The day with dianne Louise

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2 NLT What joy awaited Jesus? Would you believe it was and is the joy of having us with Him. He knew we were dogged by sin and it was not possible to be good enough by ourselves. So, He made a way. He became our way, our pass and rights contract. As I place my faith in Him I am welcomed in. The garment given me is white. I may, in myself be grey, however when I put on the garment given me, I am white as snow. Forgiven and welcomed. Amen!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1‭-‬2 NLT I love this scripture as I know those who have gone before me inspire me. To know they are watching my race is most gratifying. I belong to them, even if still on earth and look forward to the day when we will meet face to face. What a party! These saints encourage me to throw off every weight and run unencumbered. I cannot carry the enemy's rubbish for him. All doubts, fears, resentments, criticisms are his. I will only take what my God has given me and that is life, life abundantly. Amen...

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 NLT Life and circumstances may make us feel like giving up but we can't, not while we have hope, hope of a God-ordained future. As I grow older I know many things will come against us in life. When I was in my 20's the sky was the limit, nothing could stop me. As time went by I realised I was not superwoman and things did happen. Now in my 60s I know no matter what my God is on my side. Amen!

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 2 Cor:16 NLT What is why we never give up? Verse 14 tells us: the One who raise the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with you. The power of endurance comes from the hope that the Christian carries. Life down here might be tough but joy is coming, eternal, everlasting joy. The hope of having us be with Him helped Jesus endure the cross. He knew that He tasted death for all mankind, past, present, and future. May the hope we have empower us to endure as we press on towards our eternal goal. May our endurance encourage others and lift others up. Amen!

As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Romans 10:11 NLT My own efforts may be fraught with holes but my faith in the work done my Jesus is solid gold. Jesus was a perfect man who followed the path before Him even to the huge cost of His life. He had the ability to save Himself from the cross but refused. This is His example. Amen!

For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:10 NLT In this chapter Paul goes to great lengths to expalin salvation. In the previous verse he says: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. My salvation has nothing to do with how good I am, but rather my faith in how good He is. He is my way, my truth amd my life. I can cling to Him, confess to Him my shortcomings and speak of His goodness, as again and again I find His forgiveness. I am so pleased my salvation hinges on my faith, and not my works.  I then do not have to create righteousness in my self, but rather gratefully receive His. Amen!

“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16 NLT When under stress are you prone to exaggerate or embelish? Unfortunately I find myself here at times and afterwards am horrified at what comes out of my mouth. How can I change? Like Paul I can rejoice that I have a saviour. When I want to change I ask the Holy Spirit to stop me or jolt my memory before I blunder on. He is faithful and if I follow His prompt I can be faithful in my testimony. We are not, in ourselves, capable of holiness. We are just not good. Scripture tells us no one is good except God alone. However, faith towards God and seeking Him for change always works. Amen!

“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16 NLT This scripture is a part of the 10 commandments, number 9 in fact. It is tied with murder, adultery, theft and coveting your neighbours goods. I think Jesus covered all these by saying : love your neighbour as you do yourself. Today we need to hear this. Many accusations about others flow to and fro. We have opinions about everyone and everything and most is posted on social media. Tied to the commandment is the concept of honour and deeper still love. If we love as Jesus loves we refrain from comment. We have more to do than give opinions.

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT When we consider the New Testament scriptures, in the gospels we see a group of disciples struggling to believe, wanting Jesus to be the answer to a problem they saw. Yet, Jesus was more. He was an eternal answer for sin and re-establishing a relationship with God the Father. In the book of Acts we see the difference the baptism in the Holy spirit made. The disciples were on fire and had direction. The gospel was spread around the Mediterranean lands. Many new converts to Christianity were wrought. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is what we need today. It changes us, sets us on fire for the gospel. Dont settle for less. Amen!

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT What does this scripture mean? First, if I read it in the whole passage I know why it was written. In chapter 3 of 2 Corinthians the apostle Paul is talking of the difference between living under law and the new life that comes in Jesus Christ. He says 'the veil' has been lifted off the believers minds. I remember when that process happened for me. I received revelation of all Jesus did for me amd welcomed Him into my life. Now, I could no longer stay in darkness or go back to darkness, because I am in the light, the veil has been lifted. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit and He keeps His promise. The Holy Spirit brings liberty. There is freedom from the law of doing things to be good enough. I am good because of Him. Amen!

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord , who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalms 121:1‭-‬8 NLT We need to bury ourselves in scripture when faced with intractible and uncaring people, government departments, family, neighbours and even once friends. Biblical history is replete with stories of those who were cast out. The story about Jospeh, second youngest son of Jacob; David, annointed king chased by the then current, jealously insane king; Jesus, rejected by His family, by religous leaders and finally betrayed by His own disciples. All c...

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord , who made heaven and earth! Psalms 121:1‭-‬2 NLT This Psalm is beautiful! It is full of God's promises to watch over and protect. It is well worth reading in its entirety. When we are needing help and we are in a valley, we look up to the hills surrounding us. We wonder if help is unseen, but coming. For the Christian, we can look into the word of God for His promise, and lean into the heart of God for His presence. The answers are there. It is more important to hear or see what God is doing than what man postulates on the news  reports. Man reports what he sees or feels or is suspicious of.  God's word tells us of the ever faithful heart of God. He is good, and never fails us. Amen!

And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” John 3:36 NLT Does this scripture make you prickle? Why? Is your own deism being threatened? We all have to lay down our crowns. Jesus is Lord whether we like it or not. Learning to submit to His lordship is integral in our freedom. If we fail to yield we fail to be truely set free as only the Son can set us free. Lay down, lay down, lay it all down. Let your hearts melt before Him as you lay down all your crowns. Amen!

And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” John 3:36 NLT How would you enjoy living in a country where the leader hated you and what you represented  and sought to destroy you? Many Christians do. Persecution has not abated, in fact it has increased.However, for the purpose of illustration the question was asked.  People who choose to live for themselves and not accept Christ live under judgement, their actions are judged. Whilst the Lord does not seek to destroy these people, they do not enjoy His presence or protection. I remember a time when I felt excluded and under judgement. This was when God was drawing me to salvation. The final act He did for me was to reveal my sin and open my eyes to Jesus. The above words were spoken by John The Baptist, not Jesus. John had come preaching awareness of sin and repentance. Jesus came showing the way, He was and is t...

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NLT People who know their God know they can run to Him. When my children were little and they became frightened, they ran into my open arms. Our heavenly Father is waiting with open arms. We are not able to make all things right. The world is a mess. The only reliable and safe place is our God. Run to Him, hide in Him. Amen!

God ’s name is a place of protection— good people can run there and be safe. Proverbs 18:10 MSG When I think of the names I have known in my life, some were unknown enteties, some well-known, and some were pejorative, they were definitely to be avoided. A good name is worth more than treasure, in fact it is one of the greatest treasures. The Lord treasures His name and holds it above all but His word. What does this tells us about Him? It tells us that He works hard to maintain the value He places in His name. He wants to be that safe place that all may know Him as safe. When watching movies such as The Godfather, I wonder why people would be loyal to a brutal leader. When I consider men such as Hitler I wonder how ordinary people hailed such a man. Yet they did. I am sure they did not see these men as safe places. My God is a safe place and for that I love Him all the more. Thank You Lord! Amen

The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” John 14:21 HCSB Jesus told a parable about two sons whom their father asked them to go into the vineyard. The first said: "No I won't go!" But later changed his mind amd went anyway. The second said he would go but did't. Jesus asked which son would receive the greater reward. The listeners said: "The first who said he wouldn't go but changed his mind." Jesus told them they had judged rightly. (Matt 21:28-30) Jesus was attenpting to teach the importance of grasping the truth of His message. In the above scripture Jesus tells us that those who hear and obey will be blessed by not only His presence but also that of the Father's. Do we really want our own way at a price of missing out on the presence of God? Think about it!

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” John 14:21 NLT Just as the disciples and followers of Jesus were challenged with this statement, so are we today. Another would be: I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6) Jesus is stating His position and divinity. The hearers were challenged by His claims. If He  was right then God stood before them. Imagine Jesus appearing now and claiming these things. All the religious leaders would meet and want to test His claims. If He was genuinely God they needed to acknowledge Him, if He wasn't they would need to denounce Him. We have history on our side. Jesus died and rose again, just as He claimed He would. Those who choose to believe in Him, have a relationship with Him that defies logic. They know their sins are forgiven. While many will disappoint, Je...

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 NLT We see stories about people who have lived to over 100. My mother lived to 87. Tonight I helped celebrate a woman who is still going well at 92. At the party we were discussing the source of her long life. This woman was a missionary in Nepal for many years as a young doctor. At 92 she still swims laps in a local heated pool. Her mind is acute and alert. I have not discussed this lady's parents in detail with her. Tonight she mentioned her mother's attempt to write to her in Nepal when she had first gone there. The local post office stated to her parents: there is no such place. We know now it is a real place, I've been there three times thus far. There are many factors, we would all agree. However, the bible tells us respect for parents is integral. Look after your parents and God will look after you!

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 NLT What does honour look like? To honour is to show great respect. I do this in word and deed. However, if my father abuses me, it is not ok to be silent and stay in the abuse. Fortunately my father was not abusive. If we want ro understand honour of parents we can read it in the bible. The old testament is full of stories from Adam and Eve right through. Jesus took the religious leaders to task because they failed to honour their parents with their finances. It is one thing to say nice things but another to open the cheque book. My mother lived with me to the end of her days. I enjoyed her, even though her presence hindered my own pleasure at times. We don't have them forever, so it is wise to make opportunities while we can. When I invited friends over mum talked their ears off. They did not mind and I had to choose not to be offended. Make room for paren...

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. Psalms 19:1‭-‬2 NLT The more astronomers discover the more they see the glory of the Lord. I am constantly amazed at the breakthroughs in astronomy. Day by day new technological breakthroughs are accomplished. The cameras out in space are continuing to discover new planets, new galaxies and new nebulae.  How can we deny the glory of our maker? He is beyond understanding. Praise Him!

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. Psalms 19:1‭-‬2 NLT I love the skies. Early as I have time with the Lord I watch night turn to day. At night I love to be out under the stars looking at the glory of my God on display. I am forever grateful for His creation and the more I discover, the more I realise how powerful and magnificent He is. In the southern skies we see the milky way. Ir is a glorious display. Because we are country the light pollution is not as bad as in the bigger cities. For this I am grateful. If I want to eacape to a complete encounter with my God's sky, I can go camping. There is nothing like sitting around a camp fire, away from everything, watching the sky unfold, the planets rise and fall, the glory of the sun go, and return in a new day, and the moon dance across the canopy of stars. God's glory must be recognised. To pretend it happened by...

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. Matthew 5:43‭-‬47 MSG I just had a lovely night with friends. I cooked pizza and a chocolate cake. We ate around the firepit and talked. Such fun! Then we played games, laughed and talked. This did not happen by waiting for someone to care and invite me over. I made it happen. Fortunately I know h...

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Matthew 5:44 NLT Many Christians have real enemies who are persecuting them, most do not and their biggest enemy is themselves or Satan  robbing them of Godly truth. For those who do have actual enemies chasing them and seeking to destroy them, loving their enemies may be very difficult, so why did Jesus tell them to do this? He knew the power of God. Jesus was being persecuted by the Pharisees and He Himself had to apply this scripture first. Perhaps the forgiveness that Jesus gave to His persecutors sowed the seed for the apostle Paul to come to Him and to go on to become great in His defence. When we forgive the people who hurt us and pray for them, the power of the gospel has room to capture hearts and minds. If it was all about us we would not forgive, but we are here for the Kingdom of God and forgiveness is a key in that Kingdom. Amen!

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2 NLT We make allowances for the faults of others, only, when we really love them. Without love others are annoying, grating and sometimes insufferable. But, with love we can see the parts that we never saw before. Not so our enemy. Today was again hard. The car repair was expensive, the mechanic failed to call as promised, my dog vomited again; fortunately outside. I had another doctor's visit and the list goes on. However, I found my mad and prayed up a storm. I commanded and tore down all the works of the enemy. It would have not been pleasant to watch, unless you were God. I am sure He was delighted that I found the button. Darkness must flee! The Kingdom of God must come! Amen! I am glad God is my God and Father. Amen!

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2 NLT The Lord has been teaching me a lesson. We hear a lot about those we should gather around us: those who will uplift and challenge us. This quest can make us selective and even prideful. I have a friend who is obese and inclined to be negative yet she is faithful and has showed me a side of her that I respect. She leads a connect group for women and she was telling me about her desire for the group. She is a good woman and I am blessed to have her as a friend. We can look on the outside and judge wrongly. The verse above smashes through the self-righteous veneer of protecting me. We need to love and cover. Amen!

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalms 28:7 NLT This evening I must choose to worship through the pain. I have taken a hit physically as well as financially and a dear friend of mine, I am not able to rescue. She is in a grievous way with her health. I must remind myself of the saints of old who have been where we are but came gloriously through. Our God is good and worthy to be praised. I choose to praise Him! Amen!

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalms 28:7 NLT As I look out my window I see the land near the river flood plains enshrouded in fog. It has been the same the last few days. This morning there will also be a frost in areas as we are at 0 degrees. Fog is not pleasant. I am sure many who live in this part of the city would be longing for the sun to come. As I have my time with the Lord, I see the sun come and eventually dispel the fog. I see the sun as my God kissing the land with His presence. I know He is also in the fog, but the sun is visible. When we are caught in valley, covered in fog our heart cries out for deliverance. The Lord is with us but we do not sense Him. When we do feel God's presence we feel secure. As I read the whole Psalm I see David cry out for God's presence. The verse before says: 'may the Lord be praised for He has heard ...

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord : He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalms 91:1‭-‬2 NLT One of the biggest upsets we face is being let down by others. We can become angry and upset and lose our awareness of our God. Yet, scripture tells us to trust the Lord, as He alone is our refuge and strength. My constant challenge is to not expect divinity from humans. As I remind myself that they are not God, and will ultimately fail because of their fraility, I find peace. Remember, remember, remember there is only one God. Amen!

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord : He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalms 91:1‭-‬2 NLT In certain devastating experiences we want to hold on to someone. The Psalmist says in this passage that he will find safety in the shelter and shadow of God. A shadow is not a person, yet the Psalmist is content in the shadow of the One he trusts. Psalm 90 was written by Moses. He experienced the shadow of God and grew to trust the Lord. We are not told who wrote Psalm 91. Whoever did knew his God. David was a man of war who knew how to trust his mighty men. He could safely fall asleep in their shadow and know he was safe. The author knew he was safe in the shadow of the Almighty. He did not need to be held but was content in the shadow. Perhaps this is something to ponder today. Think about shadows and shelter. Go to a place where you will have shadow and think about y...

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT When does a thing  need strengthening? Usually when a thing is frail or not strong enough to meet a trauma it needs reinforcing. A wire trellis needs reinforcing if the vine that runs along it is too strong for it and will destroy it. We are told we are the branches of a vine. The branches grow heavy with fruit and also can become long and gangly. The vinedresser will trim the branch, add aupport to it and generally manage it. Jesus tells us in John 14 and 15 that the Father is the vinedresser. He is vitally interested in us finishing the journey, producing much fruit and staying connected to the lifeblood of the vine. He also protects the branches from disease, destruction and famine. Our God is for us, not against us. Amen!

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT Isnt it interesting that when the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He gave them The Lord's Prayer. Jesus was teaching form, not ritual. However, a part of this prayer asks for protection from the evil one. Many Christians believe in praying the blood over their lives and the lives of their children. Some believe in the power of communion amd take it daily. Many Christians fail to appropriate any form of protection and for years sail on unharmed. Yet, when disaster falls they don't realise the power in the cross and suffer unnecessarily. There is power, wrought on the cross. Jesus paid for all our sin, sickness and disease, including depression amd mental fatigue. There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the lamb. Find it! Seek it! It is there for eveyone. Amen!

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts of the Apostles 20:24 NLT This is the apostle Paul speaking. He knew he would never see his friends in Ephesus again, and that he was bound to face imprisonment in Jerusalem. However, he was compelled to go. He knew that even in prison, he had a task to perform; to share the gospel. We westerners hate hardship and seek comfort as our life blood. Yet , Jesus told us we must take up our cross and follow Him; Paul did this. For the sake of the lost, what price are you willing to pay?

For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. The Christian walk is one of taking territory, in ourselves, for others and for God. We take territory by being obedient and seeking God with all our hearts. His heart needs to be found in any given set of circumstances. What is God's heart toward a person? What is His heart towards a situation? Seek Him! When we seek Him we gain compassion and compassion moves God. Jesus summed up the 10 commandments as: love the Lord your God with all your hearts and love others as yourself. If we are struggling to love then we need to seek God. He has more than enough and is willing to share. Amen!

Wait patiently for the Lord . Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord .Psalms 27:14 NLT Today I met a lady who is brave and corageous as she is battling cancer that has spread through her left leg and she also has a nasty infection in it as well. This lady is patiently praying and believing for healing. Her love for the Lord is breathtaking and refreshing. My friend and I prayed for her and as she is believing for healing we agreed with her. Waiting patiently is a real art, one worth cultivating. Amen!

Wait patiently for the Lord . Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord . Psalms 27:14 NLT This verse is the final verse of psalm 27. Throughout the psalm David tells of being hounded by his enemies and forsaken by his family. Outwardly things are looking grim, yet inwardly he is stirring up his faith and focussing his gaze. This verse is almost a soothing verse after all that has gone before. Surely we can relate! Our world is torn apart, employment gone, disease is rampant and the streets are filled with angry throngs protesting against the perpetrators of their grief. As Christians we must turn our focus to God, soothe ourselves and wait patiently, in prayer, for our God. Amen!

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT Faith is believing God is solving the problem, healing the body and answering the prayer. Hope is trusting God with an expectant desire that things will resolve. Love is the fuel in the engine and keeps us coming back to truth. When you know you are loved you have faith in the lover and have hope that wasn't there before. All three work together and all three are necessary. Faith without love can be crushing and hope cant happen without love, what is there to hope for? 

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT Scientists marvel at the age of the universe and that it has lasted for millions of years, yet they predict that the Andromeda Galaxy will crash into the Milky Way Galaxy in the future. In their estimation it will be a massive change. Yet the God who created everything has given us three things that will not change or die: faith, hope and love. The reason they will never die is they are a part of His divine nature. Of all the gifts we have His love is greater. His love holds everything together. His love is sacrifical, His love is not transient like our love. Men can boast about their discoveries and knowledge but God's love outlasts them all. Amen!

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. Psalms 23:1‭-‬2 NLT This scripture tells that the Lord is our shepherd. He is not judging us, cutting us off or distancing Himself from us. Living in farm land I know the work farmers put into their sheep. They worm them, dock their tails, feed and water them amd protect them from predators, shear their wool in season and generally watch over them. Thr best looking sheep are those who have been cared for the most. The best sheep are more valuable. Their fleece brings in good money. Our shepherd looks over us and He looks for a return in His investment, more sheep. A goat does its own thing, is unruley and can become a pest. Do 't be a goat!

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. Psalms 23:1‭-‬2 NLT Our perspective is determined by who draws the picture. If we are conditioned by the world we will fret when we dont have the latest model car or a newer house. However, if we allow the Lord to paint the picture, He provides all we need. Need and want are poles apart. Want is fuelled by the lust of the eye. Need is what we actually need to function. My God always supplies all I need, want is a different story. A sheep needs food, water, shelter and protection from enemies. Our God can provide these. We can trust Him for our needs. Like a true Father our God loves to surprise us with the desires of our heart. It will be spontaneous and left field. You cannot order the Lord around. Trust Him! Amen!

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NLT Show deep love. How do we do that? By being visible, active, present, involved and forgiving. Deep love is not filled with platitudes. Deep love does not see the need and walk away giving only words. Deep love has skin on. Deep love is not embarrased by the behaviour of the one it loves. Love covers the failures of others. It does not talk about the failures but covers them. Talking about the failures of others shows how shallow our love is to them and how much we love our own opinion. Get real! Show genuine love! Amen!

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NLT Peter is speaking what he learned. He turned away from His Lord and denied Him three times when He was in His greatest need, yet he was forgiven. Jesus loved Peter even though he sinned against Him and forgave him. Not only that He restored Peter in a loving way. Peter never forgot this. The love Jesus pored out on Peter would stay with him forever. Jesus said: he who has been forgiven much loves much. Allow the love of God to cleanse you today and turn and pour it out on those in your world.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23‭-‬24 NLT Willing workers are a joy, as opposed to those who have to be forced, bribed or entreated. Our God does not pander to misbehaviour, rather He allows the sowing and reaping principles to kick in. If we sow good deeds we will receive a reward back. Conversely, if we are slack in our work, others will be slack with us. So...if we want others to be good to us, we must sow willingly.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23‭-‬24 NLT This is something I believe in. Another is: even if you are renting look after the property as you would your own house or as if you are renting from the Lord. Always, always, live with respect for your fellow men and women. As you give respect, it will be given back to you.

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 NLT Mother Theresa of Calcutta is reported to have said: Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely right where you are — in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools. — " We don't all need to go overseas to the mission field, it is right at our door. Get involved! Amen!

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 NLT Isaiah was caught up in a vision of the Lord seated on His throne. The Lord had asked, "who will go?" Isaiah had replied, "send me!" Then God tells Him what will happen: And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’ Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.” Isaiah 6:9‭-‬10  This appears to be the result at time, but with watering with consistent prayer, a harvest will come. The Holy Spirit has now been poured out. We are not responsible for the response but the task given to share. May His kingdom come, His will be done. Amen!

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14 NLT When travelling in a very dark place a light ahead is a welcome sight indeed. This is made more important if you are travelling without headlights and are completely in the dark. Many in the world have relied on their own headlights. As these are put out your work will become more vital. As the wise maids at the wedding party, keep you light well trimmed. Make sure you have an abundance of oil with you to keep shinning. Your work is very important, especially as the dark becomes darker. Amen!

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalms 23:4 NLT The rod and staff fight off predators, the staff,  imagine would hook a wayward sheep. In Australia, the sheep dog is sent after the wayward sheep, and we know sheep instinctively know how to be wayward. When my children were small they would occassionally be smacked for bad behaviour. I did not abuse them and they still love me. Our Father disciplines us when we need it, He still loves us. Amen!

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalms 23:4 NLT This scripture says: even when I walk. We will all walk through the darkest valley. There are a lot of dark valleys right now. None would we choose but as a citizen of the human race, they are there. Today all the world is suffering the effects of the Corona Virus, the financial outfall and now we have racial problems and abuse. Will it ever end? No probably not, not while frail humans exist. What is the answer? I occassionally watch Bear Grills taking a novice into a scary situation and each time an untrained man is put to the test. Because they have a very competent guide they survive. In life we have even better in the Holy Spirit. If we just let go and allow Him to lead we make it through without injury. We must learn to trust. Amen!

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 NLT Our God is faithful and just. Mankind is unfaithful and unjust. We cannot trust or look to mankind for justice when self is driving them. Mankind is in love with itself and cares more about self than any other creature, unless, Jesus Christ has a true hold of his character. Placing our trust in God alone ensures that He is on the case. If He is on the case, all our enemies will be in His hands not ours. I must trust the Lord for justice and so must you. Taking matters into our own hands prooves we have a God complex, thinking we can manage things better than God can. Let God be God. Amen!

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:8‭-‬10 NLT If ever there was a need to know our sin it is now. It seems like the word has gone out of favour and with it the awareness of our sin. How can we not be aware when greed, judgement of others, slander, self-righteousness abounds? We have become deaf and blind, that's how. Jesus would say our hearts have become hard. I am praying for all our hearts that they would become soft to truth. This will require a world-wide outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In the meantime, we can start with us, or I can start with me. Amen!

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. Matthew 6:14 NLT Who do you need to forgive? We see daily families lose loved ones at the hand of others. This would be very hard. How can we forgive murder, manslaughter, abduction, peadophillia enacted on young innocent lives. We can't without God's grace. The wounds from such will take time to heal, even in the hands of a loving God. Yet some has hurts over how people look or don't look at them; talk or don't talk to them. We really must press into Jesus for all our pain. Only He has the power to deal with it. Speaking from experience, make it a project to forgive and be healed. Amen!

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. Matthew 6:14 NLT Forgiving others has its challenges, especially when wounded deeply. However, just as a person who is diagnosed with cancer will seek treatment so must we seek healing of the wound. To be totally healed of the wound is to forgive. It is one of those weird remedies that God created, and it works. Apart from being healed we are forgiven by God as we forgive. So, there are two good reasons to forgive. Lastly, living with a forgiving heart makes us a nicer person. We repel less people that way. So...forgive!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT Love, power and a sound mind are sure better than a life of fear and timidity.  Fear and timidity are foreign spirits thrown at us by our enemy. A born again believer is not given these but rather love, power and a sound mind. We can rejoice for our God is for us, not against us. Amen!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT Self-discipline is needed against fear. A refusal to look where it commands, to not allow thoughts to go where it instructs. Instead another authority must come into play: the word of God. What does God's word say about provision, health, family and relationships? He must be the authority. His word lasts and has power to break down every wall. He has power to topple adversaries and tear down barriers. Trust Him! Amen!

But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! John 15:7 NLT Last weekend I stayed in the home of friends over at the coast. If they had asked me to stay on they would have been asking me to remain. When we come to Christ we come from a place of darkness to a place of light, we come in from the dark. Jesus invites us to remain in Him and leave all our old ways of manipulation and control, endeavouring to create an outcome we desire. Jesus said: if you remain in Me, ask whatever you will and it will be done. The key is remaining in Him. To remain we must first be in Him. Being in Him is laying down all worldy ways and living a new life governed by Him. I can attest that being in Him is the best place to be. Amen!

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT In Australia we are watching the devestation in the US and elsewhere as people protest against racial violence as well as coping with the COVID19. The Christian has to make God the centre and not yield to emotional turmoil. Our God can work through all that troubles us and as we yield them to Him He goes before us and makes the way plain. Today I had felt unwell and was determined to press on and see God rule in my life. It was not easy but I am glad I chose to continue and not surrender to illness and be overwhelmed by it. This is one exanple of how God's ways are better and to be trusted. As we go to Him and trust Him He works all things out for our good. Amen!

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT Being alert helps of you be in tume with the Holy Spirit. What is He saying and doing? Our minds need to be free of anxious thoughts, critical thoughts and condemning thought and be able to, in freedom, tune in to the Holy Spirit. If our minds are not free then we should start pulling down the strongholds of the enemy there by taking every thought captive and demanding what it is doing. (2 Cor 10:3-5) Once free our mind can search out the Holy Spirit's frequency and be in tune with life. Amen!