, clean an...

You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You. Isaiah 26:3 HCSB Depending, needing, relying, all belong to God. Humans cannot be perfectly dependable, reliable and providers, they are flawed humans. However, no matter what the circumstance God is dependable. As parents we want to be there for our children, but at times, circumstances prevent us. However, nothing gets in the way of Gods love towards us. Godly friends are dependable, to the best of their abilities but, again, stuff happens. I just read how Billy Graham's daughter Anne has breast cancer. We could lambast God saying Billy and his family are so deserving of His protection from sickness. However, stuff happens to all of us, sickness is no respecter of persons. Yet what Anne will have, is a God who she can lean on and trust to walk with her through the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus told his disciples that He was the giver of peace, as we lay His yoke upon our...

You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You. Trust in the Lord forever, because in Yah, the Lord, is an everlasting rock! Isaiah 26:3‭-‬4 HCSB God is good! He alone can be depended upon. His answers are best! No weapon formed against Gods people will prosper! God is on their side. Our bible is full of accounts of Gods deliverance and victory, on these must I meditate. The self-destruction of the enemies of the people of God fill the pages. I claim Gods protection and victory, I claim His right hand and I claim justice for the persecuted. No more sitting allowing bullies and thieves to rule, time to change, bullies no more. If God be for me who can be against me! Amen!

He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end. I know that all God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of Him. Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. God repeats what has passed. Ecclesiastes 3:11‭, ‬14‭-‬15 HCSB God knows exactly what He is doing and where He is going. He knows the plans He has for us and works to execute them for His good pleasure. Striving to be master of my future and destiny are futile. He has a good plan and if I work with Him I will see it. Much that has been repeats itself. Mankind goes through cycles. Originality goes through cycles. Renaissance goes through cycles. We are in the flow of something bigger than us, God. Why not seek Him and His exciting creativity. Then you will discover your unique creativity, He planned it just for you. Enjo...

He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 HCSB God saw us before time and know our end. He has always had a plan for my life and my joy is to seek it, find it and pursue it. Fighting against God is futile, all I gain is a sore head. Fighting with God gains traction. It is better to seek God's ways that man's ways. He purposed last and His desires hold all things together. Acknowledging God as GOD is the beginning of wisdom, allowing Him to remain GOD is the pursuit of wisdom. Amen!

May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience of Christ. 2 THESSALONIANS 3:5 AMP There are so many things vying for our affection: cars, shoes, clothes, food, movies, games, mobile phones, sports etc yet Paul tells us to direct our affection into the love of God. How does He compare? For me there is no comparison, He is way above all else. Today I was up on my hill culling tiger pear (nasty prickles) but was able to enjoy the breeze, the sun and the view was spectacular. I rejoiced in the One who created it. The surrounding hills were so blue and after recent rain, the valley is beginning to green up. My early morning with the Lord bring glory upon glory as I watch a pink hue descend from above down on the blue sky and dark blue hills. It is as if I am having my own pillar of fire every morning. How good is God? No one comforts like my God, no one loves like He does. He is the best! Amen!

Because of the Master , we have great confidence in you . We know you’re doing everything we told you and will continue doing it. May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance. 2 Thessalonians 3:4‭-‬5 MSG I could say this: "because of the Lord working in you, I am confident in you." The Holy Spirit works in us who call Jesus as Lord, to will and to do His good pleasure. On top of confidence in the Holy Spirit we have confidence in our prayers to have good effect. Today I must trust the Holy spirit to take me by the hand and guide me into what He has for me today. A big part of our path is endurance in faith when nothing seems to be going right or changing. This is when I need to stand in faith and look to the Lord for guidance. In endurance I must prepare and make ready for the new as if it is already there. This is the work I must do. Amen

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16‭-‬18 MSG We can't let what we can see distract our focus on the big picture. The here and now is a small part of the whole. Rather than being affected by my circumstances I need to press into the Spirit and see things His way. What is He up to? Focussing of the 'what could be' , instead of 'poor me, look what is!" I can focus on Christ in me the hope of glory! Amen! Where is new life happening? Where is there invention? Creation? Visionary thinking and talking? This is where I need ...

So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:18 AMP What is God doing in the Spirit? What are His purposes today? How is what He is doing able to affect what I do? First and foremost I am a citizen of heaven. Eternity is where I belong. I am here on earth for such a short time. My time here is training for there. I want to be ready and well equipped for eternity. Therefore I must be diligent in what I do here. To be sure I am on track I must stay close to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to lead and guide me into all truth. Amen! The things that happen here are all opportunities to be trained for my future. As I ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in maneuvering the obstacles I gain insight. After all He is my commander-in-chief. He knows best and the why. I can trust Him. Amen!

A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. Proverbs 17:22 MSG Do you find that when you are out of sorts that you eat wrong foods/ drink the wrong drinks? Most of us do and this in turn leaves us further out of sorts the next day. Deciding that God is your medicine, your antidote and pick me up is wise. Dealing with our emotions can focus on the right answers instead of the fleshly remedies. Cheerfulness comes through praise. Look for the good and be thankful! Amen!

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 HCSB Joy can be found in forgiveness, it can be found in just knowing God. It can be found in the knowledge that God is good when all else fails. The times I fail and know I need forgiveness I am disinclined to rejoice but if I seek forgiveness then there is joy there. When devastation surrounds us, incredible hurt fills our heart and sorrow is our food we can run to the Lord and find joy in the discovery of Him, in our circumstances. He is good! Seeking and finding joy is good medicine. It heals our bodies in ways the pharmacists cannot. Joy lifts loads, joy changes atmospheres. Joy removes blankets of darkness from our minds, joy brings hope and hope brings faith and faith brings love. Joy has companions, good companions. Hang out with these, they are good for your soul. Amen!

The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him. Psalm 28:7 AMPC This afternoon I received word that I was sacked and that my current role in life is all over. What a relief! I have such peace and now looking forward to the next phase, managing a charity. No more big brother and exacting hoops to navigate. Yes there will be paperwork but not as much as the current industry. It has become bogged in the mire of legislation. Ah! Now I can breathe! My manager was very upset and I told him My God is looking after me, He has better plans for me. Amen! My God is indeed my strength and song. With Him driving the bus I need not fear. How good is He!! Amen!

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song. Psalms 28:7 HCSB So many times I wake feeling tired after a good sleep. In these times I get up and say to the Lord:" You are my strength today Lord! I will walk in you!" I will myself to get up and get going in God's strength for me. His strength is best and my reliance on Him brings joy. There are times I will myself to sing and rejoice and see myself filled to overflowing. Choosing to sing is intentional and it works. My heart must trust in Him. He has to be the answer. He is my helper. Sitting in a mess and moaning never brings a good result. Always, always I must get up and put on life. Amen!

Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 AMPC Steadfast and patient in suffering. So many suffer. Today was Fathers day. Many children suffer at the hands of fathers or other people's fathers. I pray for the children that my God would hide them and protect them from abuse. I pray for the fathers who were themselves abused, have mercy Lord! For those of you who are suffering I pray my God reveals Himself as protector and healer. I know you can and will be restored, although suffering seems to make that possibility an unreal prospect. I have been restored! Religious men and women who themselves have been abused are warped and do not portray the truth. Jesus said: " He who has seen Me has seen the Father." Check out Jesus in the gospels and you will see what God is really like. Much better than you ever imagined. He is good! Remember, rejoice and exult in hope! Amen!

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Romans 12:11‭-‬13 MSG Well.... I needed to see this! Do you ever get weary in 'well- doing'? I do, especially when what is given becomes what is expected. When this happens we tend to withdraw. However, there is an alternative: dig deeper and find the Spirit answer. Jesus constantly dug deeper for what the Spirit of God was doing. What surprises does He have for us, what is there waiting to be a blessing? Usually when we dig deeper the creative unfolds. What sparkle does the Spirit have for today? Let's find the sparkle and bring it forth being a blessing. Amen!

I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Master. I’ll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common. 1 Corinthians 1:10 MSG Consideration for others. This means we must be in an 'others' frame of reference before we interact. If we are in a 'me' framework we will not be considerate. I cook a bbq for my astronomy club with others and find myself struggling not to grumble if they grumble. Depending on how well prepared I am I can resist or fall into the grumble. Let's face it there are always things to complain about, especially when you are weary and are expected to perform. I think my whole attitude could be better on these nights and I need to prepare myself for not being a grumble-bum and be filled up so that I am a blessing or deal with the underlying problem. I can see myself being turned off my club becaus...

Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. 1 Corinthians 1:10 HCSB Division is only good when serving food or giving gifts. Being partial about beliefs or who we follow is carnal and is asking for strife. This is something little children might do, however adults need to have more self-control and consideration. How do we become divisive? By becoming puffed up in our own estimation. When I do this I need to repent and spend more time alone with God and gain His perspective. Whilst on earth His only perspective was the Father's. He said He only did what He saw the Father do. I can read the gospels and see what the Son did and copy that behaviour. Amen!