The day with dianne Louise

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvellous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2pe.1.3.NLT We have all we need. 'I don't feel like it!' You might say. We are called to walk by faith, not feelings. Jesus promised us His Holy Spirit and it is this powerhouse that we dr aw from. Knowing we have the power is all we need. Romans 8 tells us that the mind of the Spirit is life and peace. Walking in the Spirit is walking in God's power by faith. It is saying:' I believe you gave me the power Lord and I will step into it.' Amen!

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvellous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2pe.1.3.NLT What is a godly life? What does God require of us? To love mercy and justice and walk humbly with our God. Jesus said: 'The just shall live by faith.' So, faith is how we appropriate all that God has for us: health, freedom from the flesh, protection, provision of our needs. Jesus told us to abide in Him and He would abide in us. Jesus taught us to pray, to forgive, and to do good to our enemies. Nowhere did He tells us to live for ourselves, in fact, He told us to take up our cross and follow Him. A good start don't you think? Amen!

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvellous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2pe.1.3.NLT We have all we need. 'I don't feel like it!' You might say. We are called to walk by faith, not feelings. Jesus promised us His Holy Spirit and it is this powerhouse that we dr aw from. Knowing we have the power is all we need. Romans 8 tells us that the mind of the Spirit is life and peace. Walking in the Spirit is walking in God's power by faith. It is saying:' I believe you gave me the power Lord and I will step into it.' Amen!

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Matthew 5:48 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/mat.5.48.MSG When we are childish, we are selfish and when we are selfish we think about ourselves and have a 'me first', attitude. When things do not go our way we lash out and say and do things we should not. We act immature. Mature people in God know how to live in His love, the love of self is not in them. The kingdom of God is not about self but dying to self and taking up our crosses, daily. We are to become Christlike, who lay down His life for us all, good, bad and ugly bad. Lay it down! Amen!

But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.48.But In the Orthodox Jewish Bible the word 'perfect' is translated 'complete'. This I understand as I seek wholeness or completion. God is not fractured. He does not have gaping holes in His persona. There are no imperfections in Him. I want this for myself. How am I made complete? At present, I am attempting to put together a jigsaw puzzle. It is most difficult and there are still areas that need to find their mates. The mates are present but broken and need-finding. I am that jigsaw puzzle. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I will be made whole. It is not magical but happens as I lean in, in faith. Amen!

As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. 1 Peter 1:24 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.1.24.As Feeling like dry withered grass? Soak in God's presence. He alone is good. I like a hot tub after a lot of physical work. If I can't get the hot tub a shower must suffice. However, I'd rather a tub anyway. A shower of Gods presence is wonderful but a tub full, majestic. Choose a deep healing soak. Amen!

All flesh is like grass and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers and the flower falls, 1 Peter 1:24 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/1pe.1.24.HCSB I see people from my era, especially musicians and actresses, withering on the vine. They represent me and my age group. As much as we long to keep our youth, it fades. However, there is a life in me and a beauty that grows daily. As I live in the Spirit and allow His glory to shine I am changed from glory to glory. May His glory shine. I look at my mum and her photos from her youth and see the change. Beauty and freshness we're there once. The world was her oyster once. Now she struggles to walk. We do wither and fade yet eternity is ours. Praise God there is eternity to come! What joy!

For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/rom.8.6.HCSB As we tune our TVs and radios we must tune our minds and senses. We cannot allow nasty reactions and attitudes to control us. If we are having a nasty spat we need to do a check-up from the neck up and interview our thoughts. Today was a struggle. I had woken at 3.30 am and because my alarm was set for 5 am my body said "No! Not going back to sleep!" I had things to do and it involved others. I had to watch Snappy Tom as he wanted to break out. After returning home Mr Irreitable tried it on. I suppose that is why 'self-control' is a fruit of the Spirit. In myself, no good thing dwells but hey! Let the Spirit out and you overcome. I have ended the day tired but victorious. Priase God!

For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/rom.8.6.HCSB As we tune our TVs and radios we must tune our minds and senses. We cannot allow nasty reactions and attitudes to control us. If we are having a nasty spat we need to do a check-up from the neck up and interview our thoughts. Today was a struggle. I had woken at 3.30 am and because my alarm was set for 5 am my body said "No! Not going back to sleep!" I had things to do and it involved others. I had to watch Snappy Tom as he wanted to break out. After returning home Mr Irreitable tried it on. I suppose that is why 'self-control' is a fruit of the Spirit. In myself, no good thing dwells but hey! Let the Spirit out and you overcome. I have ended the day tired but victorious. Priase God!

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. Romans 8:5‭-‬7 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.8.5-7.NLT The battle is between your ears. We are bombarded with information if we have our ears and eyes attuned to news or gossip. A lot of 'news' is gossip and we need to discern it as such. The media dislikes Donald Trump and will continue to paint him as an arrogant buffoon. However, I do not live in America but can plainly see the work he has done for the unborn. Australia is killing its babies and needs the same protection. Our Prime Minister is painted a certain way and media would love to shred him also. If the social media ...

But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. Jude 1:20‭-‬21 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jud.1.20-21.hcsb Praying in the Spirit does wonders for the soul, it clears the mind, blows out the pipes, washes away all filth. I love to do this as I walk. Funnily enough, it might be as I walk with a trolley around the supermarket, in fact, it was last week. I tend to sing in the Spirit. Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit and we need to use this gift. As I walk in the morning I walk along fields where there is no one (except Oscar my dog) and I can pray, shout and sing. Lift yourself up, do yourself a favour and take the time to fill up with the Holy Spirit. Amen!

But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! Jude 1:20‭-‬21 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/jud.1.20-21.MSG We know how to build up body muscle, improve fitness, from fat through diet. However, our spirits need to be built up, continually. Building ourselves to must start from being in the centre of Gods will. As Jesus put it. We need to abide in Him. As we abide He and the Father come to fellowship with us. What a gym! What a powerhouse. The Father, the Son and me. What can we achieve? Amen!

And this is love: that we walk according to His commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: you must walk in love. 2 John 1:6 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/2jn.1.6.HCSB Walking is not a sprint, a dash, an amble. It is measured and continuous. Love cannot not be subject to our emotions: hot one minute and cold the next. Love is a comittment to continue no matter what. Be consistent in love, look for ways to strengthen your love. When I know I have a trek coming up I train by walking more, climbing hills and being focussed. Love needs focus! Amen!

I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. 2 John 1:5‭-‬6 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2jn.1.5-6.NLT This command to love one another comes in a chapter warning about false teaching. It is interesting that the two should be linked. If I love you I will challenge an error that I see or hear. Confrontation in love saves us from errors. When my grandson calls and he runs off on the wrong tangent I tell him in love. If I can do this for my grandson, I can do it for my friends. Errors can bind us up, they slip in sneakily. We can easily become offended or marginalised and when there pick up wrong thinking or strange doctrine. The strange doctrine circulating in the church in John's day was that Jesus did not come in the flesh. John was the right p...

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 1 Peter 1:3 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.1.3.NLT Great Expectations is the title of a book by Charles Dickens in 1861 and was about a young boy named Pip. Many of us could write our own version: I am going to uni to study to become a doctor, a vet, an accountant etc In the young mind, there will be a glorious outcome. The young, generally, do not envision all the pain they may encounter along the way. I knew I was leaving the countryside and moving to a city to study nursing. In my mind, I planned to travel to Canada as a nurse. I did not make it, I was married instead. I later travelled to Canada as a tourist, best of all visiting the Toronto Airport Church, the centre of a past revival. I then went on to Pensacola, another centre of revival. Disappointment can follow our expectations...

He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Psalms 23:3 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.23.3.hcsb Why am I so important to my God? Why would the God who created the universe decide I am so important to Him that He would bother with the intricacies of my life? What God can love us all so much, at the same time? Why did Father God send Jesus to die on a cross for us? Why did Jesus submit to death for me? Why does God want to know me intimately? The only answer I can give is He is in love with a love I do not fathom, a love so deep, so wide, so high. A love that is not selfish but rather giving, a love that is higher than I. Thank You, Lord! Amen!

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Psalm 23:1‭-‬3 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/psa.23.1-3.MSG You know the times when you can't seem to win a trick, nothing works out or give way? Have you ever thought it just might be time to rest and let God go before you? As frustrating as a wall may appear, it is a wall. If you try to climb it, you might hurt yourself by falling. Yes, there are times when you need to climb and be proactive but there are also times when stop means stop. Why not go to God and ask: stop or go? If He says stop, stop. Learn to rest, even in places, you would not choose. Praise works, gratitude for the chance to stop. Amen!

“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. Matthew 7:15‭-‬20 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.7.15-20.HCSB This principle is true of anyone. If we wonder: Can I trust this person? Look at how this person treats their family, their animals, their work colleagues and you will find the truth. It does not matter how eloquent a person sounds. Paul tells us in 1 Cor 13 that there are noisy gongs and clanging cymbals that are worth nothing if they did not have genuine love. This is a good lesson for us as w...

A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 7:17‭-‬19 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.17-19.NLT I have some small trees and shrubs in my garden. I love the way the small birds and bees flock to these plants. I know I have planted plants that are beneficial to other creatures. God has planted us in His garden. We have a role to play in the lives of others. Are we providing good fruit, shade and delight to others? The Lord is a blessing to us, we have to pass it on. Amen!

“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. Matthew 7:15‭-‬20 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.7.15-20.HCSB This principle is true of anyone. If we wonder: Can I trust this person? Look at how this person treats their family, their animals, their work colleagues and you will find the truth. It does not matter how eloquent a person sounds. Paul tells us in 1 Cor 13 that there are noisy gongs and clanging cymbals that are worth nothing if they did not have genuine love. This is a good lesson for us as w...

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Psalm 23:1‭-‬3 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/psa.23.1-3.MSG You know the times when you can't seem to win a trick, nothing works out or give way? Have you ever thought it just might be time to rest and let God go before you? As frustrating as a wall may appear, it is a wall. If you try to climb it, you might hurt yourself by falling. Yes, there are times when you need to climb and be proactive but there are also times when stop means stop. Why not go to God and ask: stop or go? If He says stop, stop. Learn to rest, even in places, you would not choose. Praise works, gratitude for the chance to stop. Amen!

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Peter 1:3 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/1pe.1.3.HCSB Knowing that your eternity is secure is definitely a blessing. The only way we have this is through Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said: "I  the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me!" No amount of argument changes certain facts: a table is a table is a table. A chair, likewise, is a chair. Telling me the chair I am sitting on is not there is very hard to prove. Telling me that the relationship I have with Jesus does not exist is downright rude. I know Jesus is real, He interacts with me, His Spirit comforts me, He speaks to me. I have faith to believe He is who He says He is. He is real and eternity is likewise real. Praise God!

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 1 Peter 1:3 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.1.3.NLT Great Expectations is the title of a book by Charles Dickens in 1861 and was about a young boy named Pip. Many of us could write our own version: I am going to uni to study to become a doctor, a vet, an accountant etc In the young mind, there will be a glorious outcome. The young, generally, do not envision all the pain they may encounter along the way. I knew I was leaving the countryside and moving to a city to study nursing. In my mind, I planned to travel to Canada as a nurse. I did not make it, I was married instead. I later travelled to Canada as a tourist, best of all visiting the Toronto Airport Church, the centre of a past revival. I then went on to Pensacola, another centre of revival. Disappointment can follow our expectations...

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2th.3.5.nlt Have you struggled to understand why things happen?  Does understanding mean a lot to you? Is it everything? If understanding our circumstances means more to us than trust then we will come to a place of resentment and un forgiveness. Understanding and insight come from the Lord. It is His ways and heart we need most, more than understanding why people leave or let us down. Knowing Gods presence and faithfulness is more important. Knowing His love is utmost above all loves. We cannot childishly think that because we do not understand that He does not love us. We can not insist on things being our own way, in our own safe little box. Time to strengthen those limbs that hang down, get up and run the race. Amen!

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2th.3.5.NLT Enduring patiently is only possible with Christ. He gives us His Holy Spirit who is our strength. Endurance is an attribute gained piece by piece. We cannot receive it as we would healing. It is gained through trial. Today I am challenged. I am in severe pain in my left elbow after swimming yesterday. I cannot fathom what I have done but know I need healing.  Swimming has caused me a few issues over the years yet I persist as it is good for my back. The same way we endure whatever cross we have in our lives as they produce godliness. Working through the pain after the divorce was necessary for me and most beneficial. I am now a whole, happy individual. We must trust God with the big picture. He is good at being God, we are not. Squealing like little pigs does not become us. Al...

Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. 3 John 1:11 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/3jn.1.11.nlt A Christian does well because the Spirit of God dwells in him, not to earn salvation. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ. Good deeds are many: helping the elderly, giving to the poor, giving way in traffic, lifting up the broken, giving up your best for the frail, sick, pregnant or old. Doing good can just be a matter of not rushing through the door and making the elderly wait. There is so much good we can do. Why not seek God for Gis direction? Amen!

You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing. Isaiah 41:12 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.41.12.NLT Only the Lord brings the best divine justice. We want to revenge but when we see what God does on our behalf when we keep out of the way, we are gobsmacked. Justice is from the Lord. We must deal with our own hearts which scream for revenge. Acting out of revenge messes with our hearts and minds. Not good! Stay free and trust God! Amen!

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. Ephesians 4:1‭-‬4 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.4.1-4.NLT We are called children of God. We all want our children to exhibit our best traits, ones we are proud of. Our Heavenly Father is perfect and His love is everlasting. Not only are we called to show forth His praise by our deeds, but He also gave us the power to do this, His Holy Spirit. As a child matures they start to desire to become a certain someone, when they are little they may want to be policemen or firemen, yet in high school, as they discover Science in m...

Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. Proverbs 10:19 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.10.19.nlt Good conversation builds up. Senseless chatter goes nowhere. Paul the apostle was a good preacher and wrote most of the Epistles. However, he was not into senseless chatter. He encourages us to concentrate on what is good and clean and lovely and not allow any unbecoming talk to come from our mouth. With our mouths, we build up and tear down. It is always best to build up. Tearing down is destructive and sides with the enemy of all mankind. So....build up! Amen!

Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. Proverbs 10:19 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.10.19.nlt Too much talk about what? Probably our offences against others, how we think things should go, our lofty opinions about anything really. When we become enamoured with our own voice we are setting ourselves up for a fall. This does not mean we don't talk. We need to talk about things to resolution with a trusted friend. However, the line of talk is important. Am I merely complaining? Or am I genuinely seeking a godly resolution? First I talk to God. What is He saying? Am I overreacting? If so I need His help. Why am I overreacting? What buttons are being pushed in me? Only God knows the deepest truth and that is the only truth worth knowing. Amen!

Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. Proverbs 10:19 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.10.19.nlt Good conversation builds up. Senseless chatter goes nowhere. Paul the apostle was a good preacher and wrote most of the Epistles. However, he was not into senseless chatter. He encourages us to concentrate on what is good and clean and lovely and not allow any unbecoming talk to come from our mouth. With our mouths, we build up and tear down. It is always best to build up. Tearing down is destructive and sides with the enemy of all mankind. So....build up! Amen!

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.8.32.nlt Truth sets us free not selfishness. Today I had another phone call from my grandson Myer: "I had a huge fight with mum today!" We talked things through and I told Myer: "I am on the side of truth Myer, not your side, mums side or even dads side, but truth and I will speak truth to you, is that ok"? He said it was ok. We laughed a lot and chatted easily. I am most interested in well adjusted young men and women in my family. I want to give them what I did not have, what their parents did not have, a sounding board. I trust I am a blessing to my son and his wife as well as my grandchildren. It is not about being clever or popular or right in my own eyes. Truth matters as the truth sets us free! Amen!

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31‭-‬32 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.8.31-32.NLT The deciding factor for all who claim to know Christ is this: you do what I say. It is not how much we know the scriptures or how fervent we are in religious rituals, it is simply this. What then did Jesus say? He said many things but He taught to love God the Father with all our hearts, souls and minds and to love others as ourselves. Out of these two flows an ability to trust, obey and share this truth with others. Love must be the foundation. Not a soppy kind of love that consumes us today and leaves us when it moves on to another. Our human nature tends to identify with ideology. Ideology is not sufficient, neither is ritual. The relationship is all that matters.

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.3.17.NLT The Spirit of God is easily found when you are serious about finding Him. Finding treasure requires an attitude of 'looking for treasure.' Without the attitude, you can walk right by the presence of God and miss what He is doing, completely. If you are hungry for something, zeal enters in and the interaction is electric, not passive. Get hungry! Amen!

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/2co.3.17.hcsb When we walk in tandem with the Holy Spirit we walk in His freedom. He is totally free from all sin and entanglements, His space is holy and uncluttered. Outside of this space is the world as we know it: full of distractions, temptations and sin. The Bible invites us to choose life. Life is in Him, alone. He is good, He is life. Amen!

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/2co.3.17.hcsb When we walk in tandem with the Holy Spirit we walk in His freedom. He is totally free from all sin and entanglements, His space is holy and uncluttered. Outside of this space is the world as we know it: full of distractions, temptations and sin. The Bible invites us to choose life. Life is in Him, alone. He is good, He is life. Amen!

One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:10 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/rom.10.10.HCSB True, lasting righteousness comes through believing in the salvation Jesus won for us. Our works last for a few minutes, hours or even a few days but then we blow it all away by arrogance, pride, anger or resentment. When we make this life all about us we fail to find righteousness. The energy required to defend our own righteousness is exhausting because it is fake. Try the righteousness that comes from believing in Jesus is Lord, does not drain, in fact it brings life and joy. Amen!

One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:10 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/rom.10.10.hcsb We know what we believe, we hold that knowledge dear or important and we speak to out. Unfortunately, a lot of people speak as if they know but make things so with their confession. We see this when people will say: "I will never be able to do that or this", " my asthma won't allow me to do that." We give authority to that which we confess and in doing so set up strongholds in our lives. It is far better to confess the Lordship of Christ and His victory than anything else I know. Self-pity works hand in hand with a bad confession. Deal with it first and you might find your voice changing. Amen!

The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jhn.3.36.hcsb This life is not all that there is, in fact there hurts, pains and disappointments we experience are all a part of this life experience. Yet, Jesus promises those who put their faith in Him: there will no more tears, no more pain in eternity. The word 'eternity' implies forever and forever and forever without end. The concept of forever is foreign to our limited minds. Yet forever is waiting for us. Those who refuse Christ face and eternity of suffering and pain forever, and ever and ever. I know which I prefer. How about you?

The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jhn.3.36.hcsb This life is not all that there is, in fact there hurts, pains and disappointments we experience are all a part of this life experience. Yet, Jesus promises those who put their faith in Him: there will no more tears, no more pain in eternity. The word 'eternity' implies forever and forever and forever without end. The concept of forever is foreign to our limited minds. Yet forever is waiting for us. Those who refuse Christ face and eternity of suffering and pain forever, and ever and ever. I know which I prefer. How about you?

The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jhn.3.36.HCSB The Oxford dictionary tells me wrath is extreme anger. Most of us have seen someone extremely angry, how was that? You wanted to avoid them, didn't you? Yet if we say: "well if God is so extremely angry with me why would I want anything to do with Him?" As a child did you ever see your father extremely angry over something you did? Did you run away or try and sort it out? Did you want your father's love? I remember a time when I was around 16 and had been to Sydney for a school excursion. The last night we had gone to dinner at a restaurant and for fun, I stole a dinner glass. Upon returning home I proudly showed my father. He became very angry and told me not to steal. I have never stolen, ever again. I endured my father's wrath but it had an effect ...

The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jhn.3.36.HCSB The Oxford dictionary tells me wrath is extreme anger. Most of us have seen someone extremely angry, how was that? You wanted to avoid them, didn't you? Yet if we say: "well if God is so extremely angry with me why would I want anything to do with Him?" As a child did you ever see your father extremely angry over something you did? Did you run away or try and sort it out? Did you want your father's love? I remember a time when I was around 16 and had been to Sydney for a school excursion. The last night we had gone to dinner at a restaurant and for fun, I stole a dinner glass. Upon returning home I proudly showed my father. He became very angry and told me not to steal. I have never stolen, ever again. I endured my father's wrath but it had an effect ...

But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. Psalms 59:16 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.59.16.NLT Today there was another post about suicide and depression, this time on the ABC site. I happened to comment saying how the Lord was the only one who really was there for me through my dark time. I had a few like the post and a few ridicule. However, the truth of the matter is: my God is always there for me. Those who do not try will always ridicule. It is unfortunate for them as they miss the best love of all. Keep on singing!

But I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning. For You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble. Psalms 59:16 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.59.16.hcsb Singing is important, not just when you are joyful, but when you are sad and struggling. Praise and worship lifts us up and takes us above the problems. Singing for joy is wonderful and natural but singing at all times is spiritual. Singing in the Spirit brings change. It is a gift worth using. The Holy Spirit knows our needs and answers. Keep singing!

But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. Psalms 59:16 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.59.16.NLT Today there was another post about suicide and depression, this time on the ABC site. I happened to comment saying how the Lord was the only one who really was there for me through my dark time. I had a few like the post and a few ridicule. However, the truth of the matter is: my God is always there for me. Those who do not try will always ridicule. It is unfortunate for them as they miss the best love of all. Keep on singing!

But I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning. For You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble. Psalms 59:16 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.59.16.hcsb Singing is important, not just when you are joyful, but when you are sad and struggling. Praise and worship lifts us up and takes us above the problems. Singing for joy is wonderful and natural but singing at all times is spiritual. Singing in the Spirit brings change. It is a gift worth using. The Holy Spirit knows our needs and answers. Keep singing!

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.13.nlt When we look at a river filled to overflowing, because of summer rains, we see an abundance. When we consider what Christ has done for us, he has filled us with His Holy Spirit, full to overflowing, spilling over. Just as a natural river brings life, so our spiritual river needs to bring life to all in our world. So much can be done by a full Spirit. We have God Himself dwelling inside us, His power is mighty. As we spend time with Him, He cleanses out all the knots and wrong thinking and sets us free to allow this river to flow out of us. Amen! Let it flow! The world needs this river!

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/rom.15.13.hcsb I walk almost daily with a Muslim neighbour. This dear lady is struggling to obtain her licence to practice dentistry in Australia. Her barrier is her English. Tonight I cooked her a curry, my mild anaemic type, and we talked about vision. I remember Pastor Phil Pringle teaching about starting with the end in mind. I showed her how this works. She caught it! It is awesome to see people catch vision, hope is here. Amen!

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.13.nlt When we look at a river filled to overflowing, because of summer rains, we see an abundance. When we consider what Christ has done for us, he has filled us with His Holy Spirit, full to overflowing, spilling over. Just as a natural river brings life, so our spiritual river needs to bring life to all in our world. So much can be done by a full Spirit. We have God Himself dwelling inside us, His power is mighty. As we spend time with Him, He cleanses out all the knots and wrong thinking and sets us free to allow this river to flow out of us. Amen! Let it flow! The world needs this river!

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.18.10.NLT We all know how some people who are, say related to royalty, when it is revealed, they are treated with deference. The Christian is related to the King of Kings. The awareness of royalty needs to be first in the heart of the believer, then it flows out to others. When we are confident in who we are, we shine. Start with your own heart. Amen!

God ’s name is a place of protection— good people can run there and be safe. Proverbs 18:10 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.18.10.msg There is only One safe place and that is in the Lord, even in the midst of turmoil and danger. He is our protection from severe harm if we don't panic but put our trust in Him. In all things, we can trust Him, all things. Seek Him for the answers. Circumstances may look bleak but go to God, He is the way through! Amen!

God ’s name is a place of protection— good people can run there and be safe. Proverbs 18:10 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.18.10.msg There is only One safe place and that is in the Lord, even in the midst of turmoil and danger. He is our protection from severe harm if we don't panic but put our trust in Him. In all things, we can trust Him, all things. Seek Him for the answers. Circumstances may look bleak but go to God, He is the way through! Amen!

Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labour over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. Psalms 127:1 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.127.1.hcsb When the Lord is in a thing; be it a church, a family, a business, a venture, it succeeds. No matter what comes against us, nothing will cause it to fall. When we build on the right foundation, nothing can destroy us. If we build with all that is precious, a building will stand. God must be in everything. He is the cement, the One who holds all things together. Amen!

Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. Psalms 127:1 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.127.1.hcsb Today I travelled for 5 hours for a post op consult with my surgeon. I left my mum at home, at her request. "I have arranged Peter(my brother) to call me several times today, I will be fine, " she said. I received a call at 2pm from a group called Vitacall, we pay for a service whereby mum wears an alarm she can press if in danger. She had fallen on the floor and could not get herself up. I knew there was nothing I could do, except pray and so I gave it to the Lord. Mum called me an hour later to tell me she was fine. The ambulance came and the paramedics picked her up, checked her over and at her insistence left her at home. When I returned home this evening I discovered Mum had crawled to her room to try and pull herself up and failed. Having Vitacall is like having the Lor...

Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labour over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. Psalms 127:1 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.127.1.hcsb When the Lord is in a thing; be it a church, a family, a business, a venture, it succeeds. No matter what comes against us, nothing will cause it to fall. When we build on the right foundation, nothing can destroy us. If we build with all that is precious, a building will stand. God must be in everything. He is the cement, the One who holds all things together. Amen!

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. Psalms 56:3 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.56.3.nlt What makes you afraid? We all have fear come at us in different ways. I am not particularly fond of tight spaces, as in the tunnel of an MRI machine. To cope I shut my eyes and concentrate on praise and worship. I also remember the first time I went down in a mine. It was not an experience I want to repeat. As I watched the divers rescue the young Asian soccer team from the flooded caves I knew it would not be me. I remember visiting the entrance to a famous underground cave on the Nullabor in Australia. It was eerily dark and uninviting. I knew then I would not like to swim underground. Some things we can choose to not do and it does not matter, In others, we must face them and have Jesus bring us through. When I must go through I cling to the Lord. He does not fail me. amen!

but when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. Psalms 56:3 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.56.3.nlt This is a hard time to trust but if you can learn to trust it is the best outcome. Moses and the children of Israel had to learn to trust when facing the Red Sea. The Bible is replete with stories about those who trusted, read them and be encouraged. Trust in God for His outcome is best. Amen!

For the Lord, your God is living among you. He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/zep.3.17.nlt Jesus saved us from the debt and consequences of sin. That debt was unpayable. There is no coinage worthy enough to pay for our debt. However, the blood of a perfect sacrifice was required. Satan attempted to cause Jesus to sin and failed and so Jesus became the perfect sacrifice. Although Jesus willingly laid down His life for us, the power in the transaction was such that He rose to life. Death could not hold Him down, He was too potent! Amen and amen!

For the Lord, your God is living among you. He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/zep.3.17.NLT This is a prophetic word by a man in the Old Testament. We live in a time when Christ's Spirit can dwell within us. We may not hear the joyful songs but I assure you they are sung by all heaven when even one sinner repents. There are definite times when I feel Gods loving presence, His love is all over me. I know my spirit rejoices and I sing. Imagine what is happening in heaven! His love calms our fears, we need to run to Him first. He is the best! Amen!

For the Lord, your God is living among you. He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/zep.3.17.NLT This is a prophetic word by a man in the Old Testament. We live in a time when Christ's Spirit can dwell within us. We may not hear the joyful songs but I assure you they are sung by all heaven when even one sinner repents. There are definite times when I feel Gods loving presence, His love is all over me. I know my spirit rejoices and I sing. Imagine what is happening in heaven! His love calms our fears, we need to run to Him first. He is the best! Amen!

For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 1 Peter 2:16 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.2.16.NLT What do you consider living free looks like? Not being told what to do? Going where you please? Doing whatever you want? I have been on some dangerous mountain roads and the scariest times where when there were no guard rails, no boundaries. Boundaries keep us from danger, they ensure our safety. Parents teach children boundaries for their own good. My eldest grandson, who is 13, told me yesterday that his parents won't allow him to have a mobile that he can download apps onto. Instead, he has a clunky old one that can only make calls. I laughed and told him they were looking out for him as a lot of bad people hide behind apps. I am grateful my son and his wife are 'so mean.' I support them! Our God does the same. We need boundaries to stay alive and well. Amen!

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 1 Peter 2:16 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/1pe.2.16.NIV To say I am a slave bring horrible connotations. Only yesterday did I see a woman being jailed for subjecting two young women from Thailand to sexual slavery. Others who have migrated to Australia bring slaves and use them mercilessly. If caught by the police that person is taken to court. Yet, here, we are called to live as God's slaves. What does that mean to us? He does not abuse us, he cares for us, provides for us yet we owe Him faithfulness, we belong to Him. He bought us with His own life and paid all our sin debt: past, present and future, He guaranteed us a pass to eternity to be with Him. We belong to Him, not to ourselves. Amen!

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13‭-‬14 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.13-14.NLT The broad road is the 'anything goes road', the 'let's modify scripture to suit us.' The narrow way is the way of submission and obedience no matter what the cost. God is looking for those who's heart are His, totally. These individuals shine like the sun and brighten up dark places. Shine on!

“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it? Matthew 7:13‭-‬14 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.7.13-14.hcsb I have travelled on both types of roads and know which I prefer, naturally speaking. The wider road is usually well paved, handles the rain much better, has better markings for night driving and usually clear of obstacles, like fallen trees, mudslides etc. I have travelled on many narrow tracks in Nepal and if they weren't washed out through rain they were blocked with mudslides or trees fell across the road. We are creatures of comfort. Even the men who buy four-wheeled drive vehicles don't use the features as they are seldom in places that need them and when they are they do not know how to use them. Scripture tells us how to g ear up for Christian life. It is much like buying a...

You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.27.17.MSG Good friends tell you when you are off track. They are not intimidated with confrontation. Confrontation is one of the best things a friend can do for you. Take it, swallow your pride and ask the Lord for His grace and mercy to move on. Don't value your pride above your friends. They will be there when you have been humbled and will pick you up, and not condemn you. 😀

You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.27.17.MSG You may have heard: he was sharp as a tack! This means the person's mental acuity was bright and clear and he was able to think and discern accurately. Isn't it interesting that friends can sharpen us. This is why I believe Connect groups at church are important. Here you have an opportunity to make good friends and challenge one another's thinking. I remember being in a group one night discussing abortion and how as Christians we oppose it when one of the men said that if his daughter was raped he would not oppose her having an abortion. The man leading the group said: "well I would disagree with you as there is no justification for abortion." This would have made the first man reevaluate his stance. Without such confrontations, we are left believing we are right. Friendly confrontation is always a blessing. We may not like it but it is...

“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/deu.31.6.MSG Sometimes we just need to stand and not move. I have a dog who I rescued from an animal shelter. Because of his time at the shelter, he becomes a barking mess when we encounter large dogs. I hold him t ight and stand still and allow him to calm down and the larger dogs to pass. I am not intimidated and he understands that. We need to calm ourselves and look the enemy in the eye and say: "leave!" James tells us: resist the devil and he will flee. Start resisting! You will become strong! Amen!

Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/deu.31.6.hcsb There can be many things that come to frighten us. We have an enemy who prowls around looking for someone to devour. He is not kind and will stir up any amount of trouble against us. Our challenge is to continue looking only to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. It was Jesus who gave us faith and it is Him who strengthens our faith. We must not go to fear but rather to faith. Faith holds the power to overcomes and breakthrough walls of opposition. We just need to focus our faith in the One who works all things out for our good. We are just lifting weights in our spiritual gym. This will make us strong. He is good! Amen!

Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth. Proverbs 18:2 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.18.2.MSG Thoughtful discourse involves consideration of others. It is such a gift to give others, totally loving and considerate. Others love to shine and we should let them. Our turn will come. Amen

A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions. Proverbs 18:2 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/pro.18.2.HCSB The part of this Scripture that challenges me is: the fool is keen to give an opinion. I know that when excited and in a discussion with someone, I run on too quickly. This is foolishness to me. It is much better to control excitement and listen to others. Then I might hear more that requires an opinion, the right opinion. An opinion is not always sought. Sometimes people want to do the talking or should do the talking. Consideration is important. We are all capable of being foolish, we know it when we have been. I am grateful God forgives us. God is compassionate, praise Him. If I offend others by my foolishness I endeavour to apologise and move on. This is the least I can do. Amen!

God, pick up the pieces. Put me back together again. You are my praise! Listen to how they talk about me: “So where’s this ‘Word of God ’? We’d like to see something happen!” But it wasn’t my idea to call for Doomsday. I never wanted trouble. You know what I’ve said. It’s all out in the open before you. Don’t add to my troubles. Give me some relief! Let those who harass me be harassed, not me. Let them be disgraced, not me. Bring down upon them the day of doom. Lower the boom. Boom! Jeremiah 17:14‭-‬18 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/jer.17.14-18.MSG I love this version of today's scripture. It may sound juvenile but if we were caught as Jeremiah was, with everyone against him, I think we might resort to such language. When we are bullied or mistreated it is sure good to have God in the ring with us. He is the best!

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for You are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jer.17.14.HCSB Jeremiah the prophet had a difficult task, no one listened to him. He was the subject of ridicule and mistreatment. Yet he fulfilled his role and clung to the Lord. Whatever the task God has given you, trust Him and He will care for you. You praise comes from God. He is your life and your song. Don't look to men and women for your praise, you will either be trapped in a circle of man-pleasing or be constantly disappointed. God gives the best praise and the best protection. Be faithful to all He gives you to do and know your reward comes from Him. Amen!

We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/2co.3.18.HCSB Before we come to Christ there is a veil over our minds, we don't understand what Jesus did for us. However, when the veil is removed by the Holy Spirit the light goes on and we understand. . As a Christian, my face is unveiled and as I look into the Word of God I am looking into a mirror and it is that mirror that tells me who I am. It is only that mirror that completely knows me. It sees into my soul and knows completely where I am at, but it also looks into the word and knows who I am becoming. I am a new creature in Christ! Amen!

On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.” He said this about the Spirit. Those who believed in Jesus were going to receive the Spirit, for the Spirit had not yet been received because Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37‭-‬39 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jhn.7.37-39.HCSB The Father had sent Jesus and Jesus had said: "anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.' If we want to understand the Father we need to read the gospels and watch Jesus. The intention of the Father was to give each of us 'life abundantly' and this life was His Holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit is living water. As we live in Him, a stream of this water flows out of us to our world. Living water is full of life for others. Let it flow and as we let it flow it brings healing...