Walk by the Spirit

“I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

This is the challenge! Will I rather walk by how I feel or by what God is doing in a circumstance? Right now my environment is unsettled and disturbed. My flatmates are busy cooking every day attempting to make products to sell. Our flat is no longer peaceful, but rather industrious. I am not enjoying the change.

However, every afternoon a young girl from a downstairs flat comes to knit, play games and do Bible study. Since she has begun coming three little boys from upstairs are coming for the games section. They may progress to the full experience. This, for me, is the fun part. They want to do relationship in our flat, they are playing together with me. 

I must trust God for all changes and that His will will be done. I value His presence and peace, His plans and ways. Amen!

Payback

“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.”1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There will always be people who insult us. Insults can make us angry and desire justice. A desire for justice causes us to take people to court and allow the judge to decide if the insult warrants payment. Yesterday, the Family First Party leader in Australia, Lyle Shelton, was in court as two deaf queens had been offended with comments he made about them reading Trans story books to small children in a public library. Whilst Mr Shelton did not vilify them, they felt unjustly treated. Their first attempt at attacking Mr Shelton failed and this was a second attempt.

Whilst people may choose how they identify themselves, they are not necessarily free to impose their views on impressionable, young minds. Mr Shelton is aiming to protect young minds.

Courts are expensive. Using them as a means to settle disputes can bankrupt a person. In this case Mr Shelton had tried mediation and failed. Whilst the offended are using government funded solicitors Mr Shelton has to pay for his defence, fortunately he is assisted by gracious solicitors who cover most of his costs themselves.

Jesus dealt a lot with relationships and settlement of disputes. He advocated settling disputes outside of courts, forgiveness of offences and praying for those who hurt us. This is a totally different approach that what is playing out in Mr Shelton’s case. The offended want blood and do not understand forgiveness or prayer.

May the Lord’s blessing be upon Mr Shelton and may God’s way be revealed. May the trans activists find peace and forgiveness. Amen!

Every perfect gift

“Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

I am grateful for all God has given me: His salvation; my family at home and friends abroad; the ability to keep moving; the visions He fills me with; His word, His presence; His voice the encourages and consists me.

Last night our little girl from downstairs came as I arrived home. Within a short space of time the boys from upstairs came along with another friend. The young girl Anusha and I were paying a game and the boys watched carefully. Suddenly we were all playing a games and grandma from upstairs was in the house and so was the boys mother. What fun!!

My flatmates have become very busy as they are trying to sell goods they make as well as do the teaching. The flat is becoming a bit messy as a result. I am finding having grace for the mess a challenge, however as I seek God He will provide.

Thank You Lord, Your grace is sufficient for me! Amen!

Enough

“Give us this day our daily bread,”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Each day we have need of enough for food, clothing and shelter. Each day we can approach our Father for these needs, and trust Him for provision. We can, at times, assume we need way more than we really do. However, He will give us what we need, and that He does lovingly.

Today is Sunday. Yesterday I had another motorbike accident. I had been out with my friend Chelle and we decided to visit Warren, an Aussie friend, at his home, Chelle had never been there. When we were leaving Chelle looked across the valley and spied a concrete road and asked ‘can we go that way it looks shorter?’ Warren replied, ‘you can if you are careful as there are dirt sections.’ Me, being wised up to what he meant chose to ride behind Warren as he had a dirt bike. All was good until we reached the last ascent and I saw it had at least two inches of fine powdery dust on it. I was more concerned for my friend as she only had a motor scooter. Warren did not engage a low enough gear, therefore when we almost reached the top his bike stalled and we began to slide down backwards. As a result we hit Chelle’s bike and I fell off onto my backside, I scraped my left arm again (it was injured last Sunday in an accident coming from church). I lay on the ground crying in pain and reached out to the Lord. ‘No broken bones! Jesus Jesus Jesus!’ People came from nowhere and wanted to lift me up, I allowed them and said to the Lord, ‘I am going to walk and claim Your healing!’ I did walk and as I walked I praised my God. He is indeed good! 

What I needed yesterday was healing and protection and I received it. Today I a tad sore but fine. I am going to church as I have a role to play, I am responsible for the greeters and I am reading the scriptures before the pastor preaches. I will take a taxi today as lifting my leg over a bike will be a little difficult.

Saturday moring I had been singing worship songs by another lake dedicated to a snake demon. I wanted the spirit to hear the good news, people gathered to listen. I may have upset some one.

Thank You Lord for your goodness to me! Amen!

Nothing can separate us

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Boldness is not my problem when faith is in action, however, if I have been listening to condemnation I struggle. This is the very time I must rouse myself to come anyway. Boldnesss is present when we realise we are children of God, a loving Father who never turns us away. His goodness and love are beyond our comprehension. As children of God we are loved dearly.

When we need it most is when we must come, condemnation tries to turn us away. When we struggle we need to remember the scripture that tells us ‘nothing can separate us from the love of God’. (Romans 8:31) we need to keep reading past this verse to know what Paul considered nothing.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

No nothing! Nothing can separate us from His love! Amen!

Not ashamed

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am so grateful that Jesus persued me and brought me to Himself. I cannot bear to think what life would have been without Him. He is my joy and peace. This joy compels me to share my good news with others.

I am in Nepal and although I am learning the language I still do not know many of the tenses and the vocabulary. I have been learning the language for over one year. Sharing the joy of the Lord can be a challenge, however, when the opportunity presents itself I do. Each night my flatmates and I do Bible study and a young girl comes to join us. We are amazed. The landlord and his family have joined us in prayer at New Year. 

This week I was at the Immigration office waiting for a new visa and I saw a man desperately rubbing himself across his forehead with prayer beads. I new I needed to share Jesus with him. I have cards in English that speak of God’s love, and John 3:16 printed on the backside. I asked him if he spoke English and gave him a card. He did not speak English, as he was getting a visa he must have been Tibetan as he appeared Chinese. He gratefully took the card when his wife explained what it was. I trust the Lord to speak across the language barrier.

In Nepal it is illegal to proselytise. I took the chance that because this man was a foreigner it would be acceptable. He needs Jesus. My Jesus does not require me to rub myself down with prayer beads, His sacrifice is enough. I am so grateful that Jesus lives in my heart. He is enough! Amen!

Fear in its right place

“We cross the threshold of true knowledge when we live in obedient devotion to God. Stubborn know-it-alls will never stop to do this, for they scorn true wisdom and knowledge.”Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Other versions say: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. In my quest to understand the word ‘fear’ here I checked out TPT. ‘Obedient devotion’ says it better. 

Living in Nepal you see many police officers directing traffic. I’ve been present when rogue officers singled out my friend Chelle for traffic offenses, letting everyone else go. The latest pocketed 500R of my money threatening to keep my friends licence. Generally most abide by good lawful practices. Why do I mention the police? well, fear is associated with the police. You, out of fear obey the road rules so that you avoid a penalty.

Our Heavenly Father gave us laws to live by but more importantly He gave us His Son who fulfilled the Law. As I live by faith in the ‘work’ of the Son of God I am saved and safe. The penalty for sin is death. Jesus paid that penalty for me. I do not need to scurry around trying to appease my Heavenly Father, Jesus paid the price once and for all time for me. I am, now, welcome into relationship and family with my Father. However, just as an earthly child should obey their parents, I obey and respect my Father, not out of law but love.

I live trusting His words to me. I trust His Holy Spirit to guide me, I do not run off on my own. His ways and understanding is far better than mine, however, I do not sit on all He has given me, I use it for Him. Amen!