One Way

“For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.”1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul went on the say the following:

“And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As a missionary I could say the same thing. My heart longs to speak Jesus to the locals here in Nepal. Even though my language skills are small, they are growing and complemented with my acts He is speaking.

He has shown me His focus for now and I will go there! He loves these people with a passion and I am following His footsteps. This is the safest place to be!

It is amazing that lack of language skills is not a stop for Him, He makes His ways known without it. Praise Him! Amen!

A new heart

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These beautiful verses are a part of a prophesy God gave through Ezekiel thousands of years ago and around 500 years before Jesus came to fulfill this scripture. Part of the chapter has been fulfilled and part remains to be filled wiheen Israel turns to her Messiah.

However these are important to us Gentiles as a new heart was made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus. He redeemed us! He made a way for us to be included in God’s house. Praise Him!

A new heart is exactly what salvation gave me. My heart was hard to God’s truth before salvation and after it was soft. Now it loves Him and His word and His creation. Now my heart delights in worshipping my saviour. 

Lord I worship You! You have given me new life! You have made it possible for me to be a child of God. Thank You!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=dQdfs5S6jyA&si=vIKnYBqHWh4-tEqb

Rest

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;”Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Verses 1-11 speak of entering God’s rest. He is not talking about the Sabath as it was, he is talking about resting from our own efforts to earn salvation. We cannot earn salvation, it is a free gift from God.

Verse 12, the famous verse: for God’s word is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, pierces through bone and marrow revealing the thoughts and intentions of the heart (My version).

Today happens to be Saturday, the day traditionally taken as the Sabath. It also happens to be the only day’s rest in Nepal. Except today is in Dashain, the annual festival here where families go back to their homeland. It usually lasts for 10 days. The place is at rest with less busyness.

What does the Sabath mean for me? It means I do not strive to earn my salvation but accept it by faith in Jesus. He is enough! Amen! I love Sarudays, anyway, as I don’t study on Saturday and usually do fun things. Today a friend and I will go to a farmer’s market. It is where I can buy ham cut off the bone like, we have in Australia and really good bread. There is also a cute Japanese restaurant there which I enjoy. Lots of fruit and veg and exotic foods, as well as gifts and plants.

Are you at rest? It would be wise to be so! Jesus is returning for a church that knows him in rest. Amen!

Wisdom

“‘Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever.”Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

This scripture comes in the midst of end times prophesy. Prior, Daniel received a prophesy about the then future of the known world. It was full of wars and intrigue. Reading a study Bible helps explain all the various figures mention. However, suffice to say that the anti-Christ appears. In light of the present days it is a good read.

Living wisely refers to leading others to Christ. Jesus is the way to eternal life. There is no other way. Unfortunately, the prophesy shows that many Israelites will die at the hand of the anti-Christ. It is only when they turn to Jesus to save them are they saved. He steps in and defeats the anti-Christ.

The prophesy in Daniel shows the futility of the kings of the north and south posturing and fighting against each other. It speaks to the futility of living in the flesh. We cannot save ourselves. We are not righteous and holy enough. We were born into sin and are not pure without Jesus. He alone is good and holy. 

I am holy as I trust in His power and ability to redeem me. In myself no good thing dwells, that is my natural self. His Holy Spirit sanctifies me. Amen!

The Way

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We all value maps. Nowadays I use Google maps extensively. Gone of the days of swatting over heavy books filled with street maps, and gone are the many arguments between spouses.

However, we, at times, need to rely on others for directions. These directions are not just about the road ahead but the way to live in foreign countries. Last night, after Bible study I was talking to a new missionary. He was about to go out into the countryside to investigate more of Nepal. I gave him a few tips on things to take. Some things are essential, like hand sanitizer and packets of tissue, anti emetics and meds for diarrhoea.

In the road to eternal life we need directions. Fortunately we have our bibles and the words of Jesus. He said, He was the way. That is comforting. It means that if I get to know Him and follow in His footsteps I will find the way.

When the world swirls with opinions, Jesus is the truth. What does He say about a matter? Opinions will be tested by fire, will they stand?

I do not need to struggle to make a life for myself. Jesus is life! All I need to do is seek Him. My life will work out just fine as I trust Him. For the longest time I have wanted to meet and speak to a couple who live in the fields below my flat. Yesterday I made contact. The man, who I’ve since discovered is called Krishna, offered to carry my watermelon on the back of his bike. He speaks English and I tried to speak Nepali.  He told me he is a farmer. Now I want to go visit and meet his wife.

We must remember: knowing Jesus and trusting Him as saviour is knowing the way, the truth and finding the life! Amen!

Wisdom or flesh?

“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.”James‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We have a saying: ‘the proof is in the pudding’. In days gone by the original saying was: ‘the proof is in the eating’. Basically something may look good until you taste it.

I have struggled to produced gluten free cakes with varying results. My latest attempt at a chocolate cake turned out like a mud cake. It was good if you like a thick cake. However, I could tell by those who tried it they were not fans. I had included xanthan gum. It turns flour into a rock.

I may make the right sounds but how do I behave? Yesterday I uncovered a friend’s motives to a small group on social media. I believed her motives were wrong and not disclosing the full picture. I wrote to her privately about the matter. However, she persisted in her front. I disassembled it. I thought to protect others in the group. However, I am left with a fleshly feeing. Was what I did done in pride? I didn’t think so at the time. I was in protection mode. 

I had spent the day fasting yesterday, because I want less of me and more of God. Perhaps it will take more than one day fasting, me thinks! Humility has a cost!

Lord have mercy! Show me Your heart! Show me Your ways!

All can come

“Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.”Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In this chapter Paul is talking about two groups of people: Jews and Gentiles. This, basically, encompasses all of mankind. There is no other group, although some may claim there are. Jesus came as a Jew and lived His life, preached the Kingsom of God, died and rose again in Israel. Prior to Jesus God had only made Himself known to the Jews. After the desth of Jesus, all may come.

The Muslims are Gentiles! They are not the chosen people, the Jews were and still are. All the rest are Gentiles. The door to God has been opened by Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but through Him ( John 14:6).

Now, we, Jews and Gentiles, all have access to the Father through Jesus. He paid our debt of sin, He freed us from the penalty of sin. We can now approach the Father in bold confidence because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Amen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=uuDI-sk2nJU&si=7iM6E4CkA9rHM6Ks