The day with dianne Louise

“After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”” Revelation‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ This is our future. We will stand with people from all over the world, people from different tongues and yet we are all saying: ‘salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb’. I wonder what language we will speak because John understood them all? In Nepal there are refugees from other nations; their are foreign missionaries from many nations all speaking a different language in their homes. The common language seems to be English, yet Nepali is spoken all around us. Our commonality is Jesus, we are present because of our relationship with Him. The love of Jesus makes its own language. Yeste...

““You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory, honor, and power, for you created all things, and for your pleasure they were created and exist.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ ‭TPT‬‬ Last night in Bible study we read Romans 1:18-32. Basically it deals with the fact that we have no excuse for not acknowledging our God as creator because His work is so well displayed in nature, the skies and in our own bodies. However, many do deny Him and live as if He does not exist. Romans tells us that the wrath of God is poured out on unbelief.  Today I live in a flat in Nepal where sickness has been poured out, yet we believe. It is winter and viruses are swirling. One of my flatmates has been badly affected. She had a cold and almost recovered and was slammed with a worse virus. She has a brain tumor diagnosis and we pray against this constantly. It has not grown but the threat of it is ever present. M flatmates rely on teaching for their income. However, as they cannot teach when sick their in...

“But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.” Psalms‬ ‭59‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬ This scripture reminds me of a chorus we sang a long time ago, it fills my heart with song on this chill morning in Nepal. Yesterday I visited a refugee family and heard their griefs and concerns. This morning I know that the Lord has an answer for them, I am not able to solve all their problems. However, as I sing over the problems I know nothing is too hard for my God. My flatmate has been told she has a brain tumor that needs removing. The expense is huge. The alternative is radiation. The cost of that is expensive to her body as well as her pocket. We must come to Jesus and say to ourselves: what would Jesus do? He would command healing. I sit and sing: ‘I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever, I will sing, I will sing. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever I will s...

“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!” Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Today I go to meet a refugee family in their home and see how I can advocate for them. Our church hosts refugees and gives them support. The support is limited to that available and has to be handled carefully so that abuse may not occur. Nepal has refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Siri Lanka, China and sometimes India. They are all different. Some retain financial support from their mother country, some do not. Some have papers some do not. Those without papers fare the worst. We see tent cities in African countries where refugees congregate. Fortunately, it is not the case here. Nonetheless, our refugees still struggle for finances and without finance they cannot afford housing, food and clothing. They then must beg for help. Begging is demeaning for them. I remind myself this could happen to me. As the persecution of Christianity rises I know anything is possible. Lord let me see...

“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. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.” Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬ We bite and devour when we are walking in the flesh. If we think our opinion is greater than our neighbours opinion about a matter we turn on them. Why? What does it matter if church starts at 9:30 or 10? What does it matter if one group of people seem to get all the opportunities to sing? Perhaps they prepare and are eager to sing, why are you critical? These are a few examples of the pettiness that transpires in churches. I have seen people I considered friends tear down a preacher on social media. Why? Who is the judge? What does He say about the matter? Jesu was our example. He ha...

““I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬ My Jesus gave me this gift of peace, I can look storms and troubles in the face and say, ‘I am not buying into your drama, go away!’ I can choose to believe He has won the victory, that He has given me the victory and that He is keeping me in all my ways. I am watching my flatmates suffer with terrible colds and flu and know I cannot go there. I’ve been there before and know how once the spirit of infirmity gets hold of you it is reluctant to let you go. I don’t want to go there again. A sneeze will come upon me or a cough and I say, ‘I am not buying!!!’  Yesterday my friend Chelle and I went for. Trek and stopped at Snake Lake to worship the Lord. There were army soldiers there doing some work on the lake and so Chelle asked that we did not sing until they had gone, we hummed along to the tunes. When they left we sang...

“Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭12‬-‭14 NLT A simple remedy, but one that is difficult to maintain. All it takes is someone to be unfair and unjust and the shackles go up. May we remember the Lord’s Prayer, especially: ‘forgive us our sins as we forgive others’. We are forgiven by the measure we forgive. I am tested here regularly, my flatmates tell it like they see it. The individualism of westerners is seen as selfish. It is not nice to be called selfish, but that is what it is. Nepali households are community. When offended we want to retaliate. However, the Lord said: ‘vengeance is mine!’(Romans 12:19) as we leave our issues in the Lord’s hands He sorts them better than we do. I have a friend who for the longest time transferred money from Australia by a means I would consider illegal. Last...

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Today I am challenged to pass up the snotty spirit that is causing havoc in the lives of my two flatmates. My God has delivered me from broken bones and kept me through two bike accidents, surely He is great enough to deliver me from colds and flu. I have to keep in mind that this is an evil spirit, viruses can only be manufactured in hell. I have to say, “I’m not stopping to shop at your store darkness!” Psalm 23 tells me: ‘though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will not fear because you are with me, Your rod and Your staff they comfort me’ (vse 4) I am passing through to a better place! I will continue to walk and praise the Lord! In the last two days I walked long ...

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” ‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ We suffer in small ways with sickness, offended family and friends, isolation. However, some suffer in extreme ways. Some are beaten and tortured for their faith. Our church hosts Pakistani refugees. These people have fled their homes for the sake of the gospel. We have many Chinese members and we know if they are caught in China they will be imprisoned. Next door to China is North Korea, as many as 80,000 Christians are imprisoned for their faith. India is now ramping up its persecution of Christians and this is spilling into Nepal. What small suffering I experience, I am reminded it pales compared to my North Korea, Chinese, Indian and Pakistani brethren. How can I complain? My Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice for me, how can I turn my back on Him and seek comfort? He promises me peace in the midst of all I will ...

““Stop your fighting — and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ As I read this I am aware that a Egypt is making ready for war. It has established battlements on the Sinai Peninsula even though it has an agreement with Israel not to do so. Israel is surrounded by nations who want to destroy her. Egypt has been studying Israel’s war tactics, why?  James tells us why we fight, we want what we cannot have, we don’t ask the Lord for what we want and when we do, we want it for selfish motives. Being told we are selfish pricks the pride. I’ve been hearing that a lot lately and am endeavouring to seek the Lord for His opinion rather than react. President Trump is laying the axe to many departments in America and people are reacting. The thought is, ‘how dare he take what is mine!’ Whether what he has taken was right for America’s or not is another question. What is good for the whole? Today I examine my motives and ask the Lord...

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Yesterday I worked on my research proposal. It was a challenge to find pertinent information. However, progress was made. My language lesson was delayed until after four and by that time my head was foggy and unwilling to persevere in learning new and difficult things, even though I like them. I awoke this morning to a prayer request from a friend who recently broke his ankle. His wife is still in England as my friend’s mother has dementia and his wife was trying to get her into a care facility. He received word last night that his wife had a mammogram and was called back. He asked for prayer as there is a family history of problems. I put a request through to the prayer team at church. I know I can pray and will do so. I sought the Lord and sensed His love. I can trust Him to ans...

“Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.” ‭‭3 John‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬ What is the bad example referred to? A man called Diotrephes who was controlling a church and not supporting travelling teachers. This man is now remembered in scripture as a man who opposed John and attempted to control a church. There is no record that Diotrephes repented.  John says above: ‘those who do evil prove that they do not know God’. Attempting to control a church or a group of people is not good. Fortunately this is not the case at my church in Kathmandu. I am grateful that I have a group of friends who stand up for themselves and not one of us controls the group. We are all strong personalities and can defend ourselves. However, we also know how to submit to church authority. Yesterday our church had a community lunch after the service. It i...

“And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬ All the world is a large place, however, God can give you a patch where you need to turn your light on and shine. We have work to do, it is not time to sit in comfort and focus on self. Today is Sunday. Apart from serving at church I need to have my eyes open to those who need to hear. I have been allocated people to care for as an advocate. These people are refugees from Pakistan, not all know the Lord. I can help them. We are having a community lunch after church and I will take time to be with the people I need to care for. After lunch my friends and I will visit and Englishman who had injured his foot and broken a bone. As he is alone I will take food to help. We will spend time in fellowship with our English friend. Back in Australia people either go home after church or have lunch with friends. Some have a focus for outsiders, some do not, it is the same here. My prayer is...

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” ‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬ When I read this, especially’with His love He wil calm all your fears’ I am reminded of what I did for my children when they were little. Holding them close and whispering words of love, soothed them. Along with my words was my caress,  and I rocked them to comfort them. I have such a father. He takes delight in my wins over selfishness and fear. When I give generously He whispers, ‘thankyou!’ When I am kind to the poor He thanks me. I feel His joy. May we be aware of our Father’s presence and love today as we abide in Him! Amen!

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Jesus said to His disciples, “I no longer call you servants but now I call you friends, because everything I have learned from the Father I have shared with you” (John 15:15). With a friend like Jesus we are definitely safe and secure. He will not become offended with us and speak ill of us, He will not betray us, He will cover us. He has given us His Holy Spirit. As I am in Nepal the friends I have developed here are closer than family at home, they now act as my family. They are on the spot when trouble comes. However, Jesus is right with me through all the pain and sickness I experience. His goodness is great for me. How good is He? Amen!

“For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.” Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Resting is so refreshing. Yesterday I felt my body needed a rest as the day before I had pushed it with exercise, but I had a friend coming to visit. I decided to go visit plant nurseries with my friend as he also likes plants. We had an enjoyable time. It was pleasant and restful. We can find rest even where we think it is unavailable. We rest from our striving, and allow God to lead us beside still waters. Here are luscious grasses. I remember as a child laying down in a paddock of green clover and watching the clouds. It was fun! Finding such a place here in the concrete jungle of Kathmandu is a challenge. Therefore I walk past fields where workers idly tend to the fields as not much is happening right now, the rains have yet to come. I embrace the huge gum trees from Australia and enjoy the walk. As I approach a busy intersection I find a lane...

“Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”  Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬ A lot of hurt we feel is subjective, offending our selfish lives. Often it is not intended, yet we take it personally. If we can only step back and ask: why does this upset me? Am I operating in the flesh here? Yes there are brutal people in our world who abuse mercilessly, we have seen it in the faces of the last Israeli hostages that were released. Three men who were gaunt and hollow, needing healing and love. We hear it in stories of Christians jailed in China and North Korea.  Last night I read a story about three men in jail during the Second World War. Two were at death’s door and one close to it. One man had been the abuser of the other, who was a priest. The abuser cried out for help as he knew he was sinful, the priest who was mercilessly abused by that man struggled to get off his bed and shuffle to the abuser. He led him to Christ. That night both of them died. Both would find heaven to...

“I speak to you an eternal truth: if you embrace my message and believe in the One who sent me, you will never face condemnation. In me, you have already passed from the realm of death into eternal life!”  John‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬ ‭TPT‬‬ When we receive Jesus and follow His ways (abide in Him) we have passed from eternal judgement into eternal life. Many are living in eternal judgement in this life and will continue to do so in the next. They have made a choice to reject the Son of God or for those who have not heard the good news, they are caught in eternal judgement unknowingly and they will be judged on how they obeyed their conscience. When Jesus was praying to the Father in John 17, He said,  “So with deep love, I pray for my disciples. I’m not asking on behalf of the unbelieving world, but for those who belong to you, those you have given me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬ ‭TPT‬‬  This is eternal life: “Eternal life means to know and experience you as the only true God, and to know and ex...

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Yesterday, I discovered that whilst I can start full of the Spirit I can end in the flesh. After a good time with the Lord and praying strong in the Spirit all the way to church, for 45 minutes, I attended a meeting where the words of my mouth undid me. How can this be? I realise that areas of my life that are still not victorious, as in complete healing, can be undone by a fleshly comment. The reasons they are not victorious is because of my confession. Without realising it then I continue on in the flesh and miss Godly opportunities. What is the answer? Repentance and a prayer for awareness.  This morning I came to the Lord and asked for forgiveness, being totally unaware all day yesterday. As I came to the Lord He spoke, ‘My Word will cleanse you!’ I am grateful! However, how can I last so long without the closeness of the Lord? That is a problem. I had been enjoying th...

“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,” Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬ In John 14 Jesus told His disciples that He and the Father would make their home with us as we abide in Him. If we have such a treasured relationship with our Saviour and the Father, also being infilled by the Holy Spirit, how can we walk as if they are not relevant and not there? I am bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus. I am no longer my own I am His! How can I act as if He is irrelevant?!how can I pretend I am in charge? How can I run with the world? I left my worldly way and am running after Jesus here in Nepal. His adventures are the best! I am His love slave, He is not abusive, He is not unclean, He is pure and beautiful! Amen!

“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬ What evil must I conquer? Offense is probably the biggest; retaliation would come next; bitterness and resentment; selfishness and pride; arrogance and self-righteousness; the lusts of the flesh and more. How do I conquer all of these? By the blood of the lamb and the word of my testimony(Rev 12:11). I live with the awareness of the Father, Son and Hily Spirit residing with me. Jesus promised this in John: “Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I am so blessed to have the Godhead living with me. I have the font of all wisdom living with me, I have my saviour who conquered sin and desth living with me, I have the promised Holy Spirit living with me. How blessed am I! I must live out of that relationship! The house is full! Amen!

“What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬ ‭GNT‬‬ I would like all my words to bring life, instead of desth. Oh how I must be constantly aware of the force behind my words. With David I pray: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬ So many opportunities are given us to create with our words. They are constant.  Father forgive us for our foolish, uncontrolled words, grant us that we might have awareness of them and grant us awareness of our thoughts before we speak. Insight and understanding we need! Amen! Lord I ask for opportunities today to speak life, the grace to speak it and bless others. There are so many others in my world today: my flatmates, my friends, the guests we will have today, the children who live in our apartment block and their parents, the people in our street. I am a life bringer! Amen!

“But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ This verse was given to King Asa of Judah, he did what was right in the Lord’s eyes for 36 years then he relied on his own thinking and made a covenant with a king and his people who were helping his enemy in Israel. The prophet came to him and rebuked him and he became angry and threw the prophet in jail. The rest of his life did not go well, he ended with a foot disease and still did not seek the Lord. Asa destroyed the idols but failed to remove the shrines. I must ensure that idols are removed in my life, but also the secret shrines. I cannot believe I will only be healed by prayer from one individual, I cannot believe that I will be blessed by a particular act of giving and make that a habit, this becomes a shrine of worship. I cannot tailor my God to suit my purposes. He is God and way above and earthy habit or attitude. Yesterday was not a good start to the day for me, a hea...

“I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ This is the challenge! Will I rather walk by how I feel or by what God is doing in a circumstance? Right now my environment is unsettled and disturbed. My flatmates are busy cooking every day attempting to make products to sell. Our flat is no longer peaceful, but rather industrious. I am not enjoying the change. However, every afternoon a young girl from a downstairs flat comes to knit, play games and do Bible study. Since she has begun coming three little boys from upstairs are coming for the games section. They may progress to the full experience. This, for me, is the fun part. They want to do relationship in our flat, they are playing together with me.  I must trust God for all changes and that His will will be done. I value His presence and peace, His plans and ways. Amen!

“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.” 1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬ There will always be people who insult us. Insults can make us angry and desire justice. A desire for justice causes us to take people to court and allow the judge to decide if the insult warrants payment. Yesterday, the Family First Party leader in Australia, Lyle Shelton, was in court as two deaf queens had been offended with comments he made about them reading Trans story books to small children in a public library. Whilst Mr Shelton did not vilify them, they felt unjustly treated. Their first attempt at attacking Mr Shelton failed and this was a second attempt. Whilst people may choose how they identify themselves, they are not necessarily free to impose their views on impressionable, young minds. Mr Shelton is aiming to protect young minds. Courts are expensive. U...

“Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭HCSB‬‬ I am grateful for all God has given me: His salvation; my family at home and friends abroad; the ability to keep moving; the visions He fills me with; His word, His presence; His voice the encourages and consists me. Last night our little girl from downstairs came as I arrived home. Within a short space of time the boys from upstairs came along with another friend. The young girl Anusha and I were paying a game and the boys watched carefully. Suddenly we were all playing a games and grandma from upstairs was in the house and so was the boys mother. What fun!! My flatmates have become very busy as they are trying to sell goods they make as well as do the teaching. The flat is becoming a bit messy as a result. I am finding having grace for the mess a challenge, however as I seek God He will provide. Thank You...

“Give us this day our daily bread,” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Each day we have need of enough for food, clothing and shelter. Each day we can approach our Father for these needs, and trust Him for provision. We can, at times, assume we need way more than we really do. However, He will give us what we need, and that He does lovingly. Today is Sunday. Yesterday I had another motorbike accident. I had been out with my friend Chelle and we decided to visit Warren, an Aussie friend, at his home, Chelle had never been there. When we were leaving Chelle looked across the valley and spied a concrete road and asked ‘can we go that way it looks shorter?’ Warren replied, ‘you can if you are careful as there are dirt sections.’ Me, being wised up to what he meant chose to ride behind Warren as he had a dirt bike. All was good until we reached the last ascent and I saw it had at least two inches of fine powdery dust on it. I was more concerned for my friend as she only had a motor scooter. Warren ...

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Boldness is not my problem when faith is in action, however, if I have been listening to condemnation I struggle. This is the very time I must rouse myself to come anyway. Boldnesss is present when we realise we are children of God, a loving Father who never turns us away. His goodness and love are beyond our comprehension. As children of God we are loved dearly. When we need it most is when we must come, condemnation tries to turn us away. When we struggle we need to remember the scripture that tells us ‘nothing can separate us from the love of God’. (Romans 8:31) we need to keep reading past this verse to know what Paul considered nothing. “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tom...