no one beside you

No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

1 Samuel 2:2 NLT

Who is reported as saying this, can you guess? I thought perhaps David, but on examination found it to be Hannah. Hannah had gone to God desperately seeking a son. She had been childless. God answered her cry.

When we are desperate and seek God, He answers. Last night I discovered that there are three people here very ill. One has black lung disease and two have cancer.  I am praying for an opportunity to pray for them for healing. Today I will spend time in prayer and look for the opportunity.

We all will face eternity, some fear it, others welcome it. All of us need a God encounter, absolutely all. Amen!

are you listening?

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Matthew 7:24 NLT

Today I had another opportunity to share my testimony. This time with a new relative. This afternoon I went to visit he and his wife on their farm, 11kms from Tingha on the Guyra road. For most it would be the back of nowhere, but to the Lord, it was just the right place.

I also spoke to another couple at the same table as the first. One liked to argue and I said, "Jesus said, I am the way the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me." My new relative corrected me and said, "but through Me!" I said to him, "ah! You know your scripture!"

The argumentive guy shut up. Praise God! Who knows what God will use for His glory! Always be willing and ready to share. Amen!

a wise person

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Matthew 7:24 NLT

In my street a new house is being built. The foundations took weeks, but the wall frames went up in a day.  It was a wonder to behold. The house is on the hill and much rock was dug out to pour concrete for the foundations. It was as if the builders were digging for the soul of the mountain. Having found it they lay the concrete on a level plane. I am sure this house will stand for many years.

Jesus taught about a good building in the above passage. His words are the wisdom for our lives, not our own feelings or opinions. Yesterday I heard a lot of opinions, however, what is Jesus saying to me? This is my foundation.

Our world is full of opinions, but only one matters,  God's opinion. Time is running short. Make sure you listen closely! Amen!

family

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

It is always good to praise others, to praise the Lord and be kind to yourself.  You are loved by a gracious God!

Today I went to a family reunion day and met many people I did not know. They were all gracious to each other. It was good to see. Then was no drunken brawling or obscenity. I did not know what to expect.  I was grateful. I even won a prize in a trivia game. Woop woop!

We will have a great family reunion in eternity. There will be no room for politics there. Love and grace will be the order of the day. Best of all, our God will be there! Amen!

true

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

I have gone away on a family get together and am staying with a cousin called Diane. Last night I heard Diane's story and know why I am here. Jesus loves this woman, and wants her to know Him.

I have met various other relatives and some are quite different. I am looking for the ones I am to speak to. I suspect they are the women,  we will see.

Our God is good and honourable and worthy of praise. We are in a camp ground away from city lights and the heavens are glorious.  I awake hearing, This is How I Fight my Battles, on my knees of course. Amen!

no fear

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 1 John 4:18 NLT

For the first time I have ventures to join an arm of family I have never met before. I am welcome. It is unusual for a stranger to be welcome so easily.  I am told it is because we are all family.

Needless to say I am tredding carefully as I do not know the rules. We are all camping and sitting around two firepits chatting.

This is how it is with God's family. We are all welcome. We learn to trust the welcome as we continue to participate in fellowship. Fellowship is important, it is how we come to know and understand each other. Enjoy good fellowship this weekend. Amen!

perfect love

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 1 John 4:18 NLT

John tells us here the litmus test for knowing we are loved by God, do we fear? If we do, then we are not there yet. God's love delivers us from all fear. 

I have to acknowledge that I am not there yet. Although my God has faithfully provided for me financially for all these years, each month the thought comes: has it dried up now? Each month He provides, mind you sometimes He is late, in my understanding of late,  but never neglectful! Thank You Lord!

His late cause me to forfeit spending, and probably assists with budgeting, for which I am grateful. He is good! Amen!