The day with dianne Louise

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Psalms 19:1 NLT The more I discover about the universe and its magnificence, the more I come to appreciate the greatness of my God. The James Webb space telescope is now in place, 1.6m km from earth. It is readying itself to gaze back into time and show us more of the glory of God. I am so grateful for my eyes, and the place where I live, being able to see such glory as the sunset above. This particular photos was taken at Easter. Today is overcast, and not as spectacular. The beauty of living inland from the cities is that we see the best of the skies. I am grateful! King David knew this well. He had no electric lights to pollute the night skies. When out on campaigns he and his men would sit around the camp fires. Camp fires give a red light which is more amiable to stellar light. Lying on the ground near a fire is one of the best experiences.  It fills you with wonder. My childhood was filled...

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Psalms 19:1 NLT Each day the sky out my back window reveals God's glory. My phone camera is full of photos I have taken. The amazing thing is they are never the same. They are full of surprises: what can appear dull suddenly bursts forth into a display of glory. The sun can set, and all appears to be dark, then a sudden flood of glory erupts. This is just like my God. I cannot say He is dull. He constantly surprises and amazes me with His glory. It is often the little things, the unexpected things.  If we live with an expectant heart, we will find His glory. Always have ears and eyes open to Him.  Amen!

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 NLT This morning I asked the Lord for  a surprise.  I had two: my old neighbour called needing help. Her sister was in trouble as the husband who is soon turning 90 was hospitalised and the sister, who has many medical problems had no where to go. The couple do not have children In Australia. My friend is nearly 80 herself and knew she could not care for her sister.  I made a few calls, one of which had me on hold for almost 30mins. I found a solution, and called my friend. Meanwhile I cared for her old dog (he growls and barks most of the day)  I was spending the day finishing off an assignment due today. It took all day, as they do. The second surprise was my daughter calling to say hi and tell me she had bought me  present, perfume I ...

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 NLT Pressing down to pour more in is usually an act of love, unless we do it for ourselves, then it is selfishness. If we are attempting to bless a child, especially one dealy loved, we will do this. Our heavenly Father does this for us in response to our generous acts towards others. He knows we will continue to be a blessing. Of we are generous, He is generous.  Amen!

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24‭-‬25 NLT Having a heart open to the promptings of the Lord is having a soft heart. To have a soft heart we must remove all layers of hardness. What causes the hardness? James tells us it is the deceitfulness of sin.  How does that get there? Allowing our soul to be dominated by sinful platforms: the eyes and the ears are the gates to the soul, and the soul is the gate to the heart. If we have built up a defence of our watching worldly TV series, or listening to worldly music, we may need to examine our appetities. Just as our bodies can become obese by eating empty calorie foods, so does our soul become cluttered by consuming worldly lusts. If we are serious about being a follower of Christ, then we need to be serious about our faithfulness to g...

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24‭-‬25 NLT The day of the Lord is drawing near, I can feel it in my bones. Therefore, I must stay alert and look for ways to serve the Lord. Also, I must help others to have the same focus. It is no good if I set up meetings for dinner and fun outings if I neglect my church gatherings. Whilst it is good to have fun, it is better to meet together and keep our focus. Focus will keep us walking in the right path,  as there are many distractions that would love to trap us, and drag us away. I have a brother who was trapped by his love for dancing. It was not the dancing that took him, but the woman he danced with who led him astray. Having a propensity for offence also snared him. If we are not watchful and repentant of sinful attitudes the enemy will...

Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14 HCSB God is interested in us and our prayers. We show our love and interest for Him in the quality of our prayers. If a man is interested in a woman, he shows it by his conversation with her. If a woman is interested in a man she also shows it by the way she speaks to him. If we treat others well we know how to treat the Lord. Each morning I listen to worship music and I worship the Lord to bring my heart and soul into line, then I can pray effectively.  Make the effort to communicate with the Lord and you will start to pray prayers that He responds to. We love good communication,  so does He. Amen!

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 1 John 5:14 NLT When my children were small this was my attitude also. If my children we asking for things I knew were good for them, I would respond with a "Yes!" However, if they were being selfish and wanting what would encourage selfishness, I would decline their request. Our heavenly Father is the same.  Requests that bring Him glory and us closer are heard and acted on. Requests that are selfishly motivated fail to make progress. However, there are requests that the Lord wants to honour, but also wants us to develop  character in our asking, and so their is a time lag. We need to discern what our requests will create and pray with insight and selflessness. Amen!

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3‭-‬5 NLT If there was anyone who faced persecution, apart from Jesus, it was Paul. He reaped an abundance of persecution, pressed down and shaken together. Paul had persecuted the early church, and when he realised his mistake turned from his ways. However, the very people he had worked for now were his persecutors. His persecutors were the church of the day in Israel. The Christians were seen as reprobates. They were considered the scum of the earth. In many areas of the world Christians are still persecuted. Anyone who can persecute them will. However, just like Christ we must love our enemies. Who knows perha...

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. Romans 5:3‭-‬4 NLT A strong character is a worthy attribute because it strengthes our hope of salvation. Our God seeks strong character people who will rule and reign with Him. Strong people seek God for His greatest miracles. Strong people remind me of David's mighty men. They were fearless in battle and served their Lord. David knew he was safe with them. Our God wants such to work with Him. The Father could trust Jesus to fulfill His mission,  we must also be truthworthy. Remember strong character comes through trials. Trials are defeated through committment to the cause of Christ, loving not our lives unto death. Amen!

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NLT The him mentioned here is the disciple Thomas. He had said to Jesus:" but how will we know the way?" Thomas had come to know Jesus, therefore, for Jesus to say He was the way, either clarified things or confused them further. I would hazard to guess He confused things further. Thomas doubted that it was Jesus who appeared to the disciples in his absence, after His resurrection. Some of us may be likewise afflicted, being unsure. Thomas thought one way, but Jesus presented another way. Remember, Jesus is the way in all confusion. Sit and wait for Him. Amen!

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NLT As an astronomer I am not too pleased with all the satellites circling the earth, but I admit I enjoy GPS. Since GPS we can use the Google Maps Ap on our mobile devices as we travel. Before GPS I had a Navman, which was not always accurate, and before that I read a map before I began a journey. Life is  journey. It would be prudent for us to read the directions before each day. These directions are found in our bibles. More importantly we need an entry key. Jesus is that key. When He said He is the way, He is. Faith in Him to hold our future is imperative. Amen!

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 NLT God chooses not to judge the world,  that is the folks outside His church.  So, why do the folks inside His church do it? We need to monitor ourselves and remain fixed on following Him. Jesus said: "first take the plank out of your own eye before attempting to remove the spec out of your brother's eye". Get it right guys! Amen!

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 NLT Petty people judge! We are all petty at times, especially when overcome with the world or its noise. It is important to go to the Lord, and seek His perspective, what is He saying right now? When Jesus appeared on the scene Israel was under dominion of Rome, there had not been a prophet in the land for nigh on 400 years. Therefore, the living word of God had been absent, and during this absence religion took hold. The Pharisees created laws and took territory. They had established themselves as a powerhouse, so much so that when Jesus started His ministry, they took exception to Him. Nonetheless, this scripture tells us that God was not judging the world, but rather offering a way back to Him. God was not opposed to the Romans, the Greeks, the Asians.  He was drawing them all into Himself with the truth Jesus came to bring. Today, we the church have not been given a platform to ...

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 NLT Today I attempted to share a brilliant article about a woman who had been a missionary linguist in the Top End of Australia, on my uni Linguistic site. It was removed after one reader said in was a controversial subject. Nonetheless,  this woman gave 40 years of her life to the aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.  Whilst she was involved in writing bibles in their languages she also started a school for translators,  and she also help write a previously verbal language. I was Impressed. What made her do this? Whilst some might put it down to a religious nut personality, she was obviously joyously touched by Jesus, the lamb of God. I pray I can be half the person she proved to be. Jesus makes the difference. Amen!

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 NLT A perfect lamb was a sacrificial animal to Old Testament Jews. They were sacrificed for the sins of the people. However, their death could never cleanse the heart that had a propensity to sin. Therefore, a continual sacrifice was required.  Until Jesus! John the Baptist here is declaring:'behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world'. Finally, there would be a new way to be completely free from the power of sin. The penalty of sin was death.  However, the death of a perfect man would finalise the payment. Jesus was that perfect man. We can come to Jesus and accept His sacrifice as payment for our sin. Although we may fall again, we can come again and be made clean. Yes we will feel bad, but that does not obliviate the perfect sacrifice. There is power in the blood of Jesus. Wonder working power in the blood of the lamb. He makes us cl...

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. Isaiah 53:5 NLT Today I served tea and coffee in a Scripture Union tent with a whole lot of other Christians.  It is Country Music time here in Tamworth NSW, and every year it is celebrated Scripture Union is there to serve the community and love people. Several men and women mingled and shared Christ.  One young man came to us in tears. He had just broken up with his girl. I made him a coffee, and the men ministered to him. Another young man came along, obviously a little drunk. The team still ministered. I was honoured to be with such loving people. We can do this because Jesus set us free. We are able to open our hearts to the lost because we once were lost also. Jesus paid our debt and set us free. Amen!

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. Isaiah 53:5 NLT The whole of Isaiah 53 speaks of Jesus, in fact it begins earlier in chapter 52 v 13, our we could go back throughout the book and see many references. Why God chose Isaiah or that time to bring forth such prophesies, only God knows. However, I am glad He did. The book of Isaiah beats with the unborn heart of Jesus, it is formative and incredibly beautiful. Written 600 years before the event. Forever we have this beautiful reference as an encouragement. My Jesus paid for all my sins, He bore my diseases and purchased my salvation and healing. Thank You Lord!

And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. John 13:14 NLT When ever I read a news report by Christians I am observant to see if there is an absence or presence of offense. Unfortunately, we do sink to offense at times. I have been guilty as well. However, when it is present in the mainstream media, I cringe. Tonight was one of those times. We are currently in the lead up to our federal elections.  I am grateful that we only have 6 weeks of political noise. I would dread 12 months as it appears in America. On a Christian  news platform, there was strong criticism of our sitting PM, who happens to be a Christian. The reporter shredded him. I am sure the enemy of our souls was laughing and rubbing his hands in glee. Have mercy Lord! Our PM has had 3 years to serve his country. He was handed bushfires, floods, COVID and now the rising presence of China right on our doorstep. It is odd that people forget the way he handled these ...

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. John 13:13‭-‬14 NLT Jesus said this after washing the disciples feet. This act would have shocked the disciples. A lowly servant had this task, definitely not a rabbi. Jesus constantly heard the disciples jostling for position and pre-eminence.  This final act, before He went to face His death, would be remembered. We remember different people for different reasons. God only knows what He uses to impact the lives of others. We may assume that we will be forgotten, but as we step out in boldness to obey the Lord, we will impact lives, just as Jesus did. The Lord bring glory to obedient acts in ways we do not understand. I am grateful to Jesus for following the Father in all He did. Amen!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2‭-‬3 NLT Endurance produces a fruit, perfection. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:4 NLT  Hebrews tells us: for you have need of endurance, so that you might prove the will of the Father, and receive what has been promised.  Endurance results in reward. Endurance produces value, glory and honour.  So....endure! Break through and receive the crown of life. Amen!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2‭-‬4 NLT When we are ashamed or being shamed by the behaviour of others we can yield to hopelessness, doubt and unbelief. However, choosing instead to trust God for His outcome is choosing to endure in faith. This choice allows our endurance to grow. The goal is perfection. For Jesus Himself said: for you must be perfect as Your heavenly Father is perfect (Matt 5:48). Perfect in this regard means whole and complete. When we react wrongly we are displaying that we are not yet complete. Insight and understanding causes us to be aware of our behaviour, and be able to analyse our reactions. We can then choose, with insight, the correct path. Amen!

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 NLT God is not partial to one person over another, all are welcome. Paul goes on to say, How can they call on Him if they have never heard of Him. He says that blessed are those who are sent with the good news. I know many missionaries and love them for their faithfullness to the gospel. The worldly kingdom has nothing on them, they serve  heavenly kingdom. We also are called to serve the heavenly kingdom. Now is the most Important time as the days are wicked, but God is raising  standard against the enemy. Praise Him!

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 NLT This scripture can lend itself to the notion: once saved always saved. However, we cannot disregard the words of Jesus: “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:21‭-‬23 NLT Calling on the name of the Lord requires faith,  walking with Him requires faith. If we walk in a vital union with Him then we are allowing Him to be Lord, not taking that position ourselves. This is what making Him Lord means. Amen!

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23‭-‬24 NLT No one can say they are sinless. Many think they are, but they have unwittingly made themselves the judge without realising that judgement is God the Father's role. Even Christians fall prey to the spirit of the age, selfism.  Selfism  determines what God can and should accept. It determines that sin is the big stuff, disregarding the selfish traits as sin. Some of us are in for a huge awakening, unfortunately too later to repent. This will be the saddest day of our lives, when we discover that God's truth, God's holiness and God's judgement are different to our estimates. Some will hear,"Begone from me for I never knew you!" A sad day indeed!

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23‭-‬24 NLT Being made right when we do no deserve it is grace in its abundance. I know the times when I do not deserve it, grace comes flooding through. It is a humbling experience, and one which reminds me of God's goodness. Grace is like that. We do not have to be good enough to receive it, just humble enough to accept it. This is important because otherwise we can miss God's greatness. After receiving grace we can move on in a relationship with our God. We are no longer strangers but friends. Amen! Praise Him!

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. Matthew 28:6 NLT Today is the best day to start in a new way. Today represents the day the saviour Jesus rose from the dead. He defeated sin and death. In doing this He gave a way for all to come to Him. Lay down the efforts, the failures and accept Him as you new beginning. New beginnings are for all, even those who have been on the road for a long time. We can forget what He did, and the power that caused Him to overcome. Amen!

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. Matthew 28:6 NLT Jesus spoke about rising from the dead,   but the disciples could not apprehend it. There is much they failed to apprehend. Yet, it happened. Jesus ' words are true and reliable. We can trust Him when He said, "He who believes in Me has eternal life". We can trust Him to have forgiven our sins  Why crucify Him again by not believing? If He waa right about this can ahe not be right about even greater truths. He is our saviour, deliverer and Lord, if we let Him. Amen!

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:6 NLT Bishop Michael Pitts says that God is not so much outcome conscious, but rather process conscious. He is interested in who we become in the process. A good sheep, if there is such a thing, is obedient and follows the shepherd. Sheep are renown for being stupid, thus the need for  good shepherds, and nowadays a good dog. Some farmers also now include lamas, which tend to attack predators, when the farmer or his dogs are absent. A good sheep is one which has been well cared for, producing quality wool or tasty meat. I think I'd prefer to be a wool producer myself. However, the Lord has a plan for us sheep. His plan is the most important of all. The apostles would have preferred that God had a safer plan for Jesus, He also sought the Father for another way. However, we recipients of His victory are grateful.  Not He is seated at the ri...

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:6 NLT Every now and then we will see photos of sheep that have wandered away from the flock. Their wool is massively overgrown, they are fly blown and in desperate need of attention. When we wander we may appear prosperous, we have a lot of stuff but we are wild, sick and woolly. Wheras those who stay with the fold are well kept from from disease, and healthy in spirit and soul. This weekend I am away camping with family and their friends. It is lovely to be with people of faith. Last night, as we say around a log fire, we shared communion,  prayed for forgiveness, and forgave those who had wronged us. Everybody, children and parents, joined in. It was good. Easter is a time when we must remember and go to the Lord for forgiveness as never before. If Jesus could forgive those who nailed Him to the cross, we can forgive. Amen!

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT Saying that God loved the world enough to send His Son sounds incredulous. Why would a God who we pay no attention to, or little attention  to, love us. We love people who make us feel good, who give us importance. Why would a God who we do not see want to know us? Crazy yes? However, this is a fact. Easter is a time to remember the Son. He not only came, but He allowed sinful men to kill Him. Why would He do that? He knew that His death would set us free from the hold of our enemy, and give us the opportunity to get to know Him. Sunday is when we remember that His enemy and ours lost control. Jesus stripped Him of his authority over us. Good news indeed!

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT What is the deal about eternal life? This is what Jesus promises us when we accept Him as our saviour and Lord. Without eternal life we have eternal death.  How does that work? The bible talks about a lake of fire which never goes out and a worm that is never consumed, which was prepared for the devil and his angels. Unfortunately,  this is also where those who refuse to accept Jesus go as well. Death is not a permanent sleep, or no more existence. We each have a body that will die, but also a soul which is the real us and a spirit where Jesus inhabits if we ask Him in, these are eternal. If we don't do this our spirit is inhabited by death, and it takes our soul with it to hell. Gruesome! Yes! But so was the cross that Jesus chose to die on to pay for our freedom. We will never be good enough to earn heaven. Therefore, w...

He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:38 NLT For Jesus to say this, it was important. For the disciples to hear it, it was very important. They did not grasp the importance, or they would have stayed awake. Perhaps they were too used to Jesus the overcomer, the master over all. Do you have friends like these? I suggest we all do. I recently experienced grief at the loss of a good friend. I went to another, newer friend with a cry for help, and I could see she could not cope, and so I went away. Fortunately, like Jesus  I have the Father. I poured out my grief to Him, and He lifted me up. Thr Psalms are full of such cries for help. David knew this well. He always ended in praise, we can do also. Prsise God Jesus endured for us. Tomorrow we celebrate His faithfulness. Amen!

My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.  Stay here and keep watch with me. Matthew 26:38 Jesus experienced the soul crushing grief that many of us will experience in our lives, He therefore has a right to speak to it. He not only endured the grief of knowing Judas was betraying Him, but that the whole world was turing on Him. No one would stop what was about to happen. In our grief we are not alone, He is there with us. Though all friends and family may desert us, He is faithful. Jesus knew that none would save Him from the cross, He knew He could have called on the angels, but He also knew His destiny. Thr Father was with Him at this time, yet even though He asked to be free of the cross, the Father did not give Him an out. If we are facing a horrible situation, know that beyond today God has a plan. Like Jesus lay down your fear and grief and trust that this will bring hope to the hopeless, victory to the lost. Go with Jesus to your cross, whatever that may be,and tr...

But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 1 Peter 4:16 NLT What causes us shame? Realising we have been arrogant,  selfish, cruel makes us ashamed of our behaviour. Hopefully it bring real repentance leading to change. We should not be ashamed of being identified with Christ.  Peter was. When asked three times he denied knowing Jesus. This came not long after him proudly protesting that he would never desert Jesus. When he realised his sin he went out and experienced deep remorse, and found repentance. Judas experienced remorse, but chose to kill himself instead of finding repentance. Shame at bad behaviour, leading to repentance is good shame. Allow it to work itself out in your life. Amen!

But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 1 Peter 4:16 NLT So many suffer because they claim Christ, because they will not compromise their faith  in Him. He is our Lord, and He carries all our tears.  I have been in prayer for Ukraine for 48 days now. Even so, many have died and suffered. God's people are rising up and going into the dangerous places with supplies and hope. There are times of frustration with the inaction and coldness of the West, and the aggressive disregard of life by the Russians. Again and again I must go to God for His answers, His ways and focus. If I, in a safe place, am frustrated, oh the grief the Ukrainians must feel. Saints of God are suffering in many countries under wicked rulers. I pray for their courage and hope in Christ alone. No one else is God, no one else will save like He can. Amen!

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34 NLT Prior to Jesus the people of Israel were loaded down with commands. I wonder how they felt hearing Jesus give a new one? How do we? If we have grown up in a religious environment we would reject it without hearing the spirit of it. However, if we can listen without reaction we can discern the spirit of the command. Jesus had walked with His disciples for three years. They saw Him behave in a way that their religious leaders didn't. He had authority, they didn't. So their ears were being opened to hear what He was saying. He had demonstrated love to them, it was not foreign. Yes it was very different, but not foreign. Loving others as we have been loved is the key. If our God does not judge and condemn us, neither should we. If our God gives us grace, then so should we. Amen!

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34 NLT It is easy to love those who are like us, who think like us, behave like us. However, there are those who are not like us, who do not think like, us and in fact may oppose us. Last night I attended a committee meeting for our astronomy club. As someone who regularly caters for the food at various events we hold,  I wanted to give Input on a new kitchen we were installing. The committee are all male and their focus is elsewhere. The kitchen is somewhere they can warm up their meat pies and get a drink from the fridge. You might say their interest was not my interest. I could see what they could not see, and were not interested in. You might say I had opposition. Falling out with these men will not serve the purposes of God. Always, what is God doing in us, and wanting to do through us? He is interested in us being like Him, representing Him. Keep it sweet! ...

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:7‭-‬8 NLT When we are treated unjustly it feels like our insides are torn asunder, especially if the treatment comes from those close to us. Jesus was born a Jew, He came to the house of Israel and they rejected Him. His own family turned their backs on Him, His disciples deserted Him, He was alone. Worst of all, the Father turned His back on Him. Why did God turn His back on Jesus? When Jesus became sin for all mankind He was unlovely and unclean. God is holy, and could not look on sin. Having the only One who you trusted turn away would have been agony. Yet Jesus went the distance. He knew He could call on the angels and they would have responded. However, the complete sacrifice had to be made to finally deal with sin. He paid the penalty, and we hav...

Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. Philippians 2:7‭-‬8 HCSB The mere fact that Jesus prayed three times to not have to face the cross, shows me Jesus was all man, a pure man who knew how to walk with God. The scripture above says: He emptied Himself of His Godhead by becoming man. Jesus walked a pure life before God, just as Adam should have before Him. Although Satan tempted Jesus three times, Jesus resisted. Jesus walked in the knowledge of who He really was, the Son of God. He now calls us to walk in who He redeemed us to be, His family, bought by His precious blood. Today we can walk in purity of heart and mind as we lay down our 'rights' to react. Amen!

The King who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven! Luke 19:38 HCSB The people of Jerusalem were shouting this scripture from Psalms 118:26. Israel desperately wanted a king to save them from Roman oppression. However, they failed to see their deeper need of a saviour from their sinful ways. Jesus is coming again as the King to reign, however He first had to set us free from the perpetual cycle of sin and failing to come into a relationship with the Father.  This has been done, He did it by dying on the cross. The penalty of sin  was death. He paid it for us. Now we can live in relationship with Him. Now the scene is set for His return.  Many doubt this but a surprise is coming, soon. Salvation has already been bought, now all will bow to Him at His return. Now His people will finally recognise Him, the lamb who was slain. Come Lord Jesus!!

The King who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven! Luke 19:38 HCSB The people who blessed Jesus as the coming king knew in part the truth. They had an emotional knowledge that this man Jesus just might be the King who had been prophesied. Yet no one, not even the disciples, fully grasped Isaiah 53, that Jesus would be the lamb that was slaughtered for the sins of mankind. They were so used to their sin, and the limited way they dealt with it, when God had a greater plan, a new heart. Today you might be used to a limited way, a Catholic way, of confessing your sins to a priest, when your advocate wants to live in your heart,  and talk to you freely, loving you and leading you. I was like this. However, having an encounter with my Lord brought me to know Him intimately. We can live in intimacy with Him.  He did not come to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:17). Modern men and women...

Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah Psalms 24:10 HCSB The bible gives some graphic encounters with this King of glory. Ezekiel chapter 1, he tells of his encounter , starting with some unusual creatures in the throne room. In verse 25 Ezekiel begins to describe the Lord of glory. To a man not used to such images this would have been heart stopping. Before him, in Exodus 24:10, Moses, Aaron, Nadal and Abihu saw the Lord. Micaiah saw the Lord sitting on His throne in 1 Kings 22:19,20. Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne in Isaiah 6:1.Daniel saw the Lord in Daniel 7:9. In the book of Acts Stephen saw heaven 7:55. He saw the Father and Jesus at His right hand. John saw the throne room and described all he saw in the book of Revelation.  With such a plethora of glorious encounters across the generations we have evidence indeed of God's glory. Mankind has been caught up in temporal things but God's kingdom is eternal, and long after we have ...

Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah Psalms 24:10 HCSB We all love glory amd praise, we give it to our heroes, our footballers, sportswomen, swimmers etc, We love the accolades given through platforms such as the Grammy Awards, Oscsrs etc. However, all glory belongs to the Lord. An example of this was Eric Liddell, a famous Scottish runner in the 1924 Olympics. Eric was a servant of God first. He ran for God, but refused to run on Sunday. He was abused by all, even his King. However,  he gained their respect, when he won in an astounding race. After the Olympics Eric went to China as a missionary and eventually died there. He ran for God's pleasure. He did not care for the glory that man gave, he sought the Lord's approval. Today all that can be shaken is being shaken. Some will lose position and power because there were flaws that they did not see or were unwilling to see. God is interested in our purity towards Him. He is Lord! The ...

I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, Lord, make me live in safety. Psalms 4:8 HCSB Peace is what Jesus gives. Sure we can have a taste in isolation beside a lake, a river, or dam, or even the seaside. However, people or circumstances can steal our peace. Yet, inner peace is only found in relationship with Jesus. I remember when I finally found Him. I had been searching, and although I lived by the sea and had access to peaceful places, there was still something missing, until.... when I finally invited Him into my heart my insides were overjoyed, I wanted to dance, and to sing. As I make Him Lord over every circumstance,  His peace reigns. Peace, beautiful peace! Amen!

I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, Lord, make me live in safety. Psalms 4:8 HCSB This short Psalm was written by a man who was constantly chased by King Saul, who wanted to kill him. David had to come to a point of trust in the Lord. This verse is reminiscent of Jesus asleep in the boat while the storm raged. His disciples were unable to sleep, they were anxious about death. However, Jesus knew His place, His authority over nature. When they woke Him He rebuked the storm and it ceased. David had  glimpse of what it was like trusting in the Lord. David saw, again and again, how God delivered him. He came to know he could trust the Lord to bring his future to pass. So can we! Amen!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 HCSB We admire hard work in others and the rewards it brings with sayings such: " the award is a fruit of his hard work." However, when it comes to the fruit of the Spirit, I cannot, by willpower, exertion and hard work, produce one, not one! The hard work was done by a perfect man who sacrificed Himself for a world of imperfect people, us. That man was Jesus. What must I then do? Humbly accept His gift,  with gratitude. This morning I awoke to a dog scratching violently on the end of my bed. He had scratched a lot during the night and I was a little over it. My mind was filled with grumbling thoughts, my back was hurting as well. Then I remembered to worship. I began to praise the Lord for all His goodness to me, sing in the spirit and spend time with the Lord. Out of this time came grace and patience. I bath...

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 HCSB Fruit come in seasons, but when they were not on the fig tree Jesus cursed it. Jesus told us on John 15, every branch that does not bear fruit the Father removes, but every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, so it will bear more fruit. I do not want to be removed, but am happy to be pruned. Who knows what fruit I'll bear next. Both processes are painful, but one eternally so. I would rather pain for fruit than pain from separation.  The place of separation is burning in the fire (v 6). Not a place to be. The choice is ours. Amen!

But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Romans 5:8 HCSB Proof is so important in law. Jesus actually paid for a legal contract. He paid the price for our freedom. Mankind had been sold into slavery to sin by Adam, the first man. He had the authority and relationship with the Father. He gave it away for a lie, knowledge about good and evil. Jesus' sacrifice was proof of our freedom. We are no longer slaves to sin, if we walk in faith towards that sacrifice. It is not our own effort.  Our efforts are all failures. Yet faith is respected. Walk in thanksgiving and faith. Amen!

But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Romans 5:8 HCSB Amen and amen Lord Jesus! I will call upon You alone for my salvation! I will not attempt to replace You! I will embrace all You did for me! Thank You Lord! Disappointment in self and others can cause us to feel defeated, but we cannot turn our backs on our saviour. We cannot  relegate Him to church buildings and paintings, He is a living saviour. Salvation is a continual work, daily, moment by moment! Thank you Jesus!

This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Joshua 1:8 HCSB Moses is telling Joshua to speak the word of God, mediate on it and live it. There is no place for us to live without it. The word is living and active, it lights up our path,  it rejuvenates us, keeps us, corrects us, moulds us. We must live and breathe the word, let it come to us in times of need. We must turn to it first,  not the banker or the doctor. The word is powerful to save. Trust it, use it! Amen!

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8 NLT The apostle Paul tells us: The word of God is mighty for the pulling down of strongholds 2 Cor 10:4; the author of Hebrews says: The word of God is sharper than any two edged sword, piercing through bone and marrow Hebrews 4:12. If we know the word we can use it to defeat our enemy's schemes. Last night as I cleaned down my shower my back caught in an agonising spasm and it refused to budge. Throughout the night the words of a song; 'ever when I don't see that your working, you never stop working, even when I don't feel that you're working, you working, never stop, never stop working' ministered to me and the scripture 'taking every thought capitve to the knowledge of Christ (Romans 12.21) reminded me to not listen to the enemy. He wanted me to fear all manner of th...

The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. Psalms 27:4 NLT I know what I rather meditate on: goodness and mercy, godliness and truth. Our media is full of accusations and innuendos. We are bombarded with destruction, toil, and heartache.  It is so good to go to church and hear godly messages, worship the Lord together and share communion. Yesterday we heard a very scriptural message on 2 Thessalonians. I loved it. Truth and integrity. Yes! All my body longs for the true word of God. It delights in godliness and edification.  Scripture cuts through pretence, delusions and deals with the heart. I LOVE IT!

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts of the Apostles 4:12 NLT So, what is all the fuss about salvation? Why do Christians bang on about it? Salvation is tied to an eternal perspective. You may believe that when you die that's it, or you may believe God should accept you because you say you are good enough (rather arrogant). However, what is the truth of it? Scripture says: it has been appointed for all men to die and then comes the judgement(Hebrews 9:27). So, there must be something after life on earth. Next, scripture tells us that there is salvation by no other name than the name of Jesus( Acts 4:12). So, it seems that Jesus is integral to this salvation experience. What does Jesus save us from: Jesus himself said in Matthew 13:42: The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, w...

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts of the Apostles 4:12 NLT Can we save ourselves? No! Who can save us? Do we trust in family, spouse, children, the government, the church? All are filled with frail human beings,  all are bound to fail at some time, just as we too will fail. However, Jesus, the Lord of all will not fail us. When our trust is in Him alone, we will not fail. The Father decreed that Jesus would be the only saviour. Eternity will shout aloud the truth, no matter what decision we make here and now. Choose wisely!

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 NLT Last night I had a friend stay over as he had let his house out, and was on his way to another town to visit family. This friend and I have often conflicted.  He tends to be critical and I hate that, so invariably I challenge it. I am getting better at doing this with humility and gentleness. I think the Lord put this friend in my life to be the sandpaper,  or the iron as this scripture says. This morning he was thinking of going back to his home to install irrigation to plants out the front of his house. I cautioned him that there was a woman and child now at his house and it may not be received well. Finally, he listened and went his way. We need to put ourselves out for our friends by being the iron as well. It takes effort and self-control. Try it! It produces fruit of the Spirit.  Amen!

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 NLT Are you one of these people or do you let things slide, never addressing anything? Keeping all you thoughts to yourself makes for an unwanted explosion at the wrong time, conversely so is the person who is explosive all the time, that person is dangerous. Confrontation is what Jesus did, it is what good friends do. Confrontation addresses Important issues, sinful behaviours, in a spirit of gentleness. If you think how the Holy Spirit convicts you, that is confrontation in a spirit of gentleness. If you can't be gentle and humble, fix your own attitude and then try. Humility is honoured by the Lord! Amen!

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 NLT  The armour of God,  that Paul cites is given in a memorable pattern.  He was probably considering a Roman guard when he gave them to us. Nonetheless, they are memorable, and all essential parts of a Christian's armour against the devil's wiles. If our head is covered in Salvation, we will not listen to whispers contrary, if our chests are covered with the righteousness Jesus gives us, our hearts are protected.  If our waist is wrapped in truth, it will never leave us, if we use our faith against lies and deceptions, and if we know and use the word of God, we will use it as a weapon to attack our enemy. As Paul says in Romans: if God be for us, who can be against us. This same Paul was waiting to be executed.  He knew that man can take our physical life but not our eternal, spiritual lives. Amen!