An instrument of mercy

“Be devoted to tenderly loving your fellow believers as members of one family. Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another.”Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

In our church family we have those who are willing to be loved and those, who for some reason, why away. These people present a challenge to me, I reach out to love them and pray for ways to involve them.

Yesterday we had a community lunch at church. Those that attend the lunch are mostly the refugees. Unfortunately the missionary congregation is largely absent. I must confess I usually sit with my friends and yesterday one of my newer friends encouraged me to sit with a Pakistani man. I discovered my friend had spent time in Pakistan with his work and liked the people and the country. He talked freely with the Pakistani man. I was encouraged to do likewise.

I came away knowing that I should give myself more to our refugee congregation. They are the church also. They need love and recognition also.

Lord make me an instrument of mercy in your church! Amen!

Seeking Him

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God reveals His glory to us in what He has done, and what He is doing now. Yesterday I went on a trek with my American friend. I had never been to parts of the area. We covered 14 kilometres, 18,000 steps.

Walk in nature helps me keep my focus on the goodness and glory of my God. Proverbs 25:2 tells me:

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”

God’s glory is hidden in nature, and hidden in His words. It is my role to seek Him with all my heart, then I will find Him.

Unfortunately, Nepali people do not understand their roles to care for God’s creation. Rubbish was lying everywhere. There were parties in several locations and rubbish was left where food and drinks were consumed. My parents remembered a time in Australia when they would throw rubbish out of a moving car. Perhaps it is just a matter of time for cleanliness to come to Nepal.

As I walk I can pray and seek God. What He is saying and doing is most important. His words bring life! Amen!

You know me

“Wherever I go, your hand will guide me; your strength will empower me.”Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Last night I had a dinner party. The guests arrived with their young son also. He was not expected, however we made room for him at the table. He dominated the conversation. He did not like the food as there was no rice, until dessert came and he wanted more. I used the gathering as a way to celebrate my son’s birthday tomorrow. My son is in Australia and turns 43. I wanted Jarrod to have a glimpse of a Nepali birthday celebration. Today my son is running an evangelistic crusade back in Australia. Perhaps my guest’s son will also be a crusader as my son was also a chatterbox.

The father of the boy spoke very quietly and I struggled to hear him. My friend Chelle was also present and she kept up the conversation with the parents who are believers and carry responsible positions in a large local church.

The night left me disappointed as I was unable to participate. However, I must ask myself ‘why are you cast down oh my soul?’ I knew my guests and I know my situation. I find I had expectations that were not met, and yet I did not fully prepare myself knowing what I should expect and what God wanted me to do. I can honestly say I prefer the dinner we had with all non-believers than the this dinner. I love the non-believers and hunger to show them my beautiful saviour.

My Lord knows me and wants to place me in positions where I fit best. I will trust Him to do that in future. When I am with non-believers I sense my God’s love for them and joyfully participate in our time together.

Know it all?

“Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Here’s the challenge: love God with all you have and lay down your lust for praise and glory. Satan had this problem. He was created by God as a beautiful, talented angel, but he lusted for the glory, honour and power that belonged to God. So, in an effort to take for himself that which belonged to God he led a rebellion with 1/3 of the angelic host and was defeated by Archangel Michael. Cast down to the earth Satan now makes war on God’s next creation, one made in His image, us.

When we don’t get what we want we hate those who oppose our selfishness and we turn on them and make war with them. The antidote is repentance, humility and adoration for the One to whom it belongs. There is the problem: die to your lust and love the One who has all authority and power and walk with Him. He will give you an amazing life.

Today, make Jesus Lord and live for Him with all you have. He has the power, the glory and authority! None is greater than He. He determines eternity. Choose today who you will serve! Amen!

Right living

“Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.”Hosea‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This verse comes in the middle of an indictment against Israel and Judah. The Lord is calling them to repent and walk in His ways. What does it say to us?

What is righteousness? It is right living from a pure heart. When we are born again we receive a new heart, we have the Holy Spirit resident inside of us. We can now live in the power of the Holy Spirit, and as we yield to Him we live righteously.

Walking humbly with our God gives us access to His goodness and grace. Yesterday we received word that a little girl who had been sick was healed after our prayer for her. I knew she would be healed. The presence of God was all over our prayers for her.

We cannot live for ourselves and expect to live righteously. We may fool ourselves with our self-righteousness. However, God’s standard is much higher than ours and has a greater reach. We can tell if our righteousness is from God or ourselves by the fruit we produce. Are we living for God and His purposes or our own? Ponder this!

A new way

“Your ancestors have also been taught ‘Love your neighbors and hate the one who hates you.’ However, I say to you, love your enemy, bless the one who curses you, do something wonderful for the one who hates you, and respond to the very ones who persecute you by praying for them.”Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭43‬-‭44‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Israel was turned on its head when Jesus arrived. He took understanding the heart of God to a whole new level. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth was replaced with grace and forgiveness. This new doctrine was hard to swallow. It meant laying down of precious preconceived notions and learning a new way, a painful way. Vengeance now belonged to God alone. He had said, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive, and their destiny will overtake them.’”Deuteronomy‬ ‭32‬:‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

However, Exodus 21:23-25 became the dominant attitude: “But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.”Exodus‬ ‭21‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

in some ways Israel still lives under this premise, as do many in the world.

What then do we do with the words of Jesus? They are words that need to be thought over, prayed over and embraced by faith. We cannot skim over Jesus, we must stop, look and listen. His way brings forgiveness, grace and mercy. His ways bring healing. Justice without grace is harsh and empty. 

In Australia I have seen this in our indigenous people. Some have been hurt by the harshness of the white man but no amount of money or public repentance cleanses away the scar. Only forgiveness, grace and mercy cleanses the soul. Amen

Faithful God

“Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.’ “All who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced. All who contend with you will perish and disappear. You will look for your enemies in vain; those who war against you will vanish without a trace! I am Yahweh, your mighty God! I grip your right hand and won’t let you go! I whisper to you: ‘Don’t be afraid; I am here to help you!’”Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭10‬-‭13‬ ‭TPT‬‬

I claim this promise, although it was given to Israel, I am grafted into the branch through faith in Jesus Christ. I love the second sentence: ‘ never turn your gaze from Me, for I am your faithful God!’ I constantly hear the Lord whisper ‘look at Me, look at Me!’ As I look at Him He fills me with His dreams and visions, and He blesses me through watching my son march forward in evangelism.

Satan has tried to destroy me many times and constantly attacked my mind with doubts about my physical abilities. Yet, Sunday I collected my result sheet from the college here in Kathmandu and I discovered the subject with the best score was the one I was least prepared for. I had to listen to a passage read in Nepali, answer questions about said text, in Nepali, and write my answers in Nepali. I scored an 85. For someone challenged in hearing this was a miracle. I had been absent from class for over four weeks and not been present when the class practised this exercise. Praise God!

There are other areas where my God has and is going to fight for me. He is filling my heart with His vision and it is delightful and fun. I pray I am able to fulfill all He puts before me as this would be the pinnacle for me. Each day, now, I look forward to the next exciting instalment.

Each night my flatmates and I sit by the heater, read our bibles and pray and then knit. Such peace descends. I am reluctant to leave. The beauty of the Lord is present. Last night I read several psalms and enjoyed the Lord in them.

Today I will take my next step to answer the Lord’s call. May He open doors wide for me, wider than ever before. Amen!