Joy

“Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let your joy overflow!!” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

There are set times when we are prone to be cheerful: the end result f a school year, holidays, birthday celebrations, New Year and so on. However, in every season of life we are not joyful. Paul, writing this in jail, encourages us to be joyful. What makes him believe we can be joyful?

Paul knew that those who have Christ and His I dwelling Holy Spirit have the source of joy living within.

At this present time I have many unanswered prayers. Currently I am ambulating on sticks due to a painful Archilles tendon, I am having to study from home. Yet, James tells me:

“My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.”

‭‭James (Jacob)‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

So, armed with an exhortation to count it all in joy, I will. Today I am grateful for my life, my friends and my family. Most of all I am grateful for how God has been with me from a young age. As I look back I now see Him there. How He has protected me, guided me, drawn me to Himself. 

Today is my grandson Archie’s 17th birthday. He is hoping to receive his driving licence today. I pray he does. Archie is an admirable young man. I respect his self-control and maturity. May God use him mightily!

I will sing of your love forever.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=f7wEdGVF21U&si=ZG8N7Vy3a3l7SpJ4

Build each other up

“Because of this, encourage the hearts of your fellow believers and support one another, just as you have already been doing.”1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Beacause of what?!

“He gave his life for us so that we may share in resurrection life in union with him—whether we’re awake or asleep.”1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Jesus gave His life for US! So that WE may share in resurrection life in union with HIM. We are not isolated little bumps but are in vital union with Him!!!

I love the study of anatomy and physiology. It was this study in high school that took me nursing. I understand how vital all the organs are, the importance of blood vessels and lymph vessels. Many would know about blood vessels but few would understand lymph vessels and the inportant role they play. Yet, our God made them and put them in place.

Many people in church feel hidden and useless but they carry vital lymph throughout the body. Google tells me:

Lymph glands (nodes) and vessels work together to drain excess fluid from tissues, returning it to the bloodstream, while also playing a crucial role in the immune system by filtering and destroying pathogens. The vessels act as a one-way drainage network for lymph, which is collected from the spaces between cells and filtered in the lymph nodes, where immune cells destroy waste and germs before returning to blood.

Because people feel hidden and useless they then disappear believing they are not important and then rob the body of their roles. My personality pushes me to volunteer for roles that I see vacant. It therefore makes me visible, though I do not need to be visble. I want to body to function well. I see the gaps where others should be and fill them until others wake up to their part. I endeavour to create teams of people and draw them into service.

Jesus is the head of His body. He is vital. We need His direction and wisdom. He wants a body, not a dysfunctional broken down version of what He sees, but a bride shining in all His glory. We shine in His glory when, by faith, we step up to engage. As we walk in faith we become holy unto Him, we are set apart from what we feel, and walk in what He sees for us! Amen!

Love rejoices in truth

“Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong.”1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬

God’s love does not need to tell lies, it is always truthful, yet gracious. I have been, at times, brutally honest, causing hurt to those I spoke. Fortunately, the Lord took hold of my tongue. Being truthful with others is important but so is being kind with it. 

Here in Nepal lies are a way of living. You are told what you want to hear. As foreigners we must be careful not to cover what we are doing with lies. The temptation is there when we find ourselves helping the Nepali people in a way that could cause us trouble. 

I am being constantly told, “I can help you, I will do that.” Unfortunately, it is rarely done. I find that if I want something done I do it or steer it actively myself. Keeping a good attitude in this is important.

Not delighting when someone gets justice, especially when they have hurt us is the biggest challenge. Praying for those who hurt us is a command from Jesus:

“However, I say to you, love your enemy, bless the one who curses you, do something wonderful for the one who hates you, and respond to the very ones who persecute you by praying for them.”Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭44‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Clear the Way!

“Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke refers to this verse in Luke 3:4 in reference to what John the Baptist was proclaiming. John called people to repentance in preparation for Jesus. Jesus was the focus. People’s hearts needed to be repentant and cleansed from sin in order to receive the truth of what Jesus was about to preach. Unfortunstely, many were not prepared. In seeing they did not see and in hearing they did not hear.

Now, is a good time to come to repentance from our own works to faith in Jesus’. We cannot save ourselves from a hellish eternity, only Jesus can. We cannot heal our hearts, only Jesus can. We cannot make all things new, only Jesus can.

Today I must walk by faith in the Son of God. He is my savour, my ability to understand Nepali, He is my ears today! Today I have an exam. I have diligently studied but there are so many foreign words I must trust Hm who created the words to be my understanding. Amen!

Only faith pleases God! I will use my faith! Amen!

Dig out your faith

‭‭“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.”1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sin has no power when we realise we are dead to it, it has no appeal! We are bought with a price!!! Jesus bought us freedom on the cross! Amen!

Have you been lied to and convinced you are a sinner? If you believe you are a sinner, then sin still has its hold on you. However, if you believe that Jesus’ death was enough, that when He took your sins, they were not free to come back, then they are defeated. Now, we must live by faith in the finished work Jesus did for us.

We walk by faith, not by sight! Amen! Dig out your faith and use it!

In Him

“He himself carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we would be dead to sin and live for righteousness. Our instant healing flowed from his wounding.”1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬ ‭TPT‬‬

When we have a huge load and someone offers to carry it for us, are we grateful? Yes! I am grateful when I have repair jobs that need doing around the house and a male friend is willing to complete them for me, I am grateful when I need friends to carry me through rough health periods and not worry about financial concerns. I am grateful when I sense friends are praying for me. 

I have a greater advocate, the Holy Spirit. I have a greater saviour, Jesus Christ. I have a great heavenly Father who is concerned for me. I am eternally grateful!

There is a reason why the godhead bothers with me. That I might live to righteous ways. This I can do as I stay close and walk in faith. The righteous ways are not my own but divine. In myself no good thing dwells, but by faith in the one who loves me I can walk in His righteousness. Amen!

The fight

“You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming. * * *”2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭MSG‬‬

These are Paul’s words to Timothy. Paul was in prison in Rome  and facing death at the hands of Nero. He was able to say he stayed faithful.

I am approaching the age of 72 and can say I know the time is coming, but not yet, when I must depart. I have stayed close to the Lord and sought His path constantly. The closer I get the closer I want to be. When I sense I am not close I determine to rid myself of what hinders me.

I am reminded of the scripture in Hebrews about running the race and throwing off all that hinders. I cannot allow darkness to consume me. My God has an excellent plan and it is that which I must follow. Amen!