Liberty

“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When the Spirit of the Lord enters our lives He sets us free from all manner of bondages, illnesses, fobias. Choosing to invite Him in is the single best thing we can do for ourselves.

Verse 16 talks about the veil that is over our mind before Christ and verse 18 tell us the glorious freedom we receive:

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We are being changed into the image of the Lord. Think about that! Little old me am being changed into the likeness of God.  Now we know that we were made in His image because He tells us that in Genesis: ‘let us make man in our own image and likeness’ (Genesis 1:26). If we were made in His image then why are we being transformed into His image? Sin came through the fall of Adam. We now carry a sin nature in our flesh, therefore we need to be changed day by day into His image amen!.

Believe

“Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”John‬ ‭20‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus said these words to Thomas, who refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead unless he saw Him in the flesh, and put his hands into the wounds that Jesus had suffered.

These words speak to us who have come along way after the resurrection and ascension into heaven. We believe because He first loved us. He drew us to Himself.

The first thing I had to do when He drew me was to repent of all my sin, which was ever before me, then I asked Him into my heart. The result was joy unspeakable. I had never known such joy!

Unbelief carries such misery! Belief carries joy! Make the change today! Amen!

Taste and see

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!”Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In summer in Nepal we enjoy tucking into jackfruit. It’s ugly exterior does not look inviting but inside is a succulent feast.

When you read this scripture all your previous experiences with the church come to mind and if they were very bad, you will baulk and turn away. However, finding a relationship with Jesus makes life so much better that all religious nonsense pales and disappears.

I was raised a Catholic and attended the church regularly. Unfortunately, I did not find Jesus there. I sought Him desperately there but to no avail. I found Him in my bedroom with a friend praying for me. That friend sought the Lord about where to take me and He directed her to a pentecostal church she had been attending. I flourished there.

The result of me seeking the Lord was well rewarded. I was baptised in water and in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is my constant companion.

I can readily say, “taste and see that the Lord (not religion) is good, He so waiting to know you!”

The Son

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.”1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When someone sends an expensive gift we tend to be in awe. When someone sends a baby called The Son of God we are perplexed. Why did God send a baby and not a man? Jesus was helpless and dependant for several years, He did not do any ministry until he was 30.

I cannot explain why God chose to send a baby instead of a man. However, I am grateful He did. He trusted Mary and Joseph with His Son. I am grateful that in sending Him His angels appeared to shepherds, the lowest of low. I am grateful for the glimpse of Him we see at 12 in the temple. I am sure Mary could have written a book, perhaps she did, we do not know.

Jesus will rerun again, as a man, the King to rule the earth. Then the earth will see His power and glory. Then it will know His justice and judgement.

However, Jesus’ first coming displayed His humility and servant hood. He only did what He saw His father do. He was obedient to death on the cross and because of that rose from the grave and ascended into heaven. He bought our freedom from sin and eternal damnation. Because of His humble coming I am free ! Amen!

The persecuted

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Are you persecuted for making a stand? Do you family and friends reject you for following Christ? Is the government of your country against you? Then the kingdom of heaven is yours.

There are levels of persecution: many are martyred for their faith; many are imprisoned for their faith; many have to leave their lands for their faith; then there is the rest of us who just have a rough time being ostracised, rejected and cast out. Being maligned and misunderstood is all a part of the enemy’s tactics.

Jesus told His disciples this would happen. “And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Just as Jesus was hated for His stance on righteousness, so will we be hated. If we are not persecuted something is wrong. Amen!

Working for peace

“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus said: “peace I give you, not as the world gives, so don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

We hear a lot about President Trump working for peace in the world, however, true peace comes through following Jesus not man- made rules and regulations.  Man-made peace helps for a time, but there is always an underlying fermentation of evil, boiling, ready to explode.

How can I work for peace? First, I must have it inside, onky then can I go into the fray and work for peace among men. In Luke 2:14 we read: “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The angels announced the birth of Christ and funnily enough proclaimed peace. We know there was not worldly peace in Israel, it was inhabited by Roman rule and corrupt Herod. Not long after this proclamation and angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, as Herod was about to kill all babies in Bethlehem because he feared Jesus. So, we must therefore conclude the peace spoken of was not worldly peace. Rather it was the Prince of Peace who had come in the small frame of Jesus.

How do I have peace inside? I must make Jesus Lord of my life and allow Him to rule and reign. It is only His peace I can bring to the earth. Amen!

Purity

“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.”Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Purity is aligned with singleness of focus and refusal to be gossip oriented, selfish in attitude, or riddled with worldly attitudes. Rather, the Lord is supremely important and the maintainer of focus. What does He think? What does He say?

With a god-focus it is harder to be offended, tempted by lusty thoughts, tempted by gluttony, tempted with self-pity. With an attitude which asks, ‘what is God up to today?’ An inquisitive attitudes leads an investigative heart and mind to seek God.

When you seek Him you find Him and His goodness, His love, His mercy, His ways, His peace.

I returned to Nepal to singleness of focus. I am here to serve my God. His ways are best. In His house is an abundance for every good work. Amen!