Mighty hero

“The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”Judges‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse is taken from the story about Gideon. Israel was being persecuted and raided continually by the Midianites. Gideon was threshing wheat in a wine press, hiding from the enemies so that they could not steal his wheat. He does not appear to be any sort of hero to the reader.

What did God see in Gideon that he could not see? God could see his potential. What does God see in me or you? It is most probably something that neither of us can see.

My God has got me in Nepal learning the language and culture and learning to communicate. Last week I bought puppets to use in the schools I go to in Sindhulpalchok. I will use them to teach about trafficking. I want to warn the children about the dangers of trafficking. I have many good memories surrounding puppets. I know they are a hit with children and so I will use them, and bookmarks, to remind them, trafficking is bad and who to call for help. Now, I am almost 72. In my head I am 30ish, but my body defies me. 

My flatmates have gone to Tansen to their family. They are there for Monika’s treatment for a disease she is combating. I have had to communicate with my landlord and his family. It is good for me. 

Currently, my landlord and family are celebrating Tihar and last night they brought me some of their party food. They are having a lot of fun with fairy lights, crackers, paint, food and dancing.This appears to be the most enjoyable festival for them. 

I am grateful for the experience. I am grateful that I can live in Nepal and that God sees in me something worthwhile, the spirit of His Son and the willingness to do.

Grace is enough

“For by grace you have been saved by faith. Nothing you did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the love gift from God that brought us to Christ! So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭TPT‬‬

I am so grateful for grace! I am grateful for that which is given to me, but unfortunately, not so good at giving it, especially to friends who I find difficult. Yet, my God might find me difficult, if He judged in the natural, but He doesn’t because of Jesus. Jesus cleanses me from all sin. This I gratefully receive, not so generous in giving.

I am grateful that salvation is not based on my goodness. For the first 19 years of my life I strived to be good enough. However, goodness eluded me, it still does when I strive for it. Yet, when I accept that none is good no not one (Romans 3:23) and that I have goodness because of Jesus and His gift of the Holy Spirit, then to accept this, is enough.

The Holy Spirit has all I need. He is love, He is patient and kind and good. As I allow Him to dwell and control all is well. I do not have to run my life, I need to walk in obedience and trust Him! He knows the best way! Amen!

A clean heart

“Keep creating in me a clean heart. Fill me with pure thoughts and holy desires, ready to please you.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Huger for holiness and closeness to God can help create a clean heart. David knew closeness to God and when he sinned with Bathsheba he lost that closeness.

Sin separates us from God, but repentance brings us close. Knowing the depth of sin and recognising we are far from God brings us to repentance. Repentance heals the breach.

We can cultivate a clean heart by monitoring what we watch and read. We cannot be contaminated by worldly opinions. Worldly opinions are far from God, they are opposed to God, they are full of self. Godly opinions are full of God. A heart set on entertainment will not draw close to God. Entertainment is a god before God and must be dethroned, as is lust for food, alcohol, sex and having things.

God will have no other gods before Him! Be prepared for that! Amen!

Praise of others

“My prayers for you are full of praise to God as I give him thanks for you with great joy! I’m so grateful for our union”Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Paul planted  the church in Philippi on his second missionary journey. This was the first church in Europe. Once a Greek capital it was in the time of writing a Roman occupied city, with millitary and political influence.

The church in Philippi was the strongest supporter of Paul. His letter to them was without rebuke and full of praise.

Do you have people in your life that support and encourage you? If you do you are blessed. I have a home church who always welcomes me and if I need prayer I can ask them for prayer. When I am back in Australia they bless me with prayers and have been supportive on two occasions with finance. A recent visitor to Nepal was a blessing to me and another colleague. She brought finance, love and friendship.

I pray for my church and friends daily. May the Lord bless them indeed. I pray for my family daily as well.

This scripture encourages to be thankful and grateful for those at home in Australia. I am also very grateful for my Christian friends here in Nepal. Life here would be more difficult without them.

Gratitude and praise are welcome by the Lord! Let us practise them today. Amen!

Our strength

“The character of God is a tower of strength, for the lovers of God delight to run into his heart and be exalted on high.”Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

God’s character is reliable, it makes Him safe to run to. He does not change with circumstances. He is consistent. As we run into His heart He lifts us up on high. Why a beautiful idea!

When we find friends of consistent character we feel safe. They bless us with their stability. More so is it with God.

If we take time to run to Him instead of social media, we find Him true to His word and faithful to perform it. Yesterday, I was battling feeling unwell and struggled to study my Nepali language lessons. I went for two walks and in the afternoon spent time reading Ezekiel and Daniel the prophets. I am interested in what is happening in Israel at present. When I returned home I had dinner and then sat on my bed listening to Vision radio from Australia whilst I knitted. It was a better use of my time.

I am grateful for the times we live I. I can listen to preaching videos any time I like. I can tune into a Christian radio station from anywhere in the world as they have an App. It connects me with a source of good information.

October is a quiet month here in Kathmandu.!Nepal celebrates two festivals back to back: Daahain and Tihar. My college is shut until 27/10 and has been most of September as we had riots here as well.

My Nepali colleague and ai cannot visit schools in Sindhulpalchok as they are shut as well. It has given us time to register an NGO, organise material to take with us and pray for a vehicle. We desperately need a four wheel drive vehicle.

The bread of life

“Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. Come every day to me and you will never be hungry. Believe in me and you will never be thirsty.”John‬ ‭6‬:‭35‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Jesus here was speaking to the crowd that followed Him from the other side of the lake. He had feed them all with five loaves of bread and two fish. However, as Jesus confronts them with the fact that they are only following Him because He fed them they begin to ask for a sign. Was the miracle of feeding the thousands of people with such small fare not enough, they had been amazed at the time and wanted to make Him king, yet now as Jesus confronts them they demand a sign. They talk about Moses feeding them manna in the desert. Jesus corrects them with, ‘it was God who fed you!

Jesus said, “The bread of God is the One who came out of heaven to give his life to feed the world.”

‭‭(John‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭TPT‬‬) the people then ask for this bread every day. Jesus then responds with: “I am the bread of life!”

We Christians know this truth. As we come to Jesus daily reading our bibles and praying we find life for our souls. Jesus, not social media is our source of life.

Last night we had Bible study and fellowship. It was good to discuss the scriptures together. Everybody became involved, it was good to see them taking part. By such discussions we discover how God is working in each life. We are all ministers of reconciliation. Our role is to reconcile the world to Jesus. As we come together we are empowered in our pursuit.

Today, seek Jesus as your life source! Amen!

The Living Expression

“And so the Living Expression became a man and lived among us! We gazed upon his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father overflowing with tender mercy and truth!”John‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬ ‭TPT‬‬

John really captured the essence of Jesus. His beauty, mercy and grace and His truth. Oh to have been there! We must live by faith, having never seen Him in the flesh. Yet, we know His tender mercy!

When John says ‘we gazed upon His glory’ I am reminded of Moses asking God to see His glory and all he got to see was God’s back. The disciples saw His face, walked with Him, talked with Him and watched Him minister to the people who He saw as sheep without a shepherd.

When Jesus rose from the dead His glory would have been greater as He was an overcomer, the first born from the dead. The disciples did not insist on being with Him continually at that time, they knew Him as a different man, a risen Lord. At times they barely recognised Him eg the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

Jesus did overflow with tender mercy and truth. He did not rail against the sinner, He merely told them, “go and sin no more!” His mercy brought  them close and caused them to love Him. I am particularly thinking of Mary Magdalene . She had seven demons cast out of her and she was very grateful.

Today, I am grateful for salvation, for His presence in my life, His constant companionship, His healing, His power to overcome sin. Thank You Jesus!