I will sing

“But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.”Psalms‬ ‭59‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

King Saul had sent ment to spy on David, yet David finds time to compose this psalm. May we, in times of distress, find time to worship.

Today is Mother’s Day. Being away from all the trappings associated with Mothers Day it does not seem anything more than the Lord’s Day, which is best for me. Mother’s Day sets me up for hopes and possible disappointments, whereas the Lord’s Day never disappoints.

Yesterday a friend and I trekked in the local Shiva Puri recreational conservation area. The lack of trash was appreciated. However, I did see an empty water bottle up near the waterfall. The pristine forest was refreshing, the fragrance so beautiful. My God knows how to blend plants and trees.

Today may I find reason the worship the Lord. He is good and His mercy never fails me. Amen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ysxOP5gSvKU&si=7-ji36nyr5WcbPmI

Set apart

“Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This instance is the only time in the Bible that a unit of time that God blessed. The term holy is applied in the Bible as something set aside for service to God (Holman commentary).

In Nepal, Today, Saturday, is rest day. My friend and I will visit a local reserve and do some trekking. Tomorrow is the day I honour God’s rest.

Peter writes: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬, he is referring  to Leviticus 19:2.

What does it mean to be holy? I am set apart for service to God. In all I do I must serve the Lord. I cannot run with the world and follow its ways. I am His representative, His voice, His child.

Today, I am looking forward to visiting His creation. He is beautiful and I am sure it will be also. Amen!

Dirty feet

“So if I’m your teacher and Lord and have just washed your dirty feet, then you should follow the example that I’ve set for you and wash one another’s dirty feet. Now do for each other what I have just done for you.”John‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Here in Nepal we so easily get dirty feet. I imagine it was similar in the day the Lord spoke these words. The practice of foot washing is seen in Genesis and it can be assumed that it was an ancient courtesy for guests. In Nepal people tend to wash their own feet if needed and always remove their shoes outside or just inside the front door.

In Bible days a servant would have this lowly role. Jesus uses this role to illustrate how we must be to each other. The disciples were always squabbling about who was the greatest and Jesus patiently taught them this was not the way.

Seeking glory for ourselves is something we do, I do and have done it by choosing great escapades. Yet, the glory belongs to the Lord. I am to serve not boast. I am to honour not degrade. We cannot blame others for our failure and must look to ourselves. What did I fail to do?

As I consider my failure to secure University support for a research into language in northern Nepal I must know my lack. The task was glorious to me. Yet, the Lord would have me here in Kathmandu serving Him in a non-glorious way. You might say, I am called to wash feet. So be it! 

Not my will but Yours be done oh Lord! Amen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=LIvw3PPvqWc&si=UXoKI0CsVfyxvLiq

A New Thing

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Previously God was reminding His people of His deliverance of them from Egypt, but now, He was about to do something new.

Today, I claim this and step into the new. After two disappointments with my American friend, the Lord is pulling me back to Himself and saying, ‘not that way, follow Me into the new.’ My friend and I have been prevented from travelling to China and now Mugu, North-West Nepal. I can see a pattern and after watching my friend’s performance in front of the university professor, I know better. My friend acted and spoke as if my project was her idea and whilst this does not bother me too much I also saw her disrespect for the authorities there. It was a warning. The authorities did not receive her well and therefore would not grant her request.

I am left to rearrange the remainder of the year and consequently I am travelling back to Australia for a month to help an old friend and see family. This will be a good time of reflection and waiting on God for His ‘new thing’.

I know I came to Nepal to learn the language and be able to speak coherently to the people. Yesterday, whilst I waited for transport, several old ladies walked by and tried to engage me in conversation. I heard some words I knew, but realised there is still so much to learn and patience is required. I want to speak to them and understand them.

When I return to Nepal I will go back to college for another term to solidify my language. No grand trips, or projects, just humble learning. I submit to staying in Kathmandu. As much as I love country this is where I must be.

Lord, I wait on You to hear Your voice and follow Your way! Amen!

Belonging

“And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshiped.”Zechariah‬ ‭14‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This prophesy came to the nation of Israel who had been in captivity for 70 years in Babylon. They had been opressed, they were weary and worn down. They were returning to a land that had been decimated by their enemies.

After the Second World War when the Jews were returning to Israel it was a land that had been empty and without hope for thousands of years. It was a barren land. Yet the people turned it into a garden.

This prophesy speaks of the end times when Jesus comes to rule and reign on the earth. If you read the whole chapter you see what His presence does to the land and to the nations of the earth.

We all want to belong somewhere. Right now I am planning a trip back to Australia to sort a few things and then return to again study the Nepali language at the university college. Australia, although my homeland, is not home to me, Nepal is. I will visit family and friends there and return home where a place of belonging is for me here.

The Jewish people have a homeland where they now belong. It is not always comfortable as they have many enemies attacking them, but they efficiently defend themselves, and love to belong.

In the kingdom of God we belong forever. I am grateful for that sense of belonging. Where God is for me is home. Amen!

No discouragement

“So I say to my soul, “Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed. For I know my God will break through for me.” Then I’ll have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again. Yes, he is my saving grace!”Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

This psalm was written by the sons of Korah. The Khorarites were the doorkeepers in the house of God. The write of this psalm, however, was away from the temple. He was struggling with depression and striving to encourage his soul.

Many will be here at one time or other. When a blow comes against you, unexpectedly, it can cause you to struggle. However, only God is the answer.

Yesterday my research colleague and I again presented ourselves to Tribhuvan University. This time we had a favourable response from the man we needed to see, but he also was of the opinion my colleague had a problem because she had taken a five year visa and not presented to school, even though the course was cancelled. He then turned to me and said, “I don’t believe you can do this research by yourself. The places you have chosen are too far away for our staff to monitor you. You are old and we will be responsible for your health if something goes wrong.”

We went away and had lunch and discussed what to do. The man in charge had called my housemate and spoken to her in length. He told me to go home and talk to my housemate and then return if I want. I would have to pay 90,000R and if not successful would not be reimbursed.

My colleague and I have determined to pray and seek God. May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done! My soul is not downcast as I know I have other things that God wants me to do. I will wait on Him! Amen!

Victory

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Previously John had been writing about those who carried the spirit of anti-Christ. He was encouraging the saints that these people did not have power over them.

This past weekend we have seen a Labour government win by a majority in Australia, and yesterday when presenting our research proposal we were treated badly by a government worker who wanted to deter us. I was not hurt or upset as I trust the Lord for the outcome, His will will be done by us as we trust Him. We must return today and receive the verdict, can we pass through? Not matter what God has a plan and that plan will succeed.

When bad people come into rulership it is a sign to me to pray for them for a new heart. God is not finished with them yet. When people who do not value the things of God stand in the way, may His grace prevail over them. May His kingdom come, His will be done! Amen!

God’s word must prevail! Amen!