The day with dianne Louise

“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. John 15:4 MSG You know how you talk to someone who hasn't quite caught a freeing truth, you lovingly nudge them along. Well..Jesus is doing this here. When He says: "make your home in Me, just as I do in you..: he is basically saying: "I am already doing this abiding, why not join me?" The beautiful thing is, He is already abiding in us. He's there! He does not need any further invitation. When we pray: "Jesus come into my heart." He is there in a flash. It is us who have all the junk in the way (much like an attic). We are invited to join the party. This is a restful place, not a busy place, much like a tree change or sea change. And better still..this is a relationship! The very best relationship. Enjoy! Out of the relationship comes fruit. Woo ...

Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. John 15:4 HCSB Struggling? Wondering where the fruit is? Remain in Him! I love to think of this as being pickled. I make pickles and a part of the process is having all the veg and onions soak overnight in salt water, the next day the vinegar and spices are added. This preserves the vegetable and gives them an awesome flavour that goes on and on. When I was little my dad loved pickled onions and gherkins in vinegar. When he finished the veg from the jar he would drink the vinegar solution. I was so fascinated I tried it. Not bad! This has coloured my favour towards savoury over sweet and love for pickles. Anyone who comes to my house will be offered my pickles with their meal, most enjoy them. This is the same with our lives. If we remain in Him and are pickled by His presence, others benefit. Stay pickled!

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. 1 Corinthians 13:1 MSG I know some big words...but I would not say I am eloquent, praise God! I am simpler. I am definitely not angelic, ha! Ha! I sure can creak as well. God's love transcends all barriers. For this I am grateful and He is gracious and forgiving. Praise Him! I am about to take on a kids club....this will help me keep it simple. Little people are just as important as the 'big shoes'. Little people are good with reality and they ground you fast. I am grateful! It will be a good experience. Jesus told His followers to be like little children in faith. They also know how to love. Keep it simple. Amen!

If I speak human or angelic languages but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:1‭-‬7 HCSB The apostle Paul, in this letter to the Corinthians, is bringing correction amd order. They turn communion into a gluttonous feast, they fight over the gifts of the spirit amd are out of order with prophesy amd straight after he tells them this ...

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14‭-‬16 MSG Be generous with your life. What does that look like? Be available for on the spot needs in people you are called to touch with the message of Christ. If you are too busy with your own world amd your own family then the people caught in darkness will not receive your light. Be available! A generous person showers others with abundance. There is nothing more enjoyable than an abundant shower. We all rejoice in a generous shower of rain. Be g...

“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 Look for opportunities to show forth Christ. What good can you become involved in? How can you help your community, your neighborhood? The good that God wants to do in our world is at the mercy of us, His torches. Will we go and do and obey? Lighthouses were built in dangerous places to shine the way for incoming vessels. We live in dangerous times, where can we help? Who needs guidance in coming to land safely? If we do not join in the immorality, lust and greed, surely that is a light; if we don't drink to excess surely that is a light; if our mouths are clean and gracious surely that is a light; if we feed the poor and...

What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. Philippians 2:12‭-‬13 MSG Be energetic in your life of salvation. God's energy is within us we just need to tap into it. Just as bore water in the ground needs to be drilled down to, so does the living water within. I have a friend that drills for water. Bore water is deep below the surface, without the process it stays underground. It is the same with the Holy Spirit. We come alive in Him but we must first seek Him. God has so much in Him, He is new every morning. What an adventure. Seek Him out! Run to Him! Amen!

So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. Philippians 2:12‭-‬15 HCSB Here there are a few disturbing words: obey and fear and trembling. At first glance is appeared the readers are called to obey Paul and be fearful of God. While this is the cold understanding of the scripture, there is more: we obey the scripture and our leaders as they lead us in truth not as slaves who do not question. Before God we work out our salvation in faith and trust. Although modern men and women do not like to be told to obey as in children obey your parents, nonetheless if we do ...

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. Colossians 3:15‭-‬17 MSG Peace keeps us in tune with each other. Now doesn't that make sense? Also living for others makes sense. God ordained that we work together in unity. Thankfulness doesn't give us time to grumble. I remember well a lesson my son taught his son. When Myer was crying and complaining Jarrod would say: "hands together Myer!" Have you ever tried to cry and complain when you are concentrating on keeping your hands together. It is impossible. So, the le...

Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 HCSB The message about Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. In Him all the fullness of God dwelt. There is nothing better that we can add to our faith. When we are in love with the Lord our heart sings and we have a desire to write songs. Singing lifts our spirits. In song we can pray amd praise. If we use the word of God as our reference point in all things, rather than our feelings, we have more peace and joy. Joy causes us to rejoice in fellowship, instead of grumbling about our circumstances. Amen! Rejoice!

“Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.” Matthew 18:18‭-‬20 MSG The 'yes'and 'no' comes down to our collective judgement. The preceding instruction dealt with offence and how to deal with it. First confront the individual, then take a friend, then tell the church. Then comes the above scripture. Interesting! Today is AUSTRALIA Day. The leftist activists are telling us we are uncouth for celebrating today because the people who were here before us, the indigenous aborigines, were conquered. We are told we are wrong. Yet the indigenous Australians are desperate in their communities wrecked by alcohol and child abuse, they have more important things on thei...

Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:19‭-‬20 HCSB I know the power of a prayer of agreement even when facing death. Many years ago my mum was facing a Pancrearic Cancer diagnosis yet I had the presence of mind to ask her what she believed and she did not believe she had this cancer but believed that whatever cancer it was she would have surgery, chemo and recover. Rather than put my concerns or ideas on her I said: "then let's agree in prayer that this will be so." It was so and she still lives. I knew at the time this was what God wanted. When I can find someone to agree with me in prayer I know I have power in prayer. Smith Wigglesworth always looked for someone who would agree in prayer with him when called to pray for the sick. He struggled to find such a person. Many are ...

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Galatians 6:1‭-‬3 MSG Creative friendship! There it is again! How can you be a creative friend? Never stop allowing yourself to think. Dont be pushed to react your way through life. Being intentional and creative is much more fun than all the missed opportunities. Creative is what you are as a child. Remember the little cards you made as a child! How much joy you brought to those you gave cards to. Notice above. What is the suggestion above relating to? If anyone is caught in sin. Mmm! This is a challenge indeed. How far can grace go? How far can your grace extend? Without grace not very far. However, with grace all things are possible. Why n...

Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1‭-‬2 HCSB How do we restore such a person? Leave it to the counsellors? Leave it to the pastors? Talk about them? No???? You mean me? Me talk to them? Yes you! No gossip! The above is our tendency isn't it? Yet if we live at this level of gutter snipping how low have we come. By choosing to gossip we are making ourselves lazy because the opposite is confront the problem, in all gentleness. What is the Law of Christ? That you love one another as Christ has loved you. This takes maturity. Are you up for it? As we humble ourselves to help that brother or sister we are in fact watching out for ourselves and in this cutting off the enemy's path to our door. Humility creates a crater between the tempter amd...

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then? Galatians 5:13‭-‬15 MSG Jesus set us free from having to keep the law, therefore we should honour Him with our lives. We must stand fast in the liberty that Christ has given us and not be enslaved by a yoke of bondage. Bondage can be in the shape of food, drugs, porn, immorality, alcohol and more. What ever controls us is our master. Christ has set us free. We need to fight for this experientially. Amen!

For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 5:14 HCSB This verse falls in the middle of Paul remonstrating with the Galatians as they were being coerced into becoming circumcised, probably by a group called the Circumcision Party. Paul has strong words about them and said: I wish they would go and get themselves castrated. He is a little miffed. Paul begins the Chapter with: Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. As someone who was a Catholic I can understand. Catholicism is riddled with rules and regulations and as a new convert I struggled for a time with the freedom I had walked into. However, Christ came to set us free from any legal obligation to earn His favour. Law had been replaced by faith. For the Jews who constituted the Circumcision Party they had the same struggle. Circumcism was a pillar of Judaism and they could not see a way past it. They needed time to ...

It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there’s no one to help, tough! Ecclesiastes 4:9‭-‬10 MSG In any decisions it good to have a second opinion, someone to run things by. Solo is hard, doable but hard. With the Lord, all things are possible. You can be in a crowd but still alone. Jesus had a team but in the vital things was all alone. His family doubted Him, His disciples had another agenda, His friends did not understand the deep things. God alone knew and that is why He spent so much time alone with God. Having God to talk to and the HOLY Spirit inside sure helps. Jesus knew His disciples would need help, that is why He sent the Holy Spirit. We, God's people are not alone. We have an indwelling counselor. You may not have someone who really understands you, in the flesh, but you have the Lord. Lean on Him! Prayer: HOLY Spirit be my comforter and guide. Speak to me and be my fr...

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9‭-‬10 HCSB I have lived many years alone, and it was lonely to a point, but then there was my God. He has been my constant companion. Now I have my mum live with me and the company is good and we accomplish much more together. Our latest project is arranging for a security screen door at the front of the house as we have good 'gully breezes' come down off our hill and at present our solid front door blocks them. What was to be simple has become complicated by an irregular shaped door frame. Just a small challenge. Being all alone, without my God would be miserable. Perhaps this is why suicide is so high. The pain of loneliness is huge. Some love being alone and will even hide away in forests to be alone. However most like company. Solving problems is always better with a com...

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. Hebrews 10:22‭-‬25 MSG In-full of belief let us be inventive. We know how crafty we can be, especially as a child, for wicked behaviour. However, the Christian is called to be inventive for good. Dont just roll through life but be thoughtful and act out of sincerity. I find such joy when I am inventive for good, especially the good of others. No it is not always successful or well received but more times than not it is. Therefore, be inventive for good! God reaches out and touches people through unusual means and I am sure He delights in us joining Him in the process. Ask Him and see what happens! Amen!

And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24‭-‬25 HCSB Being concerned about one another means we will show up. Showing up is the greatest sacrifice we can make, along with a good 'why'. I come to worship my God and fellowship with you because I love my God and my fellow man. We have reduced our lives to me and mine when it is in fact 'us'. Church is more than a polish on Sunday, it is fellowship will the living and active word of God and one another. We know that if there are two of anything in a jar they take up more space and when shaken jostle against each other, knocking off edges. This is what fellowship is for. We are all part of the same body, we need to behave like it. This is true love! How about 2019 is a year of loving in a new way. A way of commitment t...

“I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. John 15:1‭-‬3 MSG How are we pruned? According to what Jesus said above, by the spoken word. So, let's examine this some more. Hebrews tells us that the word of God is sharper than any two edged sword, piercing bone and marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Sounds like a cleaver to me. So, if you are sitting expecting the axe to fall, perhaps you have the wrong view. Why not make sure you have a steady diet of the preached word of God and allow it to do its stuff? As Christians we can have such guilt complexes and sometimes we need rather to spend time looking at and listening to our Lord! Amen!

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. John 15:1‭-‬2 HCSB Who are the branches who attend church but are cold on the inside? To these a fate far worse than death awaits. They could be unbelieving Jews, unbelieving Christians, unbelieving atheists. Who are they who believe? Believers are those who are active in their faith. They live as if Christ is their life-source and answer. They live for Him and in Him. What can unbelievers do to be saved? Repent and believe. Simple! Believing is a matter of choice not feeling like you believe. Romans 10:9 tells us: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Living as if Jesus is Lord is evidence of salvation. Attending church is not enough. Confession and behaviour are important. For us who...

God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.” God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.” Genesis 1:26‭-‬28 MSG Being an oldest child one word jumps out of this passage. Can you guess what it is? It is responsible. God made man and woman responsible for the created animals. I was watching a truck transport a load of sheep to slaughter today and thought about our responsibility to the sheep. No! I am not vegan! However, there is a tension here between consumerism and responsible care. In Australia we have issue with the sea transport of live anima...

So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. Genesis 1:27 HCSB When I first read this passage I had a revelation about what made 'in the image of God' meant for me. Up until that time I had never done anything creative. I met a woman who was 100% creative and she blew me away. I asked God where was the creative in me and He showed me this verse and reminded me of all He had done in Genesis so far: God made the earth, planets, sun, moon stars, he created the seas and dry lands, He filled the earth and sky with animals and I knew that I must be creative as He, my Father was creative. I set out on a discovery of what the creative in me was able to do. So far, anything I choose to do I can do. I have paint, made pottery, made a stained glass window, recovered a lounge chair, made curtains, made a lampshade cover and then list goes on. I have found the creative in the garden, in cooking, in music. He is everywhere! ...

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified. Galatians 5:22‭-‬23‭, ‬23‭-‬24 MSG Living God's way. We find it as we slow down and listen. We cannot hear if we are racing and busy inside. We are having a heat wave here in Australia. It is soooooo hot and there is little reprieve. Sunset to sunrise is the only ...

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24 HCSB What are the things we crucify? Paul had given an outline in verses 12-21. He exhorts us to walk in the Spirit, and it's attributes are: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 So we have crucified the works of the flesh to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. How do we do this? We say "No!" Is there someone or something that annoys you and brings out the worst in you? This is where you refuse to think about this person or deed in a bad light. Pray God's mercy and grace upon them. Rebuke the thoughts. James tells us to rebuke the devil and he will flee. It is amazing the result you get by resisting the negative, critical voices in your head. You will realise they are coming from outside your head. Pray for your enemi...

“These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. Matthew 7:24‭-‬25 MSG Our world is awash with home improvement shows; cooking shows; live performance shows. We crave glory for ourselves and seek to feel good so much that we constantly look to do what will make us feel good. Yet Jesus tells us that if our foundations are good and if we listen to what He says and build our lives of His words, we will know His comfort and see His glory. So I can say it is all a matter of priorities. Seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness is the way to go. Eternity will be full of Him. We best get used to Him being king now. Amen!

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 HCSB Jesus had been teaching: narrow is the way that leads to life and few are those who find it; many will say to Him: "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name", and Jesus said He would say:" depart from Me you evil doers." Now this is obvious that many who call themselves Christian will hear these words. What then is the criteria for salvation? Jesus said: Hears His words and does them. Perhaps we need to study His words more closely. At the beginning of the chapter Jesus said: "Do not judge lest you be judged." We could start there. Right down to bedrock. A simple matter of trusting God to judge and letting go of offence, anger and unforgiveness. A good place to start. Amen!

So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures. James 1:16‭-‬18 MSG Have you ever considered yourself as the 'crown of all creation'? This makes us rather special doesn't it? Imagine yourself as the 'apple of your father's eye.' We have all seen this in action. A dad smitten by his little girl or boy and nothing is too much for him. We have such a father. If this is true then why do we listen to shame and guilt thoughts when we have nothing to be ashamed of. The renewing of our minds needs to starts here: I am my father's beloved child. As we grow in Him He desires that we represent Him in His affairs here on earth. Can we show forth His glory? We can as we ...

Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. James 1:17 HCSB Earlier in this chapter James deals with the fact that God does not tempt us. We are tempted by our own evil desires. The other thing we often hear a Christian say is: "I am going through a trial." Many times we cause the trial by our confession or behaviour. However, there are some things that come from left field and totally surprise us. Sowing and reaping are principles that rule the world. We may have forgotten the bad seed we had sown and the harvest takes us by surprise. King David knew this principle when he was having to run for his life from Absalom and a man was throwing dirt at him and cursing him. His men wanted to deal with the man but he refrained them saying: "Leave him alone you never know if God is in this". (My paraphrase) David probably knew he messed up with the way he handl...

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? Matthew 16:24‭-‬26 MSG Self-sacrifice is the way! There can be a tendency to sacrifice too much and this comes from a poor self image and a desire to be liked. There can also be an immature understanding of sacrifice but generally our main problem is being sacrificial at all. So...what does God's self-sacrifice look like? God assessed the problem: man's separation from Him through sin. What was needed? A perfect sacrifice. So..He sent Jesus. As we study the gospels we see Jesus in action. He didn't always give Himself away. He spent a lot of time with the ...

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24 HCSB Why did Jesus say these words? The words that followed were these: For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it. What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? Matthew 16:25‭-‬26 A lot has happened in this chapter in Matthew. Peter has just rebuked Jesus for saying He was going to die on the cross and in turned received a harsh rebuke as Jesus addresses the spirit behind what Peter was saying. Jesus then goes on to teach His disciples that they were not there to accumulate for themselves and establish a 'good' life but to lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel. We can learn from this. We are not on this world to make the most money or have the most illustrious career but to effect the ...

“Are you listening to me? Really listening? Matthew 11:15 MSG There has never been a time that this applies to more: hand-held devices occupy so much of our time; other peoples opinions rattle our brains; bad news everywhere and yet someone :a child or a parent sits waiting to be heard. I have watched my grandchildren trying to get their father's attention. He is particularly deaf when on the phone. I find myself interrupting for them. What are they learning? I see my mum trying to talk to me when I am on my phone. Same! Forgive us Lord! If we struggle to hear those we can see, how do we hear Him who we cannot see? Yet, it is only as we really hear that we can give our heart and change our ways. Amen!

“I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force. For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John; if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come. Anyone who has ears should listen! Matthew 11:11‭-‬15 HCSB The verse for today is: anyone who has ears should listen. Yet, why did Jesus say this? He had just been speaking about Jphn the Baptist and saying that John was like the prophet Elijah, reborn. He was giving honour to John, his cousin. You might ask: " but why did He say "but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."" Good point! Jesus wasn't putting John down but rather raising up the new (to them), the kingdom of heaven. The comment about having ears to hear is referr...

God ’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left. Lamentations 3:22‭-‬24 MSG The sun rises new every morning. This remind me of God's faithfulness that is new every morning. Oh! How quickly our tempers and our tolerance runs out and with it our faithfulness. I am so grateful that God is not like me, in this regard. Jesus purchased patience for the Father by paying our debt, both current and future (oh and past too). I love every new morning. The freshness and promise of a brand new day. I can come to the Father knowing I am forgiven and in Christ am made new. Set out on a new adventure with your God! He is the wind beneath your sails! Amen!

Because of the Lord ’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! Lamentations 3:22‭-‬23 HCSB Faithful love! This love is cherished! Faithful friends they are the highest prize. Praise God! Our God's faithfulness in a land of changing loyalties is safety. When people we expect integrity from fail us our God is there. We can turn to Him and ask:" what now Lord?" There are times to fight for faithfulness and times to walk away and trust God. In times of conflict the faithfulness of God is a resting place, a cool stream a summer shower. Here we can rest and be refreshed. The hurt of the faithless is a test. Will it grieve us and affect our hearts or will we rise above it and fly? Only if we turn to God will we find our wings. It is God's faithful love that keeps us from perishing not the love of man. God alone has the gift of life which we can pass on. As we deal with the world we see avarice...

But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims, A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God! But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to. Romans 10:14‭-‬17 MSG The One who can be trusted! Now...Dont you want to know this One? We all need One whom we can trust! Usually that One has to have been faithful, love us and is kind of interested in us. I know such a One. His name is Jesus! He came to earth and offered to pay ...

So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ. Romans 10:17 HCSB Only certain words carry life. Scripture carries life. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. John 14:6. If there is any debate check out what Jesus said. We cannot create our own versions of way, truth and life and expect the same result. We must share the gospel to see lives changed. Only the gospel can change people. First demonstrate a life that has all three and be ready to give a good report when asked. When asked share the truth of the gospel. How did it change your life? We cannot share what we ourselves do not read. We need to be bible reading believers or the storms of life will destroy us. Build your house upon the rock. Jesus said: “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collap...

I pray to God —my life a prayer— and wait for what he’ll say and do. My life’s on the line before God, my Lord, waiting and watching till morning, waiting and watching till morning. Psalm 130:5 MSG Rather than throwing a tizzy fit, why not wait, watch and trust? We cannot insist that God answers in our time. His time is best, always! What we fail to compute is that His time involves maturing of character so that we can be trusted with the answer. I took my mum to see Mary Poppins Returns on Thursday. While waiting in line to buy tickets we watched a toddler throw a 'tizzy fit' because she wanted to play rather than wait. Her mother gave in. I wonder how many times the mother gives in? Giving in breeds impatience in a young heart who wants instant gratification as she grows. We cannot have instant results, unless we use the microwave and at the expense of destroying valuable nutrients. Patience is good. Learn to wait. Take time to do a task, don't rush! I am curren...

I pray to God —my life a prayer— and wait for what he’ll say and do. My life’s on the line before God, my Lord, waiting and watching till morning, waiting and watching till morning. Psalm 130:5‭-‬6 MSG This is a desperate prayer. Do you have such a prayer? Yesterday I had two little nephews inform me that they had seen their parents and it was not good. These little men had to be taken from their parents when the youngest was a baby. He is now 8 and was raised by his grandmother because his parents are drug addicts. This is a desperate situation. You might be the drug addict and know only a cry for help will save you. You may be addicted to alcohol, porn or gambling but cannot break free. My bible tells me: he who the Son sets free is free indeed. Jesus is the only true answer. Watch this: https://youtu.be/lKw6uqtGFfo This is Hillsong singing: I am Who You say I Am. When you have no other options, Jesus is the answer. While you would rather continue to struggle, you will str...

“But blessed is the man who trusts me, God , the woman who sticks with God . They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers— Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season. Jeremiah 17:7‭-‬8 MSG God delights in His people trusting Him. It encourages Him to display His glory, almost showing off! We know what that is like. When someone totally trusts us and loves us we want to show them goodness and the desire to be a blessing drives us. If you want to see God's richest blessing, be a good child and He can't help Himself. At Christmas time I was blessed by the attitude of my grandchildren. They were very grateful for all they received. They did not complain or expect more. This caused me to be a blessing. So....want to be blessed? Be a good kid!

The man who trusts in the Lord , whose confidence indeed is the Lord , is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:7‭-‬8 HCSB This scripture is very similar to Psalm 1: Instead, his delight is in the Lord ’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalms 1:2‭-‬3 HCSB Jeremiah's tree is not planted near a stream but puts its roots out toward the stream. Jeremiah tells us that the wise seeks the Lord's guidance and David tells us he meditates day and night on the Lord's instruction. What both are saying is: let the Lord be your wisdom, instruction amd the one you turn to. Dont run to and fro getting advice from just anybody but s...

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. James 1:5‭-‬8 MSG Again the Message says it best. When we read these scriptures in say NIV they come across harsh. Whereas this version is very matter of fact and not offensive. Our Father loves us and desires to give us the help that we need. When we lack wisdom, we can ask Him and He will give it. We must ask as a loved child expecting parental help. Wisdom is best sought. Many movies are made about those who go on a pilgrimage in search of wisdom. Yet God's type of wisdom does not require us to climb high mountains in foreign lands but rather right where we are admitting we have no wisdom and asking our G...

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:5‭-‬8 HCSB God is willing to impart wisdom. If we doubt we do not know Him well and this is where we should start, getting to know Him. Read again the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. Look for the Father's attitude and nature. The book of Proverbs gives one chapter a day and has 31 chapters. When I was young I read this book often. It taught me wisdom. Hanging around the right people helps as well. You need those who pull you up and challenge you to be better not those who lay traps for you to fall into. A good friend wants your best, a bad friend is caught in a mess amd wants company there. Wisdom i...

Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14 HCSB We must determine to listen to the Lord and choose to believe His word. 'If God be for us, who can be against us?' Our thoughts and musings tend to veer towards the negative and before we know it we are listening to condemnation, shame, lies. I am noticing that without conscious effort the slide occurs. If we believe God is for us and that He hears our prayers, then we will be confident when we pray. Seek Him by all means but then step out and trust He hears. Be bold! I have to keep reminding myself: I am blessed and highly favored of the Lord! I am In Christ! I have the mind of Christ! Amen!

Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for. 1 John 5:14‭-‬15 HCSB How do we know we ask according to His will? Is our request for selfish motives? Or do we pray according to His blueprint- the Lord's prayer? This prayer teaches us to pray for: provision, forgiveness for ourselves amd others, deliverance from evil, the kingdom of God and the will of God to come to earth, otherwise we are worshipping God for who He is. Throughout the New Testament we are urged to pray for the saints and for the gospel. My prayer is for the kingdom of God coming, however any call to prayer in my country I participate in and we have seen God move. I want to see this as a year of victory in God. If I want to pray for healing I find if I seek God for that person and find His agreement then I know I am heard. Smiths Wigglesworth would pra...

Seek God while he’s here to be found, pray to him while he’s close at hand. Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to God , who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness. Isaiah 55:6‭-‬7 MSG Opportunities come amd go. There are times when I sense intense favour. During these times I cannot go wrong. There are other times of dryness. I imagine that finding God is the same. Running from God leads us into a wilderness where self-effort is fraught with frustrations and lack of fulfillment. However, the wilderness brings us back to the door. Again Jesus will knock. What will we do? Continually refusal leads to longer wildernesses where the enemy lurks seeking to devour. Suicide is man saying: "Enough! On my terms this ends!" Yet it does not end well and the door to eternity now opens. What will eternity be like for those who refuse Christ? The demons of hell will have a new plaything. Now is...

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call to Him while He is near. Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the Lord , so He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will freely forgive. Isaiah 55:6‭-‬7 HCSB I was saved in 1973. It was a time when we sang scripture in song. This scripture was one such song. During this time there was the 'flower power' revolution. It was a time of wickedness in the name of freedom but it was also a time of the outpouring of the Spirit. Right now we are seeing wickedness increase, attempting to mask the fact that there is a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Now, more than any time, souls are coming to Christ in droves. We sought the Lord and were found by Him. Many of my friends who came to Christ at the same time are still following Him. Many are pastors. We forsook our evil ways and turned to Him. In this time of this outpouring let us seek Him for the lost and see them come in ...

“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. Matthew 5:6 MSG One of the best meals I have these days is crumbled cutlets, vegetables and gravy. Why? I know it is a favourite with my mum. Tonight I invited over an elderly man who is a good friend to both my mother and myself. As this man is of a similar vintage to my mum I knew he would enjoy the meal, and he did. Mum amd I have a good relationship. We both enjoy blessing one another and others and in turn we are blessed. Our visitor brought along gifts. He knew I needed some tools amd so he brought me a tool kit. How thoughtful! Our God loves to give. He gave us a way to be free from guilt, shame and a need to prove ourselves. By faith in His Son Jesus we are redeemed. He is constantly wanting to spend time with us and like a loving father He gives us the best gifts as we live in Him. How good is that? Settle into hungering for God and giving Him time. E...

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 HCSB Why do we seek righteousness? Do we seek righteousness? I would say we do. Subconsciously and consciously. We want to be right. A lot of the 'right' we might feel involved our flesh. We want to prove we are right. Yet Jesus had a better way. He said seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness by faith and you will be right. Therefore we are made right not because of works but rather by faith. If we are right by works then we nullify the gift of the cross. Paul tells us in Romans 3: none is righteous no not one for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We cannot, therefore, believe we are made right because of our behaviour but rather by faith because when we 'feel' righteous we trample others. Jesus' way is better. Seek first the kingdom and it's righteousness. If, first, I am seeking the kingdom of God I am seeking God's ways of ...

By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. Psalm 119:105 MSG Ever put the wrong size battery in your torch? Nothing happens does it? I have a guitar tuner. It take those small flat round disks batteries but even they have a size. For any battery powered object they need the right size battery. They also, definitely, will not operate without a battery. Same goes for us. A good book is not the same as the word of God, unless it is the word of God. A book about God is not the word of God. For the longest time I have enjoyed Zig Zigler sayings. I still do and in fact I post them on Facebook. However, we need the word of God to challenge us and kick start our batteries. Hebrews tells us that the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword cutting through bone and marrow. That is powerful! Only the word of God can do that. Amen! We need that kind of power in our lives.

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. Psalms 119:105 HCSB Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm in the bible. Most commentators believe it was a psalm of David. The words herin remind us of David. It come from a chapter titled Nun. At first I thought this psalm was a compilation and that Nun was a character. Not so. Nun means 3, as in chapter 3. Having solved all these questions we come to the content. In this chapter David shares his torment at the hand of his adversaries. We know David had his share of these. He was chased for 13 years by a mad king and when he finally is on the throne his son decided to attack. Yet in all David's trials he maintains that God's word is a lamp to his feet. David did not have a bible. He did not have a priest with him. In fact he tried to obtain counsel from the priests in Nob at one time but one of Saul's men was there and so he left. So, David had to go on the strength of the anointing by Samuel and his memory of all he ...

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. James 4:7‭-‬10 MSG He who began a good work in you is certain to complete it. However, you can fight it or yield to it. If you fight it you will be unhappy and if you yield you will be at peace, eventually. I say eventually because if fear is the problem you first have to overcome that in the process of yielding, and we know what a demon fear is. If we yield, we yield completely. No pity parties and dallying with sinful pastimes. If you are in, be all in. Remember God hated the pretence. Jesus said he hates the lukewarm and that he would spit those out of his mouth. Strong words to explain why lukewarm...

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people! James 4:8 HCSB James does not sound like a John. They come from two different places. He ie a no nonsense guy and he was Jesus' half brother. Because he is such a direct person, a true choleric in nature it makes me wonder if Joseph or Mary had this trait. Imagine growing up in such a household. I had it in my house growing up. My sister is choleric and I have it in me as well. When needing to stand my ground or push through something, it raises it's head. Not a nice part of me. I have to struggle with it to find grace. John on the other hand called his followers 'little children'. He was gentle and loving. If he brought correction he did it with gentleness. So, you might say James amd John are chalk and cheese. The two opposites. Yet but played a role. James was the head of the church in Jerusalem. It is unfortunate that we only have his one ...

“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God ’s Decree. Jeremiah 29:13‭ I was thinking about this verse and at first my thoughts were: I still don't think about God enough and then it hit me: when do you seek for someone? When they are lost or you are lost. When you are lost you are desperate. Remember the parable about the lost son. The son wanted what was his inheritance for selfish motives. He wanted to leave his father and do things his own way. Scripture tells us that when he came to his senses he realised his father's house was the best place and he repented and sought home with all his heart. In a good close knit family a son does not seek to be in his father's face every moment of the day. Yet he lives a life of love and respect for his father. He makes sure he seeks out his father at the right time. As a child of God I live my lif...

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB Have you heard the saying: 'half-hearted." We see this when people's commitment is not all there. Last night I went to catch up with my astronomy friends. Astronomy is prominent in the media at present with the American space Probe Horizon is sending back photos of Ultima Thule. We have a very dedicated team of men in our club. You could not accuse them of being half-hearted. Being around people who are 'all-in' is refreshing. At my church the dedicated 'all-in'people are the ones that do everything around the place. In our relationships we need to be 'all-in' or they will flounder. The same goes for our relationship with our God. He is an 'all-in' party, for Him He is totally dedicated to wooing us His people to spend quality time with Him. I just receive an email from an australian group who organized a dawn prayer movement on New Year...

Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place. Proverbs 16:3 MSG The Lord is the best boss. He is protective, motivational, fair, righteous, considerate and good. His wages are the best. The Lord is a God of order and He is generous with His praise. He is not a slave driver. He knows how to rest and His ways are peace. He is good! Why not apply for a job in His courts today! You won't be disappointed.

The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord . All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord evaluates the motives.  Commit your activities to the Lord , and your plans will be achieved. Proverbs 16:1‭-‬3 HCSB Us and God! We may be so sure of our path  or conversely so unsure. Yet we may have an inkling of the way to go.  By committing our ways and work to the Lord and asking for His input we have something  we didn't have before, divine guidance. Divine guidance  may, again, be like an inkling, a little something, but as we step onto the path we find our course directed. There is nothing better than sensing  the wind beneath our wings. When we know God is involved we are lifted  up, embolden, encouraged. Trust that God wants to be involved. He is good and He desires  to have relationship and fellowship with us. Invite Him in! Amen! Prayer: Lord today I submit my work and my pl...

Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! Psalm 90:12 MSG We hear and give the comment: 'Well done!' We know what it is when we see it done by others. What is it when it is done by us? For us to know that we need to look at what we appreciate. We love hard workers; generous souls; forgiving souls; compassionate souls; fair souls. Then, this is what we can be. When I read the gospels I see Jesus do these things. He also stood up to injustice, religiosity, judgementalism and arrogant pride. Jesus was not walked over but at the right time He lay down His life for us. He knew when it was right and knew when to avoid the crowds. He protected Himself for His calling and the will of the Father, not the will of man. The people wanted Him to be a King. He was first a saviour. They did not get this. We must know what we are and why we are here and protect that mission against the will of mankind who would turn us into their own image. Be who you are called t...

Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. Psalms 90:12 HCSB What does it mean to number our days? When my dad was 69 he was told he was dying of cancer. He was upset and I said to him: "dad the bible only offers us three score amd ten( that is seventy)". He looked at me and said: "That will do me." Dad lived to just under this age and was happy to go. However he knew how many days he had left and then had to determine to live them well. We cannot squander our time, it is precious and must be used well. We are each given an allotment and God wants each of us to use it wisely. What would He have us do with our time? Yesterday I was unwell and I wanted to mow the lawn, yet it was very hot. I gave my body rest until 7pm then I went out and mowed. It was hard to rest but I knew I must. The challenge in using our time wisely is also taking rest when we need it and knowing when to push through. Today I am grateful I rested....

We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. Proverbs 16:9 MSG From experience I know that not all my plans are established but if I do plan I have more chance of achieving than without planning. My planning tends to seek God in it. Scripture tells us that God can do way above all that we ask or think. So... we need to think, plan and ask. The best part is the 'way above all we can ask or think'. God loves to surprise as well. You cannot bottle Him. He is way bigger and more interested in surprise than you can imagine. I used to love surprising my children when they were little. I think God is the same. We cannot orchestrate Him. The God factor is the most important one. Amen!

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 HCSB As today begins a New Year there will be many 'New Year Resolutions' however what God's hand is upon is what will come to pass. It is better to seek Him in our planning. I know that Australia is marked by God for salvation and my prayers are for this end. I have taken responsibility to pray for my street, my city, my state, my government all state, federal and local. My goals personally are to enter community as much as possible this year. I want to take my light into as many places as I can. I want to get back on my bike and beat fear. I want to look after this temple and not abuse it. I have a task ahead of me and want to be ready, willing and able. However, the detail belongs to God. I may make plans but He outworks it all to His glory. Amen!