even then....

For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.

Isaiah 54:10 NLT

It is good to know that if mountains disappear,  God is still there for me. Earthquakes can move large amounts of soil quickly, so can floods. Yet God's love remains!

I am reading about communities not far from me who are facing such challenges. Parts of main roads have been decimated by landslides, people cannot connect like before. However, God is still there!

No matter what may occur, God is faithful! He never  changes. Last night I went to an 'overflow meeting. We were being encouraged to seek the Lord for prophetic words for people. My mind struggled as I had been studying.  However, I entered In,  and God lay me out in His presence, wave upon wave of blessing hit me. I am so glad I went, that I submitted to allowing those teaching to exhort me, more so was the submission to the woman praying for me. There had been a time when she struggled with me. Last night all barriers were gone.  Such fun!

covenant blessing

For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.

Isaiah 54:10 NLT

As New Testament believing Gentiles we are covered by the blood of Christ.  God's chosen people expanded to include us when the root, Israel, refused to accept Jesus. We were grafted in, as Paul put it.

To know that the carrying of the Holy Spirit causes us to be loved by God, is so spectacularly wonderful, it is beyond words. Our God's covenant is now with His Son.  Jesus bought all mankind the favour of God. As we believe on Him as our saviour, He sanctifies us for all eternity.  His sacrifice was so complete that God's favour rests on us.

I do not have to perform to earn, but rather believe. Out of that belief comes works that He would have me do. These works usually involve loving others. This is the best task God could give us, die to self and live for Him and others. Amen!

praying in the Spirit

Jesus stood and said: " anyone who is thirsty come to Me, whoever believes in Me, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water"(John 7:37,38).

We need this life! I have been doing an exam in preparation for my Law unit at uni on Monday. I did not know I needed to pass this exam before I could study the unit. It is onerous  to the max!

I need this living water! I think I will go to an overflow meeting tonight to be filled up. Only He has life to give. I plan to pray in the spirit until the joy flows. 

Things may not be going to plan in your world, but draw aside and become refreshed. Amen!

rivers of living water

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” John 7:37‭-‬38 NLT

We thirst often, and quench that thirst with water or other fluids. Every morning I drink a glass of water and lemon juice to wake up my system. Yet, the water Jesus offers is living water, spirit water, water that can in turn flow out from us to a thirsty world.

At the moment most of NSW is in flood, severe flood. Rivers that have not flooded in 100 years are breaking their banks, destroying crops, livestock and homes. We have too much water. Our dams are bursting with excess and having to vent that excess to the detriment of the people below. This is an unusual phenomenon as Australia is known more for its dryness and bushfires. This water is a blessing to a point, then it kills. However, we can never have too much of Jesus.

There is an outpouring of the Spirit also happening in Australia. God is moving on our hearts. Young people are coming to Christ. Praise God! Older people are finding their first love.

May the natural outpouring signify a great spiritual outpouring. Amen!

He renews my strength

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Psalms 23:3 NLT

The Lord gains honour to His name by renewing my strength and guiding me along the right path. Why would I rob Him of this opportunity by being the answer myself?

He loved to show His goodness. Our world needs to see His goodness. His goodness ministers not our self effort. 

Let Him loose! Amen!

He renews my strength

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Psalms 23:3 NLT

Yesterday was a long tiring day. I attended a funeral for an aunt I loved, and watch her family grieve, and gave solace. Last night I could sense my own grief and went to the Lord,  as there is nowhere else to go, but to the One who loves me and cares for me best. Today I am refreshed.

Our God is a source of strength  and solace. He is the best. He made us and knows us intimately. Praise Him!

I am reminded that there are brothers and sisters in the world who are grieving, and are in isolation, some are in prison, some hiding from assassins. I am in a comfortable home. My cross is light compared to them. I can take up my cross, and be faithful for their sakes. Amen!

loving the unlovely

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 1 John 4:11 NLT

God 's love makes all things possible. With a new heart,  a heart like our God's we are able to love the unlovely.

Today I met an unlovely heart that refused to forgive and rather chose to stay in offence and resentment. I was at my aunt's funeral. A brother who remains offended with me refused to talk and turned his back on me. It did not bother me too much as this is his pattern,  and I don't need his approval or love. However, I wait, lovingly for him to turn again.

The Lord has to put up with us behaving like this regularly. Praise God Jesus came and paid for our sins. How lovely is He, how gracious and long-suffering. 

The good news is, I had a chance to talk to the priest who conducted the funeral, and told him I was not a catholic but I found My Jesus. He looked like he was about to cry. May the Lord minister to him tonight.

Tomorrow morning I have a cousin coming for breakfast,  another opportunity. Amen!