Stay alert

“And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!”Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Here in Nepal my flatmates and I rent, our landlord lives above us. Knowing that the landlord sees into our flat as he goes out each day, ( outside our front window is where they keep their shoes ) causes us to be mindful of the state of our flat. A few months ago I heard that the landlord’s wife said my balcony was dirty, knowing that made me clean it. The landlord employs a cleaner for his flat and I often see her dusting the rails of their balcony. Therefore, I knew dust was an issue.

Now, God does not behave like our landlord, however, when Jesus comes we will all face an inspection. The first question will be: ‘what did you do with the free gift of salvation? Is Jesus Lord of your life?’ And the next will be, ‘how have you used what I gave you?’ Jesus gave us parables about a ruler who gives his servants minas (a sum of money) before going on a journey. When he returned he inspected what they had done. Two used what they were given to create more, one didn’t. Two were praised and promoted and one was cast out. The harshness of being cast out lives in this parable. We cannot assume ‘all will be well’. What have we done with what we have been given?

If we fail to answer the first question, then hell is our destination. If we fail to answer the second question it appears hell is also our destination. A lot of Christians think accepting Jesus as saviour is enough, is it? In Luke 19:11-27 what the wicked servant had was taken away only . However, in Matthew 25 the story ends differently:

“Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Does that mean the servant retains salvation? Where is outer darkness? A good thought to ponder!

Treasure hunting

““The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.”Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭44‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How did the man discover the treasure? Was he searching for it? Or did he stub his toe whilst walking through the field? However he came upon it, he recognised it as treasure. A lump of gold can be covered in dirt and encased in other minerals, how did he recognise it? He must have had eyes to see it. Agates are in the middle of an ordinary looking rock, you can pass them by and never know the beauty within, unless you have trained your eye to see. There is a road in Australia not far from where I lived where these rocks are laying beside the road. People pass them every day and do not see the potential within. Their hearts do not treasure them.

I was searching for an encounter with Jesus all my life until the age of 19. Jesus planted me in a field called nurses training where there where ordinary looking rocks, other nurses who loved Him. I rejected their invitations to youth group as I failed to see the treasure within. It took Jesus coming to me and convicting me of my sin and giving me the gift of repentance for me to see. Then, like the man in the parable I knew joy. I sold everything for the treasure, I gave up my old way of life completely for Jesus.

Today I pray that the Lord would give you eyes to see the treasure within the rocks! Come to Him that you might be healed and set free. Amen!

Future ideas

“A person may have many ideas concerning God’s plan for his life, but only the designs of God’s purpose will succeed in the end.”Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭21‬ ‭TPT‬‬

I’ve been here, many times. I am here again, but this time I am not living in the future but the present, and allowing God to unravel the future, trusting Him for the journey along the way.

As I pace myself to enjoy the day I am in and trust my Lord for the journey, I enjoy the present so much more. If I live in the future I push away those in the present I am needed for. The people who inhabit the present with me are precious souls, and I need to do life well with them.

The weather is warming here, even though it should still be winter, spring is beginning. It is six weeks early. Yesterday I saw the Himalayas in all their glory as I rode to an appointment. If I lift my head I see the glory, if I watch my feet I see the filth. It is better to keep my eyes on Jesus each day, instead of the problems.

Today I welcome a friend back to Nepal. Friends and I plan a surprise. We will all dine together before we leave for the airport. Our flat will be the restaurant. Planning to bless others is fun. My flatmates and I are endeavouring to turn our flat into a place of hospitality, we want to invite ladies to knit with us.

Lord make me an instrument of blessing to others today! Amen!

Your word

“I consider your Word to be my greatest treasure, and I treasure it in my heart to keep me from committing sin’s treason against you.”Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

God’s Logos is the Bible predominantly and His Rhema, His revealed word through preaching and prophesy. Neither counters the other but rather reinforce and support the other.

David had the written word, in the manuscript scrolls. I am sure he experienced the Rhema, he had the prophet Nathan come and speak to him about his wrong relationship with Bathsheba. David would seek the Lord’s guidance via the prophet before he embarked on a battle. He was a man after God’s heart and his psalms reveal a man who heard from God.

However, the verse above may not have been written by David but by one of his priests, some commentators believe it was written by Daniel, some surmise Ezra. However, the common belief is it was David.

Nonetheless, the writer valued God’s word. As we value God’s word above the media and the voices of others we will hear God speak to us. Amen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=yL3SPtNfgek&si=i_Aoz_f0n-ecoqlW

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.