The day with dianne Louise

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. Isaiah 55:6‭-‬7 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.55.6-7.NLT Psalm 34: 18 states: the Lord is near the broken-hearted.  Many are suffering with wars, cyclones, tornadoes and volcanoes, famines and more. Yet this scripture promises that the Lord is near. Therefore, in this time of distress, it is a good time to call upon Him. As much as it is good for mankind to reach out and help each other, we cannot depend on mankind always. The Ukraine is finding that. Whist Russia is planning to send troops from Belarus in the north, no allies are present. Yet,  testimonies are coming forward that the prayers of the saints are working. We are entreated to keep praying, it is the best gift we can give. Amen!

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. Isaiah 55:6‭-‬7 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.55.6-7.NLT We can seek relationship, understanding, truth, revelation, knowledge or our own way.  Last night whilst walking my friend and I encountered two Hindu people. They were both educated: a doctor and an engineer. We got talking about Jesus and I discovered, after initially appearing non- believers in any God, they were in fact Hindu. The man was an intellectual who wanted to talk long about what he believed. The fact that we presented a relationship with Christ did not excite him. He wanted to talk about what he believed. I knew it was time to leave after an hour. May the Lord use what was said. I gave the man scripture, and truth. I pray the Holy Spirit turns that s...

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rev.3.20.NLT This verse was a part of a message to the  church of Laodicea. It was puffed up believing itself rich, but had failed to grasp the truth, they were neither hot or cold, but rather lukewarm. Jesus said He would spew them from His mouth. He tells them to buy gold from Him that has been purified in the fire. Jesus is looking for hungry people in His church. Cultivate hunger! Amen!

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rev.3.20.NLT Today is a good opportunity to spend good face to face time with the Lord. Welcome Him in to dinner, share with Him what you would with a friend. Amen

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. Proverbs 29:25 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.29.25.NLT In this time when we see Russia invade Ukraine we can gravitate to the negative and prophesies about the end times or seek God for His plans. What is He saying? Today I was in a conference in which we were worshipping, seeking God and hearing from Him. I saw myself with my head on the Father's lap, talking to Him about Ukraine. I saw ordinary people flooding from all the European countries in support of Ukraine. They were not waiting for their governments to play the political games, they were protesting, praying, and lending a hand. It is time the people rose up, and stood their ground.  If truckers and ordinary folk can flood Ottawa in protest to mandates, I am sure we can do it for the unjustly treated Ukrainians. Australians and truckers flooded our capital recently regarding the same matter. It is time we stood for justice. Amen!

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. Proverbs 29:25 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.29.25.NLT There is one man who is creating much fear in Europe today, Vladimir Putin. Principally because he is backing his threats with artillery. The rest of Europe is in shock and unwilling to become involved, except for sanctions. Putin will not be stopped by sanctions but God alone. We must see our God as supreme and head over all. He does not create wars, men do, but He uses them for our good. If it shakes us out of our apathy towards Him, then it is good. We are about to see an outpouring of God's Spirit on the earth. A fresh wind is blowing. When fear comes people run to God. He is our refuge and strength. Amen!

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:10 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.5.10.NLT Isn't it interesting that this verse ends with: and He will place you on a firm foundation? It makes me wonder what we were on beforehand. Most of our suffering is caused by us being reactive, premature, and not waiting on God's timing, fear and insecurity. These are not good foundations. They are shifting sand stuff, and we remember (don't we?) what happens to houses built on them? They crash! When my world fell apart the Lord told me He was stripping the tree of all that was on it, as it was all wrong, and then would rebuild it. Stripping is painful and makes you very vulnerable. I was hoping it was what would happen to the other guy. Nope! It was me. It has been a long process, but hey the build up...

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:10 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.5.10.NLT When going through difficult times for extended periods and a scripture like this comes to you, are you encouraged or offended? Do you think your times of trial have been too long? Where is God in this? The prophet Elijah had a time of disappointment. He had a confrontation with King Ahab, Queen Jezebel and the false priests. It seemed as if everyone had deserted God and him. He had seen a mighty miracle when he challenged the false priests to a contest. They built two altars and placed their sacrifices on them. He let them go first.  They were to call on their gods to rain fire on their sacrifice. This they did all day long whilst he mocked them. Then it was his turn. He doused the wood and sacrifice with wa...

“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. Isaiah 55:1‭-‬2 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.55.1-2.NLT This message is good news to the thirsty and hungry. Whereas, the well fed snub it. It is amazing that Jesus spoke these words, yet it was written hundreds of years before He came. This was His message, and more. He said: come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest for your souls; you drink this earthly water and thirst again, but the water I give you will make you never thirsty again. Why would we choose a different way? Why ignore Him? He also said: I have the words of eternal life. Who would not want that? Wisdom builds her house: the fool tears it down. Don't be a fool!

“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. Isaiah 55:1‭-‬2 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.55.1-2.NLT When Isaiah spoke these words little did He know the coming Messiah would speak similar words, with authority: But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14 NLT Here He was speaking to a Samaritan woman who would become one of the first evangelists.  Next Jesus was attending a festival and stood and spoke the following: Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to...

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.21.21.NLT Righteousness is right living, but more. God's righteousness is given to us at salvation. Jesus is our righteousness. His sacrifice made us clean, worthy to come before the Father. In ourselves we are incapable of righteousness to God's expectation.   The law was given to highlight the need for a saviour. Paul says: no one is good, not not one  ( Romans 3:10). All our righteousness is like filthy rags   ( Is 64:6). Make Jesus your saviour today. He is good!

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.21.21.NLT There are many things we might pursue: riches, careers, relationships, travel and enjoyment. However, Jesus said: seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you (Matt 6:33). Note Jesus emphasises first is the kingdom of God, and that what you are chasing will probably come to you as well. Solomon adds: and unfailing love to righteousness. This is just a way of saying God, He alone is righteous and He alone has unfailing love. So again, seek first God and everything else will follow. Amen!

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.16.10.NLT Honesty is a valuable attribute. However, if we have learned early to lie, we will continue unless the Holy Spirit convicts us and reveals a better way. What starts as small lies can grow. The Lord wants to trust us with the truth.  It is Him who is important, we are His children, and His representatives. He needs us to show behaviour that Jesus exhibited. Jesus knew how to handle truth. When we are afraid to tell the truth,  because we might offend or people may not like us, we will lie. As children if we have harsh parents we are fearful to tell the truth, and will find ways to protect ourselves from harm. Lying is the option most taken. Therefore, we need the Lord to free us and teach us how to handle truth. We can trust Him. Amen!

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.16.10.NLT It is down to the little things: if I steal office supplies, I may steal bigger things when I felt I needed them. Why? Because my philosophy would be set: I take what I need, and the boss won't notice. If I am a friend of the unimportant, I can be trusted to be a friend of the important.  If I am diligent with my time turning up to unseen things (seen by God alone that is), then I will be faithful with turning up to seen things.  The attitude, or habit, we set in place in the dark will be evident in the light. God is watching our habits and responses. Amen

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.15.5.NLT  The vine is the centre of the plant. Without the vine there would be no nutrients, no life, no beautiful grapes, no branches. Jesus said He is the vine, He is central. We are able to walk in life because of Him. Without Him we wither and die a futile life. Therefore, His priority must be ours. He is the trunk of the grape vine. As a consequence, we cannot decide to produce daisies. We are committed by the vital union to produce grapes. Amen! Stay connected!!!

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalms 46:10 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.46.10.NLT Are you the person who rapidly steps up to fix things? What happens when they are unfixable? Does this shatter you? Seeing your child suffer with disease, seeing them die prematurely, watching your partner die of cancer? There are many things we cannot change, and many we should not change. Who then is the master of it all? The book of Proverbs says: lean not on your own understanding, but in all you ways acknowledge Him (God) and He will direct your paths. This sounds nice but is actually hard when you are in agony of heart, being devastated by trauma. Thr pain can be excruciating. Why do we suffer it? Because we live in a fallen world. Where is God in it? Right beside you, waiting for you to turn to Him for comfort. Yesterday I experienced grief at losing a long time friend. I was walking home and prayed: "God I...

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalms 46:10 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.46.10.NLT Being still is an art. We are prone to be pushed by the rush. However, hopefully, we have learned to rest throughout all the lockdowns. Rest is best. It is stopping from all our agitating passions, anxious thoughts,  driven appetites. Rest is yielding, and knowing our times are not in our hands, and giving ourselves to the tasks God gives us. Rest in our souls is peace and contentment. Rest is being led by the Spirit. Amen!

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.12.14.NLT Work at living in peace with everyone! Wow! That is a tall ask! How can this be done? The same answer as this morning: stay connected and sensitive to the Holy Spirit! We can become precious about winning a game, an argument or the job opportunity.  I can become precious about my uni grades. I had become accustomed to distinction and high distinction but this last term I was severely challenged, even though I worked harder. The final results are not out yet, and I might scrape through with distinctions, but also may have to settle for less. We will see. I am told some students become very precious about not receiving the grade they expect. However, I went to the Lord, and will trust Him. I may have something to learn. We cannot become waylaid by expectations in friendships, work, church etc. The Lord kno...

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.12.14.NLT This is a sobering scripture. To realise that unless we have attained holiness we will not see God. He is holy and can only hang out with holiness. How do we attain holiness? Staying close and allowing His Holy Spirit to speak to us, and direct us. It is all about the heart of the matter. Holinesd is a way of living, connected to God and the church. It is prioritised living. So really we must assess: what is really important to God, and follow that focus. We can't earn it, we attain it through what Jesus has done for us. Being grateful every day helps. Amen!

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.14.26.NLT We know what teachers as we have been to school. Some were good, some bad. However, the Holy Spirit reveals truth to us. This truth will set us free, if we are willing to accept it. I have seen the Holy Spirit bring revelation to my life through my studies of Linguistics. I rejoice at new revelation.  Yes it is tough when it is a finger on sin, but repentance brings fresh wind. There is nothing like a clean heart, one that is sensitive to the purity of God. The Holy Spirit can take us there. Amen!

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.14.26.NLT What is an advocate? Someone who speaks out for the cause or policy of another. It is like an Aussie saying: he's a good bloke! We don't use the term about useless or wayward individuals, a derogatory term is reserved for them. So, the Holy Spirit constantly reminds us: God is on your side, Jesus paid it all, you can trust the Lord, the word is good! In the absence of Jesus in the present, the Holy Spirit is our comforting reminder of the reality of Jesus, His faithfulness and goodness. Not only that, He will also teach us everything. How good is that?  He is awesome! Get to know Him! Amen!

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2th.3.3.NLT The Lord is faithful! He knows we must experience the trial so that we know where we stand. It is for our benefit. Growth is the focus. Just as we manage the challenges of our babies as they grow, we know they must experience them to grow, God manages our trials for us, and will not allow us to be tested beyond our limits. We must trust Him in this! Amen!

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2th.3.3.NLT The fearful run into the trap. Satan sets a trap and then engenders fear in the subject causing them to run. When in fear we can run blindly. Running blindly we fail to see the trap, and also we run from the safety of the shepherd. We must trust our shepherd. He will keep us safe. He is well able to protect us from the evil one. Be still and trust! Amen!

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. James 1:22‭-‬24 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.1.22-24.NLT Those of us who have been parents could remember arguing with a rebellious child, and in the end saying, "Just do it!" James is basically saying the same thing. James is a very forthright, no nonsense leader. He tells things like they are. There is no illusion here. No soft pedalling, no sympathy. His half-brother Jesus was kinder, but also forthright. James came to faith  after Jesus had been crucified and risen from the dead. That would have been what is called a paradigm shift. He thoroughly believed a certain way, that Jesus want the Messiah to knowing he definitely was. Once we come to know Christ we know our old life was underrated. Now we know Christ w...

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. James 1:22‭-‬24 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.1.22-24.NLT God's word is sharper than any two edged sword, piercing bone and marrow (Hebrews 4:12). Yet, if we fail to listen,  we fail to grow. What makes us dull of hearing? Too much world.  If we give ourselves to love of the world, we are consumed by it,  and we become insensitive. If we find ourselves reading but not hearing,  we need to stop and clean out the pipes. Prayer and worship clean out the debris. It is no wonder the Old Testament is full of stories about God's people falling away, and needing to be brought back. It is human nature to wander. They did not have TV to entice them, and yet, they still wandered. Jesus tells us in John 15 to stay conn...

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Matthew 3:8 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.3.8.NLT Do you remember being a child and making a boast, and you friends yell: "prove it!" We can tell our family we love them but live in a way that belies our words. While our family might ignore our words, some might, in frustration say: " prove it!". In the book of Malachi the  Lord takes his people to task. The people had a habit of repeating Gods words in a question format. This is arrogance! If God says: " you are acting unjustly!" Rather than saying, "How have we done that?" Say instead, " show me my heart Lord that I might walk humbly before You!" God actually proved His love for us by sending His Son to pay for our misdeeds. A perfect God pays for all the imperfect people's sins. Proof indeed!

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Matthew 3:8 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.3.8.NLT This was spoken by John the Baptist to the Pharisees. They had turned up to be baptised and he called them 'a brood of vipers'. Pretty vicious! Why did he call them vipers? John called the Pharisees vipers because they did what was seen to be right, without a change of heart. They loaded heavy burdens on ordinary folk but gave themselves benefits. In other words they were wicked, religious actors doomed to the fire. Jesus called them 'whitewashed sepulchres'. Not much nicer. We must hear John's words. We cannot pretend our works are righteous, we must exhibit a changed heart. Amen

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 1 Corinthians 13:4 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.13.4.NLT If we posted out a question on Facebook: love is... we would probably have so many answers  but none would be ...patient. Why is love patient? It suffers long, endures waits with a good attitude.  These are attributes of our God. Noone, absolutely noone could say God is impatient. Why do we not value patience? We do, perhaps, if someone is patient with us. However, to give patience is a chore. So, today when we celebrate Valentine's Day, the greatest gift I can give, we can give is patience. Amen!

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1‭-‬2 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.8.1-2.NLT Condemnation is sneaky! It comes and shows us our sin. However, even after repentance it hangs around accusing. Remember, Satan is the accuser of the brethren. So, it masquerades as a spirit of light, but in fact its purpose is death. It then attempts to have us believe we deserve to be alone, sick and poor. It is also a robber of joy! Rebuke the beast! Jesus said: "the devil comes to rob, steal and plunder, but I have come that you might have life, and life abundantly!" (John 10:10). Choose the voice you listen to! Amen!

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Romans 12:12 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.12.NLT As the former PM of England Winston Churchill said: "Never, never, never give up!"  He learned this during World War 2. His cabinet wanted to surrender to Hitler.  He went down onto a city train as asked the people. They said: "Never, never, never give up!" That was good enough for him and he persevered. Imagine what England would have been like today of Nazism ruled? Have you ever been tempted to walk away? Stop trying? Yield to the darkness that swirls around you? I say: "Never, never, never give up!" If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). Amen!

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Romans 12:12 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.12.NL Our  confident hope is our salvation,  we can trust our relationship with Jesus, we can trust in His finished work. The price for our sin has been paid, once and for all. This hope enables us to be patient in our affliction. It is not for nothing. Many years ago the Lord gave me the scripture Hebrews 10:36: For you have need of endurance, so that you might prove the will of the Father,  and receive what has been promised. This has been my lifetime scripture. Endurance is not pleasant nor is it easy, but with Him it is doable. Paul knew about endurance, Jesus knew about endurance. We are called to take up our cross daily, and follow Him. Amen!

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.16.9.NLT Learning to sync ourselves to the Lord's drum is an art and takes time. My challenge was dealing with frustration to go and do. These days my hearing is getting better, slightly. I am less frustrated with timing. God's timing is slower, mostly, and then suddenly He acts, taking me unaware. He is a good fencer,  he parries for the longest while,  and then He lunges when I am in the parry rhythm. Ha ha! Peace is in the rhythm, the dance, allowing Him to lead. I remember as a teenager having my dad, who was an excellent dancer, struggle with me because I could not feel the rhythm and strove to lead. God is like this, He says: "again! And again! And again!" Unitil we get it. Let go and let God!

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.16.9.NLT The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalms 37:23‭-‬24  We do stumble, but praise God we do not fail if we walk in faith with our eyes on Him. I have learned over my years of walking with Him, I can think I know the way or the outcome, but He always surprises me. He is good, and His plans are far better than mine.  With this in mind, all my imagination about heaven and eternity will not compare with what He has planned. I have to trust Him that He goes before me and makes my path straight. I love adventure, God loves adventure, and delights in plotting it. I love experiencing it with Him. If He is there, I will go and enjoy it. Amen!

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 If astronomical findings about the age of the universe is true, God has been around an awfully long time and more. The most fascinating thing is that He has always had a plan, and we are part of it. The book of Genesis shows how God had a plan for redemption of mankind, when He said to the serpent: I will put hostity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel (Gen 3:15).  What is amazing is that Jesus said in John 3:16: for God so loved the world, that He sent His only Son, so that whoever believed on Him would have eternal life. Redemption in all its fullness! Isaiah was stating above that God planned wonderful things long ago, and now you have accomplished them. I wonder if the last statement was ...

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 The plans of the Lord are expansive and extensive. They cross time and dimensions. Yet He has us in mind. How wonderful is that? Around us are groups of people God is reaching out to. We are a part of His outreach. We carry the light. May we shine it brightly.  I have two lights I engage at night, especially if I am outside and want to avoid mosquitos. They are a blue lights. All manner of bugs are drawn to them. May our light so shine that all are drawn to Christ. Amen!

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. Romans 1:16 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.1.16.NLT What makes us ashamed? When we aspire to principles that we do not live out. Today I was ashamed of recent behaviour of mine. I had not cared enough about my brother to communicate effectively with him, and today he denounced me as a sham. In this he was right. If I do not live out the gospel in my life I cause it shame. However,  we can be so influenced by peer pressure we cave into bad behaviour. When we see our fellow Christians and do not associate with them, then we are ashamed of the gospel. We cannot be afraid to stand up for the gospel. Today I read of a Pakistani brother who had been jailed for preaching the gospel. He was released after 5 years, and no trial. How can I be ashamed when men like these suffer so much? May we not bring shame or cause shame. Amen!

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. Romans 1:16 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.1.16.NLT The gospel gave me new life. Why would I be ashamed of it? Modern culture attempts to make God 's people ashamed, but we need not submit. However, we must be sure our lives represent the gospel, and not religious Phariseism.  I remember the era where young people would wear bracelets with WWJD written on them. Perhaps we need to revive them to keep ourselves mindful of what is actually right. The world is hungry for spiritual reality. Let's serve it up in abundance. Amen!

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:10 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.10.NLT When we are persecuted we must first check if it is for righteous behaviour, or selfish, fearful behaviour. Jesus taught about being blessed for being persecuted for righteousness, but a few verses later He talks about salt losing its flavour, and loving your enemies. Always, always we must evaluate if our behaviour bring glory to God or dishonour. Today our Australian Government tabled a Religious Discrimination Bill. Most were wanting it to be passed to afford protection to Christian Schools being able to hire Christians.  Unfortunately, tied to the bill was allowing Christian schools to discriminate against gays and trans children. This is sad.  We continually seek to protect ourselves, marginalising others. It is the others He came to seek and save. Thr Pharisees didn't want the others. I pray we are not also Pharisaical also....

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:10 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.10.NLT Afghanistan is the country with the highest rate of persecution. Previously it was North Korea. We may experience persecution for things we do and say in the West, but it does not touch being tortured for months and then killed for your faith. In the West we try to leverage our 'rights' through legislation and law. However, true persecution is where no such avenues are available. Open Doors reach out to the persecuted Church, but it needs us to pray and pay. Our prayers can lift up the hearts and strengthen the minds and spirits of those suffering. Our joining with them in their walk will require us to give financial aid to them. We can do this if we live simply, not falling for the world's lusts, and appetities for bigger and better. By subscribing to Open Doors you receive regular prayer booklets indicating where the need is,...

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.4.12.NLT The word of God is powerful, it can convict us of all sin and all truth. We need to be in it daily, either listening to podcasts or reading it. It is powerful to save and deliver. The author of Hebrews had been writing about Israel's failure to enter God's rest in previous verses. How does that relate? We enter God's rest when we accept that there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. We must trust the work Christ did on the cross. The word of God can take us to this reality as we hear it preached,  as we read it. It sets us free from a life of works. Rest is important! Enter in!

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jer.29.11.NLT A popular line in American movies is: "Everything will be all right, I promise!". Personally, I think it is a dumb line. We are not the masters of all things, and cannot promise what we cannot deliver. However, God can! What He says He will do, He will deliver. Knowing that there is a promise there gives us hope. Scripture tells us: hope deferred makes the heart sick. So....we will have a few sick days when our hope is tested,but hey the prize is worth the wait! Don't give up hope! Amen!

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jer.29.11.NLT This promise came to the children of Israel through Jeremiah the prophet. Beginning in verse 10, 'For this us what the Lord says: "when 70 years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm My promise concerning you to restore you to this place"'. Our current verse flows on from this.  After devastation, restoration will follow. The time in Babylon was to cleanse God's people from their mindset and wicked ways. He is giving them a second chance. Right now there is an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit. A new wind is blowing, a new move is coming. Let us rise up and embrace it. Amen!

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 Generous people are a delight. They know how to bless others, blessing flows over them. When you work with a generous spirit, you are in a flow. We each choose our river: miserly, or generous. Both rivers are full of either. If we make the misery river ours, selfishness, greed, manipulation and control also flow there. Conversely, if we make the river generous ours, grace, mercy, beauty, joy, love and blessing also flow there. As with everything,  we must choose, daily. Moment by moment the choices we make determine us. Amen!

But Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was checked. This was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come.” psalm 106:30,31 What did Phinehas do? Numbers 25:1-9 tells us that the children of Israel had forsaken the Lord and the men were having sex with Midianite women and worshipping their Baal. The Lord was angry and a plague broke out killing 24,000 people. Phinehas saw one of the leaders bringing a Midianite woman into the camp. He took a spear and followed them into the tent and killed them. Brutal but effective. Phinehas was one of the priests. We no longer have to deal with things in this way, as in murder, but confrontation can be verbal. When sexual sin enters a church it pollutes it. In the book of Revelation Jesus addresses His churches: two were tolerating sexual sin, one had its heart in financial treasure, one had gone cold,  one had a reputation of being alive, but was dead, one was lukewarm. Jesus challenged all that had gone astray ...

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.13.20.NLT The first person we can walk with to be wise is dead, the second we cannot see. Perhaps the third might be living, it all depends on who you look to. Solomon, the wisest man to ever live turned out to be the most foolish. His greatest weakness, women , was his downfall. He married women of foreign countries who worshipped foreign gods. They took his heart away from his own living God. If Solomon could fall, anyone can fall. If anyone or anything is idolised above God, it will steal our heart. The second being who we can walk with is the Holy Spirit. He never failed, never will fail. If we can be comfortable with Him leading us, we are wise. The next most influential people we could turn to are those who wrote books in the bible. They are trustworthy. Finally, find Godly men and women who love the Lord with all their hearts, souls and minds and learn ...

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.13.20.NLT How do we know we have wise friends? They walk according to biblical principles, and encourage us to do likewise. We often see how wise a person is by watching them in calamity or prosperity. Do they fall apart and act like it is all up to them? Or do they ask you to pray with them? Today, more than ever, we need wise friends. Ones that will call out the best in us, urge us on the higher levels, ones that will dispute opinions with us, help us to discern truth rightly. Job thought he had wise friends, and they were for a few days, they kept silent in his suffering. However, all but one found fault with him. His calamity must of been because he was sinful, they decided. Now, not only was he sick and mourning, Job had to defend himself. At this point, he needed them like a hole in his head. His wife was not much help either, she told him to curse God a...

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.9.25.NLT We must discipline ourself in regard to attitudes, fleshly desires, habits and work ethics. Jesus said: what good is salt if it loses it's flavour? It is thrown out and trodden underfoot. Matt 5:13. Jesus also said that salt cannot be made salty again. We need to retain our saltiness. We cannot be bitter like the world. James tells us that bitter and fresh water cannot flow for the one cistern James 3:11. We fool ourselves if we think we can allow a bitter spirit to control us, thinking we are sweet.  Have mercy Lord! Open our eyes! 

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.9.25.NLT The Beijing winter Olympics are about to begin. The competing athletes have worked hard, disciplined themselves in what they eat, exercise and do as pastimes. The Christian is also an athlete in the game of life. They represent the Holy Lord. As His representatives we must be disciplined in what we say, read, hear and do. Like in the Beijing Olympics, all eyes are upon us. All who do not know Christ want to know what being a Christian is like, and we represent Him. If we behave like them, there is no need to change. If we behave like one called apart for  higher task, we stand out and are a witness to that calling. Many little children make hero's out of their favourite sportsmen and sportswomen. Whether we like it or not we are being watched on earth, and a crowd of great witnesses are watc...

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.4.NLT Today I mourn for the Australian church. Smalls things generate anger, irritate and divide, causing people to vilify their leaders, and self-righteously pontificate. Our opinions do not make us right. We are righteous because of God's grace, not our noise. We are here to seek, and save the lost not to fortify, and defend our hills. May the Lord open our hearts, our eyes and our voices in prayer, not judgement. Amen!

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.4.NLT Why do we mourn? We mourn loss: loss of loved ones, loss of family, home, country, life, career, health. Unfortunately, it can be something  we waste on loss of income or loss of a dream. This morning I read about someone who found their parents remains in a burnt out car in Kazakhstan. That to me would be worth mourning. The pain, grief and loss experienced when losing someone senselessly in death is tragic. Such loss leaves you shell shocked and not being able to think clearly. Mourning is an emotion we all will experience. Rather than try to control the outcome we need to go to the Holy Spirit for comfort and help to navigate the breach.  We must walk through it, we will come through, if we trust. Amen!

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3‭-‬4 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.1.3-4.NLT Did you realise that when we are comforted by the Holy Spirit we now have the capacity, and responsibility of comforting others? I never really thought about this, but it is right. When my mother died, after a long and often painful illness, we were submersed in COVID restrictions. I was suddenly alone, as I had been mum's carer. My God was so good to me in that time, I did not really struggle until we came out of lockdown. Then I reached out to friends. We made a practice of getting together most Friday nights to have a meal and play games. I so appreciated my friends in that time. Now, two years later I can be a comfort to others. I know what grief a...

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3‭-‬4 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.1.3-4.NLT Yesterday I attended a funeral for a woman from church. The grief in her children was patent. Our hearts were wrenched for them. The woman had two sisters who were also grief stricken. The husband was stoic, as he is not prone to showing his feelings, but I am sure they were there. I have experienced grief, I also have lost my mother after a protracted illness, which her's was. Grief is an odd emotion that shows up when you least expect it. I am sure these dear folk will experience that. However, I have also experienced the comfort of the Lord. I wrote out cards to extend that comfort and will be aware of their need moving forward. This morning I have ...

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.121.2.ESV For a long time now I have know to look for my help, in all things, to come from the Lord. Mankind is frail and will falter and fall, but He never fails. If we expect people to provide, we may be disappointed. However, we already know that with God, His timing is always right. We are often anxious and out of sync. I have a love for God's creation and His mind. They are more fun to explore than temporal pleasures and expectations. Priorities are are important as is staying in the flow of what God has for you. Be calm, patient and trust! Amen!