The day with dianne Louise

“Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ Our God receives glory as we yield to Him working in and for us. Jesus already glorified the Father through His obedience. We also glorify Him as we obey His principles, and allow Him to be GOD, not keeping control for ourselves. The strain of controlling our lives is distressing and I m sure causes us to become ill, depressed and disconsolate.  Romans 8: 19 says: “For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed.” As we are obedient and trust Him we become like Jesus and begin to glorify the Father. Creation responds to obedient saints, it sings! Be obedient and watch the change! Amen! ‭‭ https://bible.com/bible/72/rom.8.19.HCSB

“Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ These verses come from a powerful epistle written by the apostle Paul. As I read these verses I am challenged to meditate upon them and make them mine today. I notice in myself a glossing of scripture to move on and do or read the next thing without fully apprehending the present. Today I am spending time meditating on these two verses and making them mine. They tell me that my Heavenly Father is able to do far more than I ask or think. That is massive. If I struggle with this I only need to remember the image that Jesus gave us of the Father in the parable of the Prodigal son. That father is a loving, forgiving father. He went above and beyond the request made of Him by the repentant son. That is the image of the Father I need to keep.  The ve...

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ This verse comes after a declaration that God’s people will be 70 years in exile. It goes on the promise that as the people seek God with all their hearts He would restore all that was lost. There are times when we struggle to accept the status quo, however, struggling will not shorten it, worship and praise might, but there are times when the time is set.  I remember hearing about Abraham having to wait 20 years for his promised child to eventuate. I remember thinking I am not going to need to wait that long, I will do it differently, I didn’t. Twenty years is up.  I am now watching God move in wonderful ways. I will not stop Him or control Him. Go Lord go! Amen!

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ I asked the Lord, “how do I get people to seek the Lord like that”? He said, “I do!” Praise Him! He orchestrated my life, and  brought me to desperation point, if He did it for me He will do it for others. Hunger drives us. When we hunger for something or someone we search for that thing or person earnestly.  The challenge we have as Christians is being attuned and having eyes for what God would have us see, the  lost. My desire in going to Nepal is to spend time with a few people who are hungry for what Jesus will do in their lives. I want to go to a small village called Jalbire. It is a beautiful little village with views of the high peaks and sitting beside a river on which white water rafting takes place. Across the river over a suspension bridge is another village where a passionate man of God works tirelessly to bring the gospel of Christ to his people. I am leanin...

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ We love to make a profit when we sell stuff. I am about to have a moving house sale. Today the first goods left my house. I have the opposite problem, I prefer to give things away. My son has told me to sell, I will try. However, back to scripture. We can grow in Christ as we open our hearts up to the power resident in the scripture. As we grow to love our God we begin to love His word. The word of God is sharper than a very sharp sword, it will speak to all that is hidden in our hearts. It pierces through all the camouflage, all the rubbish in the way. The word washes us. In John 15:3 Jesus said: “you are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” Allow it to wash you clean. Amen!

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ If we read the word and read it with a searching heart it will instruct us. However, if we read it perfunctorily, it will not touch your mind. It is the same for worship and praise, if done as the repetitious Pharisee it is empty of power to change you. Yet, to the hungry heart it is full of life and peace. God’s word is living and active:  “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.” Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭ Jesus sought godly righteousness, He hungered for the truth and revelation of God in scriptures, therefore He studied it earnestly. Paul, in the above scripture, instructs Timothy ...

“But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”” Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ Every word that comes from the mouth of God is written in the bible or on our hearts. What is written is stable and a secure place to connect ourselves to. Whereas what we feel changes and we must be mindful of the voices in our head, are probably wanting to destroy the word of God and deter us. Satan came as an external voice that wished to deceive Jesus and rob Him of His purpose. The thief comes to steal, he never has our best interests in mind. Remember,Jesus said: “I came that you might have life and life more abundantly.”  Choose your rock wisely! What will you base your beliefs on? Sand or a rock?

“But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”” Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ These are the words of Jesus. He had been fasting for 40 days in the desert and Satan came to test him, suggesting that Jesus change the stones into bread. Jesus replies with a scripture from Deuteronomy 8:3. This particular scripture was one Moses spoke to the children of Israel. Jesus sought righteousness more than food and obedience more than water (commentary HCSB). He taught His disciples this in Matthew 5:6 in the sermon on the mount. “Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled.” To understand this at a deeper level than superficial we need to stop, look and listen. What is important about righteousness? We know we are made right with God through Jesus but is there more? Yes! To understand righteousness we need to study Jesus. He represented righteousness. In Him is restraint, obedience, solitude ...

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭37‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ Last week embarassed a young worker in the local mobile telephone shop, I could not believe I said what I said, “Can you move your hair out of your eyes so I can see you?” My own eyes had been hurting and trying to concentrate on talking to this girl was hard. I look people in the eyes when I talk. When I went away I asked the Lord for forgiveness and an opportunity to apologise. He gave it to me today. I apologised and we had a good talk, praise God I left clean. I learned that if I ask for an opportunity, He will give it. Today my old friend called me when I was at the telco store. Her wound was leaking, what should she do? I told her to pray and call the surgeons office. Her wound was a skin graft site. I knew enough, as a former nurse, that clear ooze was ok, it is a problem when it becomes putrid. It was clear. I had the joy of taking her to visit the surgeons nurse and then the chemist for antibiotics. I praise God...

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭37‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬ The angel Gabriel spoke these words to Mary when he told her about her elderly cousin Elizabeth being pregnant. I love these words as God speaks them again and again over older believers. He is speaking it over me. Nothing is impossible to Him. He spoke them over Abraham and Sarah, he spoke them over Noah,  and younger women-  Hannah, Ruth, and more who dared to believe in a God who gave a promise. Whilst those who believe and dare to go and do amazing, crazy or humanly impossible feats, to mankind are crazy but to God they are faithful and trust Him not themselves. If God is tugging at your heart, open up to Him. What does He want to do in and through you? Amen!

22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. (‭‭‭James‬ ‭1‬‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ) Two days ago I had coffee with an unsaved woman who said she was a fence sitter, because she had problems with the established church. Her background was that of a Catholic. I agreed with her, but pointed out that Jesus was the Way, the Truth and the Life. She told me that what I am about to do in Nepal spoke more to her than my words. In other words, she wanted to see action to faith. James exhorts us to be doers of the word not heaters only. To move from being a hearer only requires intentionality and and love for the Lord that says: I will serve you and go wherever you want me to go. Whilst going to Nepal, Asia or Africa for that matter is not the...

22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. (‭‭‭James‬ ‭1‬‬:‭22‬-‭24‬) This is a firm word. It is a word to believers. It is an exhortation to live as a Christ follower in action. Yesterday I drove my old friend to shopping and then the bank. She was very impatient with the traffic. I had to rebuke her gently with, “Hey we are not in a hurry, be kind!” She is a new believer and I suppose it is my role to disciple her. Onky that morning had she told me of a vision she had of her dying and going to be with the Lord. I want her to arrive in the best possible shape. She is not alone. I am having to deal with pushy real estate and all the people involved in my moving. The internet is off a month early and this morning my phon...

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭105‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Today I was reminded to rejoice and be thankful as I pray. I remembered when God touched my ears when in Pensacola in 1998, and the noise ceased for a few minutes, then it came back.  I slotted back into unhealed. However, the memory reminded me that God had healed me, the healing is still there but I must uncover it from all the dirt and muck that has covered it for all these years. I will worship it out! Amen! I had gone to the Lord I prayed for healing this morning, as I wanted to have that freedom. Now is the time to fight. Good news though, today I met a woman for coffee who felt drawn to me. I told her that her longing was for the rock, which is Jesus, to base her life upon. We spent a good hour and a half talking. She messaged me later to apologise for fence-sitting. I know I was obedient as I had prayed for the words to speak, I was willing and able to speak. I now know that the Holy ...

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭105‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Hen I feel pain, as I often do, and the word of God that says:  “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). It must bring the truth to my heart. If my heart struggles to hear it what is the problem? Unbelief! I do not believe that Jesus paid for my sickness, injury or disease. Why? Perhaps the unbelief is that He did it for others but not for me? John tells me the answer: 1 Jn 4:18: perfect love drives out fear. It is a love issue. Then to the Lord I must go to have this resolved. I cannot resolve it without revelation.  If I can believe that the same scripture tells me that Jesus died for my sins, then I must also believe He suffered for my pains. This is today’s journey. This issue must be solved. Amen!

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 NLT What was cannot be deleted, especially if He is the creator. Imagine the foolish intent of Satan in His attempt to destroy the Word of God! Yet, he tried. He attempted to derail the conception by having Mary rejected, he attempted to kill the newborn Jesus, He attempted to destroy the Son of God on the cross, but he failed as Jesus rose from the dead. Scripture tells us that God's word never fails, never fails to deliver the promise. God is God and Satan cannot undermine or destroy Him. His words to us will not fail if we believe, He is able to deliver! Amen!

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬ John also refers to Jesus as ‘the word of God’ in the book of Revelation, 19:13. I wonder which book came first? According to my study Bible the Book of John came first. This then creates a question in my heart: how did John come to understand that Jesus was the ‘word of God’? This statement is powerful and one born out of revelation. The statement should make us ponder: what does that mean? What did that look like? As the word of God, every word Jesus spoke was a word from God. When Jesus said: “I only do what I see the Father do”, means He was vitally connected to the Father, and knew how to respond to Him. This scripture endows Jesus with great honour and power. When we see Him in Revelation chapter 19 He is just that.verses 11-16 describe Jesus. 11 says: He judges and makes war in righteousness. 12 His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on His head. 13 He w...

“See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Today was a day when I attended three soccer games, showered my old friend and now am off to a bbq/ bonfire (winter here). I had invited my nephew and his two little girls to the bonfire and he rejected it out of hand. His partner came and gave me a hug as if to apologise for his behaviour. Again I must apply grace. These family members are some who I am praying for them to come to Jesus. I have to not get in the way of what God is doing. May I be an instrument of His glory and only that. Amen!

“See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬ When I feel used I can become angry and vindictive, yet, this is not what God wants. He is teaching me to allow His grace to flow, and as a result I reap the benefits. As I make my needs known to Him, He ensures those that seek to use me become my providers. This is a result that I could not make in my own strength. Vindictiveness is fleshly and produces anger in others and does not achieve the purposes of God. It merely makes me look mean. Grace, on the other hand, wins people and deals with truth more effectively. Grace and mercy was in Jesus Christ. However, He did speak truth, sometimes it appeared harsh to His detractors. He had firm speech for the Pharisees, Sadducees and their followers. I love the way The Choesn portrays this, Jesus is not as harsh as we would imagine, but rather firm. I imagine Him driving out the sellers from the temple with...

“For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Only this week a lost Australian seaman was rescued in the pacific after encountering difficulties and surviving three months at sea, just he and his dog. He looked wild and wooly when found but managed to survive on raw fish and rainwater. He was a very grateful man. Many of us who now know Jesus as our saviour have been rescued from various disasterous lives, for which we are grateful. Unfortunately, some forget the miracle of new birth and become, again, hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. The common ones, offence, bitterness, unforgiveness,  take us out just as effectively as hard core problems that result in jail time. Today take time to be grateful! Gratefulness keeps us soft and loving. Choose life that you might live! Amen! A funny to finish with: my dog and I went up our hill today and...

“For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I have heard of the Game of throne, but know nothing about it, however, there is a greater kingdom and throne that I seek. The One who sits on that throne is Lord of All.  If we have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness, why do I behave at times like the minions who belong there? I have been transferred into the kingdom of Christ.  His kingdom is higher and more glorious than all others. His principles are eternal and unchanging. His love and mercy knows no bounds. Why am I not seeking to know and understand Christ’s kingdom? I cannot take the worldly standards and expect them to be adopted by the kingdom of Jesus. There is a mismatch. His kingdom runs on purity and holiness because that is what He is. His love does not give room to darkness, although the world expects it should. Holine...

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 Earnest prayer is something I am learning of late. Every night the Lord is waking me up for a divine encounter. When I read the Book of Revelation last I wondered how the cherubim could be content to continually say: 'holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory'. I find  myself saying holy, holy, holy. When I am smitten by the Lord's presence I am lost for words and only know how great and holy is my God. What I feel at these times is intense love. I look forward to each new encounter. I can only say, He is good. He is preparing me to host His glory. I am to wear it like a cloak and to know how responsible I am to carry it well. I am also now aware why Jesus spent so much time alone with the Father. Today as I was on my hill I sensed Him there wanting to encounte...

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬ When I read this today I thought, there must be something here I have glossed over in the past and asked the Lord what it was. It was not until I made myself a coffee and sat down to have time with the Lord did I remember. The cup I used to make the coffee in I treasure, it was one I purchased for my mother and one she loved. However, my youngest sister asked for it after my mother’s death, as she also treasured it and I refused. That in itself may not be wrong, as I bought it, but the meanness attached to it is. I have to let it go. Anything that has meanness attached to it is sin. Meanness is selfishness in action. It is time to deal with meanness in my life that I may be healed. Lord show me the more that I may repent and let things go. Amen!

“Everywhere—from east to west— praise the name of the Lord.” Psalms‬ ‭113‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬ The western winter sky tonight in Tamworth. How glorious is our God! Winter rarely produces the stunning sunsets we have in summer but they are beautiful nonetheless. This one I caught whilst watching my nephews play soccer against each other. You might say the competition was fierce. The psalmist wrote the above words thousands of years ago, however, our faithful God continues to produce the same beauty again and again and again. How good is He!! Rejoice in His goodness, find the su rise or sunset and be grateful! Amen!  

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”” 1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ What are we not like? Like those who reject Jesus as their saviour. Because of our decision to make Gim our Lord we are elevated into royalty and called kings and priests. That is some elevation! From a nobody to a ruling elite. So then, how should we live? Responsibly, grateful, humbly. The high priests we accountable to God for obeying the laws relating to temple behaviour. We are told we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, how then should we behave? Responsibly! Courteously and humbly and grateful.  We are not our own but have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus Christ. ...

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”” 1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Why is the ‘but’ there? Perhaps because the previous verses speaks about unbelievers: “Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”” 1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭ Lack of faith towards God carries  consequences. However, faith towards God yields benefits. Once we had no eternal identity, now we do. Now we are called priests and kings.  When we see the pomp and regalia associated with being a king, the opulence and glory, we understand there would be benefits indeed. Having watched...

“Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock. Isaiah 26:4 NLT Did you know that verse 3 says: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” ‭‭ Our God is our rock as we decide to make Him our rock and determine to keep Him as our foundation. Making our God our rock means keeping our thoughts fixed on Him. He keeps us in peace as we centre ourselves on Him. In Stardew Valley, a person mines rock and uses it to make things, good things. (Yes I am still playing the game so that when I front my grandchildren, I can confidently say, “Look where Nan is up to in the game, isn’t she clever!” ) I think I will be appreciated because I bother to believe I can do something my grandkids do. This gives me cred. Seriously, if I can master this game, then I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. There are aspects of the game that I avoid, rather new agy stuff. I mine, I grow crops and build stuff, and sleep a lot. Ha ha! Bu...

“Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Knowing that someone is a rock we can depend on is heartening; however people do not live forever. God, on the other hand, is eternal and does exit eternally, as He is outside of time. Jesus told a parable about a wise man building upon the rock; the foolish man built on shifting sand. We see a lot of shifting sand these days, our governments are bringing out new and more repugnant laws every day, their foolishness is on display. I pray to the rock, my eternal God who does not change; He is a perfect being and does not need to change. We are imperfect and constantly need to change to be more like Him, not like the world. Go to the rock! Amen!

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬ A living and holy sacrifice sounds worth exploring. The OT people presented living sacrifices, we are called to offer ourselves as living and holy. Holy means set apart. We are chastised to not live as the world lives, in getting and thinking of ourselves, but rather as servants of God. Asking what are you doing today Lord? What is on Your heart, instead of ‘give me, bless me.’ Our focus must be on the Kingdom and what God wants to achieve in this world. Where is the need, where are harvesters needed?  Jesus spent time alone with the Father and was able to say, “I only do what I see the Father doing”.  What a testimony! Amen! How good is God! What power Jesus displayed as a result of seeking the Father! How about it? Are you r...

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Our world puts out a lot of ideas about how to keep our bodies: diets, exercise, foods to refrain from, foods we should eat. Yet, if we live from a kingdom focus we care for our bodies by allowing the Holy Spirit room. With Him in charge we don’t eat excessively, with lust for certain foods. exercise is not so we can feel good about achievement and be able to boast, but to enjoy being who God made us to be. I love to walk and hike , here I am out in God’s creation. I enjoy swimming but doing it for exercise creates problem in my muscles and tendons, I enjoy bike riding but it is here I have had the most accidents. What makes sense? Walk! The next area is what we watch and read, and our time on social media. What we give ourselves to we become. If we ...

“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.” Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I love knowing that my God will keep me safe, safe from evil, safe from myself and my enemy, if I place my faith in Him and not myself. Today I had the joy of climbing my hill over the city in which I live. The view is great. I love hills, the clouds above the hills remind me of Nepal. The difference is that in Nepal it is not cloud but higher mountains. I know I am safe with my God. He is my refuge, my strong tower in which I am safe ( not Rapunzel). I don’t long to get down from His tower, because He is there! I had a visit from a dear friend who will lead a group of friends I will ask to uphold me in prayer whilst in Nepal. She is a trustworthy friend, one who loves God like I do. She is also a leader. Our God is there for us, He will keep us. Amen!

“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.” Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I often wake in the middle of the night thinking, evaluating my actions and decisions. Yesterday I started advertising my furniture for sale because of moving away, and caught a whole lot of scammers, nothing else. I finally wrote on items for sale: cash only, local pickup. They went away. The thoughts in the night were : how do I find local buyers of good value, am I going about this the right way? This is a small problem, however I took it to the Lord. He is my fortress and strong tower. He is my wisdom.  I have stepped out financially and bought my air ticket to Nepal to serve there. I had to stretch and see  God open doors. The problem is always in the stretch for me, Yesterday I received my invitation to graduate from uni, it came with a 152 dollar cost.  Everything comes at a cost.  I reasoned that failure to move also comes at a cost that I could not bear...

“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.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Today I sat through an hour-long discussion the class action solicitors had with us planners. Basically they were spelling out the status quo. It left us deflated as the solicitors said that AMP could well appeal the verdict that was 4 years in the making. I came away with BUT GOD! I then went and helped my old friend with her shower. Why go to despair? Gods word tells differently. He has the last say. So, I am going to trust Him and keep doing what I do, studying Nepali and helping my friend. When all else fails , trust God! 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.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬ God had an age-old problem with His people. They constantly slid into idolatry and polluted their worship of Him. We see a typical response of the people when confronted with this truth in Malachi 1:2. They had forgotten all God had done for them. When we forget the good we start to see what we consider the bad. We point to it and rage against God. We must take time to remember His faithfulness. He is always faithful, even when we are not. We create idols from emotive ideals about the God we want to serve. He must perform as we want. When He refuses to be a genie in a bottle we rail against Him. We fail to recognise He is God. Amen!

“For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬ There is only one who can reconcile us to God- Jesus Christ. We cannot do this for ourselves. Faith in His ability is all that is required. No amount is f self-effort will save us. My old friend is still remembering to go to the Spirit when her thoughts trouble her. Praise God! Today I had a sudden revelation that I could sell all my possessions and make ready to go without hindrance to Nepal. Seriously why is stuff so important anyway? The only value I have is the gifts others have given me, these show me their love and appreciation. Sentiment can be a hindrance also, and so that also will be reevaluated. I remind myself, Jesus can return anytime soon for little old me. What joy! My family do not need to process my stuff. I will do it for them. God has a plan! Amen!

“For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Paul went on to say, ‘He, Jesus, was revealed and just the right time’.Timing is impeccable with God. I don’t know why God chose to wait several thousand years until the Romans were occupying Israel, but He did. He came into a world that was looking in the wrong direction, they wanted a deliverer from oppression. Yet, Jesus saw a more sinister oppression, sin. He came as a deliverer from the kingdom of darkness, He represented the kingdom of light. Into this time when the disparity between east and west is ever massive, and the greed of mankind drives the machine comes this gospel message: only Jesus can set us free, truly free. I am about to go and live in a country that lusts for the wealth of the west. This lust dulls the ears and clouds to eyes. Nepal has its hand out to the west. It wants dollars not Jesus. However, Jesus is the only solution. He is the sav...

“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”” ‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭20‬:‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Think about it! Paul said, “it is more blessed to give than receive”. Giving brings blessing! Who can you bless today? Giving of time, love, patience, a listening ear are special. Not many people will do this for others. We like the appearance of kindness, however, when it is tested it fails due to selfishness. I notice that others want to spruik about their cleverness, they want to tell their stories but when the limelight is off them, they become disinterested. This is a selfish love. Selfless love has no requirements. Jesus loved selflessly! He is our leader and model. We would do well to follow Him. Amen!

“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”” ‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭20‬:‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Paul knew how to represent the gospel. By working, even though ministering, he showed diligence and gave reproof to the idle. Idleness is a sinful waste.  Even through retired from work I have been busy with study and helping friends and neighbours.  Giving of time, love and finance blesses others. Help those in need! Amen!

“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I am so grateful for praying grandparents. My great grandmother was a godly woman. Although rejected by my dads father because of his change to Catholicism, she sweetly persevered in prayer. She was faithful. I am a beneficiary of that faithfulness. I can be faithful in prayer for my family and see the goodness of God flow down to them. He is faithful to me, always has been, always will be. He is not a fickle pickle. Praise Him! Today I booked my airfare to Nepal, I took the plunge. I am enjoying learning the language. I am like a little kid when I get a right answer in my language exercises. Learning is fun! May God use all He has given me as I go faithfully to follow where He leads. He is good!

“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Great is Your faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see. Written by Thomas Chisholm who came to Christ at age 26 in 1882 in Kentucky USA. It is well worth reading the verses. Thomas wanted to incorporate as much scripture into the songs he wrote as possible, so that there would be no flippancy.  It is good to reflect with gratitude the goodness of God. It is also good to thank God for His goodnes and worship Him, reminding Him that we trust Him to handle all our life.  I believe I have had a win: for the longest time I have battled with the negativity of my old friend. I happen to tell her that her whole room was filled with the Holy Spirits presence and yet she was allowing a nasty, loud spirit to convince her to be fearful. I told her as she like to shop, choose the better store and ask the Holy Spirit what He has for her. She cau...

Give us this day the food we need. Matthew 6:11. Food is our greatest need, apart from water. God promises to provide. We need to trust Him. I know there are times when bills keep flowing into the house,  along with charities asking for money. This can be stressful, especially if we are waiting on provision. This is when we need to worship. He is our rest and our opportunity. He is our keeper and guide. Worship puts it out there and says, "I know You are great and I will praise You".  Today I will say, My God is good and will provide. Amen!

“Give us today the food we need,” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬ We can trust our God to give us what we need each day. It is when we look beyond this day that we become anxious. Jesus said, “do not be anxious about tomorrow for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. But seek first the kingdom of God” (Matt 6:34). Here we see two instructions: 1) don’t be anxious about tomorrow; 2) seek first the kingdom of God. As we have an avenue to pray for the provision needed today, let us pray expecting a good supply.  If we allow God to be our protector, He will take care of the troubles and also He will provide. Our role is to seek what God is doing in this day. We have a vital part to play: we are the hands and feet of the gospel. Amen!

“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬ We live in a world of instant gratification. We want what we want now! We are impatient and spoiled! We need to learn to be children of God. Scripture tells us that Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered. He was God in the flesh and yet He learned obedience to the Father. Now, if the Son of God had to endure this, why do we think we should escape it? Discipline produces obedience.  The promise of glory to be revealed later draws us. What does this glory look like? A reward? I know that when we behave like sons and daughters of God we give hIm glory, and in return He glorifies us for our obedience, people notice and are impacted by our obedience. We can feel the ‘well done’ smile of our Father. So, if you humble yourself in obedience, God will lift you up and glorify His name.

“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Compared to eternity our earthly sufferings and struggles are nothing. For ever we will rule and reign with Him. What a glorious outcome! How good is our God! God’s people are persecuted severely in many countries, they are slain because of their faith. In Nigeria there is a silent purging taking place by a wicked government. This is only one country. In all place where Islam rules, persecution in constant. In communist China the saints have gone underground, in North Korea many are imprisoned for their faith. We in the West are slowly being squeezed by wicked politicians and those who oppose Christianity. Yet, even now, a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit is taking place. Come Lord Jesus! Our eternity beckons us! How glorious it will be to get to know the sons of saints who were steadfast in their faith.  Stand and do not submit to darkness! Amen!

Jesus Christ is the same, yestersay, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 The writer(who I think is Paul) goes on to write, 'do not be distracted by strange new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not rules about food, which don't help them that follow them'. In light of all the food fads we have today, this is good news indeed. We have a branch of society that wishes we were all vegans, sorry to disappoint. We also have the latest health advice warning about the eating of  blah, blah, blah. In a few years the ideas change. Instead, let us concern ourselves with consistency in our Christianity. God's grace will enable us to persevere. He is good! Amen!

Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward in heaven will be 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 I continually watch God's goodness and perseverance to the unthankful. He definitely is not judging them, I do at times and struggle to forgive them. Yet, when I am good to the unthankful, I watch God use their circumstances change their hearts and they become aware and grateful. Bringing good to the unlovely is a challenge especially when we are caught in self. When we recognise our position, what we do with the knowledge determines if we are acting as children of God. Repentance is good! 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 Do you have enemies? Probably not ones that wish to kill you. Most westerners live in comparative daily safety. Therefore, those who would qualify would be those who have hurt and offended us, perhaps stolen from us.  I am mindful of a young couple who lost four of their children to a driver who lost control of his car. This couple loved God and forgave the man. This would have required godly strength. The couple went on to have another child. There are many stories about the loss suffered by the innocent whist the perpetrators run free. Not being bitter and resentful would require the Holy Spirit’s help. Personally, those who have hurt me the most are the closest to me. So, today May grace abound in our hearts as we ...

“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬ When we ask we must believe in faith that God will answer. Yesterday I prayed for a healing for a friend who is in hospital, for which she was grateful. She just messaged me to say, “the news does not look good because the nurses have decided to increase my antibiotics”. Having been a nurse I know this is not the role of a nurse, that role belongs to the doctor. My friend goes quickly to the negative and fear. I refuse! My God is faithful through all the noise and drama. I can trust Him to provide, answer and bring the victory. Amen!

““Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Here Jesus is encouraging His hearers to be persistent in prayer. We are easily dissuaded. A silent wall can turn us away. However, breakthrough prayer, and worship causes the wall to fall.  As I write this I hear in my spirit  Brandon Lake singing: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=552A_AYVYqk&feature=share Gratitude. Come on my soul don’t get you be shy on me now, lift up your song, cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs, get up and praise the Lord. There are times when we must encourage ourselves to worship and seek God, especially if blue and downcast. He is the source of our joy! Amen

He said to His disciples, " the harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to teh Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into His field. Matthew 9:37,38 Today I watched the hudge who was hearing all the evidence in my group in our class-action against AMPFP, (AMP Financial Planning). The judge took less than 10 minutes to deliver his verdict, however, he handed over a book of his findings, which were in our favour. Now I await the solicitor's appraisal of the document, but the important thing is, we won. Praise God! Today I also received an email from Wycliff telling me they have no need for me in Australia at present. The Lord is moving! As the prophesy I received said, "you will go to Nepal, but not just yet, God is sorting things for you". So, I have prayed that if the time is soon that He makes a way for me.Now, I am packing as my lease is finished 28/08/23. My old friend had a successful operation and is not convalescing. ...

“He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Jesus actually said this. Do we believe there is a need? Do we pray for workers? I know I didn’t for a long time, until asked by a missionary friend who needed workers. Then I began to pray. If we do not believe there is a need, why not? Perhaps it is because we do not understand the harvest principle. During COVID Australia could not allow in the usual islanders to harvest, and the crops were ruined. There was ripe harvest and yet there were no workers.  Why did Jesus say to pray for harvesters? Was He making a point that there were people who would believe if they heard the gospel? Yes! He saw the crowd of people coming to hear Him and He had compassion on them and then said the above verse. Compassion on the crowd causes us to pray. Perhaps we could ask the Holy Spirit for His ...

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, to serve one another in love. Gal 5:13 Today I met a girlfriend and went to see Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Dial od Destiny, probably his last movie. The action was exhausting. Whilst I love adventure, not at that pace thanks! I would need to be a stunt woman. It presented an evil overlord who lusted for a particular artifact, and Indi was determined it went to a museum. I was amazed at how lust for an object would cause a person to kill and maim indiscriminantly. Yes I know it was a story, however, in the news here in Australia we have been told that a new drug ring has landed in Sydney. These people know how to main and destroy. This, primarily is Satan's forte. Returning home I was aware that that was not the life for me. I have access to a miracle maker who created the universe, all in a day. over the enxt few days He fashione...

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Post uni I am discovering a freedom I have not had forever or perhaps for a long time. It is unusual and I expect a constant need to do or be something. However, this freedom is given me by God, I have no obligstions to the law of activity. I can actually sleep in on rainy days (until 7am- then the body clock rings). I am frolicking in this freedom, constantly aware that it is God-given. I cannot take freedom from sin for granted. I am called to holiness. I am aware that I need to restrain my active mind to rest in God and wait for Him. Rest in Him is a delight in His beauty and responsive to His movement and needs. He is not a busy as we imagine, as God miracles happen continually, His love is actively reaching out through the Spirit but it is not striving, we strive. Resting...

“But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.” Psalms‬ ‭77‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬ This afternoon I have been on a mental health training lesson for RFS. During a break I checked my emails and there was a notice from the class action solicitor noting that the judge will deliver his verdict on Wednesday of this week. This is welcome news. This morning against all pressures I went to worship and praise and recounted all God’s goodness to me. Now, I praise Him for the good outcome He promised. He is my firm foundation, He never lets me down. I will keep singing this song and keep praising right through until I receive the email detailing the goodness of God’s outcome to me. Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him!

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. Psalms 77:11‭-‬12 NLT Yesterday began an attack of the enemy in which he endeavoured to sour me against my church, family and friends. It came out of the blue and probably began by a seemingly innocuous caller who I had met Saturday night at astronomy. This caller was attempting to build me up but at the expense of others. It created a chink in my armour and the enemy went to work, he had already attempted to play havoc at church yesterday morning. Praise God I happen to be studying spiritual warfare at present and it gave me strategy to defeat the enemy. Praise and worship plays a big part, so does a clean heart and forgiveness. The word of God gives us the tools we need. I did not sleep well last night, however, a song, Firm Foundation, kept ricocheting around in my spirit, and I gave it room to keep going. This ...

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.Colossians 3:23‭-‬24 NLT When let down, rejected or mistreated it is easy to refuse to serve. Today band was hard, my nieces again did not come to Sunday School and I was ignored by ther mother. You might say today was a test. I had to press into God for band, He sustained me. I was inclined to not have my nieces over for craft time. However, I welcomed them and struggled with my hearing, so much so that their constant 'Aunty Di' became annoying and I raised my voice in reply. I repented immediately, but knew I must guard my heart. We ended up having a good time. I caught up with a girlfriend and we discussed heaven and our futures, had soup and played a few games. Eternity will be the best thing for all of us who long to be with the Lord. Our saviour has gone before u...

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Working willingly at all we do is important. I am retired at present, however, opportunities to serve the Lord continually arise. Like rising early on a frosty morning to go to band paractice for church; doing a stint at Astronomy as I did last night; serving in the Rural Fire Service in doing a days training like yesterday. It is amazing how much I can do with a good heart and not be tired.  A good heart causes you to enjoy your day and meet new people. Yesterday I met new firiries. It was a pleasant experience, one man was much older than me and still fit and active. Last night I met two women who go to church in their home towns. We had good fellowship. I also met some new people who talked to me, I had the opportunity to speak to the...

“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 When someone says, “Look at that!” What do you do? Usually you look. John was speaking to his disciples and whoever else was listening. They looked and some followed, some didn’t. I wonder why that was, were they stuck in there ‘repent’doctrine and could not envision more? Today John’s word can apply to us. As we read further, the apostle John opened up the gospel about Jesus in an amazing and beautiful way. Dare we look as John did and discover the beauty he discovered? It would be well worth it. Why not look today and read the gospel of John and discover the beauty within, you will not regret the effort. 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 This comment by John would have seemed strange. Israel was waiting for a king to deliver them from their enemies, not a saviour to deliver them from their sins. They already had animal sacrifices for that, or so they thought. When Jesus moved among the people He often mentioned forgiveness of sin; He taught about forgiveness a lot. The people enjoyed the miracles but not the teaching about the kingdom of God and it’s principles. It is no wonder that only a few hundred remained faithful.  When the disciples asked why He taught in parables He replied: so that in hearing they do not hear and seeing they do not see( Matt 13:13). This is puzzling, yet, we see many are drawn but few remain. Jesus had a way of refining them. He taught that they must eat Hus flesh and drink His blood-that did it. Why did He do it? He only wanted the loyal and faithful....