The day with dianne Louise

“Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Having a born again experience filled me with joy. I remember the chorus: I’ve got joy and it’s deep in my heart… that is where Gus jiy resides. I am in Kuala Lumpur after a delayed flight and a transit bus that did not eventuate. I caught a taxi to my motel for a few hours sleep. I slept well on the plane. Nothing like an audio book to cause me to nod off. This afternoon I fly to Manilla and wait there for a few hours then fly at 11:30pm to Brisbane. I arrive at 9:30am tomorrow morning. The whole plane slept well through the flight here, even several children, I was impressed. May it be so good tonight. I cannot feel sorry for myself, for my tiredness and the failure of planes and buses to arrive on schedule. I can, however, keep my heart good. Amen!

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬ There are people in our lives who cast shadows. They are those who bring outbursts of unseemly behaviour at the wrong time. They are usually stressed, unwell or frustrated because they try to manage their lives instead of surrendering them to the Lord.  Our God, conversely, is steadfast and unchanging. This can be frustrating as we try to manipulate him and fail. However it is greatly appreciated on the receiving end.  Today I experienced this in a friend. He is unwell and sleep deprived. The worst of it is when in this state he does not listen. This in turn can be frustrating and requires patience and prayer. Challenges like this, whilst annoying require me to walk in grace. Tonight I fly out of Nepal towards Australia. I spend around 12 hours in Kuala Lumpur. This time I have chosen a Mo...

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬ James, in this chapter, is discussing temptation and blessing, attitude, not just listening to the word of God but being doers of the word. The above verse comes after temptation and trials. The best gift that we have received is the gift of salvation. The gifts we receive are without remorse on God’s part. Today I am grateful for His Holy Spirit and for His patience, goodness and presence in my life. I praise Him for the opportunity to walk with Him and serve Him. He is good and His mercy lasts long. His forgiveness is a treasure I cannot meansure with earthly rewards. Today I pack to return to Australia for a few months then back again in February to what God has for me to do. I await His commands. Meantime I will enjoy my grandchildren and Australian family and friends. They are a blessing! Amen...

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Tonight I went to dinner with my two future flatmates and an old friend. My two future flatmates were great. My old friend tired and should have been in bed. The dinner was also my farewell and birthday dinner. I ended up paying as my friends could not. It was a pleasure to pay. I am paying for all the furniture and furnishings for the flat as my flatemates are not able. It is a pleasure. Their company is enough. They are a joy to be around. Two godly women who love and serve the Lord living faithfully trusting Him for all their needs. Some things are more important than money in the bank- relationships! Good friends are worth more than gold. Amen!

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Paul was taking up an offering for the people affected by the famine in Jerusalem. He was speaking to Greek believers who had not been raised in the Jewish faith. Tithing was not spoken of by Paul. Perhaps it was a part of the law that he did not expect new believers to participate in. However, he did say a lot about generosity in this chapter. Generosity in a believer reveals their heart towards God. As we love the Lord, who is generous, we become generous. If we love our money more than the Lord we will be stingy. Paul teaches tht the generous will be watered: “For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ The Lord is genero...

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” 1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬ The indicator to our gifts often can be found in what resonates with our hearts and what interests us. I love reading the prophetic books and am drawn to prophesy; I love reading the gospels as they show me my most favourite person: Jesus. I love the word of God and eagerly look for what the Holy Spirit is saying to me through the scripture. I love it when the Holy Spirit shows up and demonstrates the power of God. I enjoy reading the epistles as I see the humanity of the apostles, especially Paul. Today I took delivery of my new washing ...

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ When God gives us gifts they are to be used for others. They are not to be buried. We bury them when we do not seek Him for the character or nature of that gift. He has given each of us a gift. It is our responsibility to seek Him for the name of that gift and then to use it. I have just realised the parable Jesus told about the ruler giving gifts to his servants before he left on a trip  relate to this principle. We can find this parable in the gospels:  ““Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. “The servant who received the five bags of...