Love deeply

““But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing. Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.”Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭21‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Here, at a time of Jesus’ grief over what was before Him the disciples are trying to discover who would betray Him and straight away who was the greatest. What a disappointment!

Jesus was alone in His agony and grief. His disciples could not comprehend what was about to happen. They were caught in petty arguments. This would be like us calling a friend who is suffering and in moments begin talking about our own petty annoyances with siblings. Our friend who endure us but would despair of our selfishness.

Scripture tells us to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. We are to share each other’s burdens. We have the ability to bring love and peace into a given situation. Let us love deeply as people need our love. Let us bring Jesus into every circumstance. Amen!

Satan’s man

“Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.”Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Judas had gone to the religious leaders saying he wanted to betray Jesus to them. Why did he do that?

Judas was disappointed that Jesus did not come as the ruling Messiah. We also know he stole money from the treasury and that he was offended that Mary poured expensive ointment over Jesus. Judas carried an offended spirit. Offended people betray. 

The rulers offered Judas money, 30 pieces of silver, he agreed. Not only was he carrying offence he also carried greed. Yet, Jesus chose him to be a disciple.

Judas had a corrupt heart. He did not see Jesus as the Son of God, he did not trust Jesus’ word. Yet, Jesus sent him out just like the others annointed to heal the sick and preach the good news.

The betrayer was allowed into the inner circle. Think on that!

That Day

“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭34‬-‭36‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As the end draws near we must be vigilant. We watch prophesy unfold before our eyes in Israel. Before these days I wondered why Israel would be alone to fight her enemies, I no longer wonder. The anti-semitism being poured out against her is disgusting. A generation who have not studied history are allowing Islamic sentiments to rule without considering what that same sentiment would do to them and their woke ideals. They so easily forget how Islamic terrorists behaved in America when they flew planes intot the World Trade Centre. Australia had Islamic terrorists kill Australians in Bali and a terrorist hold up a cafe in Sydney. Do we believe that they have changed?

Praise God there is a world-wide outpouring of the Holy Spirit with souls coming to salvation and mass baptisms are being conducted. This is a sign of the end times also. Christ for all nations are seeing millions of conversions in Africa, men and women of God are seeing many souls come to Jesus worldwide.

I am now waiting to see the signs in the heavens, these have not occurred yet, however, people are watching and looking upwards.

My understanding and production of Nepali words are coming fast, praise God! I am becoming bolder in trying to speak. The Lord has filled my heart with compassion for the weak, the poor and the lowly here. Yesterday I was compelled, through compassion, to help an old man push his trolley up a steep hill. I was amazed I had the strength. Not one person came to help, it was mine alone. I loved that little man. As we pushed I was able to say, ‘ali baaya’ which means a little left. When I left him I told him in English Jesus loves him, he did not understand. I needed more words. Yēśūlē tapā'īnlā'ī māyā garnuhuncha.

With the change of tense suffixes are added to words. I am in the process of learning which ones to use where. A great challenge indeed.

Stay alert and watch!

Not a hair

“And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But not a hair of your head will perish! By standing firm, you will win your souls.”Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I wonder if the disciples remembered these words as they boldly proclaimed the gospel in the book of Acts. We see them being jailed for their faith, but released by angels, great boldness was upon them. They confronted the Sanhedrin with their sin on many occasions. When told not to preach about a Jesus they stated  ‘that we must obey God rather than men’.

Being hated is not unknown to me. However, the haters suffer more than me. I pray God’s best upon them. Needing to be loved by the wrong people is stupid. God has those who will love and care for us.

His kingdom is more important than being one of the crowd. Live for His kingdom! Amen!

All

“While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬-4 NLT

When we have an abundance we can smugly give our 10% tithe feeling very righteous; yet the poor, wanting to please the Lord give their small amount when they know that money could buy food they desperately need. Because we, the rich, effortlessly give, we fail to comprehend the immensity of what the poor have done. Further, we do not care to understand as our minset is so far removed.

One can practice sacrificial giving pushing beyond 10%, some gradually increase in increments, until they are living on 10% and giving 90%. These people gain an understanding of sacrificial giving. The important thing is giving according to the faith God has given us. Where does He want to take us in our financial management of all He blesses us with. We are stewards of all He gives us, it is not to waste needlessly but to manage wisely, being ready to give as He prompts us to. Amen!

A new breed

“Jesus replied, “Marriage is for people here on earth. But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.”Luke‬ ‭20‬:‭34‬-‭36‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As humans we cannot imagine a greater relationship than a good marriage, however, there is. The love of God is so perfect and so complete our desire will be for that. Sex is a union between man and woman and whilst it brings great pleasure it also pales. We must trust that this will also fade into insignificance.

There have been times when the love of God so surrounds me I can think of nothing better. His love is complete. To know this will be constant in eternity is pure delight.

Jesus spoke the above scripture when tested by the Saducees. They did not believe in the resurrection but knew of the law that stated: ‘if a man dies and leaves no progeny, his brother must marry his wife and produce children’. The Saducees came up with a ridiculous scenario where there were seven brothers who all married the same woman in turn after the passing of the former without producing children. They were definitely ‘sad you see’ (pun).

It is interesting that in eternity we will never die again and that we will also be sons and daughters of the resurrection. The Jews claimed to be sons of God but we the true believers are sons and daughters of the resurrection. A new breed indeed! Amen!

The stone

“Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what does this Scripture mean? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.”Luke‬ ‭20‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus had just told a parable about a vineyard that an owner leased out and when he sent his servants for his portion of the harvest the tennants beat and abused them. Finally he sent his son whom they killed. The Pharisees were listening to the parable and were so angry they wanted to kill Him, they knew He was talking about them. He then spoke the above scriptural reference from Psalm 118:22.

No matter how Jesus was rejected He was and still is the cornerstone. A cornerstone was the first stone laid in the building from which all others took their bearings. Jesus was that cornerstone and nothing they did could stop that. They thought crucifixion would end Him but He rose again and his disciples set the world on fire with the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit.

No matter how we fuss and manipulate, the truth is the truth and we cannot control it. The truth is Jesus. That is the cornerstone of all truth and understanding. Our contrivances do nothing. Amen!