Surprise!

“Then all at once in the night sky, a vast number of glorious angels appeared, the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God, singing: “Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Out on a lonely hill if this happened to me, well I would be overwhelmed. The shepherds to whom the angels appreared were simple folk. Had they been discussing the Messiah? Was there a longing for Him to come? Or were they completely taken by surprise?

I know my God loves to surprise me. I have many prayers that await the answer. Sometimes God chooses to answer one in the most unexpected way. Often I am gobsmacked. He waits until my attention is elsewhere and ta da! His surprise arrives.

What joy the Lord would have experienced, what resounding joy the heavenly hosts were experiencing. The Son of God had been born in human flesh. What love! What a divine connection!

Thank You Father for sending Jesus to earth, thank You Jesus for coming. You brought grace unknown to earth, You brought forgiveness and mercy. Best of all You gave us salvation from our sins and the eternal punishment that was due to us.

Thank You Jesus!

The messengers

“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid, for I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere!”Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

The message the angel brought was for everyone everywhere. The Lord has many messengers, His angels and we His people. Yesterday I met a gorgeous young woman who has been in Nepal for seven years as a missionary. She was selling all her goods. I asked her where she is going now, expecting to hear, ‘home’. She said ‘Iraq’. I was gobsmacked! I will now pray for her as her boldness and faithfulness demands my prayers.

Last night I met a messianic Jew and we had a wonderful discussion. I asked her why she was in Nepal, she said ‘to teach Hebrew’. Again I was gobsmacked. How my God orders His kingdom amazes me. His messengers are from everywhere.

At church yesterday I watched a pageant performed by Pakistani Christians. Our church has a large contingent of these refugees. The pageant was beautiful. I have dear friends in this community. They shine.

May my life shine for Jesus. May He be honoured in all I do! Amen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=djQqN4t2Ol4&si=eVgEuw20s1PR6ysH

Greed or grace

“The previous generation has set boundaries in place. Don’t you dare move them just to benefit yourself.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭28‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Generations who went before us had more respect for God and His word. They laid a good foundation in laws that respected God’s heart towards the poor and towards all. Greed in our hearts for selfish gain would tempt us to dismiss these laws. If we proceed, our gain would be temporary, for what we sow we reap. Another will come along in our old age and weakness, and inflict their greed on us.

Christmas is awash with movies about Christmas. They usually include greed amd avarice. Being caught in a mad rush to get the ‘last toy’, the ‘last turkey’ shows a generation caught in a ‘me’ mentality. Where is God in this? Where is God’s purposes?

Today I hope to be able to buy a mirror for my flatmates and I. It was posted in a group I belong to for sale by a woman leaving Nepal. She had posted many things for sale but most were taken before I saw the post. However, the one thing I know my flatmates will love is a mirror. My challenge is getting it home. Do I dare try that on a motor scooter or will I take a taxi? Now, if the mirror goes before I arrive then I trust the Lord to provide another way in another time. Church is first.

My God provides all I need. He is the best Father. I can trust Him! Amen!

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!