It’s no longer I who live

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My selfish self has been crucified with Christ! It can no longer have a voice in me. After all, it is dead and the new life I now live must be by faith in Jesus who gave His life for me.

This reminds me of a chorus we used to sing, long ago. I might just dust it off and sing it to myself today to remind myself I walk by faith in newness of life. I am not bound to old appetites and ways of thinking and behaving.

“You were God’s expensive purchase, paid for with tears of blood, so by all means, then, use your body to bring glory to God!”1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Today is a rainy day. The weather turned wet at the beginning of the week. It became progressively wetter. Yesterday I did not go to college as I could not organise a taxi for a rate I was willing to pay. Also bike taxis were not available. They did not want to go out in the rain. I enjoyed staying home with my housemates who had been away for a month. I studied the work the was done in class and did my homework. Today may be the same. There has been rumours of a national day off, due to the weather.

There was a time when I would force through and go in bad weather, onky to arrive and be told I should not have come.

Nepal is definitely different!

Peace

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Being made right is important to us. I remember as a young teenager jumping off the diving board into a pool and not seeing anyone below. Unfortunately, there was someone below. She had dived deep and was on her ascent when I hit her bursting her ear drum. I was mortified as being see as good was inportant to me. She went to hospital and I visited her. I received a cold reception. I was genuinely sorry for the mishap, however my apology was not enough. This girl was a star swimmer. She was not able to swim until her ear healed.

Unlike this reception, when I came to Christ and my sins many more, I was forgiven completely. I continue to be forgiven. I know the One against who my sins were committed is far greater than the girl, but He does not hold grudges or refuse to forgive. Praise Him! He holds to keys to eternity and I know He will take me to Himself. My hope is in Him!

Right now as I wait for finance for our vehicle to use in ministry, I trust Him! He is my provider! Amen!

Worthy thoughts

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are so many dishonourable things floating around, so many conspiracy theories, so many proponents of prophesy interpretations and people given to critical opinions.  It is good to switch off the noise.

The word of God is true and honourable, right and pure and lovely. In particular the gospels portray Jesus as the word of God. Jesus said, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father”(John 14:9).

The epistles teach us how to live a godly life. The Old Testament show how we will go astray when we determine to run our own path. 

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life!” (John 14:6). There is only one way and one truth, Jesus is the source of the only life we need. Amen!

Things that last

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yesterday I saw a vehicle that was reasonably priced for sale here in Nepal. The ministry I am doing in Sindhulpalchok requires such a vehicle. I put a request to my church to allow me to post on the church Facebook site and I also posted my request on my Facebook, but more importantly I asked the Lord for His provision.

Now I must wait to see what the Lord will do. On Thursday I will go and look at the vehicle and I’ve told Thomas, my Nepali associate to get his drivers licence. Whilst I have an Australian licence, I cannot get a Nepali licence without a six month visa, which I will not have until February. The Lord’s ways and timing are perfect!

It is always a temptation to become bitter with western friends who love our posts but seem reluctant to commit financially. However, who is in charge? God or man?

Now is my time of testing! I must trust the Lord to provide. He has a plan. What is He doing and saying? I have been asking Thomas, my associate to organise an NGO, he has delayed throughout October, as most businesses have been shut but now there is no delay, the holidays have finished. Buying a vehicle through an NGO is tax free. I imagine he will be a busy boy today. Also the car has diplomatic plates, an NGO is able to have diplomatic plates, praise God!
The Holy Spirit has chased me to persevere with drawing people into relationships with a group of expats here. He seems to have given me the task of loving and drawing people together. As we come together we learn to love and care for each other. It is good to see. We become more godly and more willing to lay down our lives for each other. Praise God!
The Lord’s kingdom is the only one worth fighting for. As we allow Him to rule and reign He does it beautifully. He is so good! Amen!

Prayer and praise

“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.”James‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Prayer is powerful! I see answers to prayer almost daily. James, here, is instructing the church in the diaspora to keep praying.

We can easily be deterred from prayer, believing our prayers are ineffective. Ask the Lord to show you the power of your prayers. He will!

Right now, the enemy of my soul is trying to convince me I will not be rid of the ringing in my ears. He is wrong! I will find my way in prayer. I ask for assistance in prayer.

My God has a solution! I need to find it! Amen! I will also sing my way out! I will praise My God as long as I live! Amen!

Be strong

“So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!”Psalms‬ ‭31‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Passion version says it like this:

“So cheer up! Take courage, all you who love him. Wait for him to break through for you, all who trust in him!”Psalms‬ ‭31‬:‭24‬ ‭TPT‬‬

I have areas where I am still waiting on the Lord for breakthrough, I am sure many are here. This version encourages me to wait for Him to act.

Holding faith and not becoming resentful is important. If our eyes are on people, we can become embittered. We assume people will work for us, however, it is God who works for us. If we are watching a certain gate for provision it will come another way. God is the God of surprises.

I am trying to teach a refugee this principle. He has trouble with his heart attitude. I know even when I had a wrong attitude God came through for me. He stunned me with His grace and mercy.

We are His sheep after all! And He is our shepherd! I can trust Him! Amen!

Armour

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We have a vicious enemy whose hatred for us is portrayed in Hamas, Isis, Hezbolla and the like. The way they brutalised the Jewish people and continue to seek their demise is a prime example. We Christians are not exempt. In parts of the world now it is us who Satan has turned against in force.

If we imagine we will escape we may be in for a shock. As most in the west live in reasonably safe countries we fail to grasp that the hatred is against us also.

In this chapter 6 of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he goes on to describe what our armour should be:

“Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬, ‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Note verse 18 which I have included: ‘pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion’. Praying in tongues is praying in the spirit. When we pray in the Spirit we allow God’s Holy Spirit to pray through and for the needs He sees.

 “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Amen!