The day with dianne Louise

God appeared to Solomon that very night and said, “I accept your prayer; yes, I have chosen this place as a temple for sacrifice, a house of worship. If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health. From now on I’m alert day and night to the prayers offered at this place. Believe me, I’ve chosen and sanctified this Temple that you have built: My Name is stamped on it forever; my eyes are on it and my heart in it always. As for you, if you live in my presence as your father David lived, pure in heart and action, living the life I’ve set out for you, attentively obedient to my guidance and judgments, then I’ll back your kingly rule over Israel—make it a sure thing o...

and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 HCSB This scripture was a part of a message from God on the dedication of Solomon's temple. We hear this scripture a lot when being encouraged to pray for our nations. In the New Testament we are told to pray without ceasing: Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16‭-‬18 HCSB If God's people are the light in the world then it stands to reason they have a role to play and as such should cover this role in prayer. In our recent state elections God's will was done through prayer. We have federal elections coming up and will again bathe them in prayer. The media constantly tell us what will happen, last time they were wrong, this can be the case again at the next elections. Being a ...

What would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living. Wait and hope for and expect the Lord: be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. Amp. Psalms 27x13,14 This version speaks to me. What would have become of me indeed? I cast my mind back over the many things I have endured over the years and praise God I am still here, waiting, expectantly! Had I not believed I would be somewhere else, somewhere not so good. I continually have to pull my mind into order and praise God for the answers which are indeed on the way. Today I had a revelation of the unchanging love of God. I grew up with an emotional amd changeable father. Today I reminded myself that my God indeed has continual favour to give me. This afternoon I took my mum to visit my dad's grave and on the way home I took a diversion and travelled through some beautiful countryside, made ...

I am certain that I will see the Lord ’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord ; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord . Psalms 27:13‭-‬14 HCSB Staying confident in the goodness of the Lord is important. The alternative is to yield to darkness. Don't yield! Stand firm and confess all God's promises. His promises have more life in them than the darkness. While darkness can cover like a blanket there are stars and they bring His promises. In fact rejoice in His promises: sing and dance, be a fool as David was but rejoice and break out of darkness. Sing over yourself, sing God's goodness. Amen! I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever I will sing, I will sing. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever I will sing, I will sing. Sing oh barren one! Sing!

If you only look at us , you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best! 2 Corinthians 4:7‭-‬12 MSG Ordinary folk with extraordinary glory. God is glorious! His glory resides in His people and waits...

Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7‭-‬9 HCSB The glory of man is Christ in us. As we shine our light we bring hope to the world. Hope is so needed and desired. Jesus is the hope of the world. He is the answer, the life, the refuge. We do not need to 'look' like anything special. The hope is inside, we just need to let it out: God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 To know we carry treasure within us, this makes this clay vessel so valuable. I am a neat fit, not a sloppy fit. I am perfect for Him! He chose me to be His vessel. We often see jewellery stores and after a purchase the piece of jewellery is placed in a box. Someti...

“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. Matthew 6:6 MSG Sensing God's grace is so much better than a mere sense of self-satisfaction. We can be satisfied with so little when we can have the best and the best is God's presence, which is soooooo good! Feeling like you have earned God is so hollow and fraught with possible rejection. Whereas grace allows you to know you do not need to do anything and yet you are so welcome. God is so much more than performance. His love is without demands. Try it!

But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. When you pray, don’t babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:6‭-‬8 HCSB When Jesus said these words the people would have been shocked as they saw and heard the opposite. Public display would often be for attention of man and not to God. When I think of babbling I think of the prayers I said as a Catholic by rote not by heart. The Lord's prayer was meant to be an example and we have made it into 'the prayer'. Praying from the heart in my room or up on my hill is now full of relationship not form or ritual. It is amazing the difference in language we have when we go from knowing about someone to knowing them personally. We become less formal and love couches our languag...

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. 1 Corinthians 13:3‭-‬7 MSG Today I talked with a delightful couple who live near me. They are Muslim. The husband is having severe bowel problems. I asked if I could pray for him and he allowed me to pray. I am praying for a miracle of body, soul and spirit. This afternoon I had kids club and one boy misbehaved...

Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6 HCSB Why do people behave the way they do; why do they say things that seem out of character? Perhaps things we know not of are going down in their lives and they are caught in a place they cannot fathom or struggle to deal with. It is easy to judge the spoken word and stand on principle rather than seek and discover the why. Everyone has a story. Loving enough to hear the story may give that person room to turn towards truth and be healed. We can easily read the whole 1 Cor 13 passage and miss this one little verse. Love does not laugh at others, or judge them out of hand, but seeks their good. The why of behaviour is important. The righteousness that comes from love is far better than the righteousness that comes from principal. Always seek love!

The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. 2 Corinthians 10:3‭-‬6 MSG Even in Christendom we encounter strange doctrines. The new Testament church had them and unfortunately the modern church has them. On Sunday I encountered one. I was appalled! I knew the preacher but he presented his view on hell, which to all accounts of orthodox doctrine was error. He appeared to not believe in an eternal hell. I am remi...

For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3‭-‬5 HCSB Most of out battles begin in us: we resent or are offended at the behaviour of others; we exult at the demise of others; we become jealous of others; we become angry with others. Therefore, we can start pulling down all these strongholds in ourselves. Love covers a multitude of sins. If we look at the characteristics of love we see: 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 ...

There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar. Psalm 19:11‭-‬14 MSG Hidden treasure! There is treasure everywhere, all we need to do is look with an inquisitive mind. Tonight I had my Fijian Indian student over for an English lesson. I was impressing on him the need to love language and the the use of it in his dialogue. I love opening up a person's mind to the endless possibilities outside the box. One of the questions my client had to answer was the differences between home schooling and institutional schooling. As my clien...

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a groom coming from the bridal chamber; it rejoices like an athlete running a course. It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat. Psalms 19:1‭-‬6 HCSB I am awake early to watch the sunrise each day( now, as winter approaches it is later and later, in summer it is very early), and sit in the cool of the evening to watch the sun set. It is peaceful and full of glory. The Lord displays His splendour. I particularly like the sunrise as it fill me with worship as the sky begins to colour pink, before the sun actually shows itself. The colour spreads and drops...

“‘For here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to take you out of these countries, gather you from all over, and bring you back to your own land. I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. You’ll once again live in the land I gave your ancestors. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God! Ezekiel 36:24‭-‬28 Imagine a Father who's rebellious son contacts Him and wants to come home. The loving Father washes him, clothes him with new clothes and feeds him. Sound familiar? This is the story of the prodigal son, one Jesus told. Jesus impressed on us the Father's eagerness to receive His son home. We are those sons in this day and age. When we come to the Lord wanting relationship, He gives us a new heart, one towards Hi...

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 HCSB Such a promise! This is given to Israel. God was going to bring His people home from all the nations they had been scattered and give them a new heart. However, for us who have come into new life in Christ, who are 'born again' we acknowledge that we have a new heart towards God, His word and others. I remember the day my new life began and am so grateful. I went from knowing about God to knowing Him as a friend. His life in me holds me, keep a me and leads me. Today this new life longs for fellowship and the communion of the saints. There is power in corporate worship and prayer, there is cohesion in corporate worship and prayer. It is good for your soul!

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes. Matthew 6:7‭-‬13 MSG Praise God! He is good! Alone He is good! May His Kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. His Kingdom and His way. Amen! God's ways are best. We can trust His way! No longer is our God aloof or remote. He is now a very personal God. Through Christ we can draw near and...

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 HCSB Today our state of NSW goes to the polls to vote for our state political leaders. Today, my prayer is: make Your kingdom come, Your will be done. If we seek our God and His righteousness we cannot go wrong. However, if we have been influenced by personality or carnal appetites we will vote with our stomach and walk in the flesh. There has been so much politicking that it has become nauseous. When Jesus came to earth I am sure the earth groaned for the tred of a just and righteous man; I am sure the hearts amd minds of the people longed for a good shepherd. We face such a time. The heartache of man long for a righteous and true human who will usher in wholeness and bring healing just by being around. Scripture tells us: For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to futility — not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it...

“This is what makes you so great, Master God ! There is none like you, no God but you, nothing to compare with what we’ve heard with our own ears. And who is like your people, like Israel, a nation unique in the earth, whom God set out to redeem for himself (and became most famous for it), performing great and fearsome acts, throwing out nations and their gods left and right as you saved your people from Egypt? You established for yourself a people—your very own Israel!—your people permanently. And you, God , became their God. 2 Samuel 7:22‭-‬24 MSG God is great! He has been around earth from the beginning. If it started with a 'bang', He caused it and created all that is in it. He came to earth to have relationship with His creation. He does relationships well. We know this as we follow Jesus and invite His Spirit into our hearts. Every morning He greets me, every evening He shows me His glory, displaying His love for us. Throughout the day He sustains me. I climb the hi...

Because of Your word and according to Your will, You have revealed all these great things to Your servant. This is why You are great, Lord God . There is no one like You, and there is no God besides You, as all we have heard confirms. 2 Samuel 7:21‭-‬22 HCSB David is sitting before the Lord, recounting all He had done for David and asking Him for all He had promised. In the next chapter David goes forth as a mighty warrior and defeats all his enemies, subduing them all. In our current chapter David says to the Lord: "Who am I and who is my family and who is the nation of Israel that you should choose us?" Of all the people on earth God chose the Jews to be His people. In Jesus He opened the door to everyone else. So, now I can say: "who am I Lord that you would choose me?" I am the eldest of 6 and have known Him since I was 19. I was the only one for many years and now one brother believes. What ever the reason God has chosen you for the task He has given y...

Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. Psalm 23:4 MSG Today I read of the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria and how a group of children had a dream that Jesus would save them as they faced the firing squad the next day if their mothers refused to recant. They stood before the firing squad and the soldiers screamed. The children saw the angels. Unfortunately their Fathers were killed the day before. Perhaps someone was praying. Who knows? God alone! We hear many such stories of rescue and similarly many of slaughter. I know we need to be faithful in prayer, we never know who we might be rescuing. Even though we are safe we still need to pray for those who are not. Amen!

Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff — they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalms 23:4‭-‬5 HCSB Darkness is upon the earth, evil is rampant. He who kills a Christian thinks he is doing the world a favour. Have mercy Lord! Come Lord Jesus! Yet in all the wickedness that is poured out, Jesus is in charge, the evil must be there so that the good can be seen. He is good and those who love Him can dwell in His presence and feast on Him in the midst of all their enemies. We must keep our eyes on Him. The table He prepares is not mean but abundant. His goodness is abundant. Amen! He anoints my head with oil. The world may reject me but He raises me up. He honours me!. His praise is all I need!

Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again. James 5:16‭-‬18 MSG Oh...... can I confess my grief? I had a young woman, 18, just, who attends my church and assists me in kids club say: abortion is ok if you are raped or poor. I am passionate for the unborn. If we do not protect them who will? I was quite angry and had to let it go. I am sure she has the teenage thing of not liking adults tell them which way is up so hammering her is not wise. I must pray and leave it with God. I am very saddened with the superficiality of my country and the feel goodism that prevails. One minu...

The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will restore him to health; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours; yet he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit. James 5:15‭-‬18 HCSB We must take opportunity to receive healing from each other and it may start with confessing our sins to each other. By ignoring this part we may stay ill and be not completely healed. Paul actually tells us that many are sick among us for we fail to discern the body of Christ. The rich were bringing their food, not to share with the poor but to indulge themselves and leaving the poor without. This was not right and bringing judge...

Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets. Hebrews 13:16 MSG What is the common good? I can imagine it is the state you find when you make room for others. Today I had a test. I think I failed. I was busy navigating the collection of all the material my accountant wanted for my last Year's tax return. I had to call a bank I had had a loan with for a statement and was led to reset passwords etc. Suddenly the doorbell rang and there was a young man who wanted to convince me to move away from my current electricity provider. He would not take 'No' for an answer and unfortunately I had to shut the door in his face. As I walked away I apologised to the Lord. Then the phone rang, another sales person. This time I was polite but firm. I wish I did not shut the ...

Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. Hebrews 13:16 HCSB Sharing can be difficult especially if we think we need what we have. The Old Testament taught not to harvest all of the field but to leave the edges for the poor. If all our income is used living then we are consuming the edges and there is no room for the poor. What is needed, first, is a mental shift to make room and create edges. Once this is done a savings plan for the edges can be made that fills with a fund for the poor. I have such a fund but find I want more for the poor, as the needs are great. I therefore have to make more room. We sacrifice easily to save for a holiday, a car, a house. How about saving for the giving account as well, this is on top of the tithe. Scripture promises that the measure we give will be the measure we receive. Amen!

Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.” (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”) After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table. Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life. John 13:12‭-‬17 MSG Holiness. Do we understand it? Mmm! It is not what enters a person that makes...

You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. “I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. John 13:13‭-‬17 HCSB If we only serve one another when we hear a good message or have an emotional buzz and want to be seen, then is that really what Jesus is talking about? No! The service He talks about happened behind closed doors when the crowd was absent. Jesus did the menial tasks assigned to servants, washing feet. What does service look like? Answering a phone call and being willing to assist; not being annoyed when replaced or moved in a waiting line, being at a party or dinner and asking if you can help, taking in a neighbour's bin for them, making a cup o...

Sing to God , everyone and everything! Get out his salvation news every day! Publish his glory among the godless nations, his wonders to all races and religions. And why? Because God is great—well worth praising! No god or goddess comes close in honor. All the popular gods are stuff and nonsense, but God made the cosmos! Splendor and majesty flow out of him, strength and joy fill his place. 1 Chronicles 16:23‭-‬27 MSG Singing to our God sure beats complaining. It is so easy to find fault but so good to give praise. This morning in church I praised with all the congregation. So good to sing with others. When things are bad, sing a song of deliverance. When things are good sing a song of joy. Singing opens doors, breaks down barriers, lifts the helpless and crowns the day with sunshine. We have to fight for a positive mindset and reject the negative, black thoughts. Sing through them, sing them off the map. Allow praise to rule. Give God all the glory! Amen!

Sing to the Lord , all the earth. Proclaim His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful works among all peoples. For the Lord is great and highly praised; He is feared above all gods. 1 Chronicles 16:23‭-‬25 HCSB This is a declaration by King David. He is giving a decree to Asap and his relatives to serve the Lord in song. This would have been an honour. David seems to be the first to institute music as well. Nowadays we have church music and expect it to be there. The Christian church struggled with what, how and how much. I am grateful for the development yet show my age in preference to quieter music. I often sing when out and about. People look and wonder: why is she singing? If asked I would have to say "full of joy!" As the people in my world dont attend church, a bit of singing won't hurt them. I trust it won't put them off but rather draw them. We need to display joy. The world needs joy. Amen!

Love God , your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got! Deuteronomy 6:5 MSG Half-hearted love of anything is disgusting. Jesus Himself condemned a church in the book of Revelation for being lukewarm. He said: because you are lukewarm I will spew you out of my mouth. Pretty strong words. Could they apply to the western church in any way? To some. The Lord instructed the church to repent. The church at Laodecia had become affluent and began to chill towards the Lord. These are the people Jesus said to: behold I stand at the door and knock. If this indictment was true for Laodecia what would He say to us? Passion is something God is. He looks for passion: love Him with all you have within you! Passionate people see their God. He is worthy to be sought! Amen!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5 HCSB This verse was a part of the last message Moses gave the children of Israel before they moved into the promised land under Joshua. Moses would stay behind. Moses goes on to say: These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Deuteronomy 6:6‭-‬8 Whilst devout Jews still abide by this and tie scripture to their wrists and foreheads, they are unable to tie them to their hearts, unless a new heart is given them. The Old Testament carries the promise of a new heart, but does not give it. We receive a new heart when we become born again. Jesus gave us this through believing in Him. Any outward reminders will only remind when we see them...

Who stood up for me against the wicked? Who took my side against evil workers? If God hadn’t been there for me, I never would have made it. The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,” your love, God , took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up. Psalm 94:16‭-‬19 MSG As I watch the the howling mobs wanting this and that and the shallow awareness of actions, at times I despair. Yet, if God be for me, who can be against me? In the midst of the noise a human steps up and kills people mercilessly. Our culture has run amok. Yet it still strives to eradicate the Christian influence. How blind can we be? I can see the return of Christ as the world refuses Christ the Father may well say: "Ok! Now you can see the reality of what you want. No Christian's means no justice, no prayer, no compassion." This would be an act of mercy. Perhaps some would turn again to their senses. Have mercy Lord!

Who stands up for me against the wicked? Who takes a stand for me against evildoers? If the Lord had not been my helper, I would soon rest in the silence of death. If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your faithful love will support me, Lord. Psalms 94:16‭-‬18 HCSB Someone to stand by us, support us, defend us. These are all qualities we seek in others. Some of us are alone and do not find that person. Therefore God is it and what a comfort and consoler He is. He is faithful and true, ever consistent and trustworthy. We are bound to be disappointed if we expect others to fill an ever-faithful role. Humans are fickle and are unable to be consistent, without much effort. Our God has a vital role in our lives but we rarely allow Him His full place, rather insisting and expecting others to fill it. We are setting ourselves up for disappointment every time we do this We cannot expect humans to be God. Only God can do this and He does it so well. Amen!

Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. James 1:12 MSG Head-on is how most people have accidents. They are unaware of the rammifications of their behaviour. Yet here is another interesting and much better purpose to own, 'head-on'. Face the challenge and determine to win, God's way. What amazes is me is the outpouring of disaster in a country and still there is pre-occupitation with self and personal agendas. We are community. We must work together. As we face desires for self-aggrandizment and success let us look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. When we meet Him in eternity he is not going to ask how many medals we won; how much money we made or who we defeated. He will be more interested in what we did with what He gave us.

A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 HCSB I am sure we have all faced trials and tests. Anyone who has done a scholastic exam would know why they did it: the educators needed to know you understood the lessons and you needed to know. James, himself tells us why we face tests in life, earlier in the chapter: 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 Our faith is precious to God. He gives us a beginning measure and wants us to use it. In using faith, it grows, much like a muscle. Endurance is what life is about. By endurance we prove the will of the Father and as in any endurance race, we receive a prize. Hebrews 10:36. No easy sailing folks. We are n...

I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet. Psalm 27:4 MSG This verse sounds very much like a man or woman smitten and in love, and it is. However, David is smitten with the Lord. He has endured a life of conflict and he would remember his youth in the fields watching the sheep in peace, apart from an occasional lion and bear. (Ha ha!) Jesus told Martha only one thing was necessary, that she, Martha was anxious and troubled over many things but her sister had chosen the right 'one'thing..to sit at His feet. So..are you troubled over many things and in need of the 'one' thing? The 'one' thing is not fame, prestige or position but humbly sitting at Jesus' feet and trusting Him to teach you. This does not mean you become a monk but rather seek Hi. First and live out of humility. Amen!

I have asked one thing from the Lord ; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking Him in His temple. Psalms 27:4 HCSB David had a desire to build God a house. I wonder if this Psalm came at this time. It would be something I would do. As it turns out God said: "No! I want your son Solomon to build it." This did not put David off. He started to amass gold, silver and precious stones. He was the greatest donor to the temple that he never saw. David had a heart after God, except when a woman got in the way. All of David's life, leading up to when he became king David was desperate for God. When David became king he wanted to establish a presence of God in the city and brought back the ark of the covenant. Seeing the ark in a tent would have disturbed him. We are now the ark. God's Holy Spirit dwells in us. Daily we can spend time in God's presence without leaving the house. Ma...

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too. 2 Corinthians 1:3‭-‬5 MSG God's goal is to see us whole, reflecting the image of His Son. I have a mirror in my bathroom. Several things prevent it from showing me my image: steam from a hot shower, soap in my eyes, the mirror is dirty. God's Vision is not marred. However, we need to see ourselves in Christ, as He does. Our vision is marred by an imperfect eye or looking into a mirror that is ineffectual. Jesus tells us that certain things prevent us from seeing correctly: logs(as in our ...

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3‭-‬4 HCSB The worst part about affliction is the pain, the best part is being on the other side and able to comfort others. God is so good. Through all my rough times He was my comfort. All my raw nerve endings were in pain and wanted comfort, He was my best comfort. I thought I needed humans, they were thin on the ground, but He was faithful. People can only comfort to the level they have been comforted. If they have not been touched by the same pain they are at a loss. Yet people who successfully navigate the pain, they are a godsend. Job had a bunch of comforters who were a waste of space. They thought comfort was judgement. We can be guilty of this: 'you must have done something wrong'. ...

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 MSG Remember we are drawn away into temptation by our own lusts. At times they may not appear related and come as a surprise. However, for example, I am feeling sorry for myself that I am not married and begin to fantasize about what the 'right person' make look like. Suddenly the right look appears, along with a wedding ring. If the platform of desire and fantasy override wisdom I will enter into temptation by going where I should not go. Trusting God for our needs and killing self-pity are a good start to being able to resist temptation. If we truly love people we will not rob from them: their children, their spouse, their goods. Being satisfied with what we have and trusting God for His best IS best....

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 HCSB We all experience temptation. James tells us that God does not tempt us: No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. James 1:13‭-‬14 HCSB However, in 1 Corinthians Paul tells us that God will provide a way of escape. No matter how seductive the temptation we must choose to turn around and escape or we will find ourselves like a butterfly caught in a spider's web. The spider is Satan and he comes to rob, kill and destroy. Last night I saw a temptation and decided 'No!'but my enemy didn't stop there he tried again later in t...

Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life. Psalm 139:23‭-‬24 MSG I love this scripture and another similar: God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit. Psalms 51:10‭-‬12 HCSB These scriptures bring back memories of scripture in song but the last especially reminds me of a Keith Green adaptation of this song. Keith was passionate for the Lord and his music reflected it. Keith and two of his children were killed in a light aircraft many years ago(1982), along with another couple and their six children and the pilot. It was a sad time. Keith's wife Melody survived Keith and if I am correct she was pregnant with a forth child and the thir...

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. Psalms 139:23‭-‬24 HCSB God sees our hearts and endeavours to reveal them to us, so that we might change and grow. King David wrote the above Psalm and prayed this prayer. In all the Psalm David shows how much God knows us: He knew us in the womb, He knows us in our rest, He knows us when we are far from home, we cannot run from God, if we go to hell to hide, He is there. There was a traditional view, for the Israelites, that God was only to be found in Israel. David had to leave Israel for a time in his avoidance of being killed by King Saul. At first he was bereft and thought he had left God, whom he loved dearly, behind. Yet he came to know that God was still with Him. Have you ever done something or gone somewhere you know God does not want you to go to or do and being miserable whilst there thinking God had left you? He hasn't left yo...

You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God . You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God , prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me. Psalm 119:1‭-‬8 MSG I still remember a message by Pastor Phil Pringle about staying on course. As a sailor he used a maritime illustration. In bad weather, coming in to port, it is imperative to know your markers and stay focused on your course. You cannot afford, for a moment, to take your eyes off the markers or you will find yourself a wreck on the rocks. Jesu...

You bless all those who follow your commands from deep in their hearts Psalms 119:2 CEV When we do something from deep in our hearts, we are committed, we treasure. Jesus said: where your treasure is your heart will be also. There are two commands the New Testament gives us: love God with all your heart and love your fellow man as yourself. Jesus said these cover all the previous 10. He was saying if we really get the loving right we will honour God and man out of love, not law. So, this scripture tells us we are blessed when we get loving right. Loving is so important. Paul tells us: love covers a multitude of sin. Not that God sins, others do, as we do. If you want a blessed life, love like God loves. Amen!

“I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” God ’s Decree. “For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think. Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them. Isaiah 55:8‭-‬11 MSG One very good thing about the Message Bible is you are always well fed. I am constantly amazed at how God works. Today I spent 2 hours with a year 5 group of children, gardening and then cooking. I loved it. What I loved most was watching God in these little hearts. I was surprised at those who knew the answers and those who were most helpful. One big surprise was a little girl, who looke...

so My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.” Isaiah 55:11 HCSB This is exciting! What is God sending His word to do in our world? Let us find His heart, partner with it and see Him move. Chapter 55 is a wonderful chapter. It begins with: “Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! Why do you spend money on what is not food, and your wages on what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and you will enjoy the choicest of foods. Isaiah 55:1‭-‬2 Yesterday we saw the deer planting for the water. Today it is our turn. Thirst for God and see His kingdom come. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” This is the Lord ’s declaration. Isaiah 55:1‭-‬2‭ We cannot assume we know God's intention and what He plans unless we...

A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep draughts of God. I’m thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, “Will I ever make it— arrive and drink in God’s presence?” I’m on a diet of tears— tears for breakfast, tears for supper. All day long people knock at my door, Pestering, “Where is this God of yours?” Psalm 42:1‭-‬3 MSG I am reminded of a scripture in song chorus we sang way back when. It was taken from this psalm. Part said: you alone are my strength, my shield, to You alone will my spirit yield... Yielding is something we are not good at, yet an attribute the Lord looks for. Yielding is important for our soul. As we yield control we see God surprise us. Take it from me, His surprises are best. Amen!

As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while all day long people say to me, “Where is your God? ” Psalms 42:1‭-‬3 HCSB For someone who trusts in God through the storms of life, I am sure many would say: "why do you bother? Where is God and why does He allow you to suffer?" This psalm was written by one of the sons of Korah, called to minister before the Lord in music. As we study scripture we see that life does not run smoothly and many are the afflictions of the righteous but they remain steadfast through it all. In Numbers 27:11 we see that the tribe of Korah rebelled and were judged by God, the earth opening up and swallowed them. So to have some serve the Lord through music means these few escaped judgement and have a lot to remember and be thankful for. This particular psalm is good for those experiencing depression. Having bee...

But there’s also this, it’s not too late— God ’s personal Message!— “Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!” Joel 2:12 MSG Repentance is the beginning. At 19 God showed me my sin and I came to Him in repentance and found forgiveness. Repentance is a gift. There are times when I know I have sinned habitually and prayed for the gift of repentance. Repentance comes from revelation of sin. The deeper the revelation the more joyous the forgiveness. The sense of cleansing is amazing. Yesterday I caught myself being deeply offended by the attitude of a woman and had to go to the Lord for insight into why. Why did her attitude offend me? I knew it triggered something deep within me and I had to seek truth. When I received truth I could repent and be forgiven. We have to face our reactions to others, especially when they are deep. Why is this person upsetting me so much? What is my problem? A clean heart is what we need. Keep a short accoun...

Even now — this is the Lord ’s declaration — turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster. Joel 2:12‭-‬13 HCSB In chapter 2 Joel is graphically depicting a dreadful day: a day when the sun ceases to shine and the stars cease to give light. Yet starting with verse 12 he says the above.  Repentance changes things. I wonder how many times the future has been changed by repentance? The world operates on many principles, one of them sowing and reaping. If we sow bad seed that will reap destruction and do not repent, we receive the harvest of what we have sown. You cannot abuse others and fail to reap a harvest, you cannot  cheat and steal and not have someone do the same to you.  Yet we see in the bible a particular man who had been a tax...

“Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors! Revelation 3:20‭-‬21 MSG If it is one thing I want to be know for is conquering: overcoming. Revelation also tells us: They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. We are given tools to conquer, we should use them. The blood of Christ gave us the authority and we use this authority with our confession. Use it well and bring honour to our Lord. Amen!

Here, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If someone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me. (Rev) 3:20 CJB Have you ever stood at a door knocking, wishing the homeowner had a doorbell that worked and heard noises from within knowing someone is at home but can't or won't respond to your knock? I have and it is disconcerting. Fortunately the Lord is not likewise afflicted. Our Lord desires to come into our lives and fellowship. When the scripture says: eat with you, it implies He would stay awhile and have a good time of fellowship. There is nothing better than sitting with good friends amd sharing a meal. This friend is the friend of all friends and He delights in us. He has so much to bring to the table. All knowledge is His, all understanding, all experience. There are so many stories He could tell. What a guest! Invite Him in! Amen!

That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us . God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us , keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus! Romans 15:3‭-‬6 MSG Avoiding other people's troubles is something we are prone to do. We live stress filled lives, rushing from one place to another, one appointment to another. Yet we do not see Jesus rushing in the gospels. Sure t...

For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. Romans 15:4 HCSB Reading the bible we find people, lots of people who we will meet again one day. Having a study plan of the bible is good. This year I am going through the whole bible in the year. Already I am seeing the detail given to the children of Israel around sacrifices. I have met many of the saints of old and at the same time studying Jesus in the gospels. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. Knowing how others walked and how God was involved in their lives is important. We must live aware so that we can learn from this great cloud of witnesses who are cheering us on. (Hebrews 12:1) we can assume what we experience is unique until we read history. The bible is also history. Our bible tells us what faith looks like. We don't need to wonder, it is all there for us. So make a plan to read and be encouraged. A...

We justify our actions by appearances; God examines our motives. Proverbs 21:2 MSG Ooh! We do so respond to appearances. We love a heart tugging story or video clip! Yet we can all attest to being caught in these. Yet God does not get caught unaware. How can we become wiser in such matters? Perhaps not relying on our own instincts but prayerfully weighing up the facts, doing some research. I have a friend that tends to do this and it has helped me many times. Allowing God to prompt our hearts and laying matters before Him is also a good idea. The bible talks a lot about wisdom, seek it, pray for it and it will be yours. Amen!

All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord evaluates the motives. Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:2‭-‬3 HCSB If I dont bathe my day, first, in the Lord's presence my own self-righteous gauge will kick in. If I do not live out of Him, then self rules. It is very subtle: here a little, there a little and gradually I slip into living for and out of self. The Self meter is constantly running, evaluating all against a set of self-beliefs and internal rules. The meter is run by feeling 'good'. If I feel good I am good. Meet God I. My constant battle is against this lie. It is not enough that I say I am right. When I stand before my judge, the great I Am, the truth will come home but it will be too late. He is the Door, the Way, the Truth and the Life. The question will be: what have you done with Jesus? If I have lived for self then I have made His sacrifice as nothing. Selfish living determines my futu...

“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered over; Romans (Rom) 4:7 CJB Transgress is an old fashion word that means: I stuffed up, I made a mess or more importantly I broke God's law. Until we come into a relationship with Jesus law holds us in a state of transgression. Yet, when we invite Christ to be our saviour and Lord we are, by faith, set free from this stranglehold. I praise Jesus He set me free and that the Father sees me through Him, always, even when I sin. Repentance is mine and I am forgiven, always. So grateful!! Wonderful Jesus! Amen!

Blessed are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the person the Lord will never charge with sin. Romans 4:7‭-‬8 CSB Paul the apostle is quoting King David here, and he goes on the speak of Abraham who was justified outside of the law. Abraham was before the law, it came hundreds of years later under Moses. Yet Abraham was considered righteous by God, why? Abraham understood faith. It is all he had and it pleased God, he trusted God to make him right, he did not depend on his own righteousness. Paul is telling us all that through Jesus we are made right, outside the law, in fact Jesus fulfilled the law and it has been nullified by faith in Jesus. To know I will never be charged with sin is amazing. I know I sin but also know I am forgiven. Repentance helps me access the grace that is given yet even while I am in sin, it is given. How wonderful is that! It makes you want to sing: how marvelous, how wonderful is my saviour's love fo...

And I command you today: Love God , your God. Walk in his ways. Keep his commandments, regulations, and rules so that you will live, really live, live exuberantly, blessed by God , your God, in the land you are about to enter and possess. Deuteronomy 30:16 MSG Walking in God's ways requires us to ask: what are God's way? To really know the answer study the gospels as Jesus said: he who has seen me has seen the Father. Jesus was forthright with truth, He challenged hypocrisy in religious leaders and fleshly behaviour in His disciples. To everyone else He was non-judgemental. He knew His God. He spent time with the Father and as a result He walked in the power of God. Jesus lived truth, in fact He said of Himself: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. So...if you have questions around these, go to Him! Amen!

For I am commanding you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and multiply, and the Lord your God may bless you in the land you are entering to possess. Deuteronomy 30:16 HCSB Chapter 30 gives us Moses last words to the children of Israel before they go across the Jordan with Joshua leading them. He is 120 years old and is about to die. I find a lot of scripture that the new testament writers referred to, in this chapter. Moses is warning the people: if you put God first He will care for you and you will be blessed, ignore Him and go your own way or the way of the heathens and you will be cursed. Simple! God is the source and supply, the first, above all. We can ignore Him to our peril. We see some who ignore God all their lives and seem to prosper. Yet if this life was all there is then I understand. However we are eternal beings. We are on this earth a very short time to determine our ete...