Doing good

“We will show mercy to the poor and not miss an opportunity to do acts of kindness for others, for these are the true sacrifices that delight God’s heart.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭16‬ ‭TPT‬‬

For the longest time, well, since 2016, I have wanted to return and live in Sindhulpalchok as I love the area. Yesterday I went to a small village near Chautara in Sindhulpalchok. I checked out a flat that has been constructed and ready for rent. My Nepali colleague and I have decided to take the flat. I am now having to put in flooring and furniture to make it habitable. Who would have thought a 72 year old Australian pensioner is able to do this? Yet, here I am doing this. God is good!

Living in Australia is so expensive it consumes all my pension but in Nepal I am able to support two employees, save and now pay two rents and furnish two flats. Wow!

For the first six months I will only visit the new flat every two weekends. I am committed to college again this year until July.

The local people are delightful and keen talk to me. I love it and know I will enjoy living in the area. I do not like Kathmandu as I am a country girl and am committed to helping the people of Sindhulpalchok. The mountains were out in all their glory yesterday. Everywhere I turned they were there to welcome me.

I negotiated with the furniture man, who is a Christian. I have ordered four beds and a dining table and six chairs. I visited the ‘carpet’ man. What is called carpet here is called Lino at home. It is vinyl.

I plan on having visitors, many visitors! I want people to come and help with the puppet shows and distribution of aid. I will need the loaves and fishes miracles over and over again.

Next term, July onwards, I hope to be able to stay and do a research project around the work we plan to do, educate children on the dangers of trafficking and provide for the needs of the poor. May the Lord go before me and bring it to pass! Amen!

All for His glory

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is the challenge we have as Christians, we are here for the Lord. We work for His vision not ours.

Eating and drinking as such basic activities. Yet, even in them we must honour our God. Gluttony does not belong in this space. If we are given to chasing the latest meals or different types of drinks then we need to repent. We do not live to eat and drink. Jesus, Himself, said, “my food is to do the will of Him who sent me!” Our purpose is all consuming!

Today I go to do the will of my Father. What is His priority? What can ai do to bless Him?

May Your Kingdom come Lord, You will be done! Amen!

Arise oh Israel

““Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.”Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Although the Christian church has often quoted this in reference to itself, these verses, in fact the whole chapter, are about Israel in the end days. 

As I watch how Israel is conducting itslef in these days I am impressed. The innovations in technology and medicine are amazing. The ability of this very small country to defend itself against many larger countries is impressive.

Yet, Jesus is returning to rule and reign from Jerusalem. In those days it will be the centre of the earth. Mind blowing advances in all areas of innovations will be seen. Nothing will be impossible!

I praise God that I know Jesus as my saviour. I rejoice in His plans for Israel. I would love to be a part of His team in those days. He will rule and reign for 1,000 years. I am 72 and as I look back that has been a long time. I cannot imagine what 1,000 years will be like. Amazing!

No conformation

“Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭TPT‬‬

In Australia there was a killing of Jewish people on Bondi Beach Sydney. In the aftermath there was a lot of people that did things to say they support the Jews, we would call it virtue- signalling, but nothing changed with the stance against those who were stirring violence against the Jews. There were government promises to ban guns, again, and laws against ‘hate speech’, but not a removal of those who were inciting the violence.! Did the people write petitions to the governments demanding these changes or did they just throw tokens?

The world believes in tokens. It says ‘feel good’ for us thing but not a help my neighbour thing. We the church cannot be caught up in ‘feel good’ things. We are to be the authors of change.

I want to do the change, be the change not just sing songs about it or talk about it. The Holy Spirit in me wants me to be involved in change. I must start with my own reactions, my own self-control.

On Friday my best friend discovered she had seven days to leave Nepal because she over-stayed her tourist visa by 1 day. She is not allowed to go to another country and return, but pay the fare to America and return from there. We had believed she could pay the late fine and then re-apply for a tourist visa. We were wrong. We could rant and rave about inflexibility, however, the law is the law. There are reasons for laws. If they are unjust then we must petition to change them. If they are just we must obey them.

Emotionally, this is challenging, I am challenged in my health as well at present. My head is ringing and blocked, causing my already challenged hearing to be more so. I cannot stop as I have to enroll in college again, I have a bank issue to solve and the pile is heavy before me. Rather than fall apart I have to go to the Lord and ask for His strength, His guidance and direction. Last night I became picky about cleaning and knew I have fallen from an enemy’s tactic whilst navigating all that is before me. I repented and asked for grace. I cannot apply worldly ways to solve problems, I must follow my Lord. Amen!

His beauty

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As a Christian I am aware that I am the Lord’s temple.! This is awesome to me! David writes above that he delights to be in God’s temple. For him it was a tent. My body is a tent that is wearing away. However, my Lord delights to dwell there.

I am awake in the middle of the night hearing worship. The song that seems to be prevalent is ‘worthy’ written by Steve Furtick, pastor of Elevation Church USA. I have made it a practice of singing worship songs every morning and this one is one I sing. I think heaven likes it. My spirit does!

When the enemy of my soul attempts to fill my mind with junk thoughts this song is my reply. Scripture exhorts us to think on noble and worthy things. There is no higher a noble thought than Jesus and His gift of eternal life.

Worthy is Your name Jesus!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=-QVXGtJudTQ&si=PhWjrWMvWgvd8_wc

Sabbath

“Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.”Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We can be legalistic on one side of the Sabbath coin but on the other totally disregard the message in what Jesus said. Here, He was opposing the criticism about He and His disciples walking through the fields and eating the grain on the Sabbath. The legalisms were going to their extreme about Sabbath laws. God gave the law about the Sabath so that mankind would be refreshed and take time to worship Him. The legalisms had added to the law telling people they could not go a certain distance, could not eat certain things, they had turned the Sabbath into a prison.

As Christians we can disregard the teaching about the Sabbath to our own detriment. Resting one day a week from all labour is good for us, so is taking time to reflect on God’s goodness. Today, in Nepal, is the rest day. However, many churches occupy most of the day with long services. Foreigners who are used to Sunday being a rest day gather tomorrow to worship. We tend to fellowship and rest afterwards.

Taking time allows us to refresh, recharge and reflect. I enjoy church the worship is communal and the message gives me something to reflect upon. I lunch with friends and we chat about the message and about events of the week. After lunch some of us gather together for coffee and more chatting and perhaps a game. Us Aussies brought games with us to Nepal. Our friends enjoy them also. Playing games together reveals sides of our character that we might keep hidden otherwise. It is a good learning exercise.

Take time to worship Jesus, enjoy Him speaking to you through His word, the Bible, and enjoy fellowship with good friends. Jesus was walking through the fields with His friends. Who knows what they were chatting about?

Never give up

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I know my body is becoming older, however it causes me to walk in faith. I say to the Lord, “You are my beauty and strength”. Then I step out and refuse my body authority to speak negatively.

Right now a virus is attempting to set up camp. It must leave in Jesus’ name. I have work to do!

Each day the renewing power of God is available for me. I can appropriate it. I can walk in His power and authority.

Today ai go with a friend to immigration. She has to pay a late fine and apply for a tourist visa until college starts. We will then go to my college to mark application for next term. I have promised to make sheets for another friend and am planning a trip to Sindhulpalchok next week to see a flat my young colleague has found to rent for the work there teaching children about trafficking. I will furnish this flat for that purpose as many people will stay there over time.

There is no time to sit and commiserate with sickness. It ai out of the pit! It must leave! Amen!

Streams in the wilderness

““Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today marks the first day of 2026. It also marks the beginning of new things for me in Nepal. I received notice that I passed my last language exam and now face enrolling for another term. I had thought I would enroll in a pottery class to use to train ladies in Sindhulpalchok but it is not to be. I was informed that I might not be accepted, therefore I did not pay the entrance fee, knowing that the University would keep 25% of the monies paid. It turns out I did the right thing as I am facing expenses in setting up a base in Sindhulpalchok and expenses in provisions for the social work to be done there by my team.

I was also convicted by a comment made by a Nepali man in my Bible study group, he said, “You need to keep learning the language”. I didn’t want to hear that as the tripping to class takes almost an hour each way in heavy traffic. However, he was right. I did a degree in linguistics before I came to Nepal so that I could learn the language. I must remain faithful to that purpose, as apart from college I am not forced to speak or read Nepali and I know I want to learn it. Sooo, off I go again in February to college.

I dream big plans but have to take small steps. It is God who will bring all things to pass, not me in my impatience.

Streams are being created in the wilderness! Praise God!

The light

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have friends who are dare devil cavers. Recently I heard how they took friends caving and went through a worm hole crawling on their stomachs. They entered a small cave where it was so dark their eyes could not adjust to the darkness and were unable to see anything. Then they turned on their lights to the relief of the friends who went with them.

We live in spiritual darkness. The world is a deprived place. However, the light of Christ that the above verse speaks about can overcome it. The write, John the apostle, was writing about Jesus. He was aware of the difference Jesus made to the world.

When we receive the Holy Spirit into our lives we have that light resident within us. Our role is to allow that light to shine, not try and compete with it, believing we have our own light.

I can trust Jesus to make a difference in this world through me. As I allow Him to lead me and be the driver, I discover that His grace, love and mercy shine through me. Then, I am most fulfilled.

I am here to bring the kingsom of God to earth by living a life that is dependant on the light of Christ. This humility causes the light to shine.

Today Lord, shine through me! Amen!

A new Person

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Coming to the point of realising ‘I am not happy with who I am, or the way I behave’ is a starting point for change. Being aware of sinful behaviour is even better. Sinful behaviour is where I know I am a dreadful in the way I treat others, a am a bad role model, I suck at parenting, I need help!

Awareness of wrong leads us to ask, “How can I change?” You can do all manner of mental gymnastics and make all the New Year’s resolutions you like but without a power source to change you will flop around like a wet fish. You can read all the self-help books and try all the gurus but there is only one source of purity, that source is Jesus.

I came to the point of knowing that no good thing dwelt in me. This was when I came to Jesus and asked Him to forgive me for thinking I could do this by myself. I invited Him into my life and asked for His Hoky Spirit to inhabit me. Now, I have the power source. Now, as a Christian, I have One I can turn to.

Prior to this I had the spirit of the world. It was an unclean, greedy, obnoxious spirit that hated what is pure and lovely. Now, I love all things pure.

If you are at this place pray this simple prayer: ‘Jesus forgive me for going my own way, I know I am sinful and ask for you to cleanse me and make me new. I invite you Holy Spirit to come and live in me and show me a better way. I invite you to take the wheel and be the driving force within me! Amen’

Focus

“And may you be completely faithful to the Lord our God. May you always obey his decrees and commands, just as you are doing today.”

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭8‬:‭61‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse is a part of the benediction King Solomon spoke over the people who came to the dedication of the temple he had built. It is an eternal word. Even today, us Christians need to hear it.

As we approach 2026, it is my heart’s determination to seek the Lord more fully next year. I want Hisz so presence in all I do. I want to know He goes before me and I want His presence to touch the lives of the people around me.

I have Nepali friends who want a New Year’s Eve party and I want to be quiet and seek the Lord. If He does not go before us and with us we will be in trouble. 2026 will be a year of increased trouble in the earth as manind turn away from the Lord. I, therefore, need to be solely focussed on Him.

May Your kingdom come Lord , Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven! Amen!

Generosity

“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As God provided all I need. The surplus is available to give to others. He ensures there is surplus to give. That surplus is not to waste on rubbish to store in garages, but to use for others. In Nepal there are no garages, there are carports but not locked garages. What appear as locked garages are shops. Inside the houses there is limited storage space. There is not, yet, a mentality of accumulation of stuff that I might use, one day.

I am here to be a blessing to others, not sit and play with stuff! I do not have a TV, it is useless stuff to me. I do not need entertainment! My spare time is to study God’s ways and God’s word. Eternity is a long time and I want to have all I need there.

Generosity is the kingdom way of living. Generosity to the poor is imperative. My surplus is for them. My greatest concern, living in Australia, was there was no surplus. Rent took all I had and left me with little else. Here, rent is small and leaves an abundance. I am blessed!

Generosity is a mindset! Think generosity and an abundance will be available! Amen!

Confession

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The word confession carries overtones. The villains are led to confess their crimes; the sinners are led to confess their sins and receive absolution. Yet, their is a confession of faith that is most powerful. As I confess that I am a follower of Christ it causes things to happen: heaven notices and so does hell. Persecution follows, however, as a Christian I now have access to the arsenal of God. My prayers carry weight, I can command adverse circumstances to change, I can pray for the sick to be healed. 

As I speak, I speak either life or death. I must be careful with my mouth to speak life. As I speak life I change the atmosphere around me. I bring life and light into dark places. As I sing I bring the presence of God into dark places.

Light needs to shine in the dark places. Use your voice to bring that light into your world. You are the source of change! Amen!

Guarded from evil

“But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the prior verses Paul asked for prayer that the word He preached would go to receptive hearers and that God would protect him from evil people. He here switches to the second person and speaks to the heaers of this letter. It is ever relevant as Jesus taught His disciples to pray: ‘deliver us from evil!’ It is just as relevant today.

Yesterday was Christmas Day. There is so much rubbishy nonsense tied around the birth of our saviour, Santa Claus and elves. Chidren grow up to realise they have been told lies. They then question the validity of Jesus. Jesus’ birth was real, Santa was foolishness and a drawing away from truth to evil lies.

Christmas Eve our church had the best service, the gospel was preached. Yesterday, Christmas Day, some friends and I went driving in the mountains above Kathmandu. It was a relief to not be trapped in the nonsense of Christmas. To know Jesus as I do every day was best. He is my saviour and Lord.

We Christians must honour the truth about Christmas and not wrap it in anything but the gospel. Churches that prance around with Santa Claus are playing with fire.

The greatest gift

“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭31‬-‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today we celebrate Jesus’ coming to earth. He was more than a baby, He was and is the Son of God. What joy His birth brought to our Heavenly Father as well as to Mary and Joseph. 

Jesus came to do more than rule and reign in the natural. He came to defeat sin. He chose to die on a cross and pay, once and forever, the penalty of sin. He set free even those yet to be born. As we accept His gift by faith He gifts to us eternal life and His righteousness. 

Thank You Father for sending Jesus! Thank You Jesus for coming! Today we celebrate You! Glory in the highest to You oh mighty Son of God! Amen! 

The saviour

“The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are so many disasters happening all over the world and there is a desperate need for a saviour. Many expect government or relief agencies to assist. In many countries there is the knowledge that no one will assist.

The angels came to lowly shepherds with the good news that ‘the saviour’ had been born. As they sat out in the fields around a camp fire talking about… possibly wondering when the saviour would come, the angels came with the news, “He is born!”

Imagine talking among yourselves and wondering if God had gone to sleep or away as He had not spoken for over four hundred years and suddenly His messengers came. The scripture says they were terrified. We experience terror when what we thought was private becomes public, especially when we doubted God.

We may doubt that God hears us and is interested in us, but He is and He does. What is He saying to you at this time? Is He saying, “others may have forgotten you, but I am still here watching over you”.

Don’t expect Christmas to be a construct of your making, allow God to give you His best! Amen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=-QVXGtJudTQ&si=4zy2CVIzToH2gVTw

Terror with joy

“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Some things are terrifying for us: jumping out of a plane was terrifying for me but as I came down to land I was filled with joy. This happened on my 45th birthday. I am now 72 and still doing things that terrify me. I am in Nepal serving the Lord. Today, I am transferring all my funds from Australia to a Nepali bank account so that I can enroll in my next unit of study for the next six months. The concern that has arisen is: am I going on the right path? Right up to today I had spoken of it as the right path. Why the concern?

When the angels appeared to the lowly shepherds they came to announce the birth of Jesus. This birth was planned from before Adam and Eve sinned. Was there ever any doubt? God does not second guess Himself and neither should I. God knew Adam and Eve would sin and a saviour would be needed. Jesus had agreed to come to earth. The terror the shepherds felt was replaced by joy when they found Jesus.

The terror I feel just before I jump or move into the next planned activity is normal, joy is in the wings waiting to appear. For the joy that is before me I move each step. Great is the joy! Amen!

Praising through obstacles

“Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬-‭47‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Mary is a single woman and she is pregnant. She is engaged to be married to Joseph but being found pregnant before marriage was not good. However, she is here exalting God and praising Him for the role He has given her.

Mary says this verse in response to Elizabeth’s greeting. Mart had gone to visit her elderly cousin in the Judean hills. She stays three months, probably until the birth of John. She then returns home to face her own dilemma.

How many of us are willing to praise the Lord in the face of such obstacles? Even though it is Christmas obstacles still arise.

I just woke from the second instalment of the dream I had yesterday about a husband wanting a divorce from his wife. In this dream the husband is living in a new place. The wife arrives with some carpet for him. How she knew he needed carpet was not explained. He had an area needing carpet and we about to put down a bright green carpet with yellow flecks in it. The wife gave him some charcoal carpet with a grey stripe in it. It suited much better. The husband did not say anything and went around to an area outside his bedroom where he had a recliner and computer set up. The bedrooms were on the left and glass windows all along on the right. Outside was a long rectangular pool and a fence beyond. There was a small brown dog nearby. In the next scene the wife was walking to her 4WD vehicle in the car park outside Officeworks in Tamworth. A young Philippine man tried to comfort her and she shunned him knowing it was inappropriate. She drove out onto the road and hit a stationary small car. There was a woman in the car as she was parked behind another small car and the women were talking. They knew the women in the story and advised her to remarry, not an older man but any man. She knew this was also inappropriate. I then awoke.

Why am I dreaming this? This is not my story. I am a divorcee of 22 years. I usually dream other people’s stories. Yesterday whilst I was making a gingerbread house I sensed the need to pray for this couple and did. Perhaps I should have prayed more as the gingerbread house collapsed and was not inportant but now the couple are separated.

Have mercy Lord! Lead me today in prayer. Amen!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ETa2Aqqbq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Born

“She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My first child was a daughter. She was precious to me. She remains precious to me! We might disagree on many things but she remains precious to me. My second born was my son. He was precious to me also. He also remains precious to me.

When a baby is born you fall in love in a way you never imagine. These beautiful little ones hold your every gaze, you want to keep them close.

Mary is no different, except she knew she held the Son of God. What an honour, what a responsibility! Jesus needed Mary to feed Him, clean Him, hold Him in comfort. How amazing it would be for the keeping of God in the flesh. There would be constant amazement and joy.

The Father knew Mary was betrothed to Joseph. He trusted Joseph with the role of father to the Son of God. What a responsibility and joyful opportunity to teach Jesus the ways of God!

Would Mary and Joseph have been embarrassed to bring Jesus in the world in a manger? What would their prayers have been like? Would they have felt heavens eyes upon them at all times?

I am grateful for the obedience of Mary and Joseph!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE&si=dQ4gRZ3kCkwELIXv

Blessed

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭45‬ ‭NIV‬‬

These are words spoken by Elizabeth to Mary. They apply to all of us. We are blessed when we believe God’s word to us.

Many of us would have words spoken over us that are yet to be fulfilled. Yet, we patiently wait. This word comes to me to wait patiently for God to perform His words over my life and keep trusting Him for a good result.

I have just awaken from a very vivid dream about a husband and wife who are experiencing trouble and the husband asked for a divorce in front of his daughter. The coups are plagued with volumes of people in the house constantly. They are pastors and have just moved house. The wife struggles with all the people and wants peace. The husband seems oblivious. The wife continues to attempt to unpack and find things put away by the children in odd and random places. A friend comes to visit to help and the wife tells her what her husband has said, he happens to come in as she is speaking. The friend is a prayer and the wife asks her to pray.

Now, the above scripture speaks to all our circumstances. At this time of year we all face difficulties, but we can seek the Lord and trust His word. Amen!