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

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!