Grace

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yesterday I worked on my research proposal. It was a challenge to find pertinent information. However, progress was made. My language lesson was delayed until after four and by that time my head was foggy and unwilling to persevere in learning new and difficult things, even though I like them.

I awoke this morning to a prayer request from a friend who recently broke his ankle. His wife is still in England as my friend’s mother has dementia and his wife was trying to get her into a care facility. He received word last night that his wife had a mammogram and was called back. He asked for prayer as there is a family history of problems. I put a request through to the prayer team at church.

I know I can pray and will do so. I sought the Lord and sensed His love. I can trust Him to answer. He is faithful! Amen!

Good examples

“Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.”

‭‭3 John‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What is the bad example referred to? A man called Diotrephes who was controlling a church and not supporting travelling teachers. This man is now remembered in scripture as a man who opposed John and attempted to control a church. There is no record that Diotrephes repented.  John says above: ‘those who do evil prove that they do not know God’.

Attempting to control a church or a group of people is not good. Fortunately this is not the case at my church in Kathmandu. I am grateful that I have a group of friends who stand up for themselves and not one of us controls the group. We are all strong personalities and can defend ourselves. However, we also know how to submit to church authority.

Yesterday our church had a community lunch after the service. It is mostly attended by Pakistani refugees with a smattering of foreigners. The message was good yesterday. Our pastor talked about not showing favouritism. He asked if we prefer our friends over others in the church? It was a good question, and one that provoked me to examine my own attitudes. I now belong to an advocacy group in the church called Empowerment of Displaced Communities. Our refugees are displaced from Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries around Nepal. This group keeps me focussed on helping my neighbours and not keeping to my selected group of friends.

John’s word speak to me about keeping the Lord’s focus and not being selective in my connections but welcoming all.

The world

“And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

All the world is a large place, however, God can give you a patch where you need to turn your light on and shine. We have work to do, it is not time to sit in comfort and focus on self.

Today is Sunday. Apart from serving at church I need to have my eyes open to those who need to hear. I have been allocated people to care for as an advocate. These people are refugees from Pakistan, not all know the Lord. I can help them. We are having a community lunch after church and I will take time to be with the people I need to care for.

After lunch my friends and I will visit and Englishman who had injured his foot and broken a bone. As he is alone I will take food to help. We will spend time in fellowship with our English friend.

Back in Australia people either go home after church or have lunch with friends. Some have a focus for outsiders, some do not, it is the same here.

My prayer is that I have eyes to see who I need to include, sensitivity the Holy Spirit in how He wants to minister and who needs to hear the Good News. Amen!

Our Father

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I read this, especially’with His love He wil calm all your fears’ I am reminded of what I did for my children when they were little. Holding them close and whispering words of love, soothed them. Along with my words was my caress,  and I rocked them to comfort them.

I have such a father. He takes delight in my wins over selfishness and fear. When I give generously He whispers, ‘thankyou!’ When I am kind to the poor He thanks me. I feel His joy.

May we be aware of our Father’s presence and love today as we abide in Him! Amen!

My friends

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus said to His disciples, “I no longer call you servants but now I call you friends, because everything I have learned from the Father I have shared with you” (John 15:15).

With a friend like Jesus we are definitely safe and secure. He will not become offended with us and speak ill of us, He will not betray us, He will cover us. He has given us His Holy Spirit.

As I am in Nepal the friends I have developed here are closer than family at home, they now act as my family. They are on the spot when trouble comes. However, Jesus is right with me through all the pain and sickness I experience. His goodness is great for me. How good is He? Amen!

Resting

“For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.”Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Resting is so refreshing. Yesterday I felt my body needed a rest as the day before I had pushed it with exercise, but I had a friend coming to visit. I decided to go visit plant nurseries with my friend as he also likes plants. We had an enjoyable time. It was pleasant and restful. We can find rest even where we think it is unavailable.

We rest from our striving, and allow God to lead us beside still waters. Here are luscious grasses. I remember as a child laying down in a paddock of green clover and watching the clouds. It was fun! Finding such a place here in the concrete jungle of Kathmandu is a challenge. Therefore I walk past fields where workers idly tend to the fields as not much is happening right now, the rains have yet to come. I embrace the huge gum trees from Australia and enjoy the walk. As I approach a busy intersection I find a lane way hidden and traverse that. Arriving at the swimming pool I enjoy laps of quiet in the warm water. This is rest.

Currently my work is three Nepali lessons a week and editing school curriculum for a friend. This is not hard at all.

I am tempted to busy myself and have put up my hand to help refugees at church. This may make me busy, however I will seek the Lord’s timetable. Soon I will be rewriting my research proposal to incorporate the Karmarong people of western Nepal, however, I am waiting on permission and data.

I know that in the field I will not be busy, daily I will do research but it will not be onerous. I will be alone for extended periods and will need to see the Lord’s company as enough. He is good! Amen!

Forgive the ugly

“Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A lot of hurt we feel is subjective, offending our selfish lives. Often it is not intended, yet we take it personally. If we can only step back and ask: why does this upset me? Am I operating in the flesh here?

Yes there are brutal people in our world who abuse mercilessly, we have seen it in the faces of the last Israeli hostages that were released. Three men who were gaunt and hollow, needing healing and love. We hear it in stories of Christians jailed in China and North Korea. 

Last night I read a story about three men in jail during the Second World War. Two were at death’s door and one close to it. One man had been the abuser of the other, who was a priest. The abuser cried out for help as he knew he was sinful, the priest who was mercilessly abused by that man struggled to get off his bed and shuffle to the abuser. He led him to Christ. That night both of them died. Both would find heaven together.

When compare suffering that is real with perceived suffer we must confess our sinfulness. We are not abused by anything other than dark selfish thoughts.

Lord, have mercy and give us insight into our own sinfulness and grant is the gift of repentance. Amen!