The day with dianne Louise

“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” Luke 6:37 MSG This scripture flies in the face of our modern generation of judges. Everyone on social media are drawn into instant judgement on matters seen on the media. Yet rarely do we have all the facts. We, instead have the opinion of the one posting their opinion. They will present facts clothes to support their opinion or agenda. We are fools if we are captured by that opinion and drawn into judgement. Yet scripture tells us: judge and you will be judged by the same standard. Yes you will! You can refuse this truth ground in your life but it is still true and will still imp...

The earlier revelation was intended simply to get us ready for the Messiah, who then puts everything right for those who trust him to do it. Moses wrote that anyone who insists on using the law code to live right before God soon discovers it’s not so easy—every detail of life regulated by fine print! But trusting God to shape the right living in us is a different story—no precarious climb up to heaven to recruit the Messiah, no dangerous descent into hell to rescue the Messiah. So what exactly was Moses saying? The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest. It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word to God—“Jesus is my Master”—embracing, body and soul, God’s work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead. That’s it. You’re not “doing” anything; you’re simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you. Th...

One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:10 HCSB In this chapter Paul is discussing the difference between Jew And Greek. The Jews depended on the law for righteousness but as Paul says: Jesus completed the law. The believer now enters into righteousness(right standing before God) by faith. Faith is shown when we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts Jesus is Lord. When I came to know Christ I invited Him in, confessed my sin and asked for forgiveness. I knew I was made alive in Him. I wanted to share my joy with others. Yesterday I looked at delighting myself in the Lord. I also likened delight to having a newborn. My delight spilled over about my newborn, I told everyone. This is how it was for me at salvation. This was my first love. Jesus reminds us to remain in our first love, in the book of Revelation. One of the things He had against believers in a certain church was they had...

Take delight in the Lord , and He will give you your heart’s desires. Psalms 37:4 HCSB How do I take delight in the Lord? To understand I shall compare the delight we would take in a new born child, especially if that child is mine. While I worship the Lord I don't think I take such delight in Him as I have done my children. So, how do I rectify this? I need to spend time gazing on what He has done to take delight. He gives us nature to show Himself, daily. So, taking time to smell the roses is important. I love gardens, tree and hills, the ocean does it as well. It is here I sense Him and know His beauty. I am in Nepal where I have seen plenty of nature and in it I rejoice. God is a good creator. Amen! Rejoice in all He has done! I also need to keep my eyes on Him and not my circumstances. He is a better view by far.

Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 HCSB Do you like new things? Do you like new revelations? I do. I love it when God opens my mind to a new way of thinking. My latest is when God woke me at 3am and told me: " bow down before me." Well I responded "yes Lord." He then showed me that if I have an attitude of being bowed down, constantly, I am unable to complain, be angry, be resentful, be fearful or anxious. In fact all that is left is my spirit. Now, since God told me to worship Him in spirit and in truth, I can that that whilst bowed down. We just finished 3 days on a mission trip. My companion tends to react strongly when he disagrees. I had told him before going I needed him prepped and in the spirit, he wasn't. He continually caused problems with his attitude. I had to do a low of bowing down before the Lord. Another strategy I discovered: rather than obsessing about my friend...

Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 HCSB The treasure of God are limitless. We have a God who has a storehouse of treasure, we need but ask Him. The bible tells us in James: if we lack wisdom ask God for it. Wisdom is treasure. It is more valuable than gold or silver or precious stones. Knowing God's mind is a treasure. God's presence is a treasure, friends are treasures, the church is God's treasure. Have we belittled any of these in pursuit of mammon? For me nature is a treasure. God's creation fills me with wonder. Yesterday we travelled in a jeep for around 40 minutes from off the top of a mountain where beauty surrounded us. The road was dusty and very rough. Once we alighted from the vehicle the vista of the Himalayas lay before us. I was clicking up photos and looked at the locals who ignored it. You see to them it was commonplace and their desire to make money took presidence. M...

For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations. Psalms 100:5 HCSB Knowing God is faithful in love and therefore in everything is soooooo comforting. Last night was a night sleeping on the floor in a church high up in the mountains in Nepal. I have a head cold and whilst it is not life threatening it was not helped by the cold night. Today we travelled by 4wd then bus then yuk yuk to our next destination where we were faced with another night on the floor and no hot water for a shower, making this 2 days in a row. I had nothing to give. I asked for a night in a motel and was blessed with an instant "yes". I am now showered and sitting in a comfortable bed. Praise God. I had forgotten my toothpaste and was helping myself to my companion's supply. I have just received a message to say mine is on the way. God is good! So now I can rest and recuperate and hear from God. How blessed am I.

For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever. Psalm 100:5 MSG Gods love never fails. We might fail but He is there, ready to pick us up again. I am in a village in Gorkha in Nepal. I am sleeping on the church floor and it is cold. Yesterday I travelled by 2 buses and a jeep to get here. This place is remote and the epicentre of the 2015 earth quake. Last year when I came the people were telling me they wanted many things to make their lives comfortable. I was unable to give any of these. However I saw healings and I encouraged a young girl to go to bible school. She is currently doing this. Last night I taught a song to the people. I had organized a translation but the people wanted English. The son of the pastor showed an interest in my guitar and I encouraged him to follow the path of learning to play. He was a lovely young man. God is faithful as I watch how the people have worked together to obtain some of the things they need for their church. Sin...

Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬ To fully appreciate how God sees my body as His sanctuary I need to love it and care for it. This means no gluttony, no addiction to much wine, no addiction to chocolate of coffee, no addiction to pornography and uncleaness. So many Christians allow themselves to be given to the love of food. I don't know that I want to live in a house of excess. I am called to moderation in all things and abstinence from uncleaness. I cant expect the Holy Spirit to flourish in such a temple. I am in Nepal and see many temples. The Buddist temples insist on quiet, shoes off and respect. Not so the Hindu temples, not that I can see. On Saturday I left to go and meet a lady for breakfast. Down the road was a mini temple. The people rang a bell to notify their gods that they had come...

Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 HCSB This scripture comes in a chapter dealing with fights between christians and sexual immorality. Paul is having to bring correction. He warns that; Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom. 1 Corinthians 6:9‭-‬10 HCSB We cannot be deceived into believing we are righteous and practice life like unbelievers. I could not imagine not inheriting the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The kingdom of God is what we are here for. In the Lord's prayer we pray: may Your kingdom co...

Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” John 8:12 MSG Other versions of the verse go on to say that those who believe in Him will be a light. Jesus told his disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14‭-‬16 HCSB In days gone by, back in the 70s we sang a chorus that said: this little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine, this little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Jesus taught that if the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness.matthew 6:22. How does this happen? Jesus went on to say: “The eye is th...

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 HCSB The Pharisees had just brought a woman, they claimed had been caught in the act of adultery, for judgement. They were testing Jesus. These arrogant leaders were wanting to stone this woman to death. They did not bring the man but rather chose to accuse the woman, the weaker sex and probably the one sex had been imposed upon. Jesus had, instead of judging the woman, stooped to the ground and began writing. We are not told what He wrote but His words gave an indication: " He who is without sin cast the first stone." The words above follow this incident and the Pharisees are quick to attack: " you testify about yourself, your testimony is not valid." Today men and women reject the words of Jesus as they confront their own belief that they are God and judge. Yet for the hearing heart, we hear a loving C...

Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice. Romans 15:5‭-‬6 HCSB Notice that it is God who gives endurance and encouragement! Wow! I thought it was me who did the endurance. As in everything He gives me grace to do and be. This is humbling. I cant even claim the glory for endurance. Now come on! Admit you feel proud when you persevere in a pledge, keep going to the gym, stick to the diet, finish the course etc. Yes? Well now we know. Our God gives us the ability to endure yet as with faith, it does not happen by osmosis, it takes effort. We know He encourages us and He probably gives us grace to be humble and live in harmony. So....I am grateful! Thank you Lord!

Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice. Romans 15:5‭-‬6 HCSB What is unity? It is when I seek to love you as Christ loves you, first, before my opinion or my cause. I lay down my life for you. It does not mean I support or allow you to misbehave badly. It means I love you as you need to be loved. At times this will mean I confront you so that we can have unity of purpose. If I have judgement, criticism or resentment, I need to lay these down and worship the Lord in truth and holiness. When I seek Him first and all His righteousness then I will have a hope of unity. Self-righteousness does not work in the kingdom of God. My face is not down in this instance it is up in pride. Neither of us can misbehave badly and see the kingdom of God, or unity for that matter. Abiding in Christ an...

Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. Psalm 100:4 MSG Today I spent 11 hours in a minibus in Nepal. The driver was young and liked loud music and the bass seemed to be right behind us in the back. The road was pretty bad, a few good places and there was a traffic congestion on the hilly pass going into Kathmandu. How did I cope? By the grace of God. I kept saying to myself: "I will bow down." A few nights ago the Lord gave me a revelation that when I am bowed down, nothing can stay in the vessel, except the spirit. So, each time I said:" I will bow down!" I saw all the was troubling me, all wrong attitudes, slide out onto the floor. After a while of worshipping Him a beautiful view would open up, the people up front would talk and the music volume go down. Towards the end I was tried harder as my legs were sore for lack of circulation, we did a pit stop and I have never seen one more filthy. The...

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalms 100:4 HCSB Jesus taught His disciples the Lord's prayer, not to be prayed by rote but as an example. It opens with Our Father, holy is Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The Psalmists, in the above Psalm and others, knew something, the importance of praise and worship. Rather than only praying when in difficulty we need to come to God regularly with worship and praise, first. When the ancients went into battle, God's people went forth in song led by priests. When faced by insurmounrBle odds praise and worship were imperative to sitting in fear. Honoring God for who He is and for all He has done is important, it sets our heart into the right frame of reference. When we come before Him with Thanksgiving we have to worship Him just because He is God and He is good. Our circumstances may be screaming "No!" However l...

I will thank Yahweh with all my heart; I will declare all Your wonderful works. I will rejoice and boast about You; I will sing about Your name, Most High. Psalms 9:1‭-‬2 HCSB Yahweh is an ancient Hebrew name for God. In 300 bc it was considered too holy to speak. Yet in the New Testament we come boldly to the Father through the blood of Christ, His sacrifice opened the door for us. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. This verse is a part of a Psalm of David. David knew how to worship. No matter what his circumstance he worshipped first and then poured out His grief or request to God. Here David is calling on Yahweh the God most high. What can I thank God for today? He lives in me, this broken vessel is God's temple, because of Jesus I am called a child of God, an heir of promise, God sees me as righteous, holy, I am invited to sit with Jesus in the heavenlies. This means I may be on earth but whatever I face has already been defeated by Jesus and I can sit in peace knowing H...

Yahweh, You are my God; I will exalt You. I will praise Your name, for You have accomplished wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. Isaiah 25:1 HCSB Today I travelled by bus from Pokhara to Tansen. What spectacular views. The mountains soared into the skies the valleys plummeted to deep floors below and winding up the slopes, like ant trails were the tracks used by the folk who dwelt in the heights. So beautiful! Unfortunately there was a mist that obstructed the higher heights and snow- capped mountains. Perhaps I will see them before I leave in 2 days time. Always nature stirs my heart to praise God. I ran after Him and sought His face. I asked to see His glory and He displayed His skirts in the mountains and skies. I am reminded that we must do whatever stirs us to praise Him as praise is our work. This work is more important than our secular jobs. Tonight I stay in a guest house of the Christian Hospital here in Tansen. What peace! How good is our Go...

Yahweh, You are my God; I will exalt You. I will praise Your name, for You have accomplished wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. Isaiah 25:1 HCSB The Lord has a plan and this plan He is bringing to pass. My frustration comes from having conflict with His plan and not wanting His plan instead, but rather pushing for mine. Always the tension will be between God and me, not those He puts in my life. If I am struggling I need to seek Him in humility. What are you saying God? As I submit to God I see His perfect plan emerge and rejoice, as it is much better than mine. Amen!

My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life. So I will praise You as long as I live; at Your name, I will lift up my hands. Psalms 63:3‭-‬4 HCSB Sometimes we must look for what to praise for, always effective prayer finds the heart of God on a matter or for a person. Tonight as we returned to our motel we discovered a young girl with INF missions had fallen sick. We prayed for her and left to go out for dinner. My colleague said: "I am really concerned for that young lady." I said:" we prayed for her, we must trust God for her healing." Straight away my colleague said: "of course." I then shared with her what I had written above about effective prayer. For my prayer to be effective I must find God's heart and compassion, then I know my prayer is heard. We can praise God because He hears our prayers. He is good and worthy to be praised. Amen!

My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life. So I will praise You as long as I live; at Your name, I will lift up my hands. Psalms 63:3‭-‬4 HCSB David is still in hiding in the wilderness of Judah, his son Absalom has usurped the throne and plan to seek his father and kill him, however he is the one who dies. David, at the point of writing this psalm probably did not have the outcome but his loyal followers were looking out for him. David had humbled his heart and sought the Lord. What I love about this psalm is the intense worship and longing for God. David was worshipping himself out of trouble and it worked. We can be in lack and despair and rather than speak our predicament we can worship our God and see what he does. Amen!

I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. Psalms 3:5 HCSB It is bed time here in Nepal. Travelled for around 7 hours by bus today to Pokrah, Nepal's holiday city by the lake in view of snow-capped mountains. We arrived to find our accommodation absolutely delightful. Gardens creates a beautiful atmosphere. I am reminded of a trip I did to Bali, the gardens are similar. We went out for a walk and had a light dinner down by the water in another exotic garden setting. Wow am I feeling blessed. We then went for a walk along the shopping strip and discovered that there were many shops selling the same thing. However, when almost done we found a shop where the products were made by deaf and dumb Nepalis. There was a young man weaving out the front of the shop. How wonderful! You would be forgiven for believing you were in Nepal as our experiences this week, so far are so different to last week. Yet I know my God has gone before me. Thinking back, should I ha...

But You, Lord , are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. Psalms 3:3 HCSB This psalm was written by David when his son Absalom rose up against him to take the throne. David had said: I will not fight my son as perhaps it is God who has done this and I will not fight Him. It proved not to be God but an arrogant heart who thought, because of his looks, he could do better. Absalom died at the hand of one of David's mighty men. His reign was a spit in the bucket. God had not anointed Absalom, God had anointed David and until He chose otherwise, David was king. We will have those who rise up against us. Their arrogance will not save them or make them what they believe but God is our defender. Amen!

Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough! 2 Corinthians 9:12‭-‬15 MSG Giving to the poor is indeed social relief. However, we are inundated with requests to complete petition support and suddenly a charity or a cause has your mobile number and guess what happens next...they call. Myself I am coming to terms with changing my habit of supporting every good cause. Instead I a...

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:8‭-‬9‭, ‬15 NIV God's abundance is not to waste on ourselves or the lusts of our flesh but for the poor. Since being in Nepal I am made aware of the poor so much more as the stark contrast is everywhere. I see the hungry old lady on the bus, the skinny little man in the cafe. I notice those who must wear thongs instead of shoes in winter. These are the poor. No matter what I lack my lack does not compare to the lack I see. Down by the river in Kathmandu are shanties. I see the ones in thongs trying to earn a living by collecting cardboard or selling fruit from the back of a dilapidated bicycle. In Nepal there is no government support for the poor. In Australia there is ...

But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I’ll probably never fully understand. We’re not all going to die— but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it’s over. On signal from that trumpet from heaven, the dead will be up and out of their graves, beyond the reach of death, never to die again. At the same moment and in the same way, we’ll all be changed. In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal. Then the saying will come true: Death swallowed by triumphant Life! Who got the last word, oh, Death? Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now? It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Je...

When this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:54‭-‬58 HCSB This chapter addresses a false teaching that had crept into the church: there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul goes for the lie and destroys it. He defends the truth of the gospel. Oh that we would have such tenacity. Praise God for the victory over death. Death of the flesh is but the beginning of eternity for each of us. We have a glorious hope of a life with our God forever. What does eternity look like? I do not ha...

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13 NIV The last few days I have been in an area of Nepal called Sindalpulchok, in a village called Phalum Sangu. The scenery is spectacular yet the villagers are mostly poor. We stayed in a house that has a squat toilet that smells bad, no shower, no fridge, no oven. On this trip there has been an improvement, a plastic outdoor table setting. The kitchen is on the top floor. To get to this floor you scale concrete stairs on which sacks of grain are stored. There is no light and no railing. By Australian standards quite unsafe. The kitchen is open to monsoonal rains and has limited protection. Although we purchased a gas stove for the hostess some 2 years ago she still cooks on a wood fire, most of the time. Local builders are building a new home beside the house we stayed in. We watched them from the roof top, where, by the way, there is no railing for protection. You could easily walk off the edge i...

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 NIV Paul is saying these words to the elders from Ephesus. He is on his way to Jerusalem and knows he faces imprisonment as the hatred stirred up against him by the Jews would see him imprisoned. Paul is confident that he had run the race set before him and been faithful with the task of preaching the gospel. How good to finish the race knowing you have run well! May I finish my race well and show such fruits of my labour. I pray that Christ will be honoured by my actions. Amen! We are off to a village in Sindalpulchok today. I am awake burdened for souls and aware of my need for humility and patience. May I not disappoint my Lord. Amen!

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 NIV What a future to look forward to, being like Christ. As I live this life in this mortal tent, so often I see the sky through the roof or leaks appear in the rain. However, when I see Him I will be perfect, just as He is perfect. Today I struggled with annoyance as my traveling companion dithered around. Put me with a dithered and I am tested. However, as I am looking to be used by God to heal the sick I do not want to allow my flesh room to spoil what God will do through me. I keep reminding myself to put Christ in the centre and be thankful, and as I do He blesses me. Today I became an owner of lovely boxed game, Nepali, with carved stone pieces and all for a song. I am grateful as I know it was a gift and I treasure it. How good is my God! Tomorrow we travel to a favourite village ...

Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children. And we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him. 1 John 3:1 HCSB We can expect favour, because we are God's children but the world will not give it unless God's hand is upon them to do so. Yesterday I saw God's divine provision twice. We needed to go to visit a children's home some way from where we were staying, we opened the gate to go out to the street and there was a taxi. Again when we were going to leave, our host took us to catch a bus and there it was waiting. The driver took us right to our stop, normally the bus goes to a central station. Before we left yesterday, my traveling companion was messing around with his trousers and seemed to be wasting time. However, normally I would become cross and tell him so. I didn't and asked God for grace. I am glad I sought grace as God was in the delay. Yesterday I heard good news. A Nepali man...

From the church leader. To my dear friend Gaius. I love you because we follow the truth, dear friend, and I pray all goes well for you. I hope you are as strong in body, as I know you are in spirit. 3 John 1:1‭-‬2 CEVDC We have, in Christendom used verse 2 and applied to ourselves, yet it was a part of a greeting from Paul to a man named Gaius who, like Paul, walked in truth. This is a letter to a trusted friend. I have such friends and I can endorse Paul's prayer that they also would prosper as their soul prospered. If we name Jesus as our saviour but refuse him lordship because we have taken that position, we might expect such a blessing but in reality it may not come. Jesus is not a genie and cannot be manipulated or controlled. He is master and Lord. We must heed his words when He said:Why do you keep on saying that I am your Lord, when you refuse to do what I say? Luke 6:46 Jesus is not fooled. We must listen and obey. Amen!

Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually. 3 John 1:2 HCSB Seeing these words and locking in on prosperity alone misses the point and shows us what our hearts desire is. Whereas Jesus said: seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 However, we can expect that as we seek God first He will bless us abundantly. He will bless us with provision, relationships, health but most importantly His presence. The best form of prosperity is spiritual prosperity. Do you long for the power of God in your life? I do! I want miracles and signs and wonders. I want to take souls to eternity and see His fame spread. The biggest barrier we have is self-centeredness. We cannot be god and call Jesus Lord. We must lay down our life, take up our cross and follow Him. Our cross can be family difficulty, and trust Him for the outcome. Amen!

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. Hebrews 11:1‭-‬2 MSG If we build upon the rock, we have a firm foundation, the words of Jesus. If we based all our life on His first sermon on the mount we would do well. He covered everything that is important. We can complicate things too much. Our God is straight and simple yet very profound. We can come to Him as little children and be safe and taught by Him. Today I had the joy of finding a wonderful Nepali church to take our unsaved Nepali friends to. It was a good service and the pastor is a good man of God. I can trust him with our friends and he welcomed then in. I know the boys will be safe there. We spent lunch together and this afternoon time in friendship as I taught them a card game I brought from Austral...

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. Hebrews 11:1 MSG Without my faith in God I wander aimlessly, I am an arrow without a target, water without a river bed. Faith is the metal that hold me together, keeps me focused, keeps me going. To walk in the faith I am called to I find myself surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, a heavenly host. If I listen to them throughout the Old and New Testaments I hear them calling me on to keep on walking. Faith has form, it is bold and strong. I am called to wear this faith in my walk with Christ. Let us not be weary in doing well but rather pick up our shield of faith and keep walking. Amen!

You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 MSG Note steel to sharpen steel. If you have two strong wills then dont be surprised that sparks will fly! Having a strong willed friend or spouse is not bad for you, it hones you and makes you a better person. Self-pity for not getting your own way is wasted resource. Use it to care about Gods kingdom or a lost friend. Get over it! Amen!

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 HCSB It is always good to do a project with others as the finished product or manifest will be better. Each of us has edges and working with another person smoothed them off. I am grateful for a traveling companion this time in Nepal. I have been places and will go places that I would not have gone. I wanted to see the mountains but left my desire with the Lord. My friend suggested we go to a place called Namche Bazzar. To get there we fly into the most dangerous airstrip in the world but get to see Mt Everest. I am not paying a cent. I am being blessed. Yesterday we walk and walked. We visited the markets and the tourist areas of Kathmandu. We went to places I would not have gone, except I have a traveling companion. This companion and I are good friends but very different. I know I have changed since last I came with this friend as he does not annoy me so much this time. My edges have been smoothed off, praise ...

Therefore, dear friends, since we have such promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, completing our sanctification in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 HCSB Cleansing ourselves from the flesh...what does that look like? Repentance is a good place to start. Lord show me Your way, give me Your mind and Your focus I pray. AMEN! yes we stuff up! However, our God does not turn His back on us. His love welcomes us to find Him and as we find Him, He puts things in order. How good is that! Amen!

Therefore, dear friends, since we have such promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, completing our sanctification in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 What promises is Paul talking about here? We need to review the chapter preeceeding: I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty. Basically, God has promised to dwell with us. We are His temple. This concept can be hard to fathom but imagine you had the greatest royal you know come to stay at your house, would you behave differently whilst they were there? Or would you behaviour change in any way? I am currently in Nepal and I see that the people have decorated their houses and out the front is an elaborately drawn circular art work, from it is a pathway into the house with lights showing the way. This is to attract the god of wealth. Now I understand their fascination with money. We have the greatest King, the one who calls Himself: I A...

so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. Hebrews 9:28 HCSB I am waiting! Waiting for the revealing of the sons of God and finally waiting for Jesus' return: either for just me in death or His triumphant return for many. In Nepal I am meeting many of God's people. These dear ones are treated as outcasts. Currently there is a Hindu festival on, which calls all family members to return home and celebrate together. Christians are caught as looking as if they dishonour, if they abstain, and if they participate they will suffer guilt. I am praying God's people here discover a creative way of showing a difference. Last week in Australia the street children were celebrating demons and ghouls in Halloqeen. In the past I have righteously abstained. This year I pretended to be a warrior angel, protecting all the street children from the evil ones...

The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 HCSB Full of grace and truth. This is Jesus. Grace and truth. Not just grace, not just truth. Both need to be present; both balance the other out. Now, can we do likewise? Yes! Grace makes room for difference, truth challenges anything that is not true. If we are skewed to one or the other we are out of balance. Balance is good! Amen!

The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 HCSB The Old Testament is like a forest of beautiful trees and as you walk through this forest you find a beautiful thread, a gossamer thread. It comes upon you suddenly and delights. It is like discovering a beautiful deer, majestic and wonderful, for a fleeting moment, then he is gone only to return, unexpectedly, in a clearing up ahead. In the New Testestament, He is there and never leaves, well but for a short moment. The pages are soaked in Him and alive in Him. Jesus is the word of God made flesh in the New Testament. As we read the New Testament we see God's grace and truth in action. Seeing grace in action is mind stopping. You meant to say God is like this? Yes! Full of grace and truth. Jesus did not come to judge yet He had plenty of judges. Jesus came to set the captives free. If we are captives toda...

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2‭-‬4 HCSB Endurance produces something, maturity and completeness. There is a purpose of endurance, it is for my benefit. God is working a completeness in me, so that I lack nothing. What a good place to be. Today I had a test. I knew I was to come to Nepal and I believed it was to do a work of ministry. However, my friend, who did not aspire to ministry was asked to preach, not me. For someone like me who lives to preach and longs to preach, this was hard and reminded me of the inequity I have experienced in business these past 15 years. Men are given preferential treatment and women must work twice as hard to receive respect. It turns out that God wanted my friend to preach, the word he brought was to the mark and I could recognize t...

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1:2‭-‬4 MSG When metals are combined to make a new product they are tested, when clay pots are made they are tested. Anything made new needs testing to see if the purpose they are constructed will hold. Our God is making us into the image of His Son. With each change and improvement we are tested. I am sure with each new planned promotion a test is required. Tests are inevitable and we must trust our God for He knows where He is going. Today I am facing a test, God willing I will pass. Amen!

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9‭-‬10 HCSB "As a member of a royal race, I come to God saying: here I am Lord, send me!" The world needs royalty. It needs the kindness that royalty can do best. Recently we had Prince Harry and his wife Megan come to Australia and the Pacific. Harry was kindness itself. Many said he was just like his mum Princess Diana. Harry is redeeming royalty. As Gods chosen people, we need to show forth His kindness. Amen!

Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces. Proverbs 13:20 MSG I am on my trip to Nepal. Hundred of people are on board. Most are glued to a screen of some sort. The warlord is constraining me to read a book on prayer instead. I want more of God as I go to minister in Nepal and movies and games do not hold the way to His presence. I notice a hardness creeps into my heart when I have been giving a lot of time to movies and books of the world. If I want to see God, I must speand time in that which points to Him. Charles Spurgeon wrote the content of the book and although it is old fashioned, the man had the runs on the board. We must choose to stay soft, if we are to see God move. Amen!

The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20 HCSB Do you ever stop to think about what sort of company you are keeping? Are you surrounded by foolish chatter? If so it may be time to change company. Good company challenges us to do better. Good company encourages us, stretches us. Good company never suggests evil shortcuts. Bad company are drawn to foolishness just as alcoholics are drawn to alcohol. Foolish people prattle about nothing Find those who love Gods word. Find those who choose Gods ways. Be wise with your choices. Amen!

The result of humility is fear of the Lord , along with wealth, honor, and life. Proverbs 22:4 HCSB We all want a good life. The recipe is: respect and fear the Lord. Easy! Right? How can we be sure we are doing just that? Stay humble! No room for arrogance. Amen!

Respect and serve the Lord ! Your reward will be wealth, a long life, and honor. Proverbs 22:4 CEVDC Respect! This means I will not use your name in vain, I will value your word, listen to your opinion and honour Your ways, not denigrate Your decisions in my life. Serve! I will submit to Your plans. I will not insist on my own ways. I will seek Your thoughts and ways. Being a Christian in name only is not enough, I must be one in deed and truth. The world must know that I respect and serve the Lord. Does my words about others show respect, do I give honour? If I respect the Lord then I honour His word and His instruction about how I treat others. Do I bring an evil report, do I criticize and malign others? Do I judge when I am told not to as this is God's role? Lord have mercy! Help me to serve and respect You as You deserve today! Amen!

Why are you in despair, O my soul? Why have you become restless and disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. PSALM 42:11 AMP Despair is horrible, many are caught here but what does Gods view look like. We are so limited in our view and so much in need of a review. I have been reading a book a friend gave me about a man in England who walked from one end of England to the other to inspire an old friend who had cancer. He had many times of despair, the worst was closest to the end. He was right at the door of his friends home and despair caused him to walk away. How sad! Many, many people give up and walk away when they are moments from the finish line. Dont give up, finish the race! Amen!

Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you, Lord ! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God. Psalms 42:11 CEVDC We all become discouraged, especially in tough times when God seems far away. This Psalm was written by the sons of Korah. You might remember this name from the time of Moses when 250 of the tribe had rebelled against Moses and God dealt with them. The ground opened up and swallowed them. Not a good history. Yet, obviously some remained and the prophet Samuel came from their line. During the time of David these people were the musicians and singers in the house (tent) of the Lord. No matter what our family history, we are individuals before our God. If you read the whole Psalm you see that the Psalmist had a reason why he was downcast, his enemies were taunting him. Perhaps they were bullies trying to Lord it over a quiet man, a devout man. Perhaps he was a small man, a nerd even, as musicians didn't usually also carry a sword...