Heard

“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God heard Jesus’ prayers but there was one He did not answer, ‘deliver Me from this cup’. When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane He prayed this prayer three times but ended with: ‘but not my will but Yours be done!’

Right now there are many praying for deliverance from enemies, from sickness, from financial ruin or family breakdown. Gon alone knows which He can answer and which will be needed for people to walk through.

As it was for Iesus it is for us: ‘not my will but Yours be done oh Lord!’ Amen!

Comforted

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

To comfort means to ease or reliever someone’s difficulty or stress. The Lord takes us to Himself and holds us. I find the best thing He does for me is even in difficult times His presence shows up and I am at peace.

He is worthy of praise for this! He is good! When people pray for me I sense this. It is sooo good!

The best thing I can do for God is love Him and respond to His love; the best thing I can do for others is pray for God’s presence and peace to be with them.

Jesus said: ““I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Our response should be gratitude!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ah_zfqbxEVk&si=XyNiauLHxWLe9P0H

Plans

“We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬, ‭3‬, ‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We make plans thinking they are right, but the Lord weighs them and values them, those that are His are established and those that are not His are frustrated.

Back in March/April a good friend of mine and I had determined to travel to Tibet in China. I was free to enter but my friend, being American was not. The trouble was: we had to book all our journey and present it all to immigration at the Chinese Embassy. To our dismay they rejected my friend’s application and I had to cancel all the travel plans. In April we went to the Tribhuvan University to seek support to undertake a a research project in North-West Nepal, it was rejected because of my American friend’s visa. I soon realised I was not to attempt projects with my friend as the Lord had a different path for each of us.

Our plans, to us, we’re good. They were to reach people of Tibetan origin. However, God had a better plan. I returned to Australia for a month and used the time to visit relatives and friends who needed to know what I know, how good my God is and the sweetness of His love for us.

This plan was not heroic, or adventurous but is was God’s plan.

 I must trust Him in all I do. Amen!

For good

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When things go wrong we ask, “what did I do to cause this?” Sometimes it is the result of bad behaviour, other times not.

We want things to go well, we like comfort. However, we do not mature spiritually in comfort as much as we do in handling pain well.

I follow Jodi Erikson Tada on Facebook. She speaks often of pain and hardships. However, she ministers to millions. She was crippled from the neck down after diving into shallow water. She has to depend on others. She paints beautiful pictures with a brush held by her teeth. She preaches regularly on dependence in God alone.

We cannot dictate our circumstances, but we can determine our behaviour, and as a result the effect we have on other.

Today choose wisely how you will live. Amen!

Fearing people?

“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.”Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was thinking about this yesterday. I have a desire to reach members of my family who do not know Jesus personally, and I find myself silent when I wish to be vocal. Am I walking in fear?

I find it easy to love them and go out of my way for them, yet we do not discuss the hard things. Why? I cannot explain. I am seeking wisdom and insight.

I have a strategy for one but not for others. Lord show me your way! Amen!

Rescued

“For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

During any flooding disaster the news will report that many were rescued from on top of their houses, whilst raging waters surged around them; foolish people were caught in cars driving into flooded roadways and needing rescue. 

We are all grateful for those who rescue us. Much ado is given to rescue organisations and even the army who have been engaged in the effort.

We seldom realise that eternity is fast approaching. There are two roads: the wide road leads to eternal destruction and the narrow road to eternal life.

I know God rescued me from eternal destruction. I am grateful for His hand on my life. He made Himself know to me when I was a small child and I looked for Him continually until I was 19. There He found me and opened my eyes to Him fully. I repented of my sins and asked Him to come into my life. He has been with me ever since and I am so grateful.

Forgiveness is beautiful! His presence is overpoweringly wonderful! Nothing can compare to Him!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=4zBC3SKOP_o&si=RDinKXkvbo2AsKmf

Joy comes

“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”Psalms‬ ‭30‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse barely represents this beautiful psalm, the whole psalm is worthy of reading and meditating upon.

“I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.”Psalms‬ ‭30‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Are you in trouble? Do you have enemies? Are you sick? Ponder these verses!

Always, a dark period is followed by a morning! Trust the Lord, speak His promises over your life! Amen!