Maturity

“Now, those who are mature in their faith can easily be recognized, for they don’t live to please themselves but have learned to patiently embrace others in their immaturity. Our goal must be to empower others to do what is right and good for them, and to bring them into spiritual maturity.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭TPT‬‬

This morning I am challenged to be mature in faith. Before I returned to Nepal from Australia I was compelled to buy health insurance by my children. I believed that I had in place a plan, which was a small savings fund to cover such emergencies, as medical costs in Nepal are much cheaper than in Australia. I was told, “we’ll help you if we can but right now we don’t have funds.” I paid for the insurance on my credit card and am paying it off. Nothing has come from family. Today I find two members of my family wanting help with the cost of going on a boot camp with Cfan. You can imagine my initial reaction. However, reading this passage compels me to go to the Lord for His answer.

Reactions are not a kingdom attribute unless it is a reaction in response to the moving of God. A godly response is a benefit to both myself and others, it brings blessing. A fleshly response is nasty and an act of vengeance. I am determined to live out of life and not death. By living out of life I help others less mature than myself. Amen!

Bought

“No one lives to himself and no one dies to himself. While we live, we must live for our Master, and in death we must bring honor to him. So dead or alive we belong to our Master.”Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Even though we accept Jesus as saviour we may fail to realise we are no longer in charge. Paul explains it here:

“Have you forgotten that your body is now the sacred temple of the Spirit of Holiness, who lives in you? You don’t belong to yourself any longer, for the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, lives inside your sanctuary. 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 ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭TPT‬‬

We no longer rule. Why would we want to? Is our way higher than His way? Our thoughts higher than His? No! The opposite is true:

“For my thoughts about mercy are not like your thoughts, and my ways are different from yours. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so my ways and my thoughts are higher than yours.”Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Can we not trust Him? Is He not faithful? Yes!!! Surrender today! Amen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=lCurAnLiwiY&si=PyN77i0bTCY93rRI

Live in the light

“We must live honorably, surrounded by the light of this new day, not in the darkness of drunkenness and debauchery, not in promiscuity and sensuality, not being argumentative or jealous of others.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Right now Nepal is immersed in worshipping the god of wealth. They have drawn images outside of their homes welcoming in this spirit. We Christians are covered by the blood of the lamb. Some time back, when the locals celebrated the demon snake god I strung a red cloth over our window. It represents the blood of Jesus on our doorpost. We have not been asked what it represents, but I would be willing to testify.

We have the Spirit of Christ in our hearts and the power of the Holy Spirit to live a new life for Him. We are blessed and highly favoured of the Lord.

Yesterday we made our way back to Kathmandu. The flight was delayed and looked like it would not come but I prayed and it arrived. What a blessing to fly over this amazing land. When we arrived in Nepalgunj we had to book our flight to Kathmandu on the spot. Our friend in Gamgadhi organised a man to meet us and he purchase the tickets. He was amazing. We had way too much luggage, courtesy of our friend in Gamgadhi. I was originally annoyed at the amount of luggage we were expected to manage. We were over by 60kg but it still went through. The flight was ready to leave immediately. The plane was packed to the rafters. When we arrived in Kathmandu it was raining and there were no luggage trolleys. My friend went out looking and instead returned to remove the luggage from the conveyor belt. I went out into the rain with prayer and there, right before my eyes, was a trolley. The next hurdle was a taxi. As it was holiday time they wanted a higher, way higher price. We stood in the rain and prayed. Eventually a lovely driver came and blessed us. 

God is good! Always!!! Amen!

A living sacrifice

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This chapter is full of how to live as a Christian. Paul exhorts his readers to live humbly, exercising God-given gifts for all, employing forgiveness and allowing God’s vengeance. His final comment is: don’t be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good deeds.

When unwell we tend towards selfishness, but even here we must watch our steps. If our eyes are on Jesus, we will avoid the pits our enemy digs to trap us. Rejoice always! Amen!

God’s kindness

“Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.”Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We appreciate kindness when we have suffered, but can become numb to it when we have plenty and life is good. Gratitude is a good attribute to practice no matter what our circumstances.

I am away from Kathmandu on a trip to discover what God would have me do. we found a village that inspired us to conduct research there, stay a while, and get to know the people.

Yesterday we returned from a trek to Rara Lake at an altitude of almost 10,000’. It was a struggle for me, as I am battling a cold, and the hotel we stayed at was very basic. The people were not kind and we had to trek over stones and steps to return to our jeep driver who was waiting for us. The whole exercise was an expensive exercise.

The cough that had taken hold became a hardship and I needed to rest.  My glasses are still broken and my vision is blurred. However, our hosts in Gambadhi are amazingly kind.

Our God shows us His kindness in welcoming us to come to Him through His Son Jesus. We do not deserve His kindness, it is freely given. There is nothing I can do to earn His grace, or kindness. In myself nothing good lives (in my natural self), however, He has given me His Holy Spirit to dwell within me, to comfort and guide me. Amen

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=R6jKFzcS824&si=kMZRa5wrrjjfTiX0

His Way

“For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭4‬, ‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yesterday we visited a Buddhist village. Buddhist’s believe in reincarnation until you reach Nirvanah. It is self-effort. No saviour lay down His life for them.

I prefer my saviour! He gave His life for me, His Holy Spirit lives in me and He promises eternal life. When I die I am confident I will meet Him and be welcome.

My friend Chelle and I plan to return to the village to live for three months next year. We will see what God can do. Amen!

More important

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We must focus on what is true, clean and lovely not our circumstances which scream for attention.  Right now I cannot see very well as yesterday I sat on my glasses and broke them. Even the local optometrist could not correct them. Today we travel to Magri and the enemy has been out to disrupt me. I had an attacks from my sister over a trivial matter.

My throat is sore and head stuffy, but I am going! The kingdom of God is more important than the kingdom of darkness. Amen!