No One like Him

“So, dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape your notice: a single day counts like a thousand years to the Lord Yahweh, and a thousand years counts as one day. This means that, contrary to man’s perspective, the Lord is not late with his promise to return, as some measure lateness. But rather, his “delay” simply reveals his loving patience toward you, because he does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance.”2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭TPT‬‬

We are governed by the clock, and the seasons. God is outside time and sees all. The ones we pray for, He is working on their lives. It may be invisible to us, but it is happening. The circumstances we long to see changed, are being changed in the way that is best.

I have many loved ones outside of Christ, but still I pray. He reminds me how He works when I think of my son and his family. They have gone from casual Christians to evangelists. I am constantly rejoicing over the work God has put before them. I did not see this coming when it came, but God was working.

Yesterday another matter suddenly came to right. My God loves to surprise me. His surprises are the best.

At this time when we celebrate the coming of Jesus allow God to act in His own divine way. What He does no man can undo. Praise Him!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=l3-XroRBMrE&si=486ID0QCDkbnLU3q

He is in charge

“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!”John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Yesterday I boldly proclaimed my God to more than 100 members of my astronomy club and was immediately slapped down by an atheist. I went to the Lord and He said, ‘I am capable of defending Myself and My word’. I did not need to say any more. I am now praying for an outpouring of conviction and truth to come to the group.

Last night I attended a Nepali Christmas Carol outside a business here in Kathmandu. Many came to watch and listen. One even took many films. I prayed for an anointing on the singing and the word spoken by the pastor. Nothing can be wasted.

We must proclaim the good news, not hide behind closed doors. Jesus is the message, He is the reason for the season. Ring the bells! Sing the songs! Amen!

A way

“Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.”Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Today’s Bible verse in the Advent study helps me discern my next steps. My Visit to the cardiologist yesterday showed blood pressure on the high side. I am 71 and have been blessed with low blood pressure up until now. I know stress was a major cause and now, in that light have to discern the way forward next year. I have three options: keep doing the same thing- college language study; art- a no- stress no commitments course; or a research visa- medium level stress. I am blessed to have a fourth option- tourist visa, but this will only last for five months. In Nepal to stay you have to have a lot of money, a business or be married to a local. I know the Lord wants me to start a sheep farm but first I need a place, and the money. How to move forward? My research into beginning a sheep farm showed that Nepal wants a very large amount of money for that venture( 5m rupees). However, I also need a visa to stay.

My natural thinking always kicks in, before retirement I was a financial planner. Planning now is automatic. However, I would rather do what God wants than what I think as I know He is the way to peace.

I am sure the players in the Christmas story needed faith and God’s guidance. He will show the way to me as she did to them.

As I write this I sense God’s pen writing in my spirit, He has a way! Amen!

True peace

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good tidings, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ (Isaiah 52:7)

In this time of terrorism and wars we can receive peace. Jesus said:

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!”John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭TPT‬‬

The peace Jesus offers is the peace we need, not the fragile agreement not to fight, but the peace found in walking with Him. The last two nights my flatmates and I have studied the Bible together in an agreement that we will seek the Lord for His ways for us. We have had a time of tension but now God reigns. The peace we struggled to create is now here. Jesus is back in charge.

As families approach Christmas offense needs to be destroyed so that God’s grace flows freely. Grace is the only atmosphere we can live in true peace in. Grace is found in repentance. We must give up our offended once and for all and allow the grace of God to rule in our homes and hearts.

I am so grateful that Joseph was not offended with Mary for being pregnant and that he listened to the messenger angel. I am grateful that he applied himself to father Jesus and school Him well in the scriptures. We know that this task was well done as Jesus is recorded at age 12 in the temple holding His own with the teachers. They were astounded with His understanding and answers. (Luke 2:41-50)

Joseph chose the better way. May we do likewise! Amen!

Humble firsts

“The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.”Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The whole story about the shepherds being the first to hear God’s good news takes much of the first 20 verses in chapter 2 of Luke’s gospel. Why did God choose shepherds? I wonder if, around their campfires that night they had been discussing the Messiah, did God see a longing in their hearts? Whatever the reason I am grateful Luke included them in the Christmas story.

Paul answers this puzzle in 1 Corinthians:

“God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In this day when the making of money and security of its flow is paramount our Heavenly Father sent His angles to announce the most important news ever given to Israel:

“but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Not only had Jesus come, He had come in a lowly way, He was born in a stable and laid to rest in a manger. 

Jesus said of Himself:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. ‘

‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When Jesus returns to rule and reign on earth, He will not come as a lowly rabbi, but as a king. He will rule and reign as the Jewish people have been expecting. The problem they currently have is recognising that He did indeed come to make a way for all mankind to be connected to the Father without guilt and shame. His death and resurrection were the forerunners. We can now come to the Father because of Jesus.

As this week leads up to Christmas Day, I am grateful! So grateful! He has made all things new and restored fellowship where it had been broken. Amen!

The kingdom

“The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice. The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.”Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭10‬, ‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These words were written by Solomon the wisest man to have ever lived, and a royal king. Perhaps he was reminding himself of the correct behaviour, perhaps he was writing this for his sons who would follow. They, unfortunately, did not follow in wisdom. Solomon’s latter life was away from the Lord, his sons probably followed that path.

Nonetheless, these worlds were written under divine unction. They are worth hearing and taking to heart by all. Fathers need to hear them, as do mothers. Christians need to hear them as they are called to rule and reign with Jesus. We are told:

“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We are also told:

“For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If we have the mind of Christ, and if we are seated with Him in heavenly places, then we have access to divine wisdom when dealing with fellow human beings, we only need to ask.

As we approach. Christmas, may we have His mindset and approach it with His heart and wisdom. Amen!

Words

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. 

Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. 

The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give. 

The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.”Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬, ‭4‬, ‭7‬, ‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How we use words is important. It is wrong to wait until you are so angry to confront, because then you spew out poison. It is better to be guided by godliness than anger and vindictiveness.

When do you know the time is up to end friendships? When grace for wrong behaviour is never enough. When the aggressor is intent on destruction of you and your world at the expense of a bitter heart which refuses to give up hatred and offense.

Empathy can stretch only so far, but taking the blame for wrong behaviour in others is submission to the darkness they carry. An unwillingness in a person to confront darkness within is destructive to them as well as you.

A smile and protestations of love covering bitterness soon become evident as a false statement. Falseness needs to be uncovered. The challenge is not to allow anger in the confrontation. Confrontation in God’s time and God’s way may bring peace. Look for peace, not at the expense of compromise but a clean house (heart).

Christmas can be a horrible time if dwelling with people who are bitter. Proverbs says: it is better to live on a rooftop than is a house with a bitter, faultfinding woman. (Or 21:9)

Confrontation, done for the sake of godliness and peace makes for a better experience. Praying into the confrontation so that the Lord speaks not the flesh is right, and the only way. Amen!