justice

It (love) does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 1 Corinthians 13:6 NLT

Justice is dear to my heart. I have just started studying a unit of Law for my Linguistics degree. I have discovered the point where our forebears rejected theocracy (or the kings version of it) and voted for the individual. Unfortunately,  they believed that the individual had the ability to make good choices, however, wisely they knew that we needed assistance, and gave us laws. Government is also subject to the law. That being said, it only applies in countries that believe in democracy.  Unfortunately there are many countries who do not have good government, but instead corruption or communism rules.

The children of Israel had God as their ruler but they wanted a king and God gave them one, with a warning. Only God is just. The millennium will be a very interesting time where the rulers of the world have to go to Jerusalem to meet with Jesus. Their egos will not enjoy that too much. However, the common man and woman will receive justice. Praise God!

There are many groups now who say they are for justice, but we need to look under the bonnet to see what engine drives them. What agenda rules?

The UN claims that all men and women are equal and have the right to be free. Unfortunately,  this is not the case. Come Lord Jesus and rule our world. Amen!

keeping focus

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16 NLT

As we watch the war in Ukraine we see an army that has trained, and outperformed their former selves from 2014. When Russia took the Crimea in 2014 the Ukraine army was untrained.  Now they out-manouver Russia in many battles.  Their biggest challenge is not becoming hardened at the atrocities perpetrated by Russia.

We are in a war with Satan, he is constant, endeavouring to take our territory,  destroy our finances and families. In our war the challenge is to see ourselves as God sees us, and also allow God to be God. He must be the vindicator, the changer of hearts not us. We must trust Him and stay faithful. By allowing God to be the master strategist,  we can fight a good fight, and be as wise as serpents, but as gentle as doves. We must keep our focus. Amen!

shrewd as snakes, gentle as doves

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16 NLT

Have you ever thought of a snake as shrewd? I haven't! I have heard the term when used in the phrase: 'she was a shrewd old woman!' This usually refers to money handling. So what does shrewd actually mean here? The footnotes in my study bible talks about snakes fleeing from danger. I was out walking a few weeks back and came across a deadly brown snake (Australia's worst) and it was fleeing the road I found it on. It was not planning an attack, as we mostly assume they do. It was flicking its long tail to climb the gutter of a footpath. It knew that danger was approaching in the form of my dog and myself. 

The disciples were also told to be harmless as doves. Doves do not retaliate or plan their defence, they are harmless, gentle, quiet and beautiful, they are usually welcome by good people.

So, know when to flee  and be gentle about it. Amen!

deliverance

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

Psalms 34:19 NLT

Many troubles will follow us,especially if we see walking righteously. The more I pursue God and sharing the gospel the hotter the persecution. Mine comes in the form of rejection.  It started a long time ago. It seems to be my enemy 's favourite weapon against me, plus robbery. Now, neither matter, yet these are still his favourite weapons.

But, I am still called, appointed and annointed for the preaching of the gospel. His kingdom is all that matters. Amen!

many troubles

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

Psalms 34:19 NLT

David was having to pretend to be insane to save himself from King Achish, however he thanks the Lord for his deliverance. Have we ever pretended to be something else in order to escape danger or a trap? I remember being almost caught in a trap because I had been foolish and went somewhere with a person I didn't know(I was 18). He had a sexual encounter planned, I realised my mistake just in time and talked about my boyfriend, non-stop (this was before I met Jesus- after then I would have talked about Jesus). It saved me, and I learned a lesson.

Avoidance of traps is so much safer and better with the Lord, He is our best protection. He goes before us and He warns us.

David trusted in the Lord to deliver him. In verse 8 he says:

Taste and see that the Lord is good, how happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Wisdom dictates that there are things we should avoid,  and we should not tempt God by deliberately placing ourselves in danger. This is maturity! Amen!

Jesus is enough

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Psalms 28:7 NLT

The joy of trusting the Lord is palpable. At times we have to press through the cloud of rubbish in our way to seek Him, He is still here.

Tonight I have connect group - bible study. This afternoon I rested and then decided to cook chocolate brownies, not an Australian treat. Wow! It is so strong it messed with my head.( that is what licking can do). The cocoa is way stronger than I am used to and it sent me sideways.

I put on a beautiful worship song 'I sing Jesus,' I put it on repeat. How beautiful! Jesus is enough and sure better than chocolate. His presence is more refreshing than coffee or sweets. He is definitely enough! Amen!

strength and shield

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Psalms 28:7 NLT

Today is my aunt's internment in the little town I was raised called Bingara. I will not attend as I attended her funeral locally. Both my aunt and my mum loved Psalms, particularly psalm 23. I am sure they would have loved this one as well.

This Psalm is a Psalm of David. It begins pleading for the Lord's protection against his enemies. The tone changes in verse 6: May the Lord be praised, for He has heard the sound of my pleading. In verse 8 he moves on to a corporate prayer for God's people.

However, this morning I am struck with the verse above, its proclamation: I trust Him with all my heart, resonates with me as does He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. There is a personal interaction here.

Uni started yesterday. I have a unit of law this teen and the preparation was passing an integrity module which was onerous. As usual I began doubting myself, but when I finally started the text yesterday, again I knew I was in the right place. The book is an overview of all the different facets of law. How good is God? Very! Amen!