The day with dianne Louise

Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust Him and not be afraid, for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/isa.12.2.hcsb Today we awoke to the news that our state government was pushing through an extreme abortion bill. We were mobilised and asked to contact our MPs which I did and also to petition the government to reconsider. The unborn have no one to defend them if the Christian community will not. Have mercy Lord and save our babies. Forgive us of our sin and greed! Pray people! Let's make a change for the unborn!

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20‭-‬21 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/eph.3.20-21.hcsb Our God is able to do mighty things, above and beyond all we ask or think. He is God after all and we can trust Him. He has been so good to me and provided for my every need, above and beyond. When He gives me beyond, it is usually for His purpose, He has a plan. It is not for me to waste on idle living but to sow in a particular field. He has lots of fields. We must trust His directions and follow them. Amen!

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! Ephesians 3:20‭-‬21 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/eph.3.20-21.MSG We have to release our God to be GOD! Then we need to trust Him to be who He is! He is good and worthy to be trusted! Amen!

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! Ephesians 3:20‭-‬21 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/eph.3.20-21.MSG We have to release our God to be GOD! Then we need to trust Him to be who He is! He is good and worthy to be trusted! Amen!

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20‭-‬21 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/eph.3.20-21.hcsb Our God is able to do mighty things, above and beyond all we ask or think. He is God after all and we can trust Him. He has been so good to me and provided for my every need, above and beyond. When He gives me beyond, it is usually for His purpose, He has a plan. It is not for me to waste on idle living but to sow in a particular field. He has lots of fields. We must trust His directions and follow them. Amen!

Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust Him and not be afraid, for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/isa.12.2.hcsb Today we awoke to the news that our state government was pushing through an extreme abortion bill. We were mobilised and asked to contact our MPs which I did and also to petition the government to reconsider. The unborn have no one to defend them if the Christian community will not. Have mercy Lord and save our babies. Forgive us of our sin and greed! Pray people! Let's make a change for the unborn!

Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust Him and not be afraid, for Yah, the Lord , is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/isa.12.2.hcsb The Lord is a safe place. He can be trusted. We can live out of trust in our God. When pursued by Saul and on the run, David trusted God. When he lost all he trusted God. His trust in God put him in the right place to receive a miracle, he was made the king in Saul's place. We cannot lose our trust in God when things don't go the way we dictate, He knows a better way. We are not the author and finisher of our faith. That role belongs to Jesus. Ours is to trust and obey. Amen!

Now, this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practising the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:5‭-‬10 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/1jn.1.5-10.HCSB When I walk in daylight, I know I am walking in light because I can see where I am going. Yet even in visible daylight, my heart can be in darkness. John gives us a test for walking in the light: we ha...

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/1jn.1.9.HCSB Confession is good for the soul; being honest with ourselves and others heals us. Being able to talk about our shortcomings and mistakes is cleansing for us. Get it and conqueror. Pretending all is ok so as to 'keep peace' is not good. Making peace through confrontation is better. Be open and honest with each other. Make the change!

Now, this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practising the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:5‭-‬10 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/1jn.1.5-10.HCSB When I walk in daylight, I know I am walking in light because I can see where I am going. Yet even in visible daylight, my heart can be in darkness. John gives us a test for walking in the light: we ha...

Where is the god who can compare with you— wiping the slate clean of guilt, Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear, to the past sins of your purged and precious people? You don’t nurse your anger and don’t stay angry long, for mercy is your specialty. That’s what you love most. And compassion is on its way to us. You’ll stamp out our wrongdoing. You’ll sink our sins to the bottom of the ocean. You’ll stay true to your word to Father Jacob and continue the compassion you showed Grandfather Abraham— Everything you promised our ancestors from a long time ago. Micah 7:18‭-‬20 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/mic.7.18-20.MSG Bible history shows God, again and again, returning to Israel and wooing her back to Himself. How many people would do the same for those in their world? I am grateful! How about you?

Who is a God like You, removing iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not hold on to His anger forever, because He delights in faithful love. Micah 7:18 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/mic.7.18.HCSB You made a way for us through Your Son: He is our door to forgiveness, our cleansing always and forever. God cannot look at us now without looking through His Son. As His Son was perfect and paid the price for sin, once and for all, He no longer looks at sin but rather His Son. We might view others through their sin, but we who have no right to judge, and who are only made perfect through another, must also come through the same gate. Jesus is the Way and also the forgiveness. Amen!

Who is a God like You, removing iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not hold on to His anger forever, because He delights in faithful love. Micah 7:18 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/mic.7.18.HCSB You made a way for us through Your Son: He is our door to forgiveness, our cleansing always and forever. God cannot look at us now without looking through His Son. As His Son was perfect and paid the price for sin, once and for all, He no longer looks at sin but rather His Son. We might view others through their sin, but we who have no right to judge, and who are only made perfect through another, must also come through the same gate. Jesus is the Way and also the forgiveness. Amen!

“Who do you think you are— building a town by murder, a city with crime? Don’t you know that God -of-the-Angel-Armies makes sure nothing comes of that but ashes, Makes sure the harder you work at that kind of thing, the less you are? Meanwhile the earth fills up with awareness of God ’s glory as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:12‭-‬14 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/hab.2.12-14.MSG God's ways are the best ways. If we build according to His plan, we build a blessing. Conversely, if we insist on doing things our own way we are sowing to destruction. Life or death: good or bad; success or failure. We get to choose. Choosing life is the best. Amen! After my shoulder OP, I was given exercises to do. I was told them and you will have a good outcome. I can decide I know better and refuse to cause myself pain. However, following directions is the best outcome, sure it hurts more but the results are there. Remember, choose to listen to directions.

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord ’s glory, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/hab.2.14.HCSB Wickedness plots for its own way at the expense of others. This verse is taken from a chapter that rebukes those who attempt to prosper on the backs of others. God alone is God and He alone will prevail. His ways are great and godly and only those ways will prosper. Amen! Sow to righteousness and be blessed!

You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. James 4:3 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jas.4.3.hcsb This is hard to hear, isn't it? The wrong motives are not automatically evil motives: they can be misguided, wrong motives. We can want to save the world but our way might not be what is right just now. For example, you may have an opportunity to receive a large amount of money and you have plans to give it to a certain mission but God says "Not yet!" I have seen the pastors in Nepal resort to professional begging through social media. They are His children and He wants them to walk in faith, just like I must. Giving to poor countries must be done with accountability as well. I remember Him telling me: " I have given them gifts already, " the gifts we're the abilities to make money through fish farms, mushroom farms, unusual enterprises. I would not dare to interfere with God's plan in some...

You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. James 4:3 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jas.4.3.hcsb This is hard to hear, isn't it? The wrong motives are not automatically evil motives: they can be misguided, wrong motives. We can want to save the world but our way might not be what is right just now. For example, you may have an opportunity to receive a large amount of money and you have plans to give it to a certain mission but God says "Not yet!" I have seen the pastors in Nepal resort to professional begging through social media. They are His children and He wants them to walk in faith, just like I must. Giving to poor countries must be done with accountability as well. I remember Him telling me: " I have given them gifts already, " the gifts we're the abilities to make money through fish farms, mushroom farms, unusual enterprises. I would not dare to interfere with God's plan in some...

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalms 55:22 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.55.22.NLT Giving up burdens when in pain is essential. His oil is best! Today I am in pain as the anaesthetic block wears off and exercises begin.  Must press through the pain and be totally restored. I have been studying as well to worship music. It is great. Meeting lovely people. Staff good. Another day tomorrow and home tomorrow night. Looking forward to my own bed and family. God is good!

Cast your burden on the Lord , and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalms 55:22 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.55.22.hcsb Today I find myself of the owner of a lump of deadwood for an arm. The anaesthetist put a block into my neck before surgery yesterday and feeling has not returned. I think this is a burden I can cast upon the Lord. I am supposed to be discharged today and catch a train. Perhaps not! God has provided backup. I have another sister travelling to Tamworth tomorrow and she lives about an hour away. She had already offered to take me. Wisdom dictates I accept the offer. My main concern now is to allow my shoulder to heal. Whilst I made one plan, God made another. I am grateful. Amen!

Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for — believe that you have received them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/mrk.11.24.hcsb Today I had surgery on my right shoulder. I am still numb and am writing left handed. My chest is t ight as the block in my neck affected my lungs and right eye, otherwise, all good. Have you ever tried eating jelly with one hand, that also has a drp in it? Hilarious. God is good! Amen!

Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for — believe that you have received them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/mrk.11.24.hcsb I am crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The life I now live I live by faith in the One who set me free. Galatians 2:20 I live by faith. Just as I live through breathing air, I live as a Christian by faith in all God's promises. Just as I butter my bread, I must take up the promises and spread them over my life. As we mature in Christ, the field of play changes and become more difficult. Our opponents are bigger, hairier, nastier but they are all defeated in Christ. I have a son who becomes so engrossed in what he is doing, especially if he is needing to be creative. His children have to persist in asking to get his attention at times. It is interesting to see who perseveres and who receives. How determined are we to receive? Jesus said: knock and keep on kn...

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/2ti.1.7.hcsb Whenever we face challenges or obstacles the presentation of fear as an option is always there. However, where does fear lead? Withdrawal, inactivity, half-hearted participation or fearful participation, dreading a bad outcome. We must choose faith every time. Even if we cannot see a good outcome, we can trust One who's sight is way beyond ours. He seems all things. Last night I watched a programme called The Planets. The presented gave a glorious rendition of the formation of our solar system, last night dealt with Jupiter. It inspired me to believe my God is big. Whilst the presenter, obviously, did not believe in God, his version required way more faith. I am grateful my version shows a loving, powerful creator. He is good! The creator of all things is my God. He is vital, alive and my friend. If He can create all things, He...

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/2ti.1.7.hcsb Keeping a cool head is only possible as you look, steadily, at the One who calls you out on the water. He is the answer, the waves bow to Him. Watch Him! My God is taking me out on the water, what fun! Out in the waves, I will learn new skills. Woo Hoo!

No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the Lord ’s servants, and their righteousness is from Me.” This is the Lord ’s declaration. Isaiah 54:17 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/isa.54.17.HCSB With every promise our God makes there is a requirement that I pick it up and make it mine. I need to open the gifts my God gives. Scientists understand osmosis: the process by which a stronger salty liquid draws a weaker one through a membrane. The promises of God do not become reality in my life by osmosis, I must pick them up in faith. Faith is the ingredient that makes things mine. Faith in itself is a powerful gift, it is mine. Faith is the active tool I use to apprehend all God's promises. Faith is full of the power of God. The promises of God are like electrical tools. They don't work until plugged into the power socket but they are awesome in connection with faith. Faith is the p...

No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the Lord ’s servants, and their righteousness is from Me.” This is the Lord ’s declaration. Isaiah 54:17 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/isa.54.17.hcsb Nothing can separate us from the love of our God! Nothing can remove eternity from our hearts, nothing can stop God's purposes unless we quit, let's not quit! I am reading a book for uni called Wuthering Heights. What an emotional rollercoaster. Yet in it, we find a man called Heathcliff who never gave up his passion for a woman. May I never give up my passion for Christ. Amen!

No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the Lord ’s servants, and their righteousness is from Me.” This is the Lord ’s declaration. Isaiah 54:17 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/isa.54.17.HCSB With every promise our God makes there is a requirement that I pick it up and make it mine. I need to open the gifts my God gives. Scientists understand osmosis: the process by which a stronger salty liquid draws a weaker one through a membrane. The promises of God do not become reality in my life by osmosis, I must pick them up in faith. Faith is the ingredient that makes things mine. Faith in itself is a powerful gift, it is mine. Faith is the active tool I use to apprehend all God's promises. Faith is full of the power of God. The promises of God are like electrical tools. They don't work until plugged into the power socket but they are awesome in connection with faith. Faith is the p...

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/2ti.1.7.hcsb Keeping a cool head is only possible as you look, steadily, at the One who calls you out on the water. He is the answer, the waves bow to Him. Watch Him! My God is taking me out on the water, what fun! Out in the waves, I will learn new skills. Woo Hoo!

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/2ti.1.7.hcsb Whenever we face challenges or obstacles the presentation of fear as an option is always there. However, where does fear lead? Withdrawal, inactivity, half-hearted participation or fearful participation, dreading a bad outcome. We must choose faith every time. Even if we cannot see a good outcome, we can trust One who's sight is way beyond ours. He seems all things. Last night I watched a programme called The Planets. The presented gave a glorious rendition of the formation of our solar system, last night dealt with Jupiter. It inspired me to believe my God is big. Whilst the presenter, obviously, did not believe in God, his version required way more faith. I am grateful my version shows a loving, powerful creator. He is good! The creator of all things is my God. He is vital, alive and my friend. If He can create all things, He...

God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in seastorm and earthquake, Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God -of-Angel-Armies protects us. Psalm 46:1‭-‬3 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/psa.46.1-3.MSG If God be for us, who can be against us? I am watching a programme about people recovering from a stroke. Recovery for these people can be difficult, depending on where the stroke occurs, how soon they receive medical attention and how efficient that attention is. For many people in life, some face very difficult health events, family events, cultural events. I have recently befriended a woman from Nigeria. She and her husband and two girls came to Australia to escape the violence in Nigeria. This is huge as finding a refugee status that is acceptable to a country like Australia is difficult. We have some of the toughest refugee crite...

God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah Psalms 46:1‭-‬3 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.46.1-3.HCSB Hard times test our faith, they show us whether God is indeed our refuge and strength. We can go to Him and expect to find His mighty strength, He is there for us. What we often find is: hard times affects us emotionally and we run around like a chicken without its head, flapping. We want people to make us feel better and solve our problem, but they are not God and often, even if they try, fail. A lot of disappointment would not exist if we went to God instead of people. Let God bring alongside the people and provision, He does this best. When He provides, we know we are blessed with the provision that will not fail. Our bibles contain nu...

First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. Proverbs 16:18 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.16.18.MSG Ego is all about self: how good I am, how clever I am, I am so good, I work so hard etc Why do we make it about us? How does the ego become inflated? It is good to finish well, but what finish will we settle for? The apostle Paul said: bodily exercise is of some good but spiritual exercise is more important (my paraphrase). 1 Tim 4:8.  The only stretch that does not inflate is the humble stretch towards God. All other conquests can open us up to inflated egos. This is not to say God does not want us to exercise, some exercise and circumspect eating are wise. If you have seen Chariots of Fire you will remember the hero, Eric Liddell. Eric knew God had called him to run, but this was just a small part of who he was. Eric died in China as a missionary. His heart beat for the lost. God used him mightily. Eric did not make running about him but abo...

First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. Proverbs 16:18 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.16.18.MSG Ego is all about self: how good I am, how clever I am, I am so good, I work so hard etc Why do we make it about us? How does the ego become inflated? It is good to finish well, but what finish will we settle for? The apostle Paul said: bodily exercise is of some good but spiritual exercise is more important (my paraphrase). 1 Tim 4:8.  The only stretch that does not inflate is the humble stretch towards God. All other conquests can open us up to inflated egos. This is not to say God does not want us to exercise, some exercise and circumspect eating are wise. If you have seen Chariots of Fire you will remember the hero, Eric Liddell. Eric knew God had called him to run, but this was just a small part of who he was. Eric died in China as a missionary. His heart beat for the lost. God used him mightily. Eric did not make running about him but abo...

This is what the Lord says: They found favor in the wilderness — the people who survived the sword. When Israel went to find rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you. Again I will build you so that you will be rebuilt, Virgin Israel. You will take up your tambourines again and go out in joyful dancing. Jeremiah 31:2‭-‬4 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jer.31.2-4.HCSB Our God is a God of new things, of restoration. He is good! After the devastation comes restoration. What God rebuild is good and the foundation is the new-found faith and understanding of Him. If we come through the fire without smelling like smoke, we move on. If we are bitter we stay and go through again. It is our choice. Amen!

Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/pro.16.18.hcsb We see many lives and reputations being destroyed by one senseless act, be it alcohol-infused partying, driving or just speaking. We find our sportsmen, in particular, are caught here, in the public eye. The result is a destroyed life, a ruined reputation, a fine or even jail time. Alcohol has a way of inflating our egos. I am sure drugs do the same. Ordinarily humble men behave like beasts with the substance of alcohol on board. They do and say things they would never do and say otherwise. We have a saying: 'They cannot hold their alcohol.' The truth be told, not many can handle the demons of drink and drugs. The euphoria produced by alcohol is somewhat portrayed by a gang or group sentiments, especially after a win. I have seen people make a big win in business and become heady with success and become arrogant. Arrogance is destructive and eu...

the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you. Jeremiah 31:3 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jer.31.3.hcsb Our God is faithful  to us. We fail to understand His love towards us and therefore  we losten to all manner of accusations against Him. Unfortunately, we actually believe some of them. The accuser regularly dines with us.  It should  be Jesus but we let in the usurper instead. If we understand the battle for our minds, then we would take the battle there. Our minds are the gateways to our hearts. If ws refuse to listen to accusations then we find ourselves with a more loving heart. This strategy, along with praying for those who offend and hurt us, provides a room of peace. Peace is a good place to look out from. Amen!

the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you. Jeremiah 31:3 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jer.31.3.hcsb Our God is faithful  to us. We fail to understand His love towards us and therefore  we losten to all manner of accusations against Him. Unfortunately, we actually believe some of them. The accuser regularly dines with us.  It should  be Jesus but we let in the usurper instead. If we understand the battle for our minds, then we would take the battle there. Our minds are the gateways to our hearts. If ws refuse to listen to accusations then we find ourselves with a more loving heart. This strategy, along with praying for those who offend and hurt us, provides a room of peace. Peace is a good place to look out from. Amen!

This is what the Lord says: They found favor in the wilderness — the people who survived the sword. When Israel went to find rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you. Again I will build you so that you will be rebuilt, Virgin Israel. You will take up your tambourines again and go out in joyful dancing. Jeremiah 31:2‭-‬4 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jer.31.2-4.HCSB Our God is a God of new things, of restoration. He is good! After the devastation comes restoration. What God rebuild is good and the foundation is the new-found faith and understanding of Him. If we come through the fire without smelling like smoke, we move on. If we are bitter we stay and go through again. It is our choice. Amen!

“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father. John 15:11‭-‬15 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/jhn.15.11-15.MSG Jesus calls us friends. Friends lay down their lives for each other. Friends forgive and refuse to allow their thoughts to be polluted with lies about each other. Jesus showed the way to love. He saw his disciples as friends and showed them His greatest treasure, His relationship with His Father. Be a good and faithful friend! Amen!

No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jhn.15.13.hcsb Giving up what we want for others is something we are all called to do. This life is not about us and our happiness. The funny thing is: giving up our desires for others brings the greatest joy. Selfishness brings misery. Jesus said: if you give up your life, you will find it; if you hang onto your life you will lose it. Matt 10:39. Now if He said it, it is so! If we go around thinking: I have to give up this, I have to give up that, we become obsessed. Try yielding your life, moment by moment. He will lead you and teach you how. I will listen to what God will say; surely the Lord will declare peace to His people, His godly ones, and not let them go back to foolish ways. His salvation is very near those who fear Him, so that glory may dwell in our land. Psalms 85:8‭-‬9 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.85.8-9. HCSB Rememb...

No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jhn.15.13.hcsb

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1‭-‬2 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.5.1-2.nlt I live close to my young nieces and nephews and the two little nieces, particularly, imitate their parents. It is quite funny to watch, cute even. We are called to imitate our heavenly Father. How does He act? Jesus said: 'he who has seen Me has seen the Father.' If we want to know how to act we need to read the gospels. There is more than enough information there. So, how can you act? Loving? Compassionate? Confronting the wrong and showing the right way to live. Be generous with kindness, with your life and your substance. A good place to start! Amen!

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mic.6.8.NLT Micah, in the preceding verses, has examined the sacrifices already being given to the Lord and one was the children, obviously to Molech, not God. Are we sacrificing our children's time with us or even our parent's time with us for our idea of what God wants? He loves mercy and justice and humility. Amazing!

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously. Micah 6:8 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/mic.6.8.MSG We take ourselves too seriously and judge everything according to as to how it affects us. This is not what God wants us to do. How things affect Him are what counts. A person may think they can handle speed and therefore speed, yet if caught will say: "I was in a hurry" or "I was late", never truly admitting the real reason: I wanted to speed because I can handle it. The very reason that people speed is killing them and others. If they survive they will even plead: 'not guilty'. We must face the real truth, not the made-up, get me off the hook truth. This is just one area. There are many others in which mankind continue to say: I can handle the ...

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mic.6.8.NLT Micah, in the preceding verses, has examined the sacrifices already being given to the Lord and one was the children, obviously to Molech, not God. Are we sacrificing our children's time with us or even our parent's time with us for our idea of what God wants? He loves mercy and justice and humility. Amazing!

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1‭-‬2 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.5.1-2.nlt I live close to my young nieces and nephews and the two little nieces, particularly, imitate their parents. It is quite funny to watch, cute even. We are called to imitate our heavenly Father. How does He act? Jesus said: 'he who has seen Me has seen the Father.' If we want to know how to act we need to read the gospels. There is more than enough information there. So, how can you act? Loving? Compassionate? Confronting the wrong and showing the right way to live. Be generous with kindness, with your life and your substance. A good place to start! Amen!

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1‭-‬2 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.5.1-2.nlt One of the things God does to me: He constantly surprises me with good things. When I least expect to be blessed, I am. This is one thing we can do for others, surprise them with good. He has blessed us to be a blessing. Amen! When I am blessed I ask: 'ok God is there someone You want me to bless?' There usually is! Blessings are n ot just to spend on ourselves but to share with others. Amen!

I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. Psalms 119:11 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.119.11.hcsb Turning trash into treasures is done with spoken words. We can despise a person or thing or find a reason to be grateful, the choice is ours. We can be grateful for bad experiences as they teach us what we should not ever do or become. I know it is easy to sit and moan about what you do not have, this makes you ungrateful and unlovely. However, if you find the gratitude you become gracious. A gracious person is a beautiful person, one you don't mind knowing. Our hearts are where we store things. If we make gratitude our attitude then our hearts are full of grace. Yet, if we make moaning our groaning we fill our hearts with self-pity. The Psalmist decided to fill his heart with God's word and it, therefore, challenged all else that tried to make his heart it's home. Filling up on God's word, daily, is a benevolent practice. It can o...

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalms 119:11 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.119.11.NLT Jesus said: "where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Tonight I found out I like to be right. Yes! I did know it but not enough. I was corrected by a senior I respect about promoting a book about a Buddist. I did not think I was promoting it but when I think about how I spoke about the book, it could be construed I was. So, suck it up sweetheart! Accept how others receive what you say. My heart is in being right but it should be more: right with God. If others think I am lifting up a foreign god then I need to be aware. I must be careful to treasure God's word, not my reputation. Amen!

I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. Psalms 119:11 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.119.11.hcsb Turning trash into treasures is done with spoken words. We can despise a person or thing or find a reason to be grateful, the choice is ours. We can be grateful for bad experiences as they teach us what we should not ever do or become. I know it is easy to sit and moan about what you do not have, this makes you ungrateful and unlovely. However, if you find the gratitude you become gracious. A gracious person is a beautiful person, one you don't mind knowing. Our hearts are where we store things. If we make gratitude our attitude then our hearts are full of grace. Yet, if we make moaning our groaning we fill our hearts with self-pity. The Psalmist decided to fill his heart with God's word and it, therefore, challenged all else that tried to make his heart it's home. Filling up on God's word, daily, is a benevolent practice. It can o...

Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/gal.5.1.hcsb I have been reading stories around when the white man first went to Africa. Their view of the natives was: they were evil heathens, to be subjugated. Many were made slaves. Imagine, another unrelated person coming to set these people free. If they had been slaves most of their lives, freedom would shatter their former identity. How would they cope? Only with a lot of love and grace would they cope. Jesus offers us freedom but also the love and grace to succeed. With Him, we can leap over a wall. Amen!

Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/gal.5.1.hcsb I have been reading stories around when the white man first went to Africa. Their view of the natives was: they were evil heathens, to be subjugated. Many were made slaves. Imagine, another unrelated person coming to set these people free. If they had been slaves most of their lives, freedom would shatter their former identity. How would they cope? Only with a lot of love and grace would they cope. Jesus offers us freedom but also the love and grace to succeed. With Him, we can leap over a wall. Amen!

Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. Hebrews 12:14‭-‬17 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/heb.12.14-17.MSG Do you know what Esau's syndrome is? Not cherishing the gift you have and wanting something immediate and less long-term important. Esau gave up his birthright for a feed. A birthright carried great importance but he despised it. Don't despise what you are given. Always keep the main thing the main thing! Let God rule! Amen!

Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/gal.5.1.HCSB We only really appreciate freedom when we have been a captive. Those who have been imprisoned, those who have been caught in slavery, those caught in bondage to a particular sin all have a great reason to rejoice. I was, however, not caught in any of these but I knew I was in darkness and desperate to find Jesus. I found my saviour at 19 and have clung to Him ever since. I am grateful that He is and that He did conquer hell for me. I am grateful that I can trust Him with my life. I have friends in Nepal who are struggling with floods. I look back over my brief history and see a multitude of struggles and disasters, yet my God brought me through. He, no one else was my saviour and He has done such a good job. Thank You Lord! Only God can give freedom and liberty. Only God can answer all the questions. Only God is faithful! W...

Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. Hebrews 12:14‭-‬17 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/heb.12.14-17.MSG Do you know what Esau's syndrome is? Not cherishing the gift you have and wanting something immediate and less long-term important. Esau gave up his birthright for a feed. A birthright carried great importance but he despised it. Don't despise what you are given. Always keep the main thing the main thing! Let God rule! Amen!

Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness — without it no one will see the Lord. Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many. And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for one meal. Hebrews 12:14‭-‬16 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/heb.12.14-16.HCSB In the Beatitudes, Jesus said: 'blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.' Matt 5:8 If He tells us this and it is affirmed by the writer of Hebrews, then it is true and relevant. What pulls at us to be impure? Sexual Sin, yes, but all sin that we allow to pollute our hearts defiles us, be it unforgiveness, bitterness or just plain selfishness, as this is idolatry. How do we be pure in heart? We can start by guarding it against lust, judgement, self-righteousness, arrogance and pride. Secondly, we can live by the grace of God, as grace is free...

Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. Proverbs 17:17 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.17.17.MSG It is amazing how you can fall out with your siblings but when trouble starts from outside the family, they are all in, usually. Jesus' family did not believe in Hi s claim to be the Son of God, but when He rose from the dead they were all in and two of His brothers wrote epistles in the New Testament and one in particular, James, became the head of the church in Jerusalem. The apostles, primarily, with the exception of Paul, and of course Judas, who killed himself, were friends and went on to spread the good news of the gospel. Both friends and family are important. The fall-outs with family can be quite intense but they are still family. You can choose your friends but you are stuck with your family, so make the best of your relationships with them.

Do not give false testimony against your neighbor. Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Exodus 20:16‭-‬17 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/exo.20.16-17.HCSB It has been a long time since the 10 commandments have been given to mankind and in that time Jesus came and simplified all the laws to two: love God with all your heart and soul and love your neighbour as yourself. Note, the neighbour survived all modifications. If God thinks so highly of my neighbour what can I do for them? We all have immediate neighbours, some are very close and some are distant, as in on farmland. Neighbour, eventually cause us grief, mine does as well. However, again, and again, I remind myself I am grateful for what my neighbours are not: they are not noisy, they do not abuse me and they are as kind as you would want your neighbours to be. We can easily focus on wh...

Do not give false testimony against your neighbor. Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Exodus 20:16‭-‬17 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/exo.20.16-17.HCSB It has been a long time since the 10 commandments have been given to mankind and in that time Jesus came and simplified all the laws to two: love God with all your heart and soul and love your neighbour as yourself. Note, the neighbour survived all modifications. If God thinks so highly of my neighbour what can I do for them? We all have immediate neighbours, some are very close and some are distant, as in on farmland. Neighbour, eventually cause us grief, mine does as well. However, again, and again, I remind myself I am grateful for what my neighbours are not: they are not noisy, they do not abuse me and they are as kind as you would want your neighbours to be. We can easily focus on wh...

Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. Proverbs 17:17 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.17.17.MSG It is amazing how you can fall out with your siblings but when trouble starts from outside the family, they are all in, usually. Jesus' family did not believe in Hi s claim to be the Son of God, but when He rose from the dead they were all in and two of His brothers wrote epistles in the New Testament and one in particular, James, became the head of the church in Jerusalem. The apostles, primarily, with the exception of Paul, and of course Judas, who killed himself, were friends and went on to spread the good news of the gospel. Both friends and family are important. The fall-outs with family can be quite intense but they are still family. You can choose your friends but you are stuck with your family, so make the best of your relationships with them.

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.17.17.nlt I have both friends and family and they are both two distinct entities. My friends, I have made through the activities I engage in church, the hood, astronomy and art. My family are a different story. I was born into my family and by the very nature of that fact have accumulated an ever-growing crowd expanding like raindrops on sated earth. Yet, there is another family I belong to and it is eternal. This family is multitudinous, as innumerable as the stars in the sky. The door to this family is my closest friend, Jesus Christ. With Him, I am totally safe. I can be my best or worst and He loves me still, yet whispers: "this is not who you are, you are made like Me and my strength is in you. Rise up and be royal in relationships!" A true friend confronts us in our bad moments and comforts us in our pain, He rejoices in our victories. He is a f...

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Luke 6:36 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.6.36.NLT Compassion: come pass on! Pass on the grace and forgiveness given to you. We have been forgiven much, for all time; we have been given grace for all eternity. A neverending supply is ours, a well of grace to pour out on others. Compassion is not just for 'feel good' moments. Jesus didn't grade His command according to how we feel. He is our example. Amen!

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Luke 6:36 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.6.36.NLT Compassion: come pass on! Pass on the grace and forgiveness given to you. We have been forgiven much, for all time; we have been given grace for all eternity. A neverending supply is ours, a well of grace to pour out on others. Compassion is not just for 'feel good' moments. Jesus didn't grade His command according to how we feel. He is our example. Amen!

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.  Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.  If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.  Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back.  Do to others as you would like them to do to you. “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!  And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much!  And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as child...

Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline — which all receive — then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead. Hebrews 12:7‭-‬13 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/heb.12.7-13.HCSB There is a word hidden is discipline: disciple. We are becoming disciples ...

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward, there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Hebrews 12:11 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.12.11.NLT I did not enjoy disciplining my children but am glad I did. I am sure the Father knows what He is doing when He withholds things and does not save us from our co sequences. We can trust Him! Amen!

Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline — which all receive — then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead. Hebrews 12:7‭-‬13 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/heb.12.7-13.HCSB There is a word hidden is discipline: disciple. We are becoming disciples ...

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. Romans 8:26‭-‬27 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.8.26-27.NLT Being filled with the Holy Spirit is such a comfort, knowing He is vitally interested in us connecting with our Father and that He continually works to this end is encouraging. Being baptised in the Spirit is so satisfying; I can pray in the Spirit and know that the Holy Spirit represents me well before my Father. The Holy Spirit"s words are door openers and are filled with grace and power. Disciplining myself to pray in the Spirit is important. Failure to use my gift sees me fighting battles in the flesh, whereas praying in the Spirit takes them to a whole new level. I can t...

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:26‭-‬28 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/rom.8.26-28.MSG We don't always think our circumstances are working for our good, but they are. There are so many: "But Why?" Moments. There will always be questions unanswered but this is where we must trust. He holds the 'why.' Becoming angry with God because He does not answer the way we expect is a waste of time and it binds us up in bitterness and forgiveness. Not a good use of our energy. Keep forgiving and stay close. Amen!

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. Romans 8:26‭-‬27 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.8.26-27.NLT Being filled with the Holy Spirit is such a comfort, knowing He is vitally interested in us connecting with our Father and that He continually works to this end is encouraging. Being baptised in the Spirit is so satisfying; I can pray in the Spirit and know that the Holy Spirit represents me well before my Father. The Holy Spirit"s words are door openers and are filled with grace and power. Disciplining myself to pray in the Spirit is important. Failure to use my gift sees me fighting battles in the flesh, whereas praying in the Spirit takes them to a whole new level. I can t...

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust. Proverbs 4:23‭-‬27 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.4.23-27.MSG Eyes straight! Jesus taught to keep our eyes on Him. When we drive down the road we must focus straight ahead. Myself, I tend to drive where I look and therefore cannot afford to look to the right or left. This is the same in life. There are times of extreme stress when we are surrounded by problems and drama. It is important, at such times, that we control our thoughts and focus on what is ahead. By focussing on Jesus we contain our thoughts in a zone that already is successful. This is also called walking by faith in the Son of God. We can trust Him! Amen!

Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. Proverbs 4:23 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/pro.4.23.HCSB Our hearts are the prizes; both God and Satan seek them. Who will we give them to? God instructed His people to love Him with all their hearts, souls and minds; Satan stole Adam and Eve's heart, by deception and he continues to do it today. Often people think they are doing neither but rather loving what they choose, however, this is exactly the deception Satan used on Adam and Eve, to distrust God and trust their own judgement. It saw them cast out from Eden and removed from fellowship with God. Every day, every moment of every day, we face the choice: who will I serve? who will I love? If we live intentionally with our eyes wide open we will see the divide accurately. What does God stand for and move that way? Amen!

Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. Proverbs 4:23 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/pro.4.23.HCSB Our hearts are the prizes; both God and Satan seek them. Who will we give them to? God instructed His people to love Him with all their hearts, souls and minds; Satan stole Adam and Eve's heart, by deception and he continues to do it today. Often people think they are doing neither but rather loving what they choose, however, this is exactly the deception Satan used on Adam and Eve, to distrust God and trust their own judgement. It saw them cast out from Eden and removed from fellowship with God. Every day, every moment of every day, we face the choice: who will I serve? who will I love? If we live intentionally with our eyes wide open we will see the divide accurately. What does God stand for and move that way? Amen!

Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here’s what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you’re worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he’s asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things. 1 Peter 3:8‭-‬12 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/1pe.3.8-12.MSG God IS. We are to BE! God is complete lacking nothing, we are His artwork, being made complete. We are created in His image; we are being changed from glory to glory. He already IS glorious! I love it that I am in His image, so are you. Different but sharing the same heritage. Each of us unique but each having the...

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.3.12.NLT The Lord watches over His people just as a father watches over his children. When He finds His children excelling in representing Him He gives them support and more resources, for His work that they undertake. We are often surprised at what He considers His work,  usually, it is people. Our frustration can arise when we misread His heart and His desires. There are a lot of voices crying for help and yet God knows the ones we can help best. Some of those crying voices God wants to learn to be self-sufficient and to use gifts He has given them. If we run to all crying voices and try to fix their pain we are removing them from the egg and they will die as they do not know strength from the struggle. The struggle is good! Struggle produces wings, strong legs, the strength o...

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.3.12.NLT The Lord watches over His people just as a father watches over his children. When He finds His children excelling in representing Him He gives them support and more resources, for His work that they undertake. We are often surprised at what He considers His work,  usually, it is people. Our frustration can arise when we misread His heart and His desires. There are a lot of voices crying for help and yet God knows the ones we can help best. Some of those crying voices God wants to learn to be self-sufficient and to use gifts He has given them. If we run to all crying voices and try to fix their pain we are removing them from the egg and they will die as they do not know strength from the struggle. The struggle is good! Struggle produces wings, strong legs, the strength o...

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.51.10.nlt What does a loyal spirit look like? Not subject to drama, emotional thinking, not subject to  offence, bitterness or angry outbursts. Loyal is as loyal does. A loyal friend is a good, reliable friend. No matter what you can trust them to keep you in their heart. Our God is like this towards us. Can we be like that to Him? David knew he had failed at being God's friend when he followed his lust for another man's wife. That lust caused him to kill and commit adultery without noticing he had lost friendship with God. Let us never notice we are not close to God! Stay aware! Amen!

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 https://bible.com/bible/97/gal.5.13-15.MSG Today we saw a young Australian set free from North Korea. We all rejoiced at his freedom. Similarly, when we see a sinner come to Christ our joy is ecstatic. Remaining free is now the role of the one set free. We see individuals sent to prison for misdeeds. Our prison before Christ is our isolation from Him. Fortunately, He offers a brand ne...

For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. Galatians 5:13 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/gal.5.13.HCSB Being set free brings a wonderful sensation, a thrill to the spirit. However, we can't live for thrills, we must live in consideration of others. Being blessed fills our hearts with joy but the joy must bring insight into behaviour. How am I bringing others along with me? Last night I had Connect Group but I also needed to watch a webinar on the freedom of religion and talked to the connect leader about us all doing the webinar, he agreed. Setting up the webinar was fraught with difficulty and in the process, I had to ask the group to be quiet several times. The coordinator of the webinar had to ask the attendees, several times to mute their mikes, as they were chatting whilst listening. How can we talk and still listen? Insight and understanding talked about in the book of Prover...

“This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.6.25.HCSB Whilst Jesus told us not to worry He did not mean: disregard responsibilities. More than ever before does the Christian Church need to stand up and be counted in the direction our Governments are going. All evil has to do to prosper is for good men and women to do nothing. Australia faces the introduction of anti-discrimination laws, further than what we currently have in place. However, what we need are Freedom of Religion laws. Tonight I listened to a webinar on this very topic. To have significant changes we need action, that is seen. We heard how we need signed petitions posted, not emailed, to Canberra. This will require effort. May we not be lazy but take up the fight and make it happen. Amen! Amid all this a...

“This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.6.25.hcsb There are many things that can trouble us and some are more vital than even food, drink or clothing: safety. We have people come to Australia to seek safety, a new home away from conflict and war. Some come here on whatever visas they can use and then seek to obtain permanence once here. Their plight is fraught with difficulties and obstacles. I see, firsthand, the difficulties as God has given me the task of loving such people and helping them with their English. The road is difficult even if they have visas as to become a permanent citizen they must pass rigorous English exams. Many natural Australians would fail these tests. I wonder how many realise how fortunate they are? Our bibles are full of stories about bra...

God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Psalm 19:1‭-‬2 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/psa.19.1-2.MSG This version is quite imaginative but true. I love rising early to catch the pink glory descend on the hills and in the evening watch spectacular displays, never once the same. As I climb my hill near my home I see the expanse of the open sky and am reminded how much I love the open plains and sky: what glory! We cannot become so obsessed with phones and tablets to miss God's gifts to us. Through these, He speaks of His love for us. Stop, look and listen! Amen!

The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.” Exodus 14:14 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/exo.14.14.HCSB I really don't know where the saying: 'mum's the word', came from but for me, it has always been, 'keep quiet', no talking. Moses was instructing the children of Israel, who we caught between the army of Egypt and the Red Sea. God was about to do a mighty miracle and Moses did not want grumbling or complaining. This is a good lesson for us. God is about to do a great thing. We need to keep quiet if we cannot praise. Remember: 'Mum's the Word!'

The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.” Exodus 14:14 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/exo.14.14.hcsb Even be hard at concentration and suddenly a voice starts: "Hey! No! Do it this way!" What do you say to that person? "Quiet! Let me concentrate!" You are confident that if left to focus you will complete the task? Right? Well then! How about trusting the Lord to complete what He said He would do? Relax! Trust and obey!

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. Psalms 19:1 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.19.1.hcsb I love exploring the heavens, the stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies. Modern man has access to so much and is able to see further and further. The more we can see, the greater the glory of creation. There is no way such a divine display was random. The uniqueness of the earth is plainly evident, nothing else compares, even though the quest continues for a sister -earth. Our God had indeed placed us amid so much chaos in such a calm position. Mankind has been fascinated with space since time began. Scripture tells us of God talking to Abraham regarding the numbers of stars being like his children. God took him outside to look at the stars. Various Psalms call us to 'look" at His handiwork, it is beautiful to behold. He ascended into the sky and is, in fact, returning on the clouds. All will see Him! Modern technology will enable us al...

The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.” Exodus 14:14 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/exo.14.14.hcsb Even be hard at concentration and suddenly a voice starts: "Hey! No! Do it this way!" What do you say to that person? "Quiet! Let me concentrate!" You are confident that if left to focus you will complete the task? Right? Well then! How about trusting the Lord to complete what He said He would do? Relax! Trust and obey!

The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.” Exodus 14:14 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/exo.14.14.HCSB I really don't know where the saying: 'mum's the word', came from but for me, it has always been, 'keep quiet', no talking. Moses was instructing the children of Israel, who we caught between the army of Egypt and the Red Sea. God was about to do a mighty miracle and Moses did not want grumbling or complaining. This is a good lesson for us. God is about to do a great thing. We need to keep quiet if we cannot praise. Remember: 'Mum's the Word!'