No fear

“For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.”2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

I needed this today! I had been safely saving for my next study program and visa and whamo God has me give a large portion away. It followed by another need in which I believe He wants me to give half as much away. You might say He is stretching my faith in finance.

I am praying for a four wheel drive vehicle to use in ministry in Sindhulpalchok next year. I have no idea where the money will come from. I will need $20,000AU. The Lord has me giving away a 1/10 of that. It it amazing that I can give this much when only receiving a pension, but the more I give the richer I become in faith.

Yesterday I told a friend I would be unable to help her as I had just give away a thousand. However, here I am again and what is God saying? Stretch!

Bless God! He is taking me somewhere! Amen!

Jesus was indignant

“When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Some versions have Jesus being indignant rather than angry. Indignation is classed as a specific anger against injustice. Therefore, indignation fits better than anger.

What caused this indignation? The disciples decided that mothers bringing their children to Jesus to be blessed as an annoyance. His statement: ‘for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these’ shows how much Jesus valued the children.

In Nepal in many churches children do not have their own program, they endure the long services that adults participate in. However, they do tend to run around in the service when bored. My flatmates have been involved with children’s ministry for a long time, I must add I have done my time there as well. We are devising a puppet show to take the message about trafficking up into the hills of Nepal. I know puppets speak the message well.

Valuing children is important, they are our future generations. They carry the seed of hope, if we give it to them. If we allow them to experience worship they will engage their saviour better than any adult. Their love is pure and greatly cherished by the Lord.

Give room to children! Amen!

Thoughts and intentions

“For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy, like a two-mouthed sword. It will even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true thoughts and secret motives of our hearts.”Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭TPT‬‬

We like to hide our thoughts and intentions away from others, we cover them with fancy words which are really lies, we seek to appear glorious to others but to our God nothing is hidden.

In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray: ‘May Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ and fail to realise we are attempting to construct something different: a house on sand. We are in a hurry and don’t take time to dig deep foundations with our God. We gloss over our beautiful abodes and live like there is nothing that will rock our foundations, until the storm comes. Then we wail and cry out for help.

Do we realise how shallow we really are? Do we realise how much God wants us to dig deep and know Him and His ways and allow them to change us?

I advocate for four refugee families. Refugees in Nepal are now supposed to have jobs, yet the government will not support them. UNHCR will to a point, but then they are at the mercy of landlords, injuries and hospitals wanting payment. Yesterday I dealt with four familes. One, which I support by paying the father to translate a man’s work into Urdu informed me of their huge need. It crushed me. I went to the Lord and knew He wanted me to help. I have had a fixed term deposit that I keep to satisfy immigration here in Nepal, that very day it had come off the fixture and was free, so to speak. I did a quick calculation and estimated I could save the amount I planned to give back in time for my next college fee. I could not turn my back on this family who faced deveststion. As it was they were being evicted from their flat, which to me was a hovel.

Jesus told us that He was looking for a people who would not turn their backs on the needy. Well….I’m in!

How can I look into eyes that portray suffering and say, “Go your way and be well fed and warm’ when I know the opposite is true?

I am the Lord’s servant, He wants me to do what He would do! Amen!

Nothing is impossible!

“Not one promise from God is empty of power. Nothing is impossible with God!”Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭37‬ ‭TPT‬‬

I can trust my God to fulfill His word, even when others rebel or fail through fear. His word is powerful and mighty to save. His word is strong and reliable!

We can fail to believe and trust God, but His word is still powerful. It sits waiting for one who will take it and use it and trust it to perform all it promises.

When God’s word says: ‘no weapon formed against you will prosper’, it is right, if I stand in it and allow it to be great on my behalf. Faith activates God’s word in my life!

Hebrews tells me: ‘God’s word is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing bone and marrow, it judges the ideas and thoughts of the heart’ (Hebrews 4:12). That is powerful! I can trust it and use it.

In Ephesians when Paul tells people to put on the armour of God. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God! (Ephesians 6:17b). 

Our God has given us all we need to stand and fight for His promises to us. Stop reading and watching faithless junk! Get powerful through the word of God! Amen!

For God so loved

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today I read in the news about people from Gaza being flown out of Gaza to Africa and that they were not allowed off the plane in Africa because they had no documents. I have sat on a plane on the tarmac waiting. It is not pleasant when you do not know why and for how long. My situation was the flight navigator was ill and we were stuck in Yemen on a flight back from England to Australia. Eventually we were taken off the plane under armed guard and kept in the airport whist we waited for a new flight navigator to arrive from England. We were fed cold scrambled eggs and pita bread.

Our God knows how to love and care for us! He is not surprised by sin, instead He offers a way to salvation from sin, Jesus! He is a safe place to run to, hide in and find solace in. I know He will never throw me out, because I believe in His gift to me, His Son. 

Today, no matter what may come, He is good and can be trusted. I am confident that eternal life is mine. I know that I will live with my saviour forever. I know I am loves and not cast out! Thank You Lord! Amen!

Rejoice

“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!”Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭MSG‬‬

We know how to revel in New Year celebrations; the end of war celebrations; the winning of games celebrations, the winning of the political party celebrations, however, heaven celebrates when a lost one comes home. This is the best reason to celebrate.

As we approach others we can encourage them to see Jesus is the answer to many problems. Yesterday, my flatmates visited friends who complained about the pastor ruling the flock with an iron hand and not caring for the sheep as he should. As is often the case when my friends visit church members from other churches there are disputes. I know that there are two sides to every story. 

Why do fights arise? James gives us an answer:

“Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.”James‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭MSG‬‬

James had a way with words! So does Paul! Paul tells us to rejoice always. Even when conflict comes, seeking God’s ways is always best and knowing His ways is always a reason to rejoice. We may disagree with the way a person or a group live but God is their master, not us. We need to find commonality and celebrate that. Amen!

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