The day with dianne Louise

God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it’s now —this is current history! God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness. Romans 3:25‭-‬26 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/rom.3.25-26.MSG Only God, the creator of all things, knew how to make things right between Himself, and His creation. This He did with His Son becoming a man, being sacrificed on a cross to pay the penalty we all were due to pay. Praise Him! I am grateful!

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, Romans 3:25 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.3.25.NLT Sin requires punishment. When my children were young, they were spanked for bad behaviour. They learned that bad behaviour bore consequences.  Eternal punishment is unbearable to consider. Therefore, Jesus chose to set us free by being a substitute for us. He not only died a cruel death but He rose again. By rising again He defeated the power of death. His rising again was a symbol of what happens to us. We rise to new life in Him. Baptism is how we show the world we believe in the power of the cross. There is power in the cross, and the shed blood of the lamb (Jesus). This power is greater than all the works of the Devil and his horde. There is power to set us free...

I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles. Philippians 4:10‭-‬14 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/php.4.10-14.MSG Although Paul had no sense of need, he found people coming alonside him anyway. It is such a blessing when people can look, and see the big picture, and then God motivates them to be generous. Being observant and ...

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/php.4.13.NLT Just before this verse Paul is thanking people who want to help him out and goes on to say: Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:11‭-‬12  I have learned this as well. The Lord has promised to provide for my needs, and I can trust Him to do that. This promise does not guarantee a full fridge to feel comfortable about, but food enough for each meal. Self-pity wants us to feel bad because we don't have what we think we should have. This is not how the Kingdom of God works. Trust the provider and banish self-pity! Amen!

The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? Psalms 27:1 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.27.1.NLT There are days when I awake and know I have to cut through darkness to start the day. Today was one such day. All manner of fears and anxieties were trying to cloud my thinking. I started singing in the Spirit, and took a stance of worship. I bound the thoughts, and told them to leave and moved on. What they wanted was for me to stop, and slump under the load. Filthy spirits! Next I went for a walk, and sang. Singing sure challenges darkness. The goal is always to win through, and accomplish what I set out to do. I did! My God is my strength, and shield. He gives me His word, and His Spirit. I overcame by the blood of the lamb, and the word of my testimony. Amen!

The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom should I be afraid? Psalms 27:1 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.27.1.HCSB This is a Davidic Psalm. How can he be so confident? Experience and knowing his heart's desire is to dwell in the Lord's presence. He finishes the psalm with: I will wait for the Lord. The king before David was Saul and he had a problem waiting for God's solution. When the prophet Samuel delayed in coming to offer a sacrifice before battle, he did. This was unholy fire and forbidden. Because Saul did not wait he lost the kingdom. We cannot afford to not wait upon the Lord. He is our answer. Amen!

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. Luke 6:35 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.6.35.NLT What a day! My God is answering prayer and rousing His saints from lethargy. Come alive and pray against all manner of wickedness, bind the strongman, loose the bonds and set the captives free. Calling all saints, now is the time to pray and turn the enemy's plans into dust! Pray as if your life depends on it, it does! Amen!

But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Luke 6:35 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/luk.6.35.HCSB Love is a weapon of God, it undermines evil, it cuts through the darkness and destroys evil platforms. Love drove Jesus to the Gadarenes to set the demoniac free. This man went on to be an evangelist in his home area. He was so effective that when Jesus returned, the very people who had begged Him ro leave welcomed Him wirh open arms. Love causes us to reach out to the unlovely, to heal the broken and set the captives free. Love destroys the strongholds of Satan and looses the bonds of wickedness. Love is powerful! Amen!

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/pro.1.7.HCSB Everything starts somewhere. Children who learn to obey, respect their parents, when taught in love. Respect for parental opinion saves a child from disaster. Respect for the Lord's opinion saves us from disaster. Allowing children to self-govern or run with their emotions is a recipe for disaster. It is the same with us. God knows our emotions are volatile and dangerous, that is why He trains us to a life of self- control. Self- control saves lives. Amen!

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.1.7.NLT We are embarking on a journey into darkness this week as many decorate, and make ready to celebrate the feast pf darkness, Halloween. Well meaning Christians think Halloween is 'just a bit of fun', for the demons maybe, but definitely not us. This celebration invites the activities of darkness into homes, and more importantly children's lives. I will dress as an angel with a sword, and give out tracks about fighting the darkness, I am already praying and interceeding for my street, and my city. The Lord must be honoured over all works of darkness. He must be first in all we do! His ways must be chosen, His counsel sought. Amen!

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting , so you can respond to God’s giving . People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Matthew 6:30‭-‬33 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/mat.6.30-33.MSG We can't allow our minds to be captured with thoughts about missing out, poor me I haven't got this or that. These are all ploys of out enemy. Self-pity is waiting to capture us, and we must refuse, and send it packing. If God be for me who can be against me? If He dis not spare His own Son for me, will He not look after me? I must trust Him to know what is be...

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.33.NLT Jesus said in this verse, and those preceding it, not to worry about provision of food, and clothing, as our heavenly Father good supply all we need. I think the word 'need' is pivotal. What we think we need, and what we actually need are often different. Colossians 3:5 talks about greed being idolatry. What is greed? Wanting to look, appear, be different through the power of mammon (money). Greed is not content with provision of needs, it lusts after much more. So, now we see a spirit of greed and lust at work. God continually provides all I need, and a little extra so I can give to someone else. If I don't consume all He provides on me and leisure, then there is adequate for others. Today I need acute awareness of enough, and need to lay down and reject all lust for more. If God blesses me abundantly, it is for a...

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.11.25.NLT Each of us carries a gift, the Holy Spirit. Each of us carries a manifestation of the Holy Spirit which is given to us for the good of others. As we use this gift to refresh others, we are refreshed ourselves. The stream cannot be contained if we keep it flowing. Keep it flowing! Amen!

The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. Proverbs 11:24‭-‬25 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.11.24-25.MSG Jesus said in Luke 6:38: give and it shall be given to you, pressed down, shaken together, and poured into your lap. For the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Jesus took the scripture from Proverbs and expanded it. I would say He believed in giving, don't you? He gave His life and received an eternal reward. We must do likewise. An interesting insight from Luke is:' the measue you use'. I was pondering this. There will be times when I am so driven to give through compassion for the poor, that is a measure. There are times when I so delight to give because I love God, there is another measure. I think the measure is the motivating factor. I am now going to be more observant. This should be interesting! Amen!

Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family. Proverbs 6:16‭-‬19 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.6.16-19.MSG These seven things are also things we humans don't like about others, let alone ourselves. Yet, we are also guilty at times. As much as we harang politicians, and those who offend our sensibilities in public life, are we any better? No! Does attacking others make us more righteous? No! It is a delusion that we pride ourselves in.

There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. Proverbs 6:16‭-‬19 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.6.16-19.NLT  All of these traits are those of wickedness, unclean hearts and the flesh motivated by evil spirits. Satan hates, coverts the throne of God, and as Jesus said, He is the father of all lies who comes to rob, kill and steal. We must choose, daily, who we align our hearts to, darkness or light. Who will rule our tongue, our thoughts and actions. If we are reactionary, and are programmed to darkness, darkness will flow out. However, if we have allowed the Holy Spirit to rule our hearts and minds, goodness will flow out. Today, is a good day to start to ponder the realities of choice. Who will rule our hearts and minds. Amen

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? Mark 8:34‭-‬37 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/mrk.8.34-37.MSG What could I ever trade my soul forʔ What is worth more than eternityʔ I could not imaɡine ɡivinɡ up eternity for anythinɡ immediate, could youʔ Yet the deceiver has many convinced that now is all there is. Seriouslyʔʔ Don't settle for anythinɡ less than all Ɡod has for you! Amen!

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. Mark 8:35 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.8.35.NLT The cost of the gospel is there for each of us. If we are giving our lives to it, it is the ride of our lives. This does not mean it is all fun. Riding in buses in Nepal is not fun and is downright dangerous, and yet, to me, it is an adventure. Living in my street is an adventure. As I pray for the street daily and go out each afternoon, I interact with the children who play there. Yesterday I prepared for Halloween, as I know the children will come knocking. My dog and I will be dressed as angels, my house will be called a 'safe house'. Already I am finding opportunities to give a book and speak about my stance. I am doing it lovingly and gently. The Good News is my passion, my all. I went and visitied an elderly aunt in a retirement village. She is catholic and I talked to her...

I hate the two-faced, but I love your clear-cut revelation. You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me. Get out of my life, evildoers, so I can keep my God’s commands. Take my side as you promised; I’ll live then for sure. Don’t disappoint all my grand hopes. Stick with me and I’ll be all right; I’ll give total allegiance to your definitions of life. Expose all who drift away from your sayings; their casual idolatry is lethal. You reject earth’s wicked as so much rubbish; therefore I lovingly embrace everything you say. I shiver in awe before you; your decisions leave me speechless with reverence. Psalm 119:113‭-‬120 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/psa.119.113-120.MSG I just watched the world news and regretted it. We are in a mess, and only God can set us free. The papacy is now a living disaster with the current pope endorsing same-sex marriage, yet he refuses to allow his priests to marry. We are failing badly and on a slide to hell. Only an almighty saviour c...

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. [Ps. 32:7; 91:1.] Psalm 119:114 AMPC https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.119.114.AMPC The writer says he puts his hope in the Lord, as the Lord is his shield. The author was from a time when shields were used widely and valued for the protection they gave. A warrior trusted his shield. The author, however, trusts his God and knows Him to be like His shield. To write this, he would understand faith. To trust in a God he could not see, and liken Him to a shield, which he could see, reveals a level of great faith. The Christian is told that one of the weapons of warefare for him, is his faith, in the book of Ephesians, chapter 6. The common denominators are faith, and  God, the best! We might, for a time, trust in our own strength, but when it fails, where to next? Our God never fails. Amen!

I can’t tell you how happy I am to learn that many members of your congregation are diligent in living out the Truth, exactly as commanded by the Father. But permit me a reminder, friends, and this is not a new commandment but simply a repetition of our original and basic charter: that we love each other. Love means following his commandments, and his unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love. This is the first thing you heard, and nothing has changed. 2 John 1:4‭-‬6 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/2jn.1.4-6.MSG Nothing has changed, still! We are to live in love not anarchy, criticism, self-exaltaion and condemnation of others. We have a duty as emissaries of the king of kings to live as Jesus did, laying down our precious opinions for the sake of others. The world needs mercy and grace, we have it and should use it. I am reminded of the Tales of Narnia. Each of the children were given a special gift to use for others. We have these gifts, let us use them. Amen!

Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. 2 John 1:8 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2jn.1.8.NLT John is warning the Christians to be wary of false teachers and believers who promote a different gospel and deny the power of Christ. This message still holds true. Today we are faced with all manner of teachers and doctrines. We, ourselves must not water down the gospel. Jesus died for our sins and rose again and conquered death and sin. The scriptures are our life, they keep us on track and away from deception. Read them daily, and absorb their teachings, dont allow your mind to be your instructor, but live by every word of God. Live it and breathe it! Amen!

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. 2 Chronicles 7:14‭-‬16 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2ch.7.14-16.NLT Solomon had just built the temple his father had desired to build for the Lord. The centre of worship was this temple, and the Lord had agreed to fill it with His presence. We know it was eventually destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Thr people had strayed from the Lord but continued to offer sacrifices, reducing the Lord to a god similar to the foreign gods. God was not pleased, and determined to shake things up. The people had not humbled themselves and prayed. With Jesus another templ...

At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:13‭-‬15 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2ch.7.13-15.NLT These scriptures come from a word God spoke to King Solomon who was instrumental in doing something noone had ever done in Israel before, built a temple for the Lord. The Lord is wanting to do something new in His people, again. The scripture above contains a verse Christians all know well: if my people... however, the plagues and sicknesses still persist, what are we missing? We are still content in the way we have always done things because they allow us to do things our way. We are comfortable, yet our coun...

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalms 23:3 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.23.3.NLT By guiding me along the right path, God gets the glory. When I am precisely where I should be now, doing what I should be doing, He receives glory, as it shines. Amen

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalms 23:3 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.23.3.NLT No matter gow weary we become, in God we can be renewed and refreshed. He is the master of time, and the controls the results of the time. Times does not hold Him, He holds time. It is us who are affected by time. In worship I can enter His realm and be refreshed. He leads beside the streams and gives me lush meadows to lie down in. Even in the presence of my enemies He sets up a table of delights for me.  This psalm speaks to the power of God over my circumstances. He is Lord of all. Darkness cannot hold Him. Amen!

That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us . God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us , keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus! Romans 15:3‭-‬6 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/rom.15.3-6.MSG 'God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us , keeping us alert for whatever he will do next....

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.5.NLT As someone who knows music, harmony is important. Dischordance is woeful, yet some streams of music are definitively dischordant and challenge the senses. Harmony is important to God. Harmony exists in the Godhead, in the heavenly realm but not in the area that surrounds mankind. We are opiniated, puffed up and arrogant, thinking ourselves better than others. This is out of synch with all of the kingdom of God. The apostle Paul understood the need for harmony as the book of Acts shows him falling out with Barnabas (the son of encouragement). Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on a misssion with them both, but Paul violently opposed the decision. The fight caused them to go their separate ways. Later, we know Paul had repented of his attitude as he asks for John Mark to come. Imagine fa...

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.8.31.NLT I recently heard Kari Jobe singing a song about how God loves us and the refrain was: He is for you, He is for you.. The song brings home the importance of this scripture. When we read all of Chapter 8 of Romans we see that nothing can separate us from God's love: no height or depth, angels or principalities. He sacrificed His Son for us. The 'feeling thing' separates us with lies. Today's Christian lives too much by feeling, unfortunately and are therefore prey to an enemy who spins lies and uses them to control feelings. Feelings, in this context, are fake news. We must read the Good News and allow it to teach us the truth: we will go through dark places but He is always there, always! Amen!

and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:11 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/php.2.11.NLT We celebrate sports heroes all the time, we love our music and movie stars. Yet, here we have a star of all stars: facing the yawning pit of destruction we have a champion who stooped to save us, the unworthy and uninportant. The price for our freedom was His life. He gave it willingly, knowing it was a once for all price, never to be repeated or needed again. Mankind all through the ages have had access and freedom to choose, it is still available and never runs out 2000 years later, it hasn't lost its shine or relevance. What a saviour! Amen!

and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:11 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/php.2.11.HCSB I have been learning a lot about different languages in my uni course and how people speak them. Our God speaks them all and relates to every one in their own language. How wonderful is that! The good news is for everyone. God wants heaven populated with us all. I am sure there we will be mutually intelligible, praise God! If God says Jesus is Lord, He is. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice and is now seated at the right hand of the Father, waiting to hear the call, to end it all. I wonder if He is as eager as we are or more so? Come Lord Jesus!

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time. Proverbs 17:17 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/pro.17.17.HCSB I have heard it said, and perhaps said it myself: "I don't see my family much but when I need them, they are there". Usually, when very serious issues arise in our lives, family are willing to help. It is the dependability of family that brings security. For people who leave country, family and connections, facing times of hardship must be difficult indeed. They would have to hope the new family they create in a new country are enough to sustain them through serious illness, financial ruin and devastation. I appreciate the family of God for this very reason. Yet the elastic that ties me to family seems to surface in truely difficult times. When my mum was dying, two sisters came, as did a brother who had moved to the Phillippines to live. I am grateful for family. Amen!

When you pray, don’t babble like the idolaters,   since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words.  Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:7‭-‬8 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.6.7-8.HCSB So often we are caught in a feeling frenzy and cannot see clearly to pray effectively. Ask the Lord for clarity amd peace and then pray according to His word, not what your feelings or the world dictates you need. He has this! Amen!

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.  Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Matthew 6:7‭-‬8 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.7-8.NLT Anyone who has attended a catholic school knows babbling prayers. It is unfortunate that we were not taught to seek God in heartfelt worship amd prayer. The rosary consists of more prayers to Mary, the mother of God, than the Father, and none to Jesus. Mary has no power to save, Jesus paid the price for our sin and He is our deliverer, yet no prayer to Him was made. Fortunately, I was set free from this roundabout by the prayer of repentance, when I came to salvation. This opened the door to the baptism in the Holy Spirit and glossalialia (praying in tongues). What a difference! I am grateful for the nuns teaching me my bible and introducing me to Jesus. However, He was a storybook figure ...

An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Proverbs 27:5 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.27.5.NLT Hidden love is ineffectual, especially within families. Touch is important, as are words of affirmation. The lack of all these leads to a dysfunction in the family. My parents were not ones to say: "I love you!" Nor were they prone to show much affection. I received more affection from my grandfather. Unfortunately, he died when I was 6. As a Christian I needed to work through the unbelief that God loved me and that I was good enough. The beautiful thing about being a Christian is we have a loving, patient father who helps us in our distress through the Holy Spirit. As parents and grandparents we need to show affection and speak words of encouragement. Amen!

A spoken reprimand is better than approval that’s never expressed. Proverbs 27:5 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.27.5.MSG I have a nephew who hungered for his mother's love as a child and didn't receive it, so he would behave badly to get attention. Unfortunately, he still misbehaves as an adult. Whilst attention from a parent is desired, it should not be at the cost of a character. This young man has s brother who sought attention through sickness. He came to genuinely believe he had a deformed back which stopped him from performing. Suddenly, he found an ideal outside illness and now runs marathons, no longer limping. We have an enemy who is looking for opportunities to lock us in cages, away from our God-destined futures. We must decide who's truth we will believe. God sent Jesus to tell us the good news, in Him we are free. Amen!

“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?” Luke 11:10‭-‬13 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/luk.11.10-13.MSG It is interesting that in response to a request by the disciples on a lesson in how to pray that the Lord uses an illustration about determination in receiving a response, and then ends the discourse on saying: how much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. What does the Holy Spirit have to do with the lesson? If we understand that Luke focuses a lot on the Holy Spirit, perhaps we could see the relationship. Also, we need t...

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:13 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.11.13.NLT This verse is but a part of the chapter that deals with prayer. Here Jesus teaches how to pray and where we find the Lord's prayer. Next, He tells a story of having a sudden visitor and needing bread, and going to a neighbour to knock, and ask for bread. Jesus aligns persistence in prayer with receiving good gifts from God. The above verse tells us that although the answer may be delayed, persist, and you will receive what has been promised. The Holy Spirit gives good gifts. Amen!

For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance. 2 Corinthians 5:7 AMPC https://bible.com/bible/8/2co.5.7.AMPC It is not the way I feel that has authority but my faith in my God and His word to fulfill His promises. Emptiness tries to paint pictures. Since when can emptiness paint? What a lie! I pray and then I must trust that my God hears and moves to act on my behalf. There is only one God. The seemly things have no authority! Amen!

For we walk by faith, not by sight,  and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.  Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:7‭-‬9 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/2co.5.7-9.HCSB Fairh is the ingredient in our walks with the Lord. Believing we are loved when we do not hear from friends or family, pick up the phone! Faith is necessary when the finances are lacking. If you have been diligent to do all you can, then stand. Faith is necessary to believe God is on your side when all hell seems to break loose. I walk by faith! Remember that! It is not feelings! Amen!

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously. Micah 6:8 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/mic.6.8.MSG We can become so tangled in what we want to achieve, our emotions become entwined, and we become so focused on the pursuit that we lose perspective. So what if we don't achieve this goal? In God's economy does it really matter? What is important to Him? Us, our hearts towards Him, walking humbly with Him. To me as a mother amd grandmother, I care more about the genuine love my family has for me than all the money they might make, the awards they might receive or the attention they might attract. If they lose it all tomorrow and have to come with me planting potatoes, we are together. (I don't plant potatoes- not yet anyway). Money and prestige are easily lost but lov...

Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/mic.6.8.HCSB Earlier in the chapter God is asking: do I want sacrifices, Do I want the show? The first verse of Chapter begins with: 'rise, plead your case before rhe mountains'. Why before the mountains? Micah goes one to say: 'mountains and enduring foundations of the earth.' There is a lot here before we arrive that remains long after we are gone. This creation attests to the goodness and faithfulness of our God. Creation has seen it all, but better, it remembers its beginning, do we? Pride is so much a part of us that we fail to see it, until God tests us and out it pops. I had one of those moments last night. I had an American visitor come to dinner and we were discussing politics and America. Well, you could imagine how that went. The opnions we find! Yet, today I am reminded...

At that time, this song will be sung in the country of Judah: We have a strong city, Salvation City, built and fortified with salvation. Throw wide the gates so good and true people can enter. People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, Steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don’t quit. Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing. Those who lived high and mighty he knocked off their high horse. He used the city built on the hill as fill for the marshes. All the exploited and outcast peoples build their lives on the reclaimed land. Isaiah 26:1‭-‬6 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/isa.26.1-6.MSG We need to take a deep breath and one step at a time, and trust our God for the big picture. Today was a good day, the sun shone, a gentle breeze blew, and the flowers are in abundance, a lot to praise God for. Whilst there are still unanswered prayers, I must focus on what is right and working. Amen!

Trust in the Lord forever, because in Yah, the Lord , is an everlasting rock! Isaiah 26:4 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/isa.26.4.HCSB The verse before this is often spoken: You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You. My God is my refuge, safety, strong tower, my rock. All else fail me at times, because they are human.  A rock never moves, unless an eathquake goes through it, it is bombed or some such devastation occurs. The hills we look at today our forbears looked at. They have been there for time immemorial. I have been listening to a historical ebook of late, and am remined of all that came before. We are here for such a short time. We are a speck, and then gone, but to God we are important. God writes our names in His book. As I read the bible I understand what this is like. I am reading over 5,000 years worth of names. He is eternal, we are not. We must trust His word. Amen!

No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the Lord ’s servants, and their righteousness is from Me.” This is the Lord ’s declaration. Isaiah 54:17 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/isa.54.17.HCSB This is an amazing promise, one that we can cling to. Bullies are noisy and love to dominate with their noise. The spirits of darkness attempt to seduce and bully. They are never quiet. They need evicting in the name of Jesus! May the authority of the kingdom of God come, may His will be done! Come Lord Jesus! Amen!

But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord ; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord , have spoken! Isaiah 54:17 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.54.17.NLT There are many accusing voices around. They have no platform, yet because they have access to social media they see it as a platform. It looks foolish at best yet, it makes them feel powerful. Accusers are noisy gongs, whilst they are ever present, God has a plan for them. I am reminded of King David's response to the treatment he received when he had to leave the city because his son Absolom was attempting to take his throne. A noisy accuser was railing against him, and David was asked if he wanted the man silenced. David's reply stays with me: "No! For we do not know if the Lord sent him!" We know the man was there begging forgiveness when David returned. David's reap...

And me? I’m singing your prowess, shouting at cockcrow your largesse, For you’ve been a safe place for me, a good place to hide. Strong God, I’m watching you do it, I can always count on you— God, my dependable love. Psalm 59:16‭-‬17 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/psa.59.16-17.MSG I love this very exotic version! The langauge is crisp and precise. As fresh as a tasty leuttice. I see the Lord like this. He is new every morning, full of life and challenge to any obstacle. We need to freshen our perspective and see God as our vital and alive source of life and being. This morning I began the day singing. The whole atmosphere changed. With praise in our mouth and the two edged sword in our hand we can march into our promise. Amen!

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 David was someone who made a habit of singing. While in isolation minding sheep he kept himself company with singing to his God. He had learned to go there in his alone times and knew God was good company. In our alone times we need good habits, not reaching for alcohol, drugs or wrong websites. Our God is indeed good company and is our source of life. Things of the earth give temporary pleasure, but He has no bad habits to break, and He is not expensive. In fact courting Him saves our souls from hell on earth and in eternity. This scripture opens up my heart to a time of scripture in song. I know these words to music, so it is easy for me to sing this morning. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing, I will sing. I will sing of the me...

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. John 14:27 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/jhn.14.27.HCSB Fesr can attempt to destroy vision and dreams. Dreams and  visions keep us focussed and joyful about the future. Lack of vision causes us to perish. Tonight the Australian Government brought down its annual budget. This normally happens in May, but due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, all reports had to be drastically revised. It was a work in progress. Tonight the government presented a vision for the future and a plan of exit from the recession we are now caught in. Vision helps us extricate ourselves from disasters. Disasters do come but vision pulls us through. As Christians we find vision and hope in Christ and His word. Keeping a vital link with our saviour is imperative, it fuels our vision and maintians the motion. Stay in the word and stay focussed! Amen!

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] John 14:27 AMPC https://bible.com/bible/8/jhn.14.27.AMPC We are seeing China threatening in the Northern pacific, Azerbaijan bombing Amenia and Turkey boasting that Jerusalem belongs to them. To all I say: "Ha!" It is God who rules and He will decide. If we spend too much time watching the enemy, noisy as he is, we become fearful. However, God is on His throne, He is still Lord of all and His will will be done! Amen! Today is His day. If the scripture tells us He is giving us peace, then we need to accept it and rest in it. Today seek Him and His purpose. 'Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory'! Amen!

Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. 1 Chronicles 16:11 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1ch.16.11.NLT Today was a good day. I was mindful of the Lord's presence whenever I stopped studying, He was there. I struggled to stay awake and study, and could have rested but know I have a lot of work to cover and only 8 days to cover it. I also have a colonoscopy in the middle of the time period.  The Lord gave me a revelation about truth today. As people we become excited when we establish principles or creative methodologies. Our excitement tends to have us believe we have created a truth when in fact we were only using a God-given ability to perform a task He had given us to perform. He should receive the glory and we should not fall in love with the ability to create or the thing we create. He alone deserves all the glory. Amen!

Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually! 1 Chronicles 16:11 AMPC https://bible.com/bible/8/1ch.16.11.AMPC In NSW, Australia, we are having a long weekend. Long weekends from work are fun, but long weekends in pandemic is more of the same. As I usually don't study on the weekend but rather do housework and yardwork, it is all done. When everything is done I face emptiness and need to fill it. I make a practice of pushing into the Lord and asking Him to use this emptiness as fuel for miracles of restoration. I can't give in to lonliness as it is tied to hoplessness. God has a purpose and wants to spend this time with me. It must be fuel for miracles. The above scripture tells me that it agrees with me. The Lord is preaent in every trial and seeking Him and His purpose is paramount. I am reminded of Daniel who was castrated as a young man and taken into the heathen court of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel spent his life in Babylon a...

For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. Ephesians 6:12 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/eph.6.12.HCSB Imagine what it would be like to have no demon-inspired wickdness in the world. In Jesus' 1000 year reign Satan will be locked up. What bliss! Man's heart will still need to be born again, how much easier that would be! In the meantime we must take charge in the Spirit and pull down the strongholds. If it is to be, it is up to us. Amen!

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.12.NLT This scripture puts in mind the books by Frank Peretti: This Present Darkness and Piercing The Darkness. Although they were novels they contained amazing insight into the spirit world and the role of the Christian. Probably worth a re-read. Today, more than ever before we are seeing darkness parade in our world. It is no longer hidden but rather blatent and forceful. Its goal as always, is to control. Our role is to live in the Spirit more than ever before,  take up the battle with the weapons given us, and fight the fight of faith. I am rseminded of an old chorus: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, they are mighty, they are mighty. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, they are mighty through the...

Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces. Proverbs 13:20 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.13.20.MSG Becoming wise, usually means: getting educated and trained in the ways of wisdom. I remember well a movie some years ago, called Karate Kid. It was about a young man learning karate from a wise mentor. Many of the lessons the young man took were to him a waste of time. Many of you might remember the 'wax on, wax off' lesson or the fence painting lesson. King David probably trained his son Solomon or had input into his training. The wealth of knowledge David had would have been invaluable, however his love for the Lord was far more important than all the 'warrior stories' he could have told. Loving the Lord is the wisest thing we can all do! Amen!

Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces. Proverbs 13:20 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.13.20.MSG We fool ourselves when we eat wrong food, thinking it wjll not harm us; we deceive ourselves if we hang out with those who mock God's word amd think it will not harm us. What end result do we want? A life of faith or foolishness? The choice is ours. If we allow our lusts to rule us we will make wrong choices and end our days down the wrong path. At the end is a doorway into eternity. What do you want to see for all eternity? The goodness of God, the fellowship of Godly people or eternity wasted with mockers and those who do evil? Satan wants you to fail and become his puppet, what do you choose? The lust of laziness now will destroy all eternity for you. Choose wisely!

Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way. Psalm 16:11 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/psa.16.11.MSG This month is the month many will pray for the unborn. The images given with the campaign are a parent cradling the small hand of a baby. This is the image created by this scripture. Our heavenly Father is cooing over us, in raptures when we choose to be His. We really must get the understanding of His adoration and love. I have friends who became new parents for the first time just as COVID broke. All though this time they have posted photos of their little girl. They are besotted. Our God is the same! Soak it up! Amen!

Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way. Psalm 16:11 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/psa.16.11.MSG We who have been parents know the glow that our newborns gave us. Every time we gazed on them we were in awe, and our faces shone. God's face shines on us who are His newborn creatures. We can live with His face shining on us, it really is how we see Him that counts in our reception of His presence. If we think He frowns on us, all scripture will reflect that frown, yet, if we see Him smiling and glowing all over us, we will live in freedom, and blessing. Do you need a new perspective today?

God , you are my God. I celebrate you. I praise you. You’ve done your share of miracle-wonders, well-thought-out plans, solid and sure. Here you’ve reduced the city to rubble, the strong city to a pile of stones. The enemy Big City is a non-city, never to be a city again. Superpowers will see it and honor you, brutal oppressors bow in worshipful reverence. They’ll see that you take care of the poor, that you take care of poor people in trouble, Provide a warm, dry place in bad weather, provide a cool place when it’s hot. Brutal oppressors are like a winter blizzard and vicious foreigners like high noon in the desert. But you, shelter from the storm and shade from the sun, shut the mouths of the big-mouthed bullies. Isaiah 25:1‭-‬5 MSG https://bible.com/bible/97/isa.25.1-5.MSG When we trust the Lord for His vengeance, He does it with style. Standing back and refusing to take up arms is hard but the reward is watching a master at work. Faith is required on our part, bold faith. This is w...

O Lord , I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them. Isaiah 25:1 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.25.1.NLT Waiting for God sees Him do wonderful things. If our eyes and ears are on Him we see what He is doing. The worldly system is in failure and desperately needs a moove of God. Take you eyes off the world and its failure at look to the kingdom of God. He is not in failure, in fact more souls are coming to Him than ever before. Today is a new day in the economy of God. Don't grieve for the old ways, new ways are here. Be a part of the new things and don't attempt to control in old ways. Old ways do not work anymore. Stand back and allow God to moove, don't get in the way. Humble yourself and trust the new way.  Yesterday as I was reading Isaiah I saw how God prophesied the coming of Cyrus, hundreds of years before he came. God called him, His servant, the rebuilder of...