The day with dianne Louise

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”  Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I find praying in the Spirit easy. I am grateful for this wonderful gift. I received it when I was 19 at a youth camp. During the services worship would invariably end in singing in the Spirit. I naturally went there with everyone else. I did not know what it was but it was beautiful. When an elder asked me if I had been baptised in the Spirit I asked what that was. When he explained it to me I said, “I think so”. I told him what was happening when we worshipped. He agreed. There are times when I know I must wait on the Lord. During these times I do art and pray in the Spirit. I allow Him to pray through me. Right now is one of those times. He has burdens that I do not know about. However, I have the time and have told Him I am willing to pray and I do. It is holiday season here in Nepal. My commitments are on hold. Therefor...

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”  James‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬ The crown of life is the prize. God does not tempt but uses what we go through to refine us, make us aware what is within us, and bring us through. Scripture tells us:  “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬ If we ask how did He show me the way out? We need ...

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”  Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ This scripture is a word given to Israel, the whole chapter is about how God will defend them. However, us Christians take courage from these words of promise from the Lord. Right now there are 40 plus Christians in hospital in Jordan, having been attacked by terrorists. The king of Jordan vows a response and have his intelligence workers seeking the perpetrators. Those attacked were Greek Orthodox in faith. May those injured take hope in God’s promises and seek Him in faith for their healing. I pray they see their God and His hand moving forward. We, Christians, can take for granted our God’s protection and not seek it actively in faith. We are called to live by faith. I know that yesterday as I attended church here in Nepal I took for granted that I could attend unopposed. I know Christians i...

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”  Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬ This command is a challenge especially when we ourselves suffer. At present my large bowel is giving me curry and I am having to stay on a liquid diet.  Last year one of my friends had a young charge who was experiencing bowel problems. I was not as compassionate as I could have been. It turned out that he had an allergy to certain foods, one of which I had encourages him to eat, dairy. I attempted to encourage yoghurt into his diet. I was wrong on many counts. He had a colonoscopy, which I paid for but then again this year his doctor wanted to do another. I was not willing to pay for it as I had other commitments and reasoned he was not my charge, but my friend’s. My constant challenge is to discern what is my responsibility and what belongs to others. I have ...

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.”  Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬ The more we discover in space the more evidence we find of God’s greatness. David did not know of the vastness of space. However, he knew enough to know what he could see and it amazed him. There is no sound in space as it is a vaccum. However, particles and waves of energy emanating from the sun have been recorded and converted to sound. I imagine that if the sun was surrounded by ai...

“We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬ We do not have the level of insight the Lord has. We may have the best laid out plans and they may smell very seeet to us but to the Lord they stink because our flesh is involved: there is ego, fear, self-will, retaliation or some such. We may deceive ourselves, but He is not fooled. Just because a plan sounds glorious, looks humble and people are clapping, does not equate to passing the God test. Is it His heart? I have been in Nepal for three years now and have been learning the Nepali language. I have done offical studies and private tutoring, however recently I asked my teacher to teach me God’s word and related studies. His presence is all over it and my heart bursts within me. I cannot explain it but I know this is what I love. My tastes have change...

“But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”  Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moab#/media/File:Kingdoms_around_Israel_830_map.svg The above link give us an idea of where Moab was in relation to Israel and Judah. Moab was often in conflict with God’s people.the moabites were blood relatives of Israel, descendants of Lot. Ruth was a moabitess. Naomi’s son had married her. After his death and the death of Naomi’s other son and husband she got up to return to Israel. Ruth left all she knew and went to a land she did not know with Naomi. This was faithfulness at a highest level. Ruth must have had a sense of adventure as well as loyalty. Ruth’s sister-in-law decided to stay in Moab. Ruth’s loyalty was rewarded in Israel. She met and married Boaz a significant man who was a kinsman redeemer of Naomi. In other words he was related in ...