Raised to life

“Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, he will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you!”Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

If we are raised to life why do we life as if dead? If we live in fear of darkness what is the difference between us and the world?

In the past three days we here in Nepal have experienced constant rain and storms. Many areas of Nepal are flooded. Houses have been filled to the rooves. It took me seeing photos of such devastation to act in prayer. As I am high on a hill I was not impacted. I had the thought to write to the refugee families I am responsible for to see if they were impacted and it turns out they were. They had not cried out for help. I turned to the Lord and remembered Jesus rebuking the storm and His later words: ‘all authority has been given to me, go in my name!’ I rebuked the storm and told the waters to stay in their river courses and they did. I went to sleep and had a sound sleep. I asked them if the waters went down, and they did.

However, some of my friends had been focussing on the storm and confessing doom and gloom and they were impacted. This showed me the importance of my words and what I focus on.

Jesus gave us authority and power, we must live and act like we have it. We are seated with Him in heavenly places. We must understand we are children of God and brothers and sisters to Jesus. He did the work so that we could be seated with Him.

We have His holy Spirit living within. He is mighty! He is more powerful than darkness. The people of Nepal have been worshiping their gods, and just like last year their gods repay them with destruction.

Only our God is good and wanting to save, heal and restore. Only our God loves us and wants fellowship with us. He alone is God almighty! Amen!

Unafraid

“Now, because of you, Lord, I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for no matter what happens, I will live unafraid!”Psalms‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭TPT‬‬

This verse comes from a Psalm of David in which he pours out his grief. His enemies are opressing him. He laments that God has not helped him and then he turns in the second half and begins to praise God.

For the last two days it has rained steadily here in Kathmandu and the waters were rising flooding low lying housing areas. We went to prayer. Only God would help.

Instead of focussing on the problem and lamenting how it was like last year we took the matter to God. He answered. The storms abated. The thunder and lightening ceased. Praise Him!

I was reminded of the disciples in the storm tossed boat. Jesus rebuked them and reminds them of the miracles they had been involved in. I was reminded of Jesus’ words: ‘all authority has been given to me, go in my name..’ I took this and prayed.

There had been landslides, airports closed, streets flooded but calm now ensues. Praise God!

Keep asking

“For every persistent one will get what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door.”Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Open doors are what we want. How do we find them? Ask and keep on asking. Just as a little child knows how to never give up, don’t give up. 

Why does it take so long? God takes the time to fashion us as a vessel fit for the answer. He removes all the garbage and grit, digs out the pride and arrogance, smooths the rough edges. When the answer comes we are ready.

All is for His glory, not ours! This is not about me, but He! Others need to look and say, ‘wow God was good to her!’ Meantimes He is good, fashioning me for His purposes. Amen!

Real love

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What does giving up our lives for our brothers and sisters look like? Realistically, it can look like us dying to retaliation when confronted with a hard truth. The next verse gives us another clue:

“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?”1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yesterday I was confronted by the first and the day before the second. At times it is hard to give up what we thought was a right of our own. Giving up rights is the biggest challenge. However, we are called to lay down our rights for others.

A friend confronted me with my attitude and reactions which I do not remember. However, as I had asked the Lord to help me with pride, I recognised His hand on this. I had to, literally, swallow my pride and confess my sin. It was good for me. I have come to know I have landed in Nepal with much arrogance and pride from the west. We have a prideful way of ‘helping’ those in need in Nepal. 

There are many needs. I have learned to wait for the Holy Spirit in prayer for His direction. I cannot give out of self-righteousness. This stinks! When given money I ask: is this ‘seed to sow’ or ‘bread to eat’? If He says seed, then seed it is. I then wait for the field into which I sow.

I have a friend who is generous to the max with his finances. Watching his sowing blesses me and teaches me. I have a friend who dominates in conversation and this offends me. Others have opinions, and need to be welcome in conversation.

Oh Lord have mercy on us! Reveal Your ways and the paths to take! Amen!

Give thanks

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse came from a psalm king David had written and given to Asap and the singers before the ark of the Lord. It ai filled with beautiful language. It is a psalm of thanksgiving. Verses 34-36 is the fourth and final exhortation is a reminder of God’s glory and the need to rely on Him for salvation (Holman’s study Bible).

Jesus is my source of life, my salvation from sin, He is my all. This psalm is a reminder of the goodness of God. It is an exhortation to praise. We need to praise Him.

Last night we had Bible study, beforehand we sang a few choruses. It seemed as though we raced through a set of songs so that we could move on the the study. I love to sing and worship and take time to praise. I want to make room for the Holy Spirit. We seldom give Him room to move in our agendas. The songs were beautiful songs of worship to Jesus. They needed time to tell Him in words how great He is. It is all about Him.

I want the presence of God not just a nod to His saving grace but a bath in His glory! He is worthy of our praise!

Take time to worship the Lord! Spend time with Him in worship! Amen!

Our shepherd

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.”Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Chapter 40 talks about our God, it refers to the imminent exile of God’s people to Babylon, briefly, and the future return from exile and the bulk of the chapter speaks about their saviour. It asks the question “who will you compare Me to, or who is My equal?”(vs 25). The chapter asks many questions of the hearers: ‘do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not considered the foundation of the earth? (Vs 21).

However, the verse in focus talks about Jesus. Jesus told His hearers that He was the ‘good shepherd’, that many who had been before Him were hirelings. Those hirelings left the sheep when trouble came. (John 10:11-18)

Thank You Jesus for coming and being the shepherd we long for. Thank You for carrying us when we are young in faith and leading us mothers when we have young to green pastures. You are indeed a good shepherd! Amen!

Prophesy

“Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is part of a prophetic word about Israel. In the whole chapter it speaks of a time when there is no need for Sun and moon will not be needed but the Lord will be their everlasting light (vs 19). This possibly speaks of the-millennium. When Jesus is ruling and reigning from Jerusalem al the points mentioned in the chapter will be evident in His reign.

Some commentators believe this period is the time of the Christian church. However, this might sit well with replacement theology, I don’t agree (humbly).  Replacement theology believes that the church is the new Israel and that present day Israel is no longer relevant. Not so!

Whatever opinions we have, the only one that matters is the Lord’s. He is the beginning and the end, the alpha and omega! What He determines will come to pass. I can trust Him! Amen!

His light is shining forth across the earth. He must be God, His ways we must own! Amen!