Who do I fear?

““Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.”Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have made a decision to veer away from the word of the day in my bible AP and write more about what I am studying.

Yesterday, I preached a small message in the little Nepali house church I attended, I actually spoke in Nepali, however, the leader’s wife went over what I said and explained it more, then, to my delight the leader took up my message and boldly preached. I loved it. They love the painting I did of five sparrows. My message was called 5 Sparrows and taken from Luke 6-9. After church I taught my friends how to play UNO. Then they took me to dinner with their relatives. Rupa’s older brother (dai) works with the AOG in Nepal. We had a lively discussion. I discovered that many church pastor’s are compromising their faith by do whatever they can to make money, even changing their faith to Seventh Day Adventists. He asked that I be available to assist them in any way I can. I replied, Yes!

The translation task I have before me with David Pawson’s work is very much needed. David was a no compromise man. His teaching, translated into Nepali, will do well here. I am also looking for more to translate. Godly teaching is a must!

My new friend told me of the dangers of being caught preaching as a foreigner. I said, “I do not fear!” I have had a good life and am ready to go to my Lord whenever He chooses and will take the risk of stirring up Satan. I fear God more than man as my God holds eternity in His hands. Amen!

Personal God

“The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Notice God has offered to go with Moses Himself, not sending an angel or a pack of angels. When Jesus left the earth He said He would send us the Holy Spirit who would reside in us to comfort, lead and guide us. I do not need a grotto, an idol, a church building to find God, the living God, He lives within me. That, right there, is worth a WOW! Church buildings are nothing more than building where a group of believes gather together to worship, pray and hear teaching from the word of God. We are not all able to discern the word of God for ourselves and we need people.

Today in Nepal is rest day and when Christian Nepalis gather to worship. I am about to go to such a gathering. These people know how to sing and pray. They put the Western church to shame. Tomorrow I attend my English service with fellow English speaking bideshi. I am looking forward to that as I can pray and worship with understanding. However, I miss the Nepali roar in prayer.

My God is with me, He is good. God told Moses He would pass His goodness before him. I wonder what that was like? amazing and breath taking I am sure!

Holy Spirit come: pavitra aatmaa aunhos.

Go with me

“The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Moses had the whole tribe of Israel with him in the desert. He did not relish the task of being their keeper and knew that unless God went with him he was in trouble. This verse is just a part of Moses’ dialogue with God. It is well worth reading the whole encounter.

After God had promised to go with him, Moses asks to see God’s glory. The Lord told him to stand on a rock and that He would pass by, hiding him with His hand as no one could see God’s face and live. This made me wonder if Moses was seeing God the Father. If so this was amazing.

Today we can encounter God because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. His blood cleanses is from our sins and makes us acceptable and able to enter into the throne room of God.

As a Christian I have my God’s very presence inside of me, His Holy Spirit. What a difference Jesus makes. I can fellowship with Him any time of the day or night. I can run to Him for His comfort and enjoy joy with Him. As I watch little children here in Nepal play, I am mindful of the joy of knowing my God as a little child. Thank You Lord!

Smile on us

“Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is a place where God dwells, a place of love and peace. A place where we know ‘God has got this’, His love covers it all. This valley is not filled with agitating passion but peace and contentment.

I have just finished reading a book about an American woman who came to Nepal and did wonders for chidren without a home, and for abused women. She built a school, a women’s centre, a clinic and much more. However, she did it without the Lord. She touches on so many of His attributes but misses Him, and it is sad, because He would love her more than she could imagine.

We can make a world of our own and fashion it according to a worldly understandings of peace. However, when we lose someone we suffer terribly without His comfort. Understanding eternity through His eyes is a solace and an assurance of eternity with Him.

His eyes hold us, love us, keep us. His words bring life and calm. Amen!

In peace

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”Psalms‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We see Jesus practice this in a boat amidst a storm. “Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.”Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The disciples were very fearful and woke Jesus saying, “don’t you care, we are perishing” . Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.”Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬
We can be in a storm of opposition, rejection and opinions of others but why listen to the rabble. Is jealousy causing them to shout for your blood? Is hatred of the true gospel driving them? Satan constantly sought to destroy Jesus, but Jesus rebuked his storms with “Be still!” He was in charge and He answered to the Father, not to them.
Last night I was asked to share a message at a gathering of Nepali people tomorrow afternoon. I will endeavour to do this in Nepali (with the help of Google Translator). Yesterday I sensed I had found my words. My understanding is breaking through and I can now speak sentences. I remember doing this in Japan after learning Japanese for 12 months. It begins again. Praise God!

Love mercy

“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”Micah‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I cannot love mercy if I am consumed with self-righteous offence and judgmentalism. Jesus took the Pharisees, Scribes and Saducees to task for their self-righteous stance on all He said and did. He eevwm went so far as to tell they they were just like their father, Satan. This did not go down well and I am sure their self-righteous faces were smirking when they thought they had rid themselves of Him by crucifying Him on a cross. However, just as He promised He rose from the dead.

Today, I notice this spirit is alive and well in those who troll the likes of Bill Johnson and Chris Valloten. I am ashamed to say I have a past friend who is one of these. Every time he commented I saw a bitter, religious spirit. 

Jesus said that He was not the judge, that that role belonged to the Father. What gives us the right to smash the reputation of others publically? Why not make an appointment and meet to discuss divisive issues? Social media is not the place. It is ugly! 

What is required?

“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”Micah‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

To do what is right, we first must know what is right. How do we know what is right? God tells us in His word. Loving mercy and walking humbly is the right attitude, not assuming we are right because we feel right. Feelings are good servants not good masters. They should follow good behaviour.

How do I love mercy? By practising forgiveness. By recognising no one sin is greater than another. The sin of pride is just as dark as murder. Murder comes from a hateful attitude towards others. Jesus taught that if we hate we are guilty of murder. Hate causes gossip and malicious talk about others. These sins are from the same stream.

Walking humbly I recognise my own foolishness and motivations. What do I do in an effort to be loved and accepted? What actions come from pure love? What come from vanity? Walking humbly causes me to depend on my God.

God’s love is enough, I do not need to strive to impress. Seeking recognition from people instead of God is foolish. Onky God is eternal and only God is just and faithful. Amen!