Saturday, 23 November 2024

Character assassination

“The character of God is a tower of strength, for the lovers of God delight to run into his heart and be exalted on high.”Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

One of the biggest poisons poured out on the world today is character assassination. Right now, post the US elections Donald Trump is coping it in spades. It seems this is what the media loves to do, a real tool of the enemy. 

If we find ourselves being used to sprout such vindictivism we need to repent and find God’s ways. Our God is just and true. He alone has the right to judge. Why attack people? Why not present truth instead and pray for our enemies.

One of Australia’s media greats is now in prison accused of assaulting young men. He will face court. This man poured out acid on his enemies. He is an old man and it is a sad way to end his days. 

Jesus gave us a better way, pray for your enemies. Allow God to deal out justice. As the scripture for today tells me He is my tower of strength, I can run to Him.

Our enemy tries to have us doubt our God. He pours out his hatred on the God who cast him out of heaven. He would delight in nothing more that for us to join him. Sorry buddy! Not going to happen!

My God is trustworthy and true and a tower of strength and the place I run to. Amen!

Friday, 22 November 2024

Him only

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This word was spoken by Moses to the children of Israel. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment,  “Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.”Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37-39 NLT

Although this came as a commandment first, we Christians are drawn to love Him, as He first loved us. No longer is it a ‘must do’ but a ‘want to do’. God freely gave us Jesus so that whomever believe in the work He did on the cross will have eternal life. This means gratitude! He saved us from eternal death and brought us into eternal life. Why would we want to be, do and go where we know He would not have us go?

Today I am battling with a problem: I am been invited to attend a Hindu wedding in a Hindu temple. The invitation came from a dear friend, however, my God is the lover of my soul, not my friend. I will go my Lord’s way only.

I want my God to have my strength, heart, soul and mind. I have energy only for His projects. He is where life is. Amen!

Thursday, 21 November 2024

Warrior prayers

“A warrior filled with wisdom ascends into the high place and releases breakthrough, bringing down the strongholds of the mighty.”Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭22‬ ‭TPT‬‬


A warrior in prayer does the exact same things. Prayer warriors do not just offer token prayers, they battle for the souls of men and women. Disasters are merely an invitation to fight in prayer, the rebuke the enemy and pour out God’s mercy and grace. A warrior does not see the enemy as all powerful, but evil and needing to be removed.

A warrior without wisdom acts indiscriminately. However, a warrior who has the mind of his lord and saviour acts with wisdom. A good warrior becomes accustomed to his lord. David’s mighty men served him loyally and there was nothing they would not have done for him. They were guided by his wisdom. 

When Jesus returns to rule the earth He will come as a warrior. Satan will be bound for 1,000 years. This is an aspect of Him we have not seen, yet it is an aspect seen in heaven. Jesus intercedes constantly for us, He is in warrior mode. We can join Him in warrior mode as we pray. Dress for battle, put on the helmet of salvation and take up the mind of Christ. Pray! Pray! Pray! Amen!


Wednesday, 20 November 2024

A great light

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I am living in a land of darkness and have been praying for the light to come. This promise is good news.

The original prophesy given by Isaiah was talking about the darkness brought about by the Assyrian army. The verb tenses used are the prophetic perfect; in other words although they were speaking of the future they were written as if they had already happened. This was fulfilled when Jesus went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali (Matt 4:16). Yet, there is still power in these verses. A promise of light in the darkness is ever present.

What were the odds that Jesus would choose to live in Capernaum? Who would have guessed that Jesus was the answer all those years after Isaiah’s prophesy. God has unique and wonderful plans for the gospel to infiltrate dark places.

Already He is filling my heart with vision for remote parts of Nepal. He wants to go there, He has a plan. How wonderful to be a small part in that plan!

I had a burden to pray for my birthplace in Australia some weeks ago and yesterday my son informs me of a plan God has put in his heart. I am in awe of the workings of my God.

There is no place my God cannot go! I will trust Him! Amen!

Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Love looks like …

““So this is my command: Love each other deeply, as much as I have loved you.”John‬ ‭15‬:‭12‬ ‭TPT‬‬

These are the words of Jesus. His love for them kept Him pure and focused on the cross. He lived sinlessly so that He would give a perfect sacrifice. However, His love confronted them over their fighting for position, lack of faith and carnal solutions.

So how do we live as He lived? Laying down our lives for others, staying true to our calling and being a living example of love. Love covers a multitude of sins but is willing to confront. Jesus also prayed fervently for His disciples. We can and should do this.

As we pray for others we can realise that the problems they face are often spiritual. Dark forces work against them as much as us. Interceding for them will enable them to become all God has called them to be. Amen!


Monday, 18 November 2024

peacekeepers

“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬
The Passion Translation says it like this:
“How joyful you are when you make peace! For then you will be recognized as a true child of God.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬ ‭TPT‬‬

The UN Peacekeeping mission is an international group of men and women.
Their work includes: Protecting civilians from violent attacks, Supporting the delivery of humanitarian assistance, Maintaining security, and Supporting political solutions that lead to peace. 
These peacekeepers stand between two combatant groups. These peacekeepers are armed, when necessary.
As children of God we are peacemakers. We do not just stand between enemies we take the message of Jesus and bring new life. We stand against the powers of darkness, not people. We recognise the working of darkness in people and go to prayer to see them set free. We have been given authority over the enemy and must use it. Last week I had to do this in my own home. Our task is to pray for those in the body of Christ and bring freedom to areas where previously the enemy of the souls of men reigned.
I pray daily for the church. Yesterday I had the delightful experience of my first AGM at the church. Usually AGM’s are horrid, boring affairs, but this was different. It was bathed in worship and prayer and the word of God. I came away uplifted and grateful.
We have responsibility to pray, and see the kingdom of God come into homes, families, churches and workplaces. This is an active aggressive stance, one we are well able to do. Amen!


Sunday, 17 November 2024

My Refuge

“You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.”Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭114‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When there is no one to support me, You are there Lord. You have a place of safety for me, a bunker filled with abundance for every need, a place secure above my enemies.

I eagerly look to your word for guidance. It speaks to me of your faithful love and companionship. It is reliable and true.

When you showed me my fear I gave it to you and your gave me your peace. You are my trustworthy hope!

Yesterday, I planned to take my mobile library to the children in the street. Upstairs there are two young boys. I met their father and told him what it was about. He said, in halting English, they would look at. He took the lot.

I planned to buy a whole chicken and roast it on the rotisserie. I went down to the butcher shop and told the man I wanted a whole chicken. The size of the thing he brought out of the fridge caused my eyes to bulge. I had asked my Nepali flatmates how much should I pay and was told, ‘no more than 350R a kilo. The man wanted 360R and I boldly told him,’No, 350R!’ He accepted and wrapped the monster in plastic. I went home to clean, stuff and truss it. What fun! However, it worked! It kept threatening to fall off the rotisserie and I had to re-tie the legs, in the process I garnered a burnt hand- not too serious. When the girls returned we sat down to a roast with gravy. We added some chilli sauce as even I find western food bland these days.

My God supplied even a carcass to simmer for soup. The girls like to chew the bones, they are welcome!